Quote from: Lisnaholic on Today at 12:51 AMAs for season-by-season drop offs, as early mysteries lose their intrigue, I am reminded of Stranger Things, which I thought fell with a bump somewhere between Series 1 and Series 3.
I've been anxiously awaiting season 5 of Stranger Things for years. That's part of the problem, my hype and interest for shows wane when you take forever to release the next season. I thought season 3 was probably the weakest of that bunch, but I'm not typically one to rewatch TV shows or seasons (my wife on the other hand is, but when we're talking about TV series like this, that's like 10 fuckin' hours, so I'm more of the mind that I'll just watch the story recap that will inevitably be at the beginning of the next season, and I'll be reminded of all the most important story beats - I think the only TV series I've actually rewatched in full multiple times is Breaking Bad).
With Stranger Things though, I think the mystery lessening is less of an issue for me than Severance since I feel more attached to the characters in Stranger Things. Part of that might be the writing and their personalities, but also a part of that is likely that we've literally watched them grow up on screen throughout the seasons. So I don't feel like Stranger Things really needs that mystery element as much for me in later seasons, as long as the story remains interesting and the characters and character development is engaging and thoughtful.
I've only heard the one album, her debut, but she's part of my "21st Century Girl" thread, so I'll know more soon. After I've written more about popes in the third century. Well, have to finish the article on martyrs first.
I'll check back and see what I thought of her first album.
I'm back. Three stars, so not bad.
I'll check back and see what I thought of her first album.
I'm back. Three stars, so not bad.
Yeah I'm the same. I'm not trying to make you think as I do (if you start opening fifty journals tomorrow then we have a problem!) just that I personally didn't appreciate the comment, whether it was humourous or not - and possibly might have helped had you made it clear you weren't serious.
But you can think how you like. Nobody's trying to tell you how to think.
Except Musk.
Yeah.
Also, in case there's any concern, we're still friends.
What do you mean, we were never friends?
But you can think how you like. Nobody's trying to tell you how to think.
Except Musk.
Yeah.
Also, in case there's any concern, we're still friends.
What do you mean, we were never friends?
Overview
Newcastle booked their place in the Champions League surely as they took third place after beating Chelsea, and pushed Man City down to 4th. Villa played out an edgy second half with ten men, defending a narrow 1-0 lead against Bournemouth, but triumphed, to go 6th. In the process, Ollie Watkins becomes our highest-ever scorer with 75 goals for the club. Good man Ollie - another fine mess you've got us out of! Feelings were running high at Anfield when that man ran out onto the field, but though some cheered all you could hear was the boos for Real-bound Alexander-Arnold. A bit childish: people have short memories. Liverpool should have won the game easily but capitulated against an Arsenal team out for revenge, no doubt furious at having had to provide the traditional honour guard to the champions. They did manage to force a draw, but Arteta did not look happy.
Elsewhere it was poor performances from Tottenham, who folded like folding things against a rampant Crystal Palace side, lucky to only lose 2-0, Ange's moan that if they weren't in the cup things would be different sounding a little like a weak excuse for a team that have not played well all season, while talking of teams who have not played well, Man United saw the glory days slip further into the mists of history as they were well beaten by West Ham. If I seem like I'm gloating, it's because I am.
Leicester sent a final shot across the bows of Nottingham Forest, making their bid for Europe harder as Nuno's team fell 2-2 to the relegated Foxes, while Manchester City couldn't even manage a single goal against bottom side Southampton, who put up a great defence, while Everton turned it around to undo Fulham's 1-0 lead and win the game 3-1.
Sunday May 11 2025
Newcastle United v Chelsea
Nottingham Forest v Leicester City
Liverpool v Arsenal
Manchester United v West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace
Teams: Newcastle United v Chelsea
Regions: Tyne & Wear v London
Managers: Eddie Howe v Enzo Maresca
Ground: St. James Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 4 & 5
Two teams fighting for a place in Europe next season, there was nothing to choose between Chelsea and Newcastle, other than the former was 5th and the latter 4th at the kick-off. Victory for either would lift them into third, after Manchester City failed to beat bottom club Southampton yesterday. Two minutes on the clock at the Magpies were ahead at home, though things seemed to go quiet then for the rest of the half, Chelsea nowhere and Newcastle coming closest on the half-hour mark, then more misery for the London team as Jackson was sent off for a deliberate elbow, Chelsea down to ten men. In extra time at the end of the half the home team again came close, Isak unable to score his customary goal, while Chelsea's first effort came just after the hour, but saved.
The visitors, to be fair, played well in the second half, even being a man down. But the pressure told and in the final minute of normal time Newcastle doubled their lead to take all three points and move into third, all but guaranteeing themselves now of Champions League football next year.
Result: Newcastle 2 - 0 Chelsea
Scorer(s): Tonali, Guimaraes (NEW)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: Jackson sent off after review for violent conduct
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 5
Respective final positions: 3 & 5
Effects: Newcastle virtually assure themselves of a CL place, taking third place from Manchester City.
Teams: Nottingham Forest v Leicester City
Regions: Nottinghamshire v Leicestershire
Managers: Nuno Espirito Santo v Ruud van Nistelrooy
Ground: The City Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 6 & 19 (Relegated)
The difference between the teams: one heading to the Championship, the other looking to get into the Champions League. Forest must curse the fact that they've slid to 6th, having held 3rd for so long, but they're still in the hunt, and to extend the metaphor slightly, they were hunting Foxes today. Would already-relegated Leicester scatter for cover or come out fighting? Vardy just needs one more goal for his record of 200 for Leicester, so I couldn't imagine him sitting back. Wood hasn't scored for a while and he was on the attack straight away, but unable as yet to break that non-scoring streak.
Leicester in fact struck first, netting just after the quarter-hour to show they may be down but they're not going easily. A free ten minutes later had the home side level, and Wood could have had them ahead in the last minutes of the half but the keeper alive to it. Ten minutes into the second half though and he had scored, Forest in front for the first time in the match. Nine minutes from the end though and Leicester put paid to that, scoring for the second time and levelling the match, and almost won it at the death.
Result: Nottingham Forest 2 - 2 Leicester City
Scorer(s): Coady, Buonanotte (LEI); Gibbs-White, Wood (FOR)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 19 (Relegated)
Respective final positions: 7 & 19 (Relegated)
Effects: Forest slip to 7th, hopes of Champions League football fading...
Teams: Liverpool v Arsenal
Regions: Merseyside v London
Managers: Arne Slot v Mikel Arteta
Ground: Anfield
Respective current positions (Before match): 1 (Champions) & 2
Usually, first against second is guaranteed to be a great match and there's a lot at stake, but at this stage Liverpool already have the title wrapped up and the best Arsenal can do is hold on to second, with Manchester City breathing down their neck. Mind you, already achieving your target can have its downside, at least for the spectator. Liverpool pretty much sat back and let Chelsea walk all over them last weekend, but surely they'd be different against the team who were their rivals for the title?
It was however Arsenal who came closest in the first few minutes but Saka off-target, then Liverpool had their own chance, this one saved, the game not ten minutes old. Another ten minutes and Liverpool were ahead, and sixty seconds later it was two. The second half was only two minutes old when Arsenal halved the deficit, and with 20 minutes to go it was all square, Liverpool guilty of complacency? Then it all went a bit haywire as Arsenal lost a man for a red card, Liverpool got a free kick but couldn't profit from it. A very sloppy pass in extra time let Arsenal in to win it, but Odegaard shot wide. Liverpool then looked like they had taken all three points but the late late goal ruled out for a foul.
Result: Liverpool 2 - 2 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Gakpo, Dias (LIV); Martinelli, Merino (ARS)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: Trent Alexander-Arnold's reception by some of the Liverpool fans was disappointing. People leave, players transfer, guys. Get used to it.
Respective current positions (After match): 1 (Champions) & 2
Respective final positions: 1 (Champions) & 2
Effects: Nothing at all, was never going to be.
Teams: Manchester United v West Ham United
Regions: Manchester v London
Managers: Ruben Amorim v Graham Potter
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 15 & 17
First attack to the Hammers but well over the top, Man United unable to convert either but at least hit the keeper. Just before the half-hour mark West Ham took first blood, Ward-Prowse coming close to doubling their lead, but then on the hour Bowen did, United humbled at home. Again. The Theatre of Broken Dreams?
Result: Manchester United 0 - 2 West Ham United
Scorer(s): Soucek, Bowen (WHU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 16 & 15
Respective final positions: 16 & 15
Effects: Man United slip a further place, West Ham rise two.
Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace
Regions: London v London
Managers: Ange Postecoglu v Oliver Glasner
Ground: The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 16 & 12
It only took eight minutes for Palace to open the scoring at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, until that is VAR got involved and the goal was judged to have been offside. Back they came, nearly correcting that on 25 minutes from a corner, then Mateta went on a run five minutes later but his shot came back off the bar. Spurs had not yet had a shot on goal. Crystal Palace continued the pressure, and they certainly looked the more likely to score. As they did, finally, just before the half-time whistle. Unless it was again offside? No, this time VAR gave the green light. The second half had hardly begun before they were two up, same scorer. And still not a player in white in the Palace area. Finally, they had a shot just before the hour, but it went nowhere, and as time ticked away it looked like Palace might punish them further, but two did it in the end. After seeing how Spurs played - or didn't - the League Cup final between them and Manchester United looks like it will be a real borefest!
Result: Tottenham Hotspur 0 - 2 Crystal Palace
Scorer(s): Eze (2) (PAL)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: First Crystal Palace goal ruled offside
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 17 & 12
Respective final positions: 17 & 12
Effects: Spurs drop one place. Despite Palace's convincing win, they stay where they were.
Newcastle United v Chelsea
Nottingham Forest v Leicester City
Liverpool v Arsenal
Manchester United v West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace
Teams: Newcastle United v Chelsea
Regions: Tyne & Wear v London
Managers: Eddie Howe v Enzo Maresca
Ground: St. James Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 4 & 5
Two teams fighting for a place in Europe next season, there was nothing to choose between Chelsea and Newcastle, other than the former was 5th and the latter 4th at the kick-off. Victory for either would lift them into third, after Manchester City failed to beat bottom club Southampton yesterday. Two minutes on the clock at the Magpies were ahead at home, though things seemed to go quiet then for the rest of the half, Chelsea nowhere and Newcastle coming closest on the half-hour mark, then more misery for the London team as Jackson was sent off for a deliberate elbow, Chelsea down to ten men. In extra time at the end of the half the home team again came close, Isak unable to score his customary goal, while Chelsea's first effort came just after the hour, but saved.
The visitors, to be fair, played well in the second half, even being a man down. But the pressure told and in the final minute of normal time Newcastle doubled their lead to take all three points and move into third, all but guaranteeing themselves now of Champions League football next year.
Result: Newcastle 2 - 0 Chelsea
Scorer(s): Tonali, Guimaraes (NEW)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: Jackson sent off after review for violent conduct
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 5
Respective final positions: 3 & 5
Effects: Newcastle virtually assure themselves of a CL place, taking third place from Manchester City.
Teams: Nottingham Forest v Leicester City
Regions: Nottinghamshire v Leicestershire
Managers: Nuno Espirito Santo v Ruud van Nistelrooy
Ground: The City Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 6 & 19 (Relegated)
The difference between the teams: one heading to the Championship, the other looking to get into the Champions League. Forest must curse the fact that they've slid to 6th, having held 3rd for so long, but they're still in the hunt, and to extend the metaphor slightly, they were hunting Foxes today. Would already-relegated Leicester scatter for cover or come out fighting? Vardy just needs one more goal for his record of 200 for Leicester, so I couldn't imagine him sitting back. Wood hasn't scored for a while and he was on the attack straight away, but unable as yet to break that non-scoring streak.
Leicester in fact struck first, netting just after the quarter-hour to show they may be down but they're not going easily. A free ten minutes later had the home side level, and Wood could have had them ahead in the last minutes of the half but the keeper alive to it. Ten minutes into the second half though and he had scored, Forest in front for the first time in the match. Nine minutes from the end though and Leicester put paid to that, scoring for the second time and levelling the match, and almost won it at the death.
Result: Nottingham Forest 2 - 2 Leicester City
Scorer(s): Coady, Buonanotte (LEI); Gibbs-White, Wood (FOR)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 19 (Relegated)
Respective final positions: 7 & 19 (Relegated)
Effects: Forest slip to 7th, hopes of Champions League football fading...
Teams: Liverpool v Arsenal
Regions: Merseyside v London
Managers: Arne Slot v Mikel Arteta
Ground: Anfield
Respective current positions (Before match): 1 (Champions) & 2
Usually, first against second is guaranteed to be a great match and there's a lot at stake, but at this stage Liverpool already have the title wrapped up and the best Arsenal can do is hold on to second, with Manchester City breathing down their neck. Mind you, already achieving your target can have its downside, at least for the spectator. Liverpool pretty much sat back and let Chelsea walk all over them last weekend, but surely they'd be different against the team who were their rivals for the title?
It was however Arsenal who came closest in the first few minutes but Saka off-target, then Liverpool had their own chance, this one saved, the game not ten minutes old. Another ten minutes and Liverpool were ahead, and sixty seconds later it was two. The second half was only two minutes old when Arsenal halved the deficit, and with 20 minutes to go it was all square, Liverpool guilty of complacency? Then it all went a bit haywire as Arsenal lost a man for a red card, Liverpool got a free kick but couldn't profit from it. A very sloppy pass in extra time let Arsenal in to win it, but Odegaard shot wide. Liverpool then looked like they had taken all three points but the late late goal ruled out for a foul.
Result: Liverpool 2 - 2 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Gakpo, Dias (LIV); Martinelli, Merino (ARS)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: Trent Alexander-Arnold's reception by some of the Liverpool fans was disappointing. People leave, players transfer, guys. Get used to it.
Respective current positions (After match): 1 (Champions) & 2
Respective final positions: 1 (Champions) & 2
Effects: Nothing at all, was never going to be.
Teams: Manchester United v West Ham United
Regions: Manchester v London
Managers: Ruben Amorim v Graham Potter
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 15 & 17
First attack to the Hammers but well over the top, Man United unable to convert either but at least hit the keeper. Just before the half-hour mark West Ham took first blood, Ward-Prowse coming close to doubling their lead, but then on the hour Bowen did, United humbled at home. Again. The Theatre of Broken Dreams?
Result: Manchester United 0 - 2 West Ham United
Scorer(s): Soucek, Bowen (WHU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 16 & 15
Respective final positions: 16 & 15
Effects: Man United slip a further place, West Ham rise two.
Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace
Regions: London v London
Managers: Ange Postecoglu v Oliver Glasner
Ground: The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 16 & 12
It only took eight minutes for Palace to open the scoring at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, until that is VAR got involved and the goal was judged to have been offside. Back they came, nearly correcting that on 25 minutes from a corner, then Mateta went on a run five minutes later but his shot came back off the bar. Spurs had not yet had a shot on goal. Crystal Palace continued the pressure, and they certainly looked the more likely to score. As they did, finally, just before the half-time whistle. Unless it was again offside? No, this time VAR gave the green light. The second half had hardly begun before they were two up, same scorer. And still not a player in white in the Palace area. Finally, they had a shot just before the hour, but it went nowhere, and as time ticked away it looked like Palace might punish them further, but two did it in the end. After seeing how Spurs played - or didn't - the League Cup final between them and Manchester United looks like it will be a real borefest!
Result: Tottenham Hotspur 0 - 2 Crystal Palace
Scorer(s): Eze (2) (PAL)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: First Crystal Palace goal ruled offside
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 17 & 12
Respective final positions: 17 & 12
Effects: Spurs drop one place. Despite Palace's convincing win, they stay where they were.
Saturday May 10 2025
Bournemouth v Aston Villa
Southampton v Manchester City
Fulham v Everton
Wolves v Brighton & Hove Albion
Ipswich Town v Brentford
Teams: Bournemouth v Aston Villa
Regions: Dorset v Birmingham
Managers: Andoni Iraola v Unai Emery
Ground: The Vitality Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 8 & 7
20 minutes before any chances, the first going to the home side but saved, then in the dying moments of the half Asensio came close but back off the post. In extra time at the end of the half Villa went on the attack again but a double save kept us out, then in the sixth minute of added time we scored to take the lead. Our attack continued as the second half opened, but unable to add to our lead, then ten minutes from the end Ramsay sent off, which left us in a really bad position, now trying to hang on to our one-goal lead. Totally on defence now as Bournemouth pressed their advantage, but thanks to a great performance from Martinez we held on to the lead to take all three precious points. Europe beckons!
Result: Bournemouth 0 - 1 Aston Villa
Scorer(s): Watkins (AST)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 10 & 6
Respective final positions: 10 & 6
Effects: Bournemouth drop two places while we rise one, to be in contention for Europe.
Teams: Southampton v Manchester City
Regions: Hampshire v Manchester
Managers: Simon Rusk v Pep Guardiola
Ground: St. Marys
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 (Relegated) & 3
Running out the clock now, Southampton probably could have done without the visit of Man City, chasing second place in a real revival for Guardiola's team, and an early free kick could have had the Manchester team ahead but the Saints hung on. As the half-hour passed another chance for City to open the scoring from another free, but DeBruyne uncharacteristically off-target, so the home side kept them out till the break.
On the hour a third free for the visitors, another miss, the return of Erling Haaland not seeming to have been the bonus for City that was expected. They certainly had all the chances, Southampton playing deep in defence, but City yet to make something of any of their chances despite the Southampton goal being under siege, Ramsdale playing a blinder. In extra time Man City came close to finally breaking down the stubborn - could you say valiant? Ah yes you could - resistance of Southampton but it cracked off the bar, and in fact the Saints could have taken it themselves at the death, but managed to hold off City to a nil-all draw.
Result: Southampton 0 - 0 Manchester City
Scorer(s): N/A
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 20 (Relegated) & 3
Respective final positions: 20 (Relegated) & 4
Effects: City lose the chance to go 2nd, and are displaced at 3rd by Newcastle. Southampton at least avoid the worst-ever points total in Premier League history (that's still held by Derby County, 11 points).
Teams: Fulham v Everton
Regions: London v Merseyside
Managers: Marco Silva v David Moyes
Ground: Craven Cottage
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 14
First shot from the home team on ten minutes, but straight at the keeper, seven minutes later it was a different story as Jiminez opened the scoring. Fulham continued to pile on the pressure, coming close five minutes later to doubling their lead, Everton without a shot in the whole of the first half. Well, one shot, right in the final minute of extra time - which levelled, very much against the run of play.
Back came Fulham in the first minutes of the second half, trying to re-establish their lead, but with 20 minutes to go it was in fact Everton who took the lead from a corner, silencing Craven Cottage. It got even quieter in the home end when Everton took a second in two minutes, three in total now. Certainly turned the game around.
Result: Fulham 1 - 3 Everton
Scorer(s): Jiminez (FUL); Mykolenko, Keane, Beto (EVE)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None, but they tried to tell the ref to award a penalty for a handball, but for once he stuck to his guns.
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 11 & 13
Respective final positions: 11 & 13
Effects: Everton climb one place.
Teams: Wolves v Brighton & Hove Albion
Regions: West Midlands v East Sussex
Managers: Vitor Pereira v Fabian Hurzeler
Ground: Molyneaux
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 10
Wolves were almost ahead on six minutes but over the bar, then again six minutes later, the home side certainly pushing for the early goal. Brighton were almost in though when a bad pass had Sa out to cover, and then out of his goal but the Brighton player passed to a Wolves player! Talk about a comedy of errors! Midway through the half and the visitors were ahead - or were they? Offside decision confirmed by VAR, no goal. So though the Seagulls were first to have the ball in the net, scoreless it remained until they had a penalty just before the half-hour.
Wolves tried to come back minutes later but the ball went over the top of the net so Brighton one to the good at the break. Just on the hour the home side should have been level but 1-0 it remained until five minutes from the end when Brighton set the seal on it to take all three points.
Result: Wolves 0 - 2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Scorer(s): Welbeck (p), Gruda (BHA)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty awarded to Brighton; first goal ruled offside
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 14 & 9
Respective final positions: 14 & 9
Effects: Brighton move up one place, Wolves slip down one.
Teams: Ipswich Town v Brentford
Regions: Suffolk v London
Managers: Kieran McKenna v Thomas Frank
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 18 (Relegated) & 9
One team on the way down, another (finally) on the way up, could Ipswich emulate Southampton earlier and keep Brentford from dreaming of Europe? They certainly tried. 2 minutes gone and the home side could have been ahead, but right at the keeper. 16 minutes after that and Ipswich were behind. Would the floodgates open now? On the half-hour Mbeumo missed a chance to double Brentford's lead, while it was his strike partner's turn to miss in the second half, but Brentford kept going, determined to extend their lead. Ipswich weren't lying down though and went on an attack of their own, and could have levelled with 10 minutes to go, putting up a great fight and just missed grabbing a point in extra time.
Result: Ipswich Town 0 - 1 Brentford
Scorer(s): Schade (BRE)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 18 (Relegated) & 8
Respective final positions: 18 (Relegated) & 8
Effects: Brentford move up one place.
Bournemouth v Aston Villa
Southampton v Manchester City
Fulham v Everton
Wolves v Brighton & Hove Albion
Ipswich Town v Brentford
Teams: Bournemouth v Aston Villa
Regions: Dorset v Birmingham
Managers: Andoni Iraola v Unai Emery
Ground: The Vitality Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 8 & 7
20 minutes before any chances, the first going to the home side but saved, then in the dying moments of the half Asensio came close but back off the post. In extra time at the end of the half Villa went on the attack again but a double save kept us out, then in the sixth minute of added time we scored to take the lead. Our attack continued as the second half opened, but unable to add to our lead, then ten minutes from the end Ramsay sent off, which left us in a really bad position, now trying to hang on to our one-goal lead. Totally on defence now as Bournemouth pressed their advantage, but thanks to a great performance from Martinez we held on to the lead to take all three precious points. Europe beckons!
Result: Bournemouth 0 - 1 Aston Villa
Scorer(s): Watkins (AST)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: 1
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 10 & 6
Respective final positions: 10 & 6
Effects: Bournemouth drop two places while we rise one, to be in contention for Europe.
Teams: Southampton v Manchester City
Regions: Hampshire v Manchester
Managers: Simon Rusk v Pep Guardiola
Ground: St. Marys
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 (Relegated) & 3
Running out the clock now, Southampton probably could have done without the visit of Man City, chasing second place in a real revival for Guardiola's team, and an early free kick could have had the Manchester team ahead but the Saints hung on. As the half-hour passed another chance for City to open the scoring from another free, but DeBruyne uncharacteristically off-target, so the home side kept them out till the break.
On the hour a third free for the visitors, another miss, the return of Erling Haaland not seeming to have been the bonus for City that was expected. They certainly had all the chances, Southampton playing deep in defence, but City yet to make something of any of their chances despite the Southampton goal being under siege, Ramsdale playing a blinder. In extra time Man City came close to finally breaking down the stubborn - could you say valiant? Ah yes you could - resistance of Southampton but it cracked off the bar, and in fact the Saints could have taken it themselves at the death, but managed to hold off City to a nil-all draw.
Result: Southampton 0 - 0 Manchester City
Scorer(s): N/A
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 20 (Relegated) & 3
Respective final positions: 20 (Relegated) & 4
Effects: City lose the chance to go 2nd, and are displaced at 3rd by Newcastle. Southampton at least avoid the worst-ever points total in Premier League history (that's still held by Derby County, 11 points).
Teams: Fulham v Everton
Regions: London v Merseyside
Managers: Marco Silva v David Moyes
Ground: Craven Cottage
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 14
First shot from the home team on ten minutes, but straight at the keeper, seven minutes later it was a different story as Jiminez opened the scoring. Fulham continued to pile on the pressure, coming close five minutes later to doubling their lead, Everton without a shot in the whole of the first half. Well, one shot, right in the final minute of extra time - which levelled, very much against the run of play.
Back came Fulham in the first minutes of the second half, trying to re-establish their lead, but with 20 minutes to go it was in fact Everton who took the lead from a corner, silencing Craven Cottage. It got even quieter in the home end when Everton took a second in two minutes, three in total now. Certainly turned the game around.
Result: Fulham 1 - 3 Everton
Scorer(s): Jiminez (FUL); Mykolenko, Keane, Beto (EVE)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None, but they tried to tell the ref to award a penalty for a handball, but for once he stuck to his guns.
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 11 & 13
Respective final positions: 11 & 13
Effects: Everton climb one place.
Teams: Wolves v Brighton & Hove Albion
Regions: West Midlands v East Sussex
Managers: Vitor Pereira v Fabian Hurzeler
Ground: Molyneaux
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 10
Wolves were almost ahead on six minutes but over the bar, then again six minutes later, the home side certainly pushing for the early goal. Brighton were almost in though when a bad pass had Sa out to cover, and then out of his goal but the Brighton player passed to a Wolves player! Talk about a comedy of errors! Midway through the half and the visitors were ahead - or were they? Offside decision confirmed by VAR, no goal. So though the Seagulls were first to have the ball in the net, scoreless it remained until they had a penalty just before the half-hour.
Wolves tried to come back minutes later but the ball went over the top of the net so Brighton one to the good at the break. Just on the hour the home side should have been level but 1-0 it remained until five minutes from the end when Brighton set the seal on it to take all three points.
Result: Wolves 0 - 2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Scorer(s): Welbeck (p), Gruda (BHA)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty awarded to Brighton; first goal ruled offside
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 14 & 9
Respective final positions: 14 & 9
Effects: Brighton move up one place, Wolves slip down one.
Teams: Ipswich Town v Brentford
Regions: Suffolk v London
Managers: Kieran McKenna v Thomas Frank
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 18 (Relegated) & 9
One team on the way down, another (finally) on the way up, could Ipswich emulate Southampton earlier and keep Brentford from dreaming of Europe? They certainly tried. 2 minutes gone and the home side could have been ahead, but right at the keeper. 16 minutes after that and Ipswich were behind. Would the floodgates open now? On the half-hour Mbeumo missed a chance to double Brentford's lead, while it was his strike partner's turn to miss in the second half, but Brentford kept going, determined to extend their lead. Ipswich weren't lying down though and went on an attack of their own, and could have levelled with 10 minutes to go, putting up a great fight and just missed grabbing a point in extra time.
Result: Ipswich Town 0 - 1 Brentford
Scorer(s): Schade (BRE)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 18 (Relegated) & 8
Respective final positions: 18 (Relegated) & 8
Effects: Brentford move up one place.
The whole stadium was below code too. You can read more about it in my "Manchester Meltdown" (no pun was intended) thread here if you want to.
@jimmy jazz - did ya see the end of MOTD? Superb compilation of top Villa goalscorers. Brought back some memories that did!
@jimmy jazz - did ya see the end of MOTD? Superb compilation of top Villa goalscorers. Brought back some memories that did!
Quote from: Mindy on Today at 01:12 AMI said I was sorry for liking how elon is smart yall damnnnnn. I will think how you think, I am sorry.
I was not serious about voting for him in the 2028 election....and I did not vote for trump
really disappointed in y'all thinking I would too
It was just the logical conclusion based off how you answered mate.
I asked if you liked Trump or Harris more but you kind of dodged it instead of answering.
I personally don't care if you like them both, but if you just came out swinging and said 'I like Elon and if you don't like it you can suck my cock' I'd be like 'fair enough'.
I don't think anyone told you to think how we think. I certainly didn't.
I appreciate you clearing things up that you weren't serious. It can be hard, certainly for me, to glean satirical or otherwise non-serious intent from just a few brief text posts. I hope you can empathize that, as a trans person from a Jewish upbringing and thus someone who is a target of the rhetoric Musk platforms, I tend to take ostensibly genuinely worded statements of support for him more seriously by default, and I hope you can grant me some grace for that.
I appreciate you clearing things up that you weren't serious. It can be hard, certainly for me, to glean satirical or otherwise non-serious intent from just a few brief text posts. I hope you can empathize that, as a trans person from a Jewish upbringing and thus someone who is a target of the rhetoric Musk platforms, I tend to take ostensibly genuinely worded statements of support for him more seriously by default, and I hope you can grant me some grace for that.