Trollheart's Match of the Day Thread

[Trollheart]

Teams: Manchester City v Southampton
Regions: Manchester v Hampshire
Managers: Pep Guardiola/Russell Martin
Form: DDWWW /DLLLL
Targets: Man City of course want another title, and so hope to go top. Southampton would be happy just to be above that all-important relegation line.
Expectation: Uh, duh!
Ground: The Etihad
Respective current positions (Before match): 2 & 19
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 20
Respective final positions: 1 & 20
Result: Manchester City 1 - 0 Southampton
Scorer(s): Haaland (MNC)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: City move to top but will be again replaced by Liverpool if they beat Arsenal tomorrow. They didn't, and City remain top. Southampton switch places with Wolves, and slide to the bottom.

Fresh from a storming run in Europe against Sparta Prague, Man City were again bidding for top place as they took on another Premiership newcomer (this season I mean; they've been here before) and looked likely to breeze past a stuttering Southampton. Within five minutes they were ahead, a fine goal by Haaland showing Southampton the kind of afternoon they could look forward to, or I should say dread. To be fair, the Saints held them off to the end of the half, even came close themselves but Archer hit it against the Man City bar. Better from Southampton though.

Foden was nearly in for City's second a few moments into the second half but shot wide, then it was Gvardiol and two from Haaland, but the home team unable to increase their lead as we headed into the 52nd minute, a third missed shot from the Norwegian goal machine surprisingly scraping wide of the near post. You'd have bet on him scoring that one! Southampton went on the attack. With just the one goal in it, surely they believed they had a chance? In the end - despite MOTD for some reason displaying the time as if were were still in the first half when we were deep into the second, confusing me - one goal was enough to win it and City march on. Haaland must be rueing all those missed chances though.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Wolves v Brighton
Regions: Wolverhampton v East Sussex
Managers: Gary O'Neil/Fabian Hurzeler
Form: LLLLD/DLWWD
Targets: Having been unceremoniously dumped to the bottom floor last weekend, Wolves were desperate to climb out of the relegation zone, where they've been for so long. Brighton hoping to go third.
Expectation: I do like Wolves, but considering how they're playing at the moment I think they'll be fighting off the Seagulls and running for cover. In other words, I imagine Brighton to take this.
Ground: The Amex
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 & 5
Respective current positions (After match): 19 & 5
Respective final positions: 19 & 5
Result: Wolves 2 - Brighton 2
Scorer(s): Welbeck, Ferguson (BHA), Ait-Nouri, Cunha (WOL)
VAR decision(s), if any:
Effects: Wolves climb up one place at the expense of Southampton, who slip to last. Brighton remain at 5th. Later displaced by Chelsea, so now at 6th.

Another team fighting to get out of the deep pit that is the relegation zone, Wolves were dragged further down last week, finishing 19th but then results pushing them down into last place. Good to see Danny Welbeck, who was taken from the field on a stretcher last weekend, back in fighting form, and in actual fact captaining the side. Welback? Sorry. They had a chance to go ahead 9 minutes in but Doyle sent it into row Z instead. The shape of things to come? Wolves might not get those sort of chance often against Brighton; they could not go wasting them like that.

Four minutes later Welbeck almost made them pay, but his header went over the bar too, though onto the roof of the net. Mitoma gained his team a corner on 22, but Baleba's long shot was saved, and in the last minute of normal time it was still scoreless, until that man popped up again and netted for Brighton, Welbeck giving his team the lead. Dan! Dan! He's our boy! If he can't do it, no-one... will. In the second half, Wolves tried their luck from a corner, but easily caught by the Brighton keeper. Then they gave away possession and Welbeck was on his way again, but kept out for once.

Wolves weren't giving up, but their finishing definitely needs work, as twice they shot straight at the Brighton keeper. Brighton showed them how to do it five minutes from time as they took their second, but then Wolves grabbed an unlikely goal from a corner with two minutes to go, to give themselves hopes of getting something out of the match. With 10 and more minutes being standard now for extra time, could Gary O'Neill's team grab a draw, confounding the run of play? Amazingly, Brighton headed downfield with four players, only one defender to meet them all, and he triumphed, taking the ball back up towards the opposition half, and making bookies everywhere groan perhaps as Wolves secured an unlikely point as Cunha scored their second to level the match, leaving Brighton wondering what the hell had happened?

[Trollheart]

Teams: Aston Villa v Bournemouth
Regions: Birmingham v Dorset
Managers: Unai Emery/Andoni Iraola
Form: WDDWD /LWLWD
Targets: Villa looking to take second spot, Bournemouth looking to move higher up the top half, sixth if possible.
Expectation: Got to support my team, and they're flying, so I'd expect them to win.
Ground: Villa Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 3 & 10
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 11
Respective final positions: 4 & 11
Result: Aston Villa 1 - 1 Bournemouth
Scorer(s): Barkley (AVL), Evanilson (BOU)
VAR decision(s), if any: Villa's first goal chalked off as McGinn had let the ball go over the line before he took his shot. Handball appeal denied against Bailey. Penalty appeal also denied against Cash.
Effects: Despite not winning, the point gives Villa a boost and moves them to third, though after Sunday's result Arsenal displace them to 4th. Other results push Bournemouth down one place to 11th and out of the top half.

Currently riding high both in England and Europe, top of the Champions League table with three wins under their belt, one of them being the mighty Bayern Munich, it's a good time to be a Villa fan for once. Talk of being title contenders may be premature, then again it may not. They were ahead early on, or almost, via returning captain John McGinn, but on replay it could be seen that the whole of the ball had crossed the line before he shot, which is a pity as it was a peach of a goal. But correctly ruled out. Bournemouth then went close but Martinez was equal to it. Bouncing ball around the box almost led to Villa's opener but into the break we went and neither team had managed to put the ball in the net. Yet.

Good shot from Torres in the second half but again the keeper saved it, then a short corner and a great header from Watkins, and another save to keep Villa out. Even Duran missed! Villa definitely getting close though. 15 minutes from time the goal they had been threatening came, through Leon Bailey, whose inch-perfect header to Barkley had the home team ahead and in control.

Bournemouth thought they had secured a penalty when Mattie Cash took Sumenyo down in the area, but it was a clear dive and the opposition player was booked, no need for VAR intervention this time, though Shearer, Lineker and Wolcott seemed to think it was a penalty. Calls for handball in the last minutes against Bailey were waved away, VAR shaking its head. A lot of tackles in this game, thirteen yellow cards. Bournemouth snatched a point though, a real smash-and-grab as Evanilson took the free and netted to equalise and stun Villa Park.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Everton v Fulham
Regions: Merseyside v London
Managers: Sean Dyche/Marco Silva
Form: DWDWD/WWLLD
Targets: Everton need to put distance between them and that line, Fulham hoping to advance to 6th.
Expectation: Hard to say. Everton fought back well last weekend against Ipswich, but Fulham are higher in the table. I'd give it to the Cottagers.
Ground: Goodison Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 16 & 9
Respective current positions (After match): 15 & 10
Respective final positions: 16 & 10
Result: Everton 1 - 1 Fulham
Scorer(s): Iwobi (FUL), Beto (EVE)
VAR decision(s), if any: Calvert-Lewin's header deemed to be offside
Effects: A draw's no use to either and both slip one place.

Jiminez was almost on the scoresheet early again, but his shot saved this time, then down went Calvert-Lewin at the other end, claims for penalty dismissed with a look. Not much to talk about really, until Everton gave away the ball in front of their own goal, and Pickford had to be pretty alive to the danger, which he was. I'm sure he had some choice words with the defender who had made the error. Gaye almost scored then but it came back off the crossbar, and who was waiting but Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who smashed it into the net. Was he in an offside position though? VAR said yes, and so 0-0 it remained.

Everton were on the attack again with four minutes to go in the half, McNeil almost heading Dyche's men into the lead, but straight into the waiting arms of Leno. In the second half Smith Rowe went on a mazy run, passing to Iwobi who slotted the ball in the net to open the scoring for the visitors on 61 minutes, bringing the game to life. Iwobi was almost in for his second shortly after, but deflected away. Beto almost got Everton a share of the points in the last minute of normal time, but again there was little power in the header and Leno saved easily. His next shot did indede give Everton a share of the points though, in the fourth minute of extra time, as the Toffees snatched an unlikely goal to draw the game. Never say never, as they possibly say at Goodison.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Leicester v Nottingham Forest
Regions: Leicestershire v Nottinghamshire
Managers: Steve Cooper /Nuno Espirito Santos
Form: DLWWL/DLDWW
Targets: Leicester looking to move closer to the top half of the table, Forest there now and looking to advance.
Expectation: Could go either way honestly. Personally, I hope Leicester win.
Ground: The King Power Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 14 & 12*+
Respective current positions (After match): 14 & 6
Respective final positions: 15 & 7
Result: Leicester 1 - 3 Nottingham Forest
Scorer(s): Yates, Wood (2) (FOR), Vardy (LEI)
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty turned down when Vardy was taken down in the box.
Effects: Leicester remain where they are, Forest move closer to the top.

*+ not really. I don't have a table for last Monday night so I'm not entirely sure what place Forest were then, though they certainly could not move up six places.

Steve Cooper came up against the team he last managed for the first time since they had sacked him, so surely was out for some kind of payback. The Foxes gave the ball away from a Forest corner in a dangerous area in the 17th minute, allowing Cooper's former team to take first blood as Ryan Yates hammered the ball past the Leicester keeper, but Vardy equalised a few minutes later, a typical classic Jamie Vardy goal. Hermansen kept out a powerful shot from Hudson-Odoi to keep the scores level as the half ended.

Two minutes into the second half and it was player scores against former club and former manager as in-form Chris Wood netted his eighteenth goal to regain the lead for the visitors. A claim for a penalty was turned down by ref and VAR as Vardy went down in the box, the two shots in rapid succession went off the post and wide respectively. A long shot was pounced on by Wood who lobbed the keeper to take his second and Forest's third. Yates nearly had his second near the end, but Forest still ran out comfortable winners.

[Trollheart]

Sunday October 27 2024

Chelsea v Newcastle
West Ham v Manchester United
Arsenal v Liverpool
Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur

Teams: Chelsea v Newcastle
Regions: London v Tyne & Wear
Managers: Enzo Maresca /Eddie Howe
Form: WWWDL/WLDDL
Targets: Chelsea bidding to go 4th with a win, Newcastle targeting 5th
Expectation: On current form you would expect Chelsea to win this.
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Respective current positions (Before match): 6 & 8
Respective current positions (After match): 5 & 12
Respective final positions: 5 & 12
Result: Chelsea 2 - 1 Newcastle
Scorer(s): Jackson, Palmer (CHE), Isak (NEW)
VAR decision(s), if any: Palmer ruled offside for what would have been the first Chelsea goal; Isak's equaliser checked for offside but given; penalty given by the ref to Chelsea overturned
Effects: Chelsea go fifth, Newcastle slip into the bottom half of the table.

A good start in their last five games has seen Chelsea stutter slightly, drawing their fourth and losing the last one after three wins, but they were at home and playing a Newcastle team which, while relatively high up on the table, have only one win in five of their most recent matches, and have not beaten Chelsea at home in over 12 years. Could this be the day? Chelsea were also riding high on a good result in Europe, so the Magpies looked to have a tough job ahead of them, made tougher when Palmer scored early, but VAR ruled it just offside, and Eddie Howe's team could breathe a sigh of relief.

That didn't last long though, as Chelsea broke from their own half, nicking the ball off Newcastle and haring down the other end where Neto passed to Jackson, who put it in the net. No offside this time, no need for VAR to stick its nose in. Chelsea ahead on 18 minutes. Almaron came close to equalising for Newcastle but it bounced wide, but they were level just after the half hour, a nice bit of crisp passing allowing Isak to pop the ball in. And VAR came calling again. Anyone need an offside check boys? No! Fuck off and leave us alone! But they didn't, and with a tight decision to be made, the goal was allowed and Newcastle were indeed level. Into the break then all square, but Palmer was at it soon after the restart, two minutes into the half in fact and he had given his team the lead again.

Neto came close to adding a third, but it came back off the post, while Newcastle were denied a second equaliser down the other end. Isak made a total arse of things when he should have levelled the score but dithered too long on the ball, while Chelsea went in search of a third to make sure, but 2-1 it ended. A penalty for Chelsea near the end was chalked off as VAR advised the ref to go to the monitor and he changed his mind.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur
Regions: London v London
Managers: Oliver Glassner/Ange Postecoglou
Form: DDDLL/LWWLW
Targets: Crystal Palace desperately needed a win to lift themselves up out of the relegation zone, Spurs were hoping to go 5th with a win.
Expectation: Spurs all day. No contest.
Ground: Selhurst Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 18 & 7
Respective current positions (After match): 17 & 8
Respective final positions: 17 & 8
Result: Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur
Scorer(s): Mateta (PAL)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Crystal Palace finally win a game, and move a point clear of the relegation zone. Spurs drop one place.

My dreams are finally coming true! Palace, mired in the relegation zone, look to be a cert to be heading down. With only 3 points to their name after 7 games, you wouldn't give much for their chances. Spurs have missed out on European football but still fancy a top-half finish, and a win today would lift them into the top five. Just before the half-hour Palace had the chance to open the scoring but over it went, demonstrating perhaps why they are where they are. However just after that, Spurs made a right mess of a clearance and Mateta pounced to put the relegation strugglers in the lead.

A corner for Spurs came back off the post and was then cleared off the line, Palace fighting a desperate rearguard action as the half drew to a close. Madison should have equalised in extra time but Henderson pulled off a fine save to keep him out and maintain Palace's lead as we went into the break. The Eagles thought they had a penalty in the second half, but it was clear enough that VAR didn't even need to get involved. 1-0 it remained, though they were getting close to doubling that. Spurs kept up the pressure, but Palace held on for the win, their first in the league this season, and more importantly, three points that lift them up above the line. Damn them.

[Trollheart]

Teams: West Ham v Manchester United
Regions: London v Manchester
Managers: Julian Lopetgui/ Eric ten Hag
Form: DLDWL/WDLDW
Targets: A win would help West Ham to the top of the bottom half of the table, whereas Man United could move into the bottom of the top half of the table if they won. Um. You know what I mean.
Expectation: It was a pretty even match between what would be seen as two teams with mediocre results, and could go either way. Needless to say, I was not rooting for United! The Manchester side, I mean.
Ground: The London Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 15 & 11
Respective current positions (After match): 13 & 14
Respective final positions: 13 & 14
Result: West Ham 2 - 1 Manchester United
Scorer(s): Summerville, Bowen (WHU), Casimero (MNU)
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty awarded to West Ham, very questionable
Effects: West Ham climb to the top of the lower half of the table, Man United slip to 14th, looking over their shoulders nervously at terra incognita, the dreaded zone of relegation.

After-effect: Following this match, though not immediately after, Man United manager Eric ten Hag was sacked, some would say about time.

I won't go on about how much a force Man United used to be and how poor they are now. Oh, all right then. Time was when this match would be a walkover for the Reds, but now, though West Ham are still below them in the table, Man United are struggling themselves and in very unfamiliar territory, rubbing shoulders with teams on the way down, and others struggling out of the relegation zone, an area United generally don't expect to be anywhere near. West Ham have much work to do yet, but a win today would certainly help them climb away from that dotted line. Someone's job might also be on another, different line.

Early chance for Man United as Garnacho slammed it off the crossbar, West Ham caught cold, a warning perhaps. On the half hour they could again have opened the scoring, Fabianski caught all ends up as Dalot lobbed him, but then failed to hit the target. Nothing happening from the home team and it seemed to be United who would be the first to score, if indeed the Hammers could manage to net at all. But for United it was not third time lucky as the first half drew to a close, a ball from a corner again fizzing off the crossbar, nil-all at the break.

One minute into the second half and West Ham seemed to remember they were in a game, as Antonio went clear but Onana gathered, hurting himself in the process, then United came back but Fabianski saved from Hojlund. West Ham had a chance as it began to look more of a balanced game, but still no score. With 15 minutes to go, things began to happen. Ings passed to Summerville who scored for West Ham, Man U no doubt rueing all those missed chances. Perhaps realising this, they equalised through Casimero with ten minutes of normal time left. A scramble in the West Ham box ended in a penalty for the home side, poor old De Licht, who was so angry last week about being off the field when the other team scored, remonstrating with the ref while Bowen scored the winning goal, a fine penalty.

This match turned out to be the final nail in a coffin that's been getting built for a few weeks now at least, if not longer, and Eric ten Hag was thrown into it and the lid nailed down shut. Who would want his job though? You might as well want to manage Ireland!

[Trollheart]

Teams: Arsenal v Liverpool
Regions: London v Merseyside
Managers: Mikel Arteta/Arne Slot
Form: WDWWL/LWWWW
Targets: Liverpool bidding to retake top spot from Man City, Arsenal hoping to go second in the table and push their title bid.
Expectation: Hard to say; depends on which Liverpool team turned up. Arsenal are no pushover, but Liverpool would be driven by the incentive of reclaiming leadership of the Premier League.
Ground: The Emirates
Respective current positions (Before match): 3 & 1
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 2
Respective final positions: 3 & 2
Result: Arsenal 2 - 2 Liverpool
Scorer(s): Saka, Merino (ARS), Van Dijk, Salah (LIV)
VAR decision(s), if any: Possible penalty for Arsenal dismissed; possible offside goal ruled not to be for Arsenal
Effects: Liverpool miss the chance to go back top, Arsenal remain third.

A real top of the table clash as Liverpool, leading the field until yesterday when Manchester City took top spot from them, were determined to re-stake their place at number one, while Arsenal were snapping at their heels, pushing for second in the table and mounting their own title challenge. 9 minutes into the game and it was Arsenal who took the lead, a returning Sako breaking free and slotting the ball home past what must be described as a lazy Liverpool defence. Liverpool struck back on 14, Salah going close but not close enough, but a taste of things to come? Three minutes later they were level from a corner, Van Dijk nodding home from Diaz's flick on header. 1-1.

Havertz nearly gave the Gunners the lead again near the end of the half, but shot over the bar, a penalty in the build-up ruled out by VAR, then a free gave them the lead again as Merino got on the end of Rice's pass, the goal checked for offside but ruled to be on. A bad time, from a Liverpool standpoint, for the deadlock to be broken again. Liverpool came close through Diaz early in the second half, but he bundled it into the arms of Raya, who seemed to be hurt, then an Arsenal break became a Liverpool one as Salah netted to equalise on 81. A corner four minutes from time could have settled it, but Kelleher was equal to Jesus's shot, then the Gunners thought they had snatched it at the death, but the ref had blown long before the ball was in the net.

[Trollheart]

Meh of the Day: Not this week either; every match was either a thriller or definitely worth watching.

Scratch of the Day: Has to be Wolves v Brighton. There was no chance whatsoever of Wolves getting anything from the match, totally outclassed and 2-0 down, they came back in the dying moments to score 2 goals and take a point. Amazing. Almost as surprising as Villa drawing last-minute to Bournemouth, having led the match for most of the second half.

Player of the Day: Hate to say it, but probably Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest. Not only did he score twice, but he's now just behind Erling Haaland in terms of goals scored. That's some tally.

Goal of the Day: Again, much as I hate to say it, possibly Wood's second goal, a looping header capitalising on the moment.

Miss of the Day: Tommy Doyle's 9th-minute skyed shot for Wolves against Brighton, which would have opened the scoring for the beleaguered Black Country team.

Save of the Day: Nothing special.

VARiations:

This got boring real fast. I'm not going to go through all the decisions, but overall I think VAR helped more than it hindered really.
 

Climb of the Day: I would give this to Nottingham Forest, who seem to have climbed six places into the top half of the table, but I'm not sure as I don't have a table for Monday, so events may have conspired to have allowed them move higher at the expense of other teams. Still, a very good result for them. Also moving up, Brentford climb 3 places from 13 to 9 and into the top half.

Drop of the Day: This is shared by two of the United clubs, Newcastle dropping four places from 8 to 12 and into the bottom half of the table, while Manchester United's defeat at the hands of West Ham pushes them further down the table - and I mean the bottom half of the table - another 3 places down from 11 to 14.

Pass of the Day: Didn't really see one.

Mirth of the Day: Nothing particularly funny springs to mind.

Quote of the Day: Perhaps more like non-quote of the day, as a tight-lipped Carl Palmer seemed something like a deer caught in the headlights, answering questions in mostly monosyllables and looking like he wished he was elsewhere.

Pen of the Day: Meh. Nothing special, and not much in the way even of penalties.

Score of the Day: No huge scores really, though Brentford's 4-3 versus Ipswich is worth remarking upon.

We Wuz Robbed! That would have to be us, Aston Villa, holding a 1-0 lead till the sixth minute of extra time and then giving it away to end up with just a draw. D'oh!

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal: Well they looked like they were going to beat Liverpool, but ended up drawing, so that's all right. Mind you, they pushed us down from third to fourth, but would not have been able to do had we not failed to win our match, so I can't really blame them for that.
 
Crystal Palace: God damn it! They won their match - against Spurs, no less! - and are a point above the relegation zone! May they fall back in very soon. Curse their eyes.
 
Manchester United: Tough times for the once-unbeatable team, losing their match and also their manager. I'm happy.
 
Nottingham Forest: Damn Chris fucking Wood anyway! Forest win their match against Leicester and move up the table.
 
It's kind of 50/50 again, but the sacking of ten Hag adds another layer of sweetness to Man United's defeat, so I consider this worthy of a
 

[Trollheart]

Saturday November 2 2024
Bournemouth v Manchester City
Liverpool v Brighton
Newcastle v Arsenal
West Ham v Nottingham Forest
Southampton v Everton
Wolves v Crystal Palace


Teams: Bournemouth v Manchester City
Regions: Dorset v Manchester
Managers: Andoni Iraola  v Pep Guardiola
Form: LWLWD /DDWWW
Targets: Bournemouth hope to climb into the top half of the table, Man City want to stay top of the whole thing.
Expectation: You'd have to think City would power past Bournemouth here. The Cherries have never beaten Pep's team, and it was unlikely they'd start now, with City at the top of the league. Again.
Ground: The Vitality Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 11/1
Respective current positions (After match): 2 & 8
Respective final positions: 2 & 10

High-flying Man City met a Bournemouth team who, while surely buoyed by their last-gasp equaliser against us (bastards) and playing at home, must have known they'd be up against it when Pep's boys came to town. It was however the home side who had the first chance, or actually chances, as the first shot was pushed away by the keeper and the rebound shot hopped off the post. Two minutes gone. Wow. DIspossessing Haaland is not something that's easy for any player, but on 9 minutes that's exactly what Cook did and Bournemouth were on the attack again. This time it went in, the home side ahead, and not even against the run of play.

Half an hour gone and City hadn't even had a shot on target, or even really been down the opposition half, at least from the highlights as far as I could see. Certainly nothing significant, though Haaland did get his shot away but it went wide. No, the commentator just confirmed: City did not have a shot on target in the first half. In fact it was the Cherries who almost doubled their lead as the second half got underway, then Foden had their first real effort, but it scraped by the post.

Then Evanilson, our nemesis from last week, put the home side two up, to shock City and their fans just after the hour. Liverpool must have been applauding Andoni Iraola's side. Bournemouth could have had a third but the shot went high, ten minutes left for the Cherries to make history. But you can't expect Man City to go a full match and not at least score, and with eight minutes to go that's exactly what happened, as Gvardiol rose to head in and halve the deficit. Could Bournemouth hang on?

City were looking at a 32-match unbeaten run coming to an end, and weren't going down easily, but would you expect them to? Haaland almost equalised for them in extra time but somehow the keeper kept it out, then Foden almost saved them in the last minute, but Bournemouth held on for a famous, historic victory. I'm sure you could hear the cheers on Merseyside. Well, the red half anyway.


Result: Bournemouth 2 - Manchester City 1
Scorer(s): Semenyo, Evanilson (BOU), Gvardiol (MNC)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Man City lose top spot to Liverpool, having held it for two weeks. Bournemouth advance into the top half of the table, moving to 8th place but drop to 10th after Fulham's win on Monday night.



Teams: Liverpool v Brighton
Regions: Merseyside v East Sussex
Managers: Arne Slot v Fabian Hurzeler
Form: DLWWD/WWWWD
Targets: A win for Brighton would put them third, while Liverpool aimed to capitalise on Man City's loss to Bournemouth (though they wouldn't have known about it) and retake top place.
Expectation: Given the stakes, I'd have to think Liverpool would take this one.
Ground: Anfield
Respective current positions (Before match): 2 & 5
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 7
Respective final positions: 1 & 8

With a chance to take back top spot after two weeks looking up at Man City, and playing at home, Liverpool would have fancied this. Brighton, though, are playing well and a win would lift them into the dizzying heights of third place, so all to play for. Nunes was almost on the scoresheet early, but the Brighton keeper kept him out, then they were ahead on 14 as Kadioglu blasted into the Liverpool net. Not the start the Reds had been looking for! Not long after the visitors could have gone two up, but Kelleher was equal to it, all the chances coming from Brighton.

A free for Brighton with five minutes to go almost had Welbeck in for his fourth game in a row, but it just went slightly wide. The half ended on a Liverpool corner, but it gained them nothing. A second should have resulted but the ref blew for half-time and so 1-0 it remained at the break. The home side came out fighting as the game resumed and McAllister went a whisker wide, Van Dijk also spurning the chance to draw his team level. Even Salah couldn't work his magic, and you began to wonder if it just might not be their day.

And then a finely-worked goal allowed Gakpo to level, and it was game on. Liverpool weren't going to let this slip, to quote the unfortunate Steven Gerrard, and Salah netted two minutes later to put Liverpool in the lead on 72. And they held the lead to take the game and retake top spot.


Result: Liverpool 2 - 1 Brighton
Scorer(s): Kadioglu (BHA), Gakpo, Salah (LIV)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Liverpool go top of the table again, Brighton slide down two places, three after Monday night.


Teams: Newcastle v Arsenal
Regions: Tyne & Wear v London
Managers: Eddie Howe v Mikel Arteta
Form: LDDLL/DWWLD
Targets: Newcastle need to start winning, and move out of that lower half of the table, while Arsenal are looking to continue their title challenge, but from what I can see, even a win will only allow them to remain where they are, in third.
Expectation: You'd have to think the Gunners would blow the Magpies away, wouldn't you? One for sorrow...
Ground: St. James Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 12/3
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 4
Respective final positions: 11 & 5

On their day, Newcastle can be great, but goals have been few and far between for Eddie Howe's team in recent weeks. They showed their class though when Isak headed in off Gordon's perfect pass to put the Magpies in front. 12 minutes gone and Arsenal, um, shell-shocked. Sorry. Saka attempted to equalise but the keeper kept him out. Another fine pass almost had Newcastle in for their second, again Saka had a go, again it remained 1-0 as we headed into the break.

Gordon with another perfect pass as the second half begun, but this time cut out by Raya before Willock could get on the end of it. 63 minutes in and Isak was almost there for his second, but Raya in the way again. Rice also came close but it zipped past the post, Newcastle maintaining their one-goal lead into extra time. Could Arteta's team grab a last-second equaliser? No. No they could not, and Newcastle record their first victory in at least six games, while Arsenal suffer their second defeat in three. Up the Toon!


Result: Newcastle 1 - 0 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Isak (NEW)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Arsenal lose ground on the leaders and slip one place, and one more after the last match this weekend. Newcastle rise three into 9th but slip to 11th after Monday's match.




Teams: West Ham v Nottingham Forest
Regions: London v Nottinghamshire
Managers: Julien Lopetegui v Nuno Espirito Santos
Form: LDWLW/DLDWW
Targets: A win for West Ham would lift them into the top half of the table, victory for Forest would take them into the top three.
Expectation: Forest have been on a roll, winning their last two games and with Chris Wood on fire (sorry) while West Ham have been coming good, too. Hard to say really, but I think Nuno's team might take this.
Ground: The City Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 7
Respective current positions (After match): 14 & 3
Respective final positions: 14 & 3

Unless Chris Wood gets injured, it's beginning to look like Nottingham Forest can't be stopped in their inexorable climb up the table. West Ham need to improve on recent results, but they're getting there. First shot in anger from the home side, but it didn't result in a goal. Yet. All the pressure coming from Forest, and again it was that man who took his chance, nodding in for his fourth in a row. West Ham didn't look to have much to offer, honestly, a rare corner for them near the end of the half coming to nothing but the rebound almost resulting in a goal to level the match.

Forest broke again in the second minute of extra time, Elanga cut down by Alvarez who, already on a yellow, was dismissed. West Ham down to ten men, not a good way to end the half. A free in the second half saw Forest double their lead through Hudson-Odoi, and there was nothing for the Londoners here anymore. A defensive stance now, just trying to keep the score as it was, but in vain as Aina got in on the action and scored on 78 to give Forest an unassailable three-goal lead.

A chance for a fourth was denied by Fabianski first, then the linesman's flag for the second, and again by the West Ham keeper for the third, but a comprehensive victory for Nottingham Forest. They haven't had three successive wins since the very end of the 20th century, so I guess (you know it's coming, don't pretend you don't) tonight they're gonna party like it's 1999.


Result: Nottingham Forest 3 - 0 West Ham
Scorer(s): Wood, Hudson-Odoi, Aina (FOR)
VAR decision(s), if any: None (offside confirmed in extra time but on field decision had already been made)
Effects: Forest take 3rd place and can start thinking of Champions League football, West Ham remain in the bottom half of the table.


Teams: Southampton v Everton
Regions: Hampshire v Merseyside
Managers: Russell Martin v Sean Dyche
Form: DLLLL/DWDWD
Targets: Southampton just want to climb up off the bottom, though even an unlikely win today wouldn't do that, while Everton just want to inch further up the lower half of the table.
Expectation: Miracles do happen in football, but I think Jesus is already stunned by the Man City loss, so he has other things on his mind. I see this as an Everton victory.
Ground: St. Mary's
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 & 16
Respective current positions (After match): 19 & 16
Respective final positions: 19 & 16

Poor Southampton just can't get off the bottom of the table, and even if they manage a surprise win today they'll still be in the relegation zone. Everton are unbeaten in their last five, so the advantage should be with them. Nothing much to speak of in the first half, other than a crunching tackle from Tarkowski, for which he deservedly got a yellow card, which might even have been red on another day and with a less lenient ref. The Saints couldn't be faulted for their effort, but no goals at the end of the half.

Keane was almost in for the opening goal for Everton in the second, but a great save from Ramsdale kept him out, then another attack broke down for the bottom team. A draw would be enough for the Saints, Everton definitely failing to impress. Near the death, Tarkowski came closest, his shot coming back off the bar, but Southampton kept pushing and eventually got their reward two minutes from time as Armstrong gave them a precious goal, and perhaps all three points for the first time this season, a precious lifeline.

That lifeline snapped sixty seconds later when Beto stormed through to bang the goal into an empty net after rounding the keeper. But would it stand? All eyes on VAR, who ruled the goal would not stand as it was offside. Salvation for Southampton as they were again able to celebrate a first ever win this season.

Result: Southampton 1 - 0 Everton
Scorer(s): Armstrong (SOU)
VAR decision(s), if any: Possible red card for foul in a goal-scoring position kept to a yellow, agreeing with the ref.
Effects: Although a morale-booster, the win doesn't do much for the Saints, who move one place up, back into 19th, where they were two weeks ago, still firmly in the relegation zone. Everton remain where they were.



Teams: Wolves v Crystal Palace
Regions: West Midlands v London
Managers: Garry O'Neil v Oliver Glassner
Form: LLLLD/DLLLW
Targets: Both need to move up; Palace got out of the relegation zone last week, Wolves are still there.
Expectation: Could be a draw.
Ground: Molyneux
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 17
Respective current positions (After match): 20 & 17
Respective final positions: 20 & 17

A real battle of the basement, only four points separated Wolves and Palace at the start of play, with the London team having managed to climb just about out of the relegation zone after a win against Spurs last week, while Wolves, despite a last-minute draw with Brighton, remain just one point above the bottom. A victory for Palace would allow them to pull further away from the dotted line, while three precious points for the home side would mean they would also make it out and stand looking down, instead of up, at the relegation line.

Palace had a good chance to open the scoring on the half-hour, but Mateta's shot from their corner was blocked by one of his own players. Oops! Back to the training ground, lads! Wolves then had their own attack but lost out to the keeper. Second half was more of the same, with each team striving to break the deadlock, Wolves coming closest but almost giving Henderson concussion as the Palace keeper took the ball right in the face. Ouch! That's gotta hurt!

On the hour the visitors got a free, in a dangerous area, as they say, the keeper saving but then punching out to Strand-Larsen who headed it inadvertently to the man who had blocked the original attempt at their first goal, Chalobah, putting the London team in front. Talk about a comedy of errors! Palace took control now, Sarr missing a glaring opportunity to make it two, blasting it over the bar, then again, the man who had made a mess of things came good as Strand-Larsen made amends for having given the opposition the lead by netting for Wolves to tie the game on 67. All square with everything to play for again.

As they had last week against Brighton, Wolves came back to turn it around with a 72nd minute goal from Gomes to stun Palace and take the lead. Nervous times now as Palace got a corner in the 77th and scored, to level the game again and undo all Wolves' good work. And worse was to come. In the sixth minute of extra time Mateta scored when Sa dropped the ball, but the ref blew his whistle and ruled that the keeper had been fouled just before the Palace striker, um, struck. So a draw was how it ended. And for once, I got it right. Unfortunately, a draw helps neither team.

Result: Wolves 2 - 2 Crystal Palace
Scorer(s): Chalobah, Guehi (PAL), Strand-Larsen, Gomes (WOL)
VAR decision(s), if any: Foul at the end agreed with the ref and goal ruled out.
Effects: Not much at all. Wolves are bottom and Palace are just two points above the line in 17th place.


Teams: Ipswich v Leicester
Regions: Suffolk v Leicestershire
Managers: Kieran McKenna v Steve Cooper
Form: DDLLL/DLWWL
Targets: For Ipswich, it's survival and that means getting out of the relegation zone. Leicester are only 5 points clear of the line, so need to move further away from it.
Expectation: I think it will be a tough match, but imagine Leicester will shade it.
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 18 & 15
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 15
Respective final positions: 18 & 15

Another team looking to throw a grapnel over the side and haul themselves to safety, Ipswich have found it hard in their first season back in the Premier League in a while, with four points from nine games, and no wins in any of them. Leicester are battling hard, but need to put last week's 4-3 loss to Nottingham Forest behind them. The Foxes should have been ahead on three minutes, but Vardy's shot was missed on the rebound by a stumbling Mavididi. Leicester then gave the ball away and were almost punished, but last week's scorer Smodicks couldn't finish.

Chances at both ends in the first half, but scoreless at the break, then ten minutes into the second half Davis volleyed into the Leicester net to put the home side ahead. A free then allowed Ipswich to almost add a second, but it was all a bit confused in the box, and in the end the Tractor Boys were a boy short as Philips was sent off for a second yellow. A chance for the Foxes to pounce against ten men?

Three minutes of normal time to go and Buonanotte fell but got back up and continued the attack, which should have resulted in Leicester levelling, but for a brilliant piece of defending by Burgess which maintained Ipswich's lead. But with a man down you're always going to be vulnerable and in the fourth minute of added time Leicester made their advantage pay as Ayew slotted it away to equalise and break hearts on the Suffolk coast.


Result: Ipswich 1 - 1 Leicester
Scorer(s): Davis (IPS), Ayew (LEI)
VAR decision(s), if any: Philips sent off for a second yellow, though it could have been a penalty for his side.
Effects: Another draw which does nothing for either team, leaving both where they were last week.

[Trollheart]

Sunday Nov 3 2024
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
Manchester United v Chelsea



Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
Regions: London v West Midlands
Managers: Ange Postecoglou v Unai Emery
Form: WWLWL/WDDWD
Targets: A win would help Villa reclaim third spot, Spurs need to move up the top half of the table.
Expectation: Probably a hard-fought match. I would of course always root for Villa, and on the back of the annoying last-minute draw last week I'd hope they'd be out for revenge. Spurs could easily turn it on though and give them a hard time.
Ground: The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 10 & 4
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 6
Respective final positions: 7 & 6

Spurs are hardly flying, and we're down to fourth, so six place between us, but Tottenham were at home and with something to prove. Mind you, we needed a win to go third again, so it was going to be a hard-fought match. Villa had the first  attack three minutes in but Watkins fired wide, Tielemans seeming to have hurt himself crossing for the in-form striker. Spurs had their chances too, but still scoreless after half an hour.

Villa had two bites from a corner, the second coming closest, just shaving the post and bouncing off the Tottenham keeper and out. Another corner though resulted in the first goal on 32 as Rogers planted the ball in the Spurs net. Dispossession by the visitors in the last few minutes of the half led to a Villa break from their own half but Watkins again shot well wide. In the second half Tottenham came back almost immediately to level through Johnson, all square as Son showed that not only is he a great finisher, he knows how to pass the ball too.

All Spurs now as they attacked in force, but Martinez was in his usual shot-stopping form, then Watkins was taken out by a very late tackle and from the resultant free Villa nearly retook the lead. Son was nonplussed to see himself taken off by the manager, no injury, no yellow card to threaten his continued presence on the field. Was this another of Postecoglou's calculated risks, and would it result in the win, despite the general feeling that Son should have been left on?

It was Spurs' turn to break up a Villa attack and turn it into a goal-scoring opportunity in the 75th minute, which they did not waste as Solanke raced free and put the home side ahead. VAR, however, had the last word and the goal was looking to be ruled offside, but to Villa's chagrin no, ruled in and the goal stood. Solanke then made it safe for Spurs as he slotted a second, Spurs' third, in with ten minutes to go, no suspicion of offside this time. Villa guilty of giving the ball away, only ourselves to blame.

Just to rub salt into the wounds, Tottenham got a free in the last few minutes, Diego Carlos taking down the double goal-scorer, and there seemed to be some bad blood between him and Solanke, the Spurs man angrily shaking off the hand Diego Carlos offered to him to help him up. The ref got involved but it was all handbags at fifty paces and Spurs got on with winning the game, which was already theirs, Madison putting an even brighter shine on the score. Villa well beaten.

Result:  Tottenham Hotspur 4 - 1 Aston Villa
Scorer(s): Rogers (AVL), Johnson, Solanke (2), Madison (TOT)
VAR decision(s), if any: Second goal for Spurs ruled to be onside.
Effects: Villa slide to 6th, Spurs move up to 7th





Teams: Manchester United v Chelsea
Regions: Manchester v London
Managers: Ruben Amorim (Ruud van Nistelroy in charge for now) v Enzo Maresca
Form: DLDWL/WWDLW
Targets: United have to start getting their arse in gear if they want to make any sort of a showing, currently halfway down the wrong half of the table. Chelsea are flying, and with a win today could go third.
Expectation: They often say that the appointment of a new manager galvanises a team who have been underperforming, but Chelsea are going to be hard to beat, and I don't see United doing that, even at home.
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 13 & 6
Respective current positions (After match): 13 & 4
Respective final positions: 13 & 4

So would it be the beginning of a new era for the former lords of the Premiership, or same shit, different manager? Playing at home should have helped them, but an early start would be essential, especially against free-scoring Chelsea. As it happens, Amorim was not in charge yet, Ruud van Nistelroy taking the reins till the Portuguese arrives, but it was Chelsea who had the first real chance, the ball just going wide of the post. Hojlund had a go but stopped by the keeper, and the resultant free was kept out as the wall did its job.

Rashford had a chance to put United in front at the end of the half but still scoreless as we broke for tea and tactics, then Palmer worked his magic, but Neto was unable to provide the finish, again inches in it. United went on a run of their own but a decent breakaway ended in a rather tame shot from Garnacho which the Chelsea keeper hadn't so much to save as to just catch. It was in the end a penalty which gave the home team a chance to get on the scoresheet as Sanchez took down the onrushing Hojlund. One thing Man United do not do is spurn penalties, and though this was their first of the season, Fernandes put it away cooly, to give them what has to be termed an unlikely lead with twenty minutes to go.

Four minutes later it was all for nothing though as Chelsea scored from a corner, Caicedo netting on 74 to equalise. Two minutes later they could have gone in the lead but the other Ferndandez shot high. In the final minute of normal time Man United had a golden opportunity to take all three points, but again Garnacho came up short, as did Fernandes, showing perhaps how few goals he's scored this season, today being his first in the league.

In extra time Martinez made a rash tackle on Palmer, yellow awarded but VAR considered turning it red, but decided against it, lucky for him. In the end it was a point won for United and two dropped for Chelsea, something I guess the new manager will consider some sort of improvement? A long way to go yet though.


Result: Manchester United 1 - 1 Chelsea
Scorer(s): Fernandes (MNU), Caicedo (CHE)
VAR decision(s), if any: Yellow card not upgraded to red for hard tackle on Palmer.
Effects: A point does nothing for United, who remain at 13th, while Chelsea climb to 4th place.

[Trollheart]

Monday, November 4 2024
Fulham v Brentford





Teams: Fulham v Brentford
Regions: London v London
Managers: Marco Silva v Thomas Frank
Form:/WWLLD/LDWLW
Targets: Only one place in it, both teams are looking to move into the top half of the table.
Expectation: Really could go either way; not a lot to separate the two teams, whose form could each be an anagram of the other (they've each won 2, lost 2 and drawn 1 game).
Ground: Craven Cottage
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 12
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 12
Respective final positions: 9 & 12

This is the Monday night match, so I can't see it live or get highlights. Therefore I will only be able to report based on the articles I can read about it, mostly the BBC Sport website and probably Wiki. From what I can see, Fulham bossed this from the start, with a staggering 69% possession and 26 shots, 12 of which were on target, to Brentford's 5, two on target. Twice as many passes as the opposition, and Thomas Frank's team must have been feeling frustration, going from their 10 fouls to Fulham's 2.

Nevertheless, it does look like the Bees struck first, and early in the first half too, Janelt netting on 24 minutes, leaving the home side trailing right into added time, when two goals in quick succession from Harry Wilson got them the points. It must have come as something of a relief when he scored his first, in the second minute of the extra time, levelling the match, and surely Craven Cottage were on their feet five minutes later when he banged in the winner. All down to one man, and, if not quite against the run of play, certainly a shock upset for Brentford, who must have thought they had done enough to win.

Result: Fulham 2 - 1 Brentford
Scorer(s): Wilson (2) (FUL), Janelt (BRE)
VAR decision(s), if any: Unknown
Effects: Fulham move up to 9th, Brentford remain where they are.

[Trollheart]

Meh of the Day: Thankfully, for the third weekend running, no match falls into this category.

Scratch of the Day: No not really this weekend.

Player of the Day: Solanke, for Spurs, who scored twice against Villa.

Goal of the Day: Nothing tremendous stands out, although I didn't see the Fulham goals.

Miss of the Day: Fernandes's wild shot near the end of the match against Chelsea

Save of the Day: Nothing special.

VARiations: Overall, and for once, VAR did not get very much involved in decisions this weekend, and didn't the football flow much better without their interference?

Climb of the Day: Biggest climb is three places, and a few teams made that.
 
Drop of the Day: Same here.

Pass of the Day: Anthony Gordon's inch-perfect assist for Isak's first goal for Newcastle

Mirth of the Day: Alvarez, having been sent off for West Ham, somehow getting lost in the City Ground on his way to the tunnel. Maybe he needs SATNAV?

Quote of the Day: Ange Postecoglou in after-match interview: "Seven days is a long time in football, mate: last week I was a grumpy old man!"

Pen of the Day: Nothing spectacular. Fernandes' single spot kick which ended up allowing his team to draw was good, but just that.

Score of the Day: While it's by no means anything like a high score, Bournemouth's 2-1 win over Man City has to be acknowledged as the shock score of the weekend.

Cliche of the Day Nothing comes to mind.

We Wuz Robbed! Palace will say they should have won their game when Mateta netted what he thought to be the winning goal, but the ref had already blown the whistle for a foul, and VAR backed his decision up.

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal: Delighted to see them beaten by Newcastle, one of my other favourite teams, and lose ground in the title race.
 
Crystal Palace: They drew, but had what they believed to be the winning goal taken away from them. Yay VAR!
 
Manchester United: Hard to say. A draw is still a point for them, but they played shite and probably would have been beaten had it not been for the penalty they got.
  


Nottingham Forest: Can't have it all. Forest are in storming form, and Wood again did the business for them, lifting them into third place. Where's my axe?

Overall though, as some fat guy once sang, two out of three is all right.
 

[Trollheart]

Oops! Forgot the table last week. Too much FA Cup on my mind, methinks! Ah well, here's this week's one.