Trollheart's Match of the Day Thread

[Trollheart]

Monday December 30 2024

Ipswich Town v Chelsea
Aston Villa v Brighton
Manchester United v Newcastle



Teams: Ipswich Town v Chelsea
Regions: Suffolk v London
Managers: Kieran McKenna v Enzo Maresca
Targets: Chelsea want to regain their place in second; Ipswich just want to try to get out of the zone.
Expectation: Got to be Chelsea (though I said that with Fulham, and look what happened)
Ground: Portman Road
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 4

Ipswich went into this match second from bottom and facing a Chelsea side somewhat shell-shocked by their late loss to Fulham on Thursday, but surely expecting and intending to take revenge on the relegation-threatened side. An early penalty for Ipswich did not help Chelsea's hopes of putting that defeat behind them, as Delap was taken down clumsily in the box by the Chelsea keeper. Soft, perhaps, but Ipswich would certainly take it, and the man who had been fouled duly converted, the game only 12 minutes old, Ipswich in front. Could they maintain that momentum though? Well, with Chelsea playing in white and Ipswich in blue, you could perhaps have been forgiven for mixing the teams up, as the Tractor Boys piled on the pressure, the goalscorer coming close again soon after, only a desperate dive by the keeper preventing the home side from doubling their lead.

If Chelsea were shell-shocked after Thursday, they needed to get it together, looking nothing like the side who were only recently second and challenging Liverpool, now slipped to fourth before this match. They almost caught Ipswich out though with a quickly-taken free kick, but though two of them had a chance at it, both missed, Palmer's shot being caught by the keeper and the rebound kept out as well, a fine double save. Palmer tried again, and now you could see the visitors coming into the game, Ipswich's one-goal lead looking very shaky indeed. And that was only the first half!

But for all Chelsea's pressure, it was the home team who made it safe, Hutchinson capitalising on a Chelsea error to take their second goal eight minutes into the second half, and consigning the Blues to a very Blue New Year indeed, two games lost on the spin now, their title challenge looking further and further away, even European football slipping from their grasp.

Result: Ipswich Town 2 - 0 Chelsea
Scorer(s): Delap (p), Hutchinson (IPS)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 4
Respective final positions: 18 & 4
Effects: Ipswich remain in the relegation zone, but swap places with Leicester, while Chelsea remain at 4th, now 10 points behind Liverpool.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Aston Villa v Brighton
Regions: Birmingham v East Sussex
Managers: Unai Emery v Fabian Hurzeler
Targets: Villa need to slam on the brakes and get back up the top half of the table; Brighton can overtake us with a win.
Expectation: Need you ask?
Ground: Villa Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 9 & 10

Poor defence was the order of the day for Villa, as Adingra pounced early on, evading three defenders to slot the ball home for the first goal of the match. A long shot then cut out four defenders as they rushed back, but luckily the world's greatest goalkeeper was guarding the net for Villa, and 1-0 it remained, no thanks to the defence. A penalty allowed the home side back into the game as Watkins, on for the suspended Duran, stepped up to the spot to level the match. Two minutes into the second half and Villa turned it around, a lovely shot from Rogers buried in the back of the net.

Brighton weren't finished yet though, and back they came with 9 minutes to go as Lamptey again exploited some pretty poor defending and scored to equalise for the Seagulls, undoing all Villa's hard work. Watkins could have won it for the home side near the end when he shot over from a corner, but in the end the points had to be shared, probably a fair result.

Result: Aston Villa 2 - 2 Brighton
Scorer(s): Adingra, Lamptey (BHA); Watkins (p), Rogers (AST)
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalty awarded to Villa
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 10
Respective final positions: 9 & 10
Effects: Neither team moves from where they were.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Manchester United v Newcastle United
Regions: Manchester v Tyne & Wear
Managers: Ruben Amorim v Eddie Howe
Targets: Manchester United are desperate to get into the top half of the table; Newcastle could get back into the top 5 if they win.
Expectation: Really hard to say, but I think Newcastle will want it more.
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 14 & 7

The brief - very brief - revival at Old Trafford looks to be over already, their new coach probably considering buying a one-way ticket back to Lisbon. United (the Manchester ones) may as well not have been there as Isak casually took first blood after only four minutes, the Red Devils with red faces as defensive frailties and a lack of commitment were clear for all to see. A long ball then down field turned a Man United attempt at attack into a Newcastle one, Isak failing to double their lead and his tally as the shot was weak, a let-off for the home side. Back they came, the Magpies seeming to have the freedom of Old Trafford as nobody even made a tackle while they hared down the opposition end, Joellinton bagging their second and putting the game to bed, with only twenty minutes played.

It could in fact have been three soon after, Tonali again just picking his spot, but with Onana beaten the post came to Manchester United's rescue, saving them from going further behind. They had not had so much as a shot on goal so far, and didn't look very likely to. Only in the latter part of the first half did the struggling home side make any sort of an effort to reduce the deficit, Hoejlund and Mannu going close but neither scoring.

Maguire came closest in the second half, forcing Dubravka into a save for perhaps the first time in the game, and then a late corner could have earned them, if not a share of the points, at least a little dignity, but well wide and United were beaten at home, and well beaten, by one of the teams who used to fear a trip to Old Trafford, and usually went away defeated. Just another game now, United a spent force, and Amorim with his head in that familiar position, down in his hands.

Result: Manchester United 0 - 2 Newcastle United
Scorer(s): Isak, Joelinton (NEW)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 14 & 5
Respective final positions: 14 & 5
Effects: Man United remain where they were; Newcastle climb back up to 5th, displacing the other Manchester club.

[Trollheart]

Wednesday January 1 2025

Brentford v Arsenal


Teams: Brentford v Arsenal
Regions: London v London
Managers: Thomas Frank v Mikel Arteta
Targets: If Arsenal win they can take second spot from Forest and will then be 6 points behind Liverpool. Brentford need to make it back up into the top half.
Expectation: I imagine Arsenal will do it easily.
Ground: The G-Tech Community Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 12 & 3

The first game of the new year saw title challengers Arsenal face a struggling Brentford away. Arsenal knew a win here would allow them to take back second place and increase the pressure on Liverpool. It did not start well for the Gunners, the home side ahead within 13 minutes (unlucky for Arsenal?), and it could have been two a few minutes later but for a wonderful double save from Raya, from one corner to the other, the ball clearly not over the line, though it came close. An unfamiliar feeling for Arsenal, having to come from behind, but they did so on the half-hour when Jesus scored on the rebound. Into the break then with a goal each, but in the second half Arsenal took control, a confused and unruly mess in front of the Brentford goal allowing Merino to profit as the clock hit 50 and put the visitors ahead.

After that there was only one team who were going to win it, and Arsenal put the seal on their victory three minutes later, turning the match around as Martinelli pounced to make it three to the Gunners, and return them to second place.


Result: Brentford 1 - 3 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Mbeuomo (BRE); Jesus, Merino, Martinelli (ARS)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None (Ball adjudged not to have crossed the line for what would have been Brentford's second goal, but that was more down to the goal decision system than VAR)
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 2 & 12
Respective final positions: 2 & 12
Effects: Arsenal retake second place, now 6 points behind Liverpool. Brentford remain outside the top half.

[Trollheart]

Meh of the Day: None

Scratch of the Day: None

Player of the Day: I think I might have to give it to Ipswich's Liam Delap, winning and scoring the penalty and just narrowly missing a chance to score their third against Chelsea.

Goal of the Day: Nothing really special.

Miss of the Day: Vardy missing a chance to net for Leicester.

Save of the Day: Ramsdale against Sarr, to keep the match at 1-1 before half-time

VARiations: Not a lot on the last weekend of the year.

Climb of the Day: Newcastle rise to 5th after beating a poor, poor Man United at home.

Drop of the Day: Probably Leicester's plunge into the relegation zone, just one place off the bottom.

Howler of the Day: Didn't really see any

Mirth of the Day: During the Leicester/Man City match, as City went two up: "That will surely knock the stuffing out of Leicester!"

Quote of the Day: Commentator at the start of the match between Leicester and Man City: "It is a tale of two cities, who have experienced the best of times and now the worst of times".

Pen of the Day: Bad pen of the day goes to Son. How did he miss?

Score of the Day: No huge scores but

Shock of the Day: Has to be Ipswich beating Chelsea. I mean, relegation strugglers beat title contenders? Only in football!

Cliche of the Day Nah

Keeper Kapers
Good: Both Raya and Pickford distinguished themselves with fine double saves during their matches. Not forgetting Ramsdale's excellent effort.

We Wuz Robbed! No theft this weekend.

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal

Unfortunately they won, which puts pressure on Liverpool but on the bright side they knocked Forest down to third, so there is that.

Crystal Palace

Sorry to see them win, but then again it was only Southampton.

Nottingham Forest

Really furious with their progress. God help me if they get to the top! So I grudgingly have to thank Arsenal for knocking them down to third.

Manchester United

Better news here. Roundly thrashed again, and by Newcastle, and at home, which must really sting.

[Trollheart]

Overview

Mixed fortunes for the Manchester clubs, as City took their first three points in what seems - and is - ages, but are still only at 6th, nowhere near where they want to be, while United were hammered at home, a very poor performance against a resurgent Newcastle, who find themselves in fifth place. Forest looked almost bound for top spot but since Arsenal's win over Brentford they are now third, still their best return in the Premiership, perhaps ever. Chelsea suffered a shock defeat against lowly Ipswich, and were well beaten too, though the result doesn't actually help the Suffolk side, who remain in the relegation zone.

Villa failed to impress, fighting out a tough 2-2 draw with Brighton which helps neither team, while Liverpool as usual stormed to yet another victory, this time against inconsistent West Ham, and are now six points clear at the top. Spurs and Everton both failed to impress, Forest beating the latter and Wolves drawing with Tottenham, while Leicester fell to Man City and into the relegation zone. Southampton spent Christmas, as they have spent all of December and possibly previous months, as they will spend January, looking up at nineteen teams above them, one of which is Crystal Palace, who are climbing slowly but steadily away from that dotted line.

[Trollheart]

Before the table then, given that it's the first day of a new year, let's indulge in some



Football Fun!



To Beard or not to Beard?

More managerial changes may have upset the balance of power between those with facial hair and those without, so let's see how things stand now.

Now we have eight who are bearded (with two possibles) versus ten definitely not.

Definitely bearded:
Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
Sean Dyche (Everton)
Pep Guardiola (Man City)
Ruben Amorim (Man United)
Nuno Espirito Santos (Forest)
Vitor Pereira (Wolves)
Ange Postecoglu (Spurs)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Leicester)

Possibly bearded:
Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton)
Julen Lopetegui (West Ham)

Clean shaven:
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Unai Emery (Villa)
Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth
Thomas Frank (Brentford)
Oliver Glasner (Palace)
Marco Silva (Fulham)
Kieran McKenna (Ipswich)
Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Eddie Howe (Newcastle)
Ivan Juric (Southampton)


If you want to weigh in on the "possibly bearded" ones, let me know.

So at the moment it's 10-8 to the clean shaven, so if we can decide on the, um, undecided,  with the possible 2 subs on the bench, it could be a draw. Right now though, looks like it's a win for those who still need to shave in the morning.

[Trollheart]

[Trollheart]

Saturday January 4 2025
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United
Manchester City v West Ham
Aston Villa v Leicester City
Brighton v Arsenal
Southampton v Brentford
Crystal Palace v Chelsea
Bournemouth v Everton



Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United
Regions: London v Tyne & Wear
Managers: Ange Postecoglu v Eddie Howe
Targets: Spurs need to get back into the top half, Newcastle could go 4th if they win
Expectation: Hard to say; both teams can be great or awful on their day, but I'd hope for a Newcastle victory.
Ground: The Tottenham  Hotspur Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 5

Riding high on their demolition of Manchester United on the last day of 2024, Newcastle took on a team who once were one of the "big six", but have failed to impress this season, spending much of it in the bottom half of the table, if at the top of that bottom half, if you know what I mean. Conversely, Newcastle are at fifth. However it was Spurs who scored first, Solanke putting them ahead after only 4 minutes, the perfect start for the home side. Their lead didn't last long though, as Gordon levelled two minutes later. A VAR check for handball against Joelinton was dismissed, so the goal stood. Ten minutes later though the man against whom the handball could have been awarded was in trouble again, and again it was a hand, or actually an elbow as he knocked one of Spurs' players to the ground, but luckily for him no action was taken, not even a yellow. Spurs went on the attack again in the 21st minute but the Magpies robbed them, Gordon unable to net his second.

Injury-ravaged Tottenham seemed to struggle against a resurgent Newcastle side, though the visitors skated on thin ice, another of their players coming close to getting at least a yellow, but again avoiding punishment. As the half wound down Newcastle reasserted their dominance, and their lead, as Isak scored their second to go in ahead at the break. Spurs came close to equalising again almost as soon as the second half began, but Dubravka was able to keep Johnson out, and Newcastle, down the Spurs end again, could have had a free when Gordon came into sharp contact with the - in fairness, accidental - shoulder of Kulusevski. Pushing forward for a point, Spurs had three shots in the dying moments but none of them able to convert. Solanke came closest in extra time, but Newcastle held on for the win.


Result: Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 2 Newcastle United
Scorer(s): Solanke (TOT); Gordon, Isak (NEW)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: Various; quite a few collisions and uses of the elbow, handballs... could have been a very different game if the ref had been more card-happy.
Respective current positions (After match): 12 & 5
Respective final positions: 12 & 5
Effects: Spurs remain in the bottom half, Newcastle retain 5th place, closing in on European football.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Manchester City v West Ham
Regions: Manchester v London
Managers: Pep Guardiola v Julen Lopetegui
Targets: City need to try to make some sort of a last-minute attempt to re-establish their fading (faded?) title challenge; West Ham will be happy just to get a little further up the bottom half.
Expectation: Can City do it again? The smart money would say no, even against a weak team like West Ham.
Ground: The Etithad
Respective current positions (Before match): 6 & 13

The big question for Pep was, would his team capitalise on their first win last week, or would it turn out to be a temporary blip in what has rapidly and worryingly for them become the norm, losing or drawing games? West Ham are not the most threatening opposition, and they were at home, so you would fancy them, but who would bet money on City these days? Certainly not as Kudus broke free after six minutes and only came up short of opening the scoring as the ball impacted the side netting, then Soucek had his shot minutes later but blazed wide, West Ham doing all the running in the early part of the game. On ten however City were the ones to take first blood through Savinho, although it was really an own goal. The home side had the chance to score their own goal (rather than an own goal) on the 37th minute but the West Ham keeper was able to keep it out, then as the half wound down Haaland took his chance and put them two up at half-time.

The second half got even better for City as the Norwegian began to show the form he had become famous for and scored again, Foden making it four just before the hour mark, West Ham surely sunk now. City were not to leave with a clean sheet though as Fulkrig put one past the keeper to give the away fans at least something to cheer, and then a golden opportunity to cut City's lead to two went begging, twice, showing perhaps how frail the home team's lead was. They won, but as their manager even admitted in the post-match interview, they were lucky to do so. Better opposition will walk all over them.

Result: Manchester City 4 - 0 West Ham
Scorer(s):  Coufal (og), Haaland (2), Foden(MNC); Fullkrug (WHU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 6 & 13
Respective final positions: 6 & 14
Effects: Nothing much; City record their second victory in a row but remain where they were, West Ham drop one place.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Brighton v Arsenal
Regions: East Sussex v London
Managers: Fabian Hurzeler v Mikel Arteta
Targets: Arsenal want to close that gap between them and Liverpool, Brighton just want to move up the top half of the table.
Expectation: Can't see Arsenal losing this one
Ground: The Amex
Respective current positions (Before match): 10 & 2

It only took Arsenal 16 minutes to score their first, Brighton looking defensively weak as the Gunners swept through, the keeper definitely at fault for letting the ball past him. The home side set about levelling and came close just after the half-hour, but high and wide, Arsenal almost doubling their lead from a corner which also blazed high over the bar. In the second half the Gunners wasted their chance to double their lead from a free, and as Brighton went on the attack you had to wonder if they would rue that miss? As the home side were awarded a penalty, the answer had to be yes. On the hour, Joao Pedro took the spot kick and the sides were level.

Another wasted chance for the home side as Brighton squandered an opportunity to take the lead, and maybe even the game, then with three minutes of normal time they gave the ball away in a dangerous area but over the bar it went, Brighton hanging on for the draw.


Result: Brighton 1 - 1 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Nwaneri (ARS); Jaoa Pedro (BHA)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: Was it a penalty? The first ever given for a clash of heads, and the lads in the studio did not agree.
Respective current positions (After match): 10 & 2
Respective final positions: 10 & 2
Effects: No move of any kind, but Arsenal lose the chance to put pressure on Liverpool and shorten the gap between them.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Southampton v Brentford
Regions: Hampshire v London
Managers: Ivan Juric v Thomas Frank
Targets: Brentford need to get up into the top half, and you don't need me to tell you the position Southampton remain in.
Expectation: Have to be Brentford's, doesn't it?
Ground: St. Marys
Respective current positions (Before match): 20 & 12

Six minutes on the clock and Brentford were already ahead, the Southampton defence melting away, as if they were afraid to touch the ball, never mind tackle. On 22 they could have been two down but for their keeper, who made a fine save. A corner moments later could have had them two ahead again, but Brentford could not convert and as the last minutes of the first half ticked away the Saints had an uncharacteristic shot on goal. It didn't go in, but you can't have everything. The Bees went on the attack straight from the restart, van den Berg netting to take their second, but the goal was chalked off for obstruction in the box. A lucky escape, of sorts, for the Saints. But could they make it count?

An appeal for handball was dismissed, and as Southampton protested about that Brentford broke away, Wissa almost scoring their second, but then assisted Mbeumo to put the game beyond miserable Southampton, if they had ever had a chance. If they had, it vanished with the ref's whistle just after the hour as Brentford were given a penalty, duly converted by Mbeumo, and just to rub it in they took a fourth in extra time. Not happy with that, they made it five, but by that time most of the Saints fans were already halfway home.

Result: Southampton 0 - 5 Brentford
Scorer(s): Schade, Mbeumo (2) 1 of which (p), Potter, Wissa (BRE)
Penalties: 1
VAR decision(s), if any: Second goal for Brentford ruled out for obstruction in the box
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 20 & 11
Respective final positions: 20 & 11
Effects: Brentford move up one place but remain in the bottom half of the table. No change for Southampton, who continue to prop it up.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Aston Villa v Leicester City
Regions: Birmingham v Leicestershire
Managers: Unai Emery v Ruud van Nistelrooy
Targets: Villa need to get back up the top half of the table, Leicester would prefer to spend as little time in the relegation zone as possible.
Expectation: Fuck it, if we can't beat Leicester at home we may as well call it a day!
Ground: Villa Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 9 & 19

Leicester are probably aghast to be in the relegation zone, but Villa should be higher, and have been. This was their chance to make amends and show the home fans they still had it. They were almost ahead early, some fine interchange but the ball was turned behind. On the half-hour they gave the ball away but it didn't matter as the ball went into Row Z, and Villa came back as the half ended, another fine attack but as yet no goals. Must do better. Scoreless into the second half and Leicester had a golden opportunity to open the scoring but put it wide, while Watkins hit the side of the opposition net. A corner then was blocked but Barkley finally got the breakthrough after a sloppy pass, to put Villa ahead on the hour.

A fine save by Martinez came to nothing as Leicester scored on the rebound, levelling for the Foxes, another bad pass, this time from us. Can't be making these sort of mistakes lads: it's just that simple. Better from Bailey, who scored Villa's second, but credit must be given to the doggedness of his team mate who won the ball back and refused to let go, setting him up for what might be the winning goal. Villa displayed both sides of them today, a comedy of misses and errors in the box in the last few minutes robbing them of a third, Watkins blazing over the top. Luckily, two goals was enough to win it.

Result: Aston Villa 2 - 1 Leicester City
Scorer(s): Barkley, Bailey (AST); Mavididi (LEI)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 8 & 19
Respective final positions: 8 & 19
Effects: Villa move up one place; Leicester remain in the relegation zone.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Crystal Palace v Chelsea
Regions: London v London
Managers: Oliver Glasner v Enzo Maresca
Targets: Chelsea need to re-establish their assault on the title, Palace want to climb away from the relegation zone
Expectation: Chelsea couldn't lose a third match in a row, could they? Kind of hope not, as I hate Palace. A draw would suit me best.
Ground: Selhurst Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 15 & 4

Another team whose bid for the title is fading, as Chelsea look to avoid a third defeat on the run, surely fancying themselves against Palace, though they did go down last week to a relegation-zone side. They started out well with Palmer scoring on 14 minutes, Mateta coming close to equalising just after the half-hour but wide, then Jackson also shot the wrong side of the post. Another chance to level the game as the second half got underway, another chance missed. Then a free just before the hour hopped off the bar, Palace unable to buy a goal, though Chelsea were just as guilty of spurning chances.

With 8 minutes to go the home side finally took one of their chances and the ball ended up in the Chelsea net, giving me the result I had hoped for, and not the one Chelsea had wanted.

Result: Crystal Palace 1 - 1 Chelsea
Scorer(s): Palmer (CHE); Mateta (PAL)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 15 & 4
Respective final positions: 15 & 4
Effects: No movement here either. Chelsea lose the chance to gain ground on Arsenal and Liverpool (and Forest).

[Trollheart]

Teams: Bournemouth v Everton
Regions: Dorset v Merseyside
Managers: Andoni Iraola v Sean Dyche
Targets: Everton want to move up the bottom half of the table, Bournemouth could go 6th with a win.
Expectation: I would think the home side would take this.
Ground: The Vitality Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 7 & 16

Bournemouth could have been ahead after 8 minutes but for Pickford, but keeping up the pressure they set up camp outside the home goal, and after a penalty check VAR said no, so scoreless as we moved into the half-hour. A double save by Pickford saved his team, the keeper none too happy with his defenders, and as extra time ran out at the end of the first half Everton had still not had a shot on goal. But no score as the second half began, the Cherries continuing the pressure, Pickford continuing to deny them the opening goal.

Certainly the busiest of the two keepers, the Bournemouth man had not had a save to contend with, but sometimes this can lead to complacency and a sudden breakaway can result in a goal. Not this time, as Bournemouth's constant pressure finally told on 77 minutes, Pickford beaten for the first time in the match, the home side ahead. With 9 minutes to go Everton got their first shot on goal. It made no difference to the scoreline, Bournemouth running out clear winners.


Result: Bournemouth 1 - 0 Everton
Scorer(s): Brooks (BOU)
Penalties: None
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Red Cards: None
Controversies: None
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 16
Respective final positions: 7 & 16
Effects: No move here either.