Trollheart's Match of the Day Thread

[Trollheart]

Saturday November 30 2024
West Ham v Arsenal
Wolves v Bournemouth
Brentford v Leicester
Nottingham Forest v Ipswich
Crystal Palace v Newcastle
Brighton v Southampton


Teams: West Ham v Arsenal
Regions: London v London
Managers:  Julian Lopetgui v Mikel Arteta
Targets: Arsenal want to move up and challenge for the title, West Ham just want to move up.
Expectation: You'd give this to the Gunners all day long
Ground: The London Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 4 & 14
Respective current positions (After match): 2 & 14
Respective final positions: 2 & 14

Ten places between them, Arsenal coming off the back of a massive victory in the Champions League against Sporting, who hammered Man City the last time out, surely this was the Gunners' for the taking? Ten minutes in they were ahead from a corner, Gabriel netting for the visitors. The Hammers almost equalised nine minutes later, beautiful lob into the net, but ruled offside. Instead it was Arsenal who scored, doubling their lead almost on the half-hour as Saka and Trossard combined to make it even harder for the home side.

And their task became impossible when Arsenal were awarded a penalty, which Odegaard duly converted to send his team three up, and before the break that became four, as Havertz broke away and tucked the ball into the West Ham net, Arsenal rampant. A few minutes later the home side did pull one back through Wan-Bissaka, but could they overcome what was still a three-goal deficit? Well, surprisingly, the team languishing at 14th place halved that lead, when they got a free kick in the last five minutes of what had turned out to be a very eventful first half, Emerson shooting over the wall and into the top corner. Were Arsenal about to pull a Man City and lose a four-goal lead? They were already halfway there.

Believe it or not, we weren't finished with the first half yet! Another penalty for Arsenal, this time taken by Saka, and the Gunners were three up again! Surely the second half couldn't be as exciting? Sterling nearly made it six, but hit the side netting, though you would not have bet against the visitors scoring again. Ings missed what could only be called a sitter as he skipped around the keeper but shot wide, showing West Ham weren't done yet. But as time began to run out and we slipped into extra time, it was clear this was going to be a bridge too far for West Ham.
Result: West Ham 2 - 5 Arsenal
Scorer(s): Gabriel, Trossard, Odegaard (pen), Havertz, Saka (p) (ARS); Wan-Bissaka, Emerson (WHU)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Arsenal move into second place, West Ham remain where they were.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Wolves v Bournemouth
Regions: West Midlands v Dorset
Managers: Gary O'Neil v Andoni Iraola
Targets: As usual, for Wolves it's just to get as far away from the relegation zone as they can. A win today would put them 14th, while Bournemouth could move closer to the top half of the table if they took the three points.
Expectation: Can't really call it. Wolves have just been pulling off too many surprise performances in the last few weeks.
Ground: Molyneaux
Respective current positions (Before match): 17 & 13
Respective current positions (After match): 18 & 11
Respective final positions: 18 & 13

I love Wolves' fighting spirit, but they would really have to hammer out a victory if they wanted to pull away from the drop zone, and Bournemouth beginning with a penalty was not a good start for the home side. Kluivert took it, scored, and Wolves were behind within three minutes of the kick-off. Oh dear. But Wolves seldom lie down, and two minutes later they were level as Strand-Larsen netted, the game only five minutes old. And it was only eight minutes old when Bournemouth retook the lead, through Kerkez. Talk about end to end stuff! Evanilson almost made it three but too close to the keeper, and so we entered the fifteenth minute with the score 2-1 to Bournemouth.

The Cherries wanted a penalty in that fifteenth minute, when Sa took down Evanilson, and they got it after VAR had sent the ref to the all-important screen. Kluivert took responsibility again, and scored, Bournemouth now three to the good. Kluivert went for his hat-trick in the second half, but the Wolves keeper gathered it, then Strand-Larsen raced clear and cut the opposition's lead to a single goal with twenty minutes to go. But Sa screwed his team again, giving away a third penalty and surely scuppering any chances Wolves had of gaining a point. I don't know if that's a record, the same player scoring three penalties in the one game? Can't be that common though. Okay yes the lads confirmed it: two records in fact. The first time one player has won three penalties for his team (Evanilson) and the first time any player has scored three penalties in a game. Historic stuff.

Result: Wolves 2 - 4 Bournemouth
Scorer(s): Kluivert (p) (p) (p) (3), Kerkez (BOU); Strand-Larsen (2) (WOL)
VAR decision(s), if any: Penalties awarded to Bournemouth
Effects: Wolves fall back below the line, Bournemouth scrape the top of the bottom half of the table, but then fall from 11th to 13th after Sunday's games.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Brentford v Leicester
Regions: London v Leicestershire
Managers: Thomas Frank v Ben Dawson (Ruud van Nistelroy to take charge next week)
Targets: Brentford want to move back into the top half of the table, and theoretically, depending on other results this weekend, could go fifth with a win. Leicester just want to move away from the dreaded relegation zone.
Expectation: I think Brentford will take this.
Ground: G-Tech Community Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 11 & 16
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 16
Respective final positions: 8 & 16

I must admit, I would not have expected the ex-Manchester United interim boss to be the new manager of Leicester City, but it seems Ruud van Nistelroy takes over there in a few days. I guess Ruben Amorim didn't see him featuring in his new set-up. Must be a bit tough for him, having dedicated so much of his life to the Red Devils. He has almost as big a job as his almost ex-boss does now at United, with Leicester sliding down the table like a man hanging over a cliff as the branch he's clinging to begins to come loose, and the drop zone is only one point below.

They were almost ahead on 2 minutes, on a day which seemed to be dogged by poor goalkeeping decisions and errors, the Brentford keeper passing out to a Leicester player, who just shot into his chest, allowing him to make up for the howler. A lucky escape. Three minutes later his opposite number was showing him how it should be done as he kept Brentford out with a fine save. Halfway through the half vintage Vardy led to the opening goal as Buonanotte tapped in his pass. Four minutes after that goal Brentford had the ball in the net, but the equaliser was somewhat marred by a serious injury to a Leicester player who collided with the Brentford keeper.

Leicester playing for now with ten men while the sub was organised, the Bees on the attack took the initiative and also the lead as Schade scored. He took a second in the last minutes of added time to put the visitors three up. They started the second half as they had ended the first, the Foxes somewhat shell-shocked, it seemed, and slow to get back into the match. On the hour, Brentford made it four, Schade getting his hat-trick, Leicester condemned to another defeat, not easy viewing for the manager-in-waiting.

Result: Brentford 4 - 1 Leicester
Scorer(s): Buonanotte (LEI); Wissa, Schade (3) (BRE)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Brentford move into the top half of the table and advance to 7th, then fall to 8th after Sunday; Leicester remain in the same position.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Nottingham Forest v Ipswich
Regions: Nottinghamshire v Suffolk
Managers: Nuno Spirito Santos v Kieran McKenna
Targets: Forest, having experienced the thrill of third place, want to get back there asap. Ipswich are again struggling in the relegation zone.
Expectation: I would like to think Ipswich would pull a surprise victory, and maybe they will, but in reality I expect Forest to take it.
Ground: The City Ground
Respective current positions (Before match): 7 & 18
Respective current positions (After match): 6 & 19
Respective final positions: 6 & 19

Forest had the early chance but it went wide from Gibbs-White, but back they came and Yates came close too, the shot blocked this time. The visitors headed down the Forest end and got a corner, which was cleared off the line on 22 minutes, then Delap's desire to score for the fourth game in a row led to his blocking his team mate's tap-in, and so at the break the game remained scoreless. Two minutes after the restart things started to go wrong for the Tractor Boys as the home side were awarded a penalty, Chris Wood equalling the club record to put his team ahead with his 24th goal.

Things could have got worse for the visitors soon after, when Wood claimed a penalty, but VAR said you must think we were born yesterday, lad. Away with ye. So they tried to score their second the old-fashioned way, from a corner, but some fine Ipswich defending kept them out on the hour. Wood went down again five minutes later, VAR had a look at it and again said no. Ipswich had a go but straight at the keeper, and in the end the one goal was enough for Forest to take the match.

Result: Nottingham Forest 1 - 0 Ipswich
Scorer(s): Wood (FOR)
VAR decision(s), if any: Two possible penalties for Forest ruled out, both by Chris Wood
Effects: Forest move up one place to 6th, Ipswich fall back into the relegation zone.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Crystal Palace v Newcastle United
Regions: London v Tyne & Wear
Managers: Oliver Glasner v Eddie Howe
Targets: Palace need to get out of the relegation zone, Newcastle want to avoid dropping back into the bottom half of the table.
Expectation: I'm thinking a draw here
Ground: Selhurst Park
Respective current positions (Before match): 19 & 10
Respective current positions (After match): 17 & 10
Respective final positions: 17 & 11

A team I hate plays a team I really like, but Palace were at home, and though they're mired in the relegation zone, sometimes Newcastle just do not bring it, so which team would turn up today? The Magpies were not too happy to see their star striker, Isak, go off injured, but Harvey Barnes is always a good replacement. A great Palace break should have resulted in the first goal, but just wide of the post. The second half saw Newcastle get a free kick which was converted to a goal, given to Gordon but looked to have been an own goal. Not that they cared.

On the hour the home side had two chances to equalise, both kept out, then fifteen minutes from time they hit the post, earned a corner but this time over the bar, Newcastle kind of hanging on now. And in the final minute of extra time Palace equalised to take a point. Newcastle only have themselves to blame.

Result: Crystal Palace 1 - 1 Newcastle
Scorer(s): Guehi (og) (NEW); Munoz (PAL)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Palace haul themselves out of the relegation zone again; Newcastle drop one place to 11th and out of the top half of the table.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Brighton v Southampton
Regions: East Sussex v Hampshire
Managers: Fabian Hurzeler v Russell Martin
Targets: For the Saints it's all about survival as they struggle at the very bottom of the table, Brighton are on their way up, and a win today could help them close the gap on the leading pack.
Expectation: Can't see Southampton doing much here, got to give it to the Seagulls
Ground: The Amex
Respective current positions (Before match): 5 & 20
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 20
Respective final positions: 4 & 20

A Southampton chance in the sixth minute turned into a Brighton break, but Mitoma shot wide, then the home side had another chance but it came off the post. Surely only a matter of time? Indeed it was, as Mitoma headed in on the half-hour, going in ahead at the break after a pretty poor - but expectedly so - performance by Southampton. They tried to put that to rights in the second half, and on the hour they did exactly that, Downes drawing the bottom side level. More than that: six minutes later Archer put the Saints ahead. Or did he? VAR checked the lines, and the goal was ruled offside, breaking Southampton hearts and testing our patience. Even worse, Brighton almost won it at the death, but a draw it ended.

Result: Brighton 1 - 1 Southampton
Scorer(s): Mitoma (BHA); Downes (SOU)
VAR decision(s), if any: What should have been a precious winning goal for Southampton was ruled off for a very dodgy offside
Effects: Brighton take third place, fourth after Chelsea's win on Sunday; Southampton remain rooted to the foot of the table.

[Trollheart]

Sunday December 1 2024
Liverpool v Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
Manchester United v Everton
Chelsea v Aston Villa



Teams: Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
Regions: London v London
Managers: Ange Postecoglu v Marco Silva
Targets: Spurs are challenging for European football now, while Fulham are not far behind them. Both will want to move up the table.
Expectation: Could end up a draw.
Ground: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 6 &9
Respective current positions (After match): 7 & 10
Respective final positions: 7 & 10

Fulham almost went behind early when they gave the ball away in their own penalty area, but Son was unable to get past their keeper, then they were almost in themselves after the quarter-hour but too close to the Spurs keeper. Again they hit the man between the posts and not the Tottenham net, but they kept up the pressure, the next shot coming back off the crossbar, hit with real venom. Then Werner went down and Spurs got a free, Madison just scraping the post as the break loomed.

Six minutes in to the second half Spurs gave it away and only the keeper's acrobatics kept out Fulham's equally acrobatic shot, but in the end it was the home side who scored first, Johnson taking his tenth goal of the season and putting his team ahead in what had been a tighter match than expected. Fulham hit back ten minutes later to level the game. Could Tottenham hold on now? Nine minutes left and a bad tackle saw Fulham lose a man to a straight red after VAR had recommended the ref head to the monitor.

Wilson almost won it though for the visitors, the ball just cleared off the line in the final minutes, and so Tottenham did manage to hold on to take a point, but you'd have to say they were lucky. Could so easily have lost, and against ten men. Fulham certainly gave them a game, and deserved the point they took.


Result: Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 1 Fulham
Scorer(s): Johnson (TOT); Cairney (FUL)
VAR decision(s), if any: Serious foul play led to a Fulham player being sent off after the ref was advised to check the screen.
Effects: Spurs move up one place to 7th, Fulham move down one place to 10th.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Manchester United v Everton
Regions: Manchester v Merseyside
Managers: Ruben Amorim v Sean Dyche
Targets: As far as I can see, nothing Everton does is going to move them any higher, 3 points will still keep them at 15th. United will want to try to move into the top half of the table, which they can do with a win.
Expectation: Hard to say. United will want to impress their new manager, and are at home, but was last week's match an aberration, atypical of their current form? Everton aren't exactly firing on all cylinders either, so possibly the home fans might cheer Man United on to an important win.
Ground: Old Trafford
Respective current positions (Before match): 12 & 15
Respective current positions (After match): 9 & 15
Respective final positions: 9 & 15

United were in attacking form, threatening the Everton goal in the third minute, but the keeper was able to stop the shot, then the visitors had a wasted chance; probably not too likely to get many of them. United missed again on 13, Everton almost squeezing it in on 21 but the angle was far too acute. On the half-hour they gave it away and United won a corner, from which Rashford shot but it went in off an Everton player, an own goal, though apparently as it was on target the Man United man was able to claim it. Not impressive but the home side were ahead, and four minutes from half-time Zirkzee made it two, some pretty woeful Everton defending allowing him in.

The third goal came one minute into the second half, another Rashford shot, another case of poor defence being exploited. Just a case now of how many United were going to get, the game already won. Another terrible pass let the home side in again and Manchester United were rampant, four goals to the good, but not necessarily due to their quality, more due to terrible defending that Everton did not seem to be able to get under control. Calvert-Lewin had probably the only real shot for the visitors, but no goal. The new manager must be happy.


Result: Manchester United 4 - 0 Everton
Scorer(s): Rashford (2), Zirkzee (2) (MNU)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Man United finally make it into the top half of the table, for, I believe, the first time this season; Everton are static.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Chelsea v Aston Villa
Regions: London v Birmingham
Managers: Enzo Maresca v Unai Emery
Targets: Villa need to start winning again and move up the table; 8th is not good enough. Chelsea continue to challenge and will want to at least draw level with Arsenal again.
Expectation: As well as the Blues have been playing, and as badly as we have, I hate to say it but I think Chelsea will take this one.
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Respective current positions (Before match): 3 & 8
Respective current positions (After match): 3 & 12
Respective final positions: 3 & 12

It only took Chelsea 7 minutes to open the scoring, Jackson steaming in after a Villa man had been taken to the ground, but ignored, Villa not too happy about that. Watkins came close but straight at the keeper, who spread himself well. Another crazy decision as Villa were adjudged to have made a back pass to the keeper, resulting in Chelsea having a free kick, blocked twice luckily. A third shot nearly beat Martinez but 1-0 it remained. Then the big keeper made yet another mistake, passing the ball to Jackson, but he managed to stop the Chelsea striker and make amends. Should be doing better than that. Martinez is considered by many to be the number one goalkeeper, not only in English or European football, but in the world!

Ten minutes from the end of the first half Fernandes doubled Chelsea's lead with a fine goal, making it even harder for Villa to arrest a seven-match losing streak. Watkins tried again but the shot was weak, something you would have to admit could also describe the visitors' performance in the first half. A long shot up field just after the hour could have inflicted further damage on Villa, but the shot was kept out. Seven minutes from time Palmer made it certain, not that it had ever been in doubt. A beautiful looping shot gave the Villa keeper no chance. Aston Villa sink to yet another defeat, and to be honest, they didn't deserve anything out of the game.

Result: Chelsea 3 - 0 Aston Villa
Scorer(s): Jackson, Fernandes, Palmer (CHE)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Chelsea retake third place; Villa slide out of the top half of the table, down to 12th.

[Trollheart]

Teams: Liverpool v Manchester City
Regions: Merseyside v Manchester
Managers: Arne Slot v Pep Guardiola
Targets: Liverpool want to go 11 points clear at the top, Man City want to cut that lead to five.
Expectation: Can't see Liverpool losing at home, with City in such shit form, can you?
Ground: Anfield
Respective current positions (Before match): 1 & 2
Respective current positions (After match): 1 & 5
Respective final positions: 1 & 5

Can anyone stop Liverpool? At home, away, in Europe, they seem like an invincible force that just cannot be resisted. Man City would of course love to be the ones to bring that almost inevitable march to the title to a stop, but they have serious problems of their own, and whereas before this would be looked at as a serious challenge to the title contenders, today it just looked like too big a job for the struggling champions, who seem destined to hand over their crown. One thing is clear though: it was a crucial game. If Liverpool could win here, the title looked to be almost theirs already. What could have been an 11-point lead though had been cut to potentially 9, with Arsenal's victory on Saturday. Still a good gap though.

Eleven minutes in and Liverpool got a corner, which should have resulted in the opening goal for Van Dijk, but it came back off the post. They hadn't long to wait though, as one minute later Gakpo slotted beyond the new City keeper to give the home side the lead. Van Dijk tried again from another corner but again it went wide. City had a shot of their own but that too scraped the post. In the second half Silva found the angle too tight, and the ball went harmlessly over the top, Salah then missing as Liverpool went on the attack.

Just after the hour City gave the ball away in a dangerous area, Salah got on the end of it but could not convert. Not like him at all. 14 minutes from time the home side got a penalty when Diaz was taken down in the area, and this time Salah made no mistake, leaving the result in no doubt. Van Dijk almost capped a poor performance near the end with a sloppy pass, but his own keeper was equal to De Bruyne's weak shot.

Result: Liverpool 2 - 0 Manchester City
Scorer(s): Gakpo, Salah (LIV)
VAR decision(s), if any: None
Effects: Liverpool are now 9 points clear at the top, 11 above City, whose bid to stop them would seem to have hit a brick wall, as they lose again and slide to 5th.

[Trollheart]

Meh of the Day: None

Scratch of the Day: Considering how well they played, surprised that Fulham did not win when they took on Spurs at home.

Player of the Day: Have to give it to either Evanilson or Kluivert of Bournemouth, one of whom won three penalties and the other of whom converted them, both making history.

Goal of the Day: West Ham's free kick from Emerson, straight into the top corner

Miss of the Day: Ings for West Ham against Arsenal, not that it would have made that much difference to the scoreline.

Save of the Day: Leicester keeper's save in the fifth minute against Brentford OR Ipswich keeper's save in the second half against Forest

VARiations: A MAJOR fuck-up by VAR in the match between Brighton and Southampton when what should have been the goal that gave the Saints a desperately-needed win was chalked off for offside, which just about everyone agreed was nonsense.

Climb of the Day: Both Brentford and Manchester United move up three places, the latter getting into the top half of the table for the first time this season.
 
Drop of the Day: Manchester City drop three places to 5th, but Aston Villa fall one more, four places to 12th.

Mirth of the Day: Cole Palmer with another loquacious interview. Asked why Chelsea aren't considering themselves as title contenders: "Too early, man." A man of few words indeed. I bet he hates being sent out to do interviews. Never going to have his own chat show, is he?

Quote of the Day: (David Moyes, on being asked what most impresses him about Arne Slot) - "The way he's taken over from a legend like Jurgen Klopp and made it look easy. I can tell ye, from experience, how hard it is to take over from a great manager."

Or

Unai Emery, after a terrible performance: "Chelsea were better than us." No shit, Unai!

Pen of the Day: Take your pick from any of three by Kluivert for Bournemouth. Really, the third I think, as by this time your nerves have to be in shreds, unless they're made of steel. As those of the Cherries striker must have been.

Score of the Day: Arsenal 5 - 2 West Ham

Cliche of the Day Nah

We Wuz Robbed! Not really

Trollheart's Hates:

Arsenal

Total walkover for the Gunners, and not a good weekend for me.
 
Crystal Palace

Just a draw, which doesn't help them, so I guess I'll have to be happy with that.

Manchester United

A commanding performance from them. Well, no, not really. They were made look really good by a terrible Everton side. Ah, let me have my little victories, why don't ya?
 
Nottingham Forest

Well they won, so I'm not a happy bunny. Actually, I'm not any sort of bunny. I'm a human. Rumour has it.

Overall then: 
 

[Trollheart]

Managerial Mayhem



A surprise appointment, surely? After signing a two-year contract with Manchester United to serve as assistant coach under Eric ten Hag, and taking charge of the team for three games prior to the arrival of new boss Ruben Amorim, United star player and legend Ruud Van Nistelroy is poised to take over the job at Leicester City vacated by Steve Cooper last week. This will be the Dutchman's first ever time to manage an English team, though he has coached PSV Eindhoven and assisted in the managing of the Dutch national team in the recent past. Sure, he can't do any worse a job than Cooper, I guess!

[Trollheart]

Time again for


Football Fun!



To Beard or not to Beard?

Looks like we have another for the Bearded team, as Ruud Van Nistelroy joins the staff of Leicester City.

That makes it 9-8 to the clean shaven (still deciding on the other three); getting closer, as the man from Gilette may say. Probably.

[Trollheart]

[Trollheart]

First midweek MOTD for my thread! Yay! More work for me! 

Tuesday Dec 3 2024
Leicester v West Ham
Ipswich v Crystal Palace


Teams: Leicester City v West Ham
Regions: Leicestershire v London
Managers: Ruud van Nistelroy v Julen Lopetegui
Targets: Two teams who need to start climbing the bottom half of the table
Expectation: Don't know; Leicester with a new manager may have the edge, also they're at home.
Ground: The King Power Stadium
Respective current positions (Before match): 16 & 14


Two minutes in it could have been a dream start for the ex-Man United assistant coach, but it was disallowed, until VAR overturned that decision, and so Leicester had the opening goal. West Ham had a chance to equalise ten minutes later but could not convert, and so the Foxes went in ahead at the break. Just on the hour it looked like the Hammers had scored, but the decision was that the keeper had been impeded, and the goal was chalked off. A minute later the home team got their second, a fine breakaway goal.

Six minutes after that Ndidi could have made it three but saved by the keeper, while up the other end a West Ham goal was denied as it was blocked on the line. On the stroke of full time Leicester netted a third time to take all three points and provide their new manager his first win at home. In extra time the Hammers scored, but it was nothing more than a consolation.
Result: Leicester City 3 - 0 West Ham United
Scorer(s): Vardy, El Khannouss, Daka (LEI); Fullkrug (WHU)
VAR decision(s), if any: First goal for Leicester awarded after on field decision of offside overturned.
Respective current positions (After match): 16 & 14
Respective final positions: 16 & 14
Effects: A result that, while it gave them the lead, does nothing for the home side as they remain where they were, and so do West Ham. Zero movement.