- Is Tevez allowed to have that gun?
Welcome to your Wednesday liveblog! Today’s featured match is Tottenham v. Manchester City because we have quite a few supporters of those clubs around, and we love our commenters. Also, it’s the only match on TV so please keep us abreast of the other goings-on. Because pending results in those other matches, this blog may explode in self-loathing.
Burnley v. Arsenal (2:45PM at Turf Moor)
Burnley – Jensen, Mears, Caldwell, Carlisle, Jordan, Eagles, Elliott, Alexander, Bikey, McDonald, Fletcher. Subs: Gudjonsson, Nugent, Penny, Thompson, Blake, Guerrero, Kalvenes
Arsenal – Almunia, Sagna, Jude Law, Willy Gauloises, Silvestre, Theo, Cesc, Song Billong, Diaby, Nasri, Magic Pixie. Subs: Wilshere, Vela, Emmanuel-Thomas (c’mon, even we don’t know this guy), Ramsey, Eduardo, Eboue, Fabianski
Chelsea v. Pompey (2:45PM at Stamford Bridge)
Chelsea – Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Cashley, Mikel, Ballack, Fat Frank, Deco, Le Sulk, Kalou (!). Subs: Ferreira, Carvalho, Hilario (Portuguese-speaking trifecta!), Zhirkov (UF’s man!), Cole, Borini, Malouda (ask James T how much he loves him!)
Portsmouth – Begovic, Finnan, Ben Haim, Wilson, Hreidarsson, Mokoena, Mullins, O’Hara, Diop, Boateng, Piquionne. Subs: Vanden Boree, Hughes, Yebda, Utaka, Ashdown, Dindane, Belhadj
Liverpool v. Wigan (3:00PM at Anfield)
Liverpool – Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Insua, Super Jew, Mascherano, Stevie G, Aurelio, Holland’s Dirk Kuyt, The David Ngog Experience. Subs: Darby (Terence Trent?), Lucas, Cavlieri, Nando, Mr. Glass Aquilani, Kyrgiakos, Dossena
Wigan Athletic – Kirkland (ask Ned how he rates!), Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble (ah, Titus), Figueroa, Scharner, Gomez, Diame, Thomas, N’Zogbia, Rodallega. Subs: Sinclair, de Ridder, Cho, Scotland (they have a whole country on the bench!), Amaya, Kingson
YOUR FEATURED MATCH:
Tottenham v. Manchester City (3:00PM at White Hart Lane)
Tottenham – Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, BAE, Lennon, Huddleston, Palacios, Kranjcar, Defoe, Crouch (Nachos!). Subs: Alnwick, Keane, Jenas, Hutton, Bale, Pavlyuchenko, Modric
Manchester City – Given, Richards, Onuoha, Toure, Sylvinho, Ireland (they have a whole country on the pitch!), de Jong, Barry, Carlito, Adebayor, Robinho. Subs: Weiss, Petrov, Taylor, Kompany, Roque Santa Claus, Zabaleta, Mwaruwari
00:00 – Keith is banned from the liveblog for rooting for Burnley.
00:00 – Sarah and HL ruin Goat’s chances of not knowing the score when he watches the Arsenal replay at 5pm on FSC. But he really should have known better.
00:00 – On replay, it was a harsh RC on TP Mazembe GK in the 5th-place match of the Club World Cup. Looked like he took it off his chest (outside of the box) but it was ruled a handball. Crazy stuff in Abu Dhabi!
00:00 – AND WE’RE OFF!
00:17 – Kranjcar fouls Richards, but Carlito is unable to make anything of it.
01:00 – Robinho’s blue boots may be visible from space. That said, I have a similar-looking pair.
02:00 – A cheap giveaway goes to de Jong, who feeds Tevez for a shot that is barely wide right.
03:00 – Defoe earns a free-kick in a good position, and Niko takes it as Crouch looks to be a Lord-a-Leaping. Cleared by the defense for a throw that leads to a corner. That corner is headed out by Crouch, who was impeded slightly by Toure.
05:25 – Strong work by both sides, although Spurs look to have the better of the offense so far. Yes, I’m basing my thoughts on a total of 5 minutes elapsed.
06:30 – Niko finds Nachos in space, but the lanky lad was offside because his legs are 5 yards long.
07:15 – 2nd consecutive offside on Spurs, and then we see a forlorn Pavs in the stands.
08:09 – A long throw finds Crouch in the box, but he appears clueless as to how to turn his defender and is dispossessed. Fortunately, Spurs get the ball back and Kranjcar boxes out Defoe (oops!) for a shot just wide.
10:11 – Ade to Tevez, but they are unable to find Richards sneaking down the right side. On the counter, Niko puts the ball well over the endline with a pass to nowhere.
11:20 – Huddlestone gets a warning for a nasty tackle; the next one like that will earn him a YC.
12:50 – The commentators inexplicably describe Robinho as “a key player”
13:45 – Corner from Tevez goes straight into the side-netting. That’s poor.
[NOTE: Apparently, Burnley have equalized on a PK. I blame Keith]
15:00 – Ireland to Tevez, who is stopped by Dawson. More good work from City goes unrewarded.
17:00 – A stretch of poor passing from both clubs. I blame Keith.
17:20 – Palacios’ name is called for the first time. Some play in the box results in shouts for a PK after Toure breathes on (someone – I didn’t catch it) Defoe, but he went down too easy.
20:19 – Shot from Kranjcar is waaaaaaaaaaaay off target. Perhaps the rain/sleet/snow is affecting him. Or perhaps he is shite. Tevez follows suit on the other end of the pitch.
21:25 – Outstanding defense by Dawson to cut off a pass intended for the streaking Robinho.
22:15 – Robinho takes a shot that Gomes puts over the bar, rather than catching. The resulting corner is headed by Crouchie and Gomes collects it gratefully.
23:10 – Ade runs down the right side but BAE traps him in the corner, takes it away and nutmegs him. The counter results in a shot over the bar from Huddlestone.
24:50 – Sylvinho is bundled over, and the ref fails to make the call. No respect for the elderly.
26:00 – Some good work by Ireland is wasted as Lennon takes control and passes up the pitch, resulting in a foul by Sylvinho.
26:45 – A Spurs free-kick finds Crouch…offside? Committing a foul? The referee whistles something, but no one really knows.
28:20 – Yet another long ball into the box for Spurs is handled by Toure. Perhaps Tottenham will eventually realize that shots from 30 yards and long balls into Crouch are not particularly effective.
[NOTE: Apparently, Cesc is injured and has been replaced by the young Welshman. Obviously, Keith is at Turf Moor, that dirty Villain]
30:30 – Huddlestone continues to underwhelm with a shot that goes 10 yards wide.
32:00 – A long ball to Corluka and his piss-poor first touch puts the ball out for a City throw-in. Well done, lad!
33:00 – Good build-up from Palacios to Lennon, but Defoe’s eventual finish is well wide. This is some dire shooting by both sides.
34:01 – A nice ball into the box is well-met by Given, who is able to get enough of a palm onto the ball to send it off to the touchline.
34:30 – Huddlestone trips Gaz Baz and gets a talking-to from the ref. De Jong comes over to inform the ref that Tom is on Santa’s naughty list.
36:45 – GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 City! Lennon blows past Sylvinho (surprise!) to put the ball into the box. Crouch gets the head onto it, but the ball goes off Ireland (perhaps a hand). However, Niko is there to clean it up, and puts it past a prone and helpless Shay Given.
38:40 – Given saves City from a 2nd as a long ball finds Defoe, who feeds Crouch in the box.
40:00 – Corluka takes the ball off a disinterested Robinho, and City earn a corner. Bassong puts the ball well wide.
41:10- Replay shows it was Toure, not Given, who stopped Crouch on the previous rush. I always liked Kolo.
41:30 – Yards of space and Niko finds Palacios, who then puts the ball too far ahead of Defoe.
42:10 – Lennon beats Sylvinho again to earn a corner, but Niko is stopped on both attempts, with the 2nd going out for another corner. That one comes into Given, who punches it out and finally collects the next shot.
44:30 – BAE finds Kranjcar over the top, but Ireland and Tevez combine to clear the ball. It eventually winds up going to Gomes, who collects it as Ade attempts to step on his head/hands/junk.
45:50 – Ireland takes a shot to the eye, and immediately Mick cuts him so he continue the round.
46:00 – HALF-TIME! Spurs have looked the better side over the course of the half, although Huddlestone has been dire. He needs an early shower.
[NOTE: PEE BREAK! In tribute to Mad Jens, I will go outside and urinate on the berm on my property line.]
[NOTE: RE: MY BOOTS - GKs must be, in order: (1) insane; (2) arrogant; and (3) flamboyant. Thus, on the pitch I: (1) throw my body all over the place; (2) yell incessantly; and (3) wear electric-blue boots with my name and "GK" written on them. You know you love me]
45:01 – AND HERE WE GO AGAIN!
45:20 – Defoe dribbles through the defense and goes down at the top of the box. The ball goes to Crouch, who feeds Niko for a shot that goes over the bar.
46:05 – More good work from Spurs, but the ball into the box from BAE is eventually cleared. On the counter Palacios takes down Carlito for a free-kick.
47:20 – On yet another long ball, Ade is adjudged to be offside and boos rain down upon him from the home faithful. Man, they hold a grudge.
49:20 – Some movement through the middle results in a Gaz Baz foul on Palacios. The free-kick is played back out through the midfield and results in nothing.
50:00 – “They are giving too much away and making loose passes.” Are we talking about this match or about Tiger Woods’ mistresses? HEY-O!
53:25 – GOAL! Tottenham 2-0 City. A long ball finds Crouch, who flicks on to a streaking Defoe, who gets an excellent boot on the ball to slot it past Given.
54:25 – RSC and Martin “I’m not Stilyan” Petrov are warming up for City, who clearly need some offensive firepower to get back into this match. Remember when Robinho was thought to be the answer?
55:30 – Several balls into the box for City are useless, and somewhere in the mess Micah Richards goes down awkwardly.
57:40 – Robinho dances around and has the ball taken, but play is stopped because the Brazilian caught Palacios in the nose with an elbow. Substitution: Robinho off, Roque Santa Cruz on. Robinho is serenaded with “What a waste of money” from the Spurs supporters as he disappears down the tunnel.
60:30 – RSC making an immediate impact, but his corner into the box is cleared followed by a foul from Sylvinho for hugging. Once again the referee disrespects the old man, pulling out his first YC without so much as a warning.
62:20 – An excellent run from Gaz Baz but he pushes the ball too far. Luckily for him Tevez regains position, but it doesn’t last. On the counter Richards takes out Defoe from behind with no call.
63:00 – A ball from Tevez into the box is too close to Gomes, who collects it and unleashes a legitimate 50-yard throw. Spurs are eventually caught offside with a prone Given and an open goal. Oops.
66:00 – YC to Palacios for being Honduran. Also, he hacked at Toure. The free-kick from Barry is cleared by Dawson and then BAE, all the way up to Defoe. Kranjcar then does some great work surrounded by 3 defenders in the box, but takes a shite shot.
67:10 – Ireland goes down at the top of the box but the advantage call results in a shot well over the crossbar from Ade. I LOL.
68:20 – De Jong fouls Crouch but doesn’t care for the referee’s decision so he earns a YC for dissent with some nose-to-nose conversation.
70:20 – Niko gets a YC for tripping Ireland, and the ref has really upped his card-giving-outing this half. Substitution: De Jong off, Petrov on.
71:50 – Some good work between Palacios and Lennon goes wasted.
73:00 – A wild shot from Palacios goes high and wide.
73:40 – Lennon beats Sylvinho yet again down the wing, but the ball goes out for a throw. City come on the counter, but the ball is played too long and taken by Gomes.
75:00 – Good work between Ade and Ireland, but Bassong intervenes to put it out for a corner. The ball is cleared, and then put back in, but Barry is offside after his initial corner.
78:00 – Lennon down the wing puts the ball into the box for Crouch, who is called for pushing Richards in the box to clear space for himself.
79:00 – BAE does well down the left-hand side and the ball makes its way to Crouch, who is once again completely unable to turn his defender.
80:30 – A cross from Carlito goes off Bassong for a corner. The ball in from Barry is to the far post, and Ireland earns another corner with a shot that is deflected. This one is cleared out. The commentator says City should have done better because “there are some big units in there.”
81:50 – A long ball finds Defoe almost alone, but his pass to Niko is intercepted by Toure.
82:20 – Lennon easily beats Sylvinho but the ball is played too far, and the old man recovers in time to block the ball over the endline after deflecting off Lennon.
84:10 – City are really pressuring now, knowing that they are quickly running out of time, but the Spurs defense has been very solid.
85:10 – Tevez earns a free-kick after being taken down by Dawson. Replay from an earlier action shows that City were denied a PK on a handball that was adjudged to be a header to Gomes. The free-kick from Petrov is parried out by Gomes.
87:00 – A ball over the top from Petrov brilliantly finds Ade, who is well over the bar on the half-volley. I LOL again.
87:40 – Crouch attempts a spectacular long-range shot that goes well-wide, and the camera appears to catch him saying “WTF?” to his teammates’ questioning looks. No nachos for Pete.
88:30 – Ireland receives a ball from Tevez and lets loose, but the shot is directly at Gomes because Stephen Ireland hates my fantasy team.
89:00 – Ade surges forward, but his ball into the box is cleared for a throw. City are being frustrated at every turn.
90:00 – A ball over the top finds Crouch, but he is trapped on the endline and loses possession. The ball finds its way back to Spurs, who elicit some “OLE” chants with their passing.
91:10 – Spurs are more than happy to maintain possession with passes from one side of the pitch to the other, and taking the ball to the corner. They waste a little time with a sub. Substitution: Defoe off, Jenas on.
92:00 – GOAL! Tottenham 3-0 City. A short corner between Lennon and Kranjcar results in a brilliant goal for Niko. He beats half the defense and nutmegs Given to bulge the net.
93:40 – BAE and Tevez get into some handbags, resulting in a YC to Carlito for coming in studs-up. Substitution: BAE off, Bale on.
95:40 – FULL-TIME! Tottenham 3-0 Manchester City. A truly impressive performance from Spurs, particularly in the 2nd half, and they once again look dangerous to the Top 4.
Thanks for hanging out, kids!
FIRST!
Disappointed to see no LFC lineups…
Come on you Clarets!
Liverpool: Reina, Skrtel, Agger, Insua, Carragher,Mascherano, Aurelio, Gerrard, Benayoun, Kuyt, Ngog.
Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Torres, Kyrgiakos, Lucas, Darby, Dossena.
AWESOME
City team news: Given, Richards, Onouha, Toure, Sylvinho, de Jong, Barry, Ireland, Robinho, Tevez, Adebayor
Lescott had surgery today to remove a floating bone, so he’s out for 3 weeks. SWP is still out with the ankle knock he picked up Saturday. de Jong caught swine flu on the weekend, but he’s been shot full of enough Tamiflu to play.
Jesus Lord, what havoc hath Benitez wrought this time?
Plus, Wedel, if you’re reading along… I realize that LFC’s shoddy XI doesn’t help my fury against Mick “Bench Master” McCarthy
Lescott has floating bones? No wonder he’s easy to brush past en route to goal.
Seriously though, Georger, what does it say about Aquilani, or what must he feel, to be benched in favour of a midfield that has a defender in it?
I’m pretty sure he’s playing Aurelio in central midfield.
He needs match fitness though, so it’s okay to not play him. So, you know, he can’t get a chance to get match fit by playing in matches.
Plus, Georger, he’s not going to be placed under the pressure of having to be a 20m savior. We’re just going to bring him on in games we’re losing to rescue us in the final 20-25 minutes. Not that such motions would infer him to be a savior or anything.
anyone else think Chelsea might be in trouble come January without Drogba, Essien and Mikel John Obi Mikel? I know they have a relatively easy schedule during ACN, but I think with their defensive frailties right now, they’re going to seriously miss those three. We’ve seen how they look without Essien in the midfield and loosing Mikel too that midfield looks a little…frail? perhaps easy to push around?
Pretty sure my Arsenal feed is someone’s Flip cam.
I HAVE EVERYONE’S LINE-UPS, YOU WHINY BRIT!
I AM ONLY 1 MAN!
Wow an AA sighting!! Live blog, Live blog!
Vermaelen tried to beat Almunia from six yards but the Spaniard was up to the task.
Just kidding around, NYK, relax.
Meanwhile, I’m still struggling with that LFC lineup. Carragher at RB, Aurelio in central midfield, and Kuyt/Ngog up front. So help me god
And because NYK asked: i really, really, really hate Florent Malouda. He’s absolutely awful.
I have a problem. I’m currently giving a final (until 5) and should be using this time to grade my other finals. However, I don’t want to do so but I’m also trying to avoid the Arse game so I can watch on delay when I get home.
Captain fantastic!
CESCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC!
Some shit defending there, I must say.
Crap.
Wolves should have no problem this weekend, then
HL: how was the goal?
Kid, do you blame me?
Good luck to all you Spurs fans today.
JT: Well taken but Cesc never should have been given the opportunity. Cesc and Nasri did some 1-2 on the left side and Burnley appeared to have snuffed it out but then they let Cesc get the ball back near the spot and he went lower left.
@Keith – yes.
@Ryan – that kind of classy behavior will not be tolerated, sir!
Is Liverpool a 3:00 kickoff?
Pixie off the post!
MH: yes. Which means we’ll be 2-0 down by, oh, 3.39pm
NYK: you’re a goalie! You have no business wearing such flamboyant footwear, your French-ness be damned!
Arsenal could have been up 5-0 already. Horrible, horrible defending.
I’m trying my hardest not to check the Arsenal score before I leave work.
I’d rather Agger played central mid over Aurelio.
When did Torres get hurt? Or is Rafa just trying to get fired by Christmas now?
@Georger: I agree. Agger looks like he’d be at least a good holding midfielder…but then our centerbacks suck.
Although I like what I’m seeing from HL’s comments.
We shouldn’t be shocked Torres isn’t starting considering he played 90 minutes on Sunday, but I really thought Rafa would take the risk.
It took me 20 minutes to figure out Walcott is on the pitch. Apparently, he does not wish to go to South Africa.
HL: That would also imply horrible, horrible finishing by Arseal… which is actually easier to imagine.
YEAH CHELSEA
Did I just see a cross for Benayoun? Because maybe using 5′6″ lanky dudes as targetmen isn’t a great recipe for success.
Poor Avram.
Nice attempt at a cross from Carragher.
And we have our “we should have scored there” moment for when we look back on a goalless effort today.
FUCKING SCORE THERE! DAMMIT!
Kranjcar shooting instead of Defoe? Yes please!
GOAL!!!!!!!! NGOOOOGOGOGOGOGOG
HOLY FUCKING MONKEY SHIT
I have no will power. I was planning on going on media blackout for the afternoon and work on my year-end employee evaluations. Only took 25 minutes for me to sneak a peek at the score.
And now that i’m in the BR, I’ll just have to hope these evaluations write themselves.
Wow…just a little touch from him. Nice goal.
Is he playing for Cameroon in the ACN?
Crap.
Meanwhile… Sylvinho still gets minutes at City?
@Eladio: If you’re in a position to be writing employee reviews, than it’s likely you can put them off for a day.
PENNO!
Sylvinho was playing on Saturday, too. When Bolton scored three on them.
I’m not saying those events are related, but…
“Liverpool goal: Sorry, but that’s useless goalkeeping”
BRING BACK CAROLINE CHEESE
My fucking stream died. SON OF A BITCH.
He does now that everyone in the backline is crocked, JT
It’s snowing at the Lane, eh.
So was that penalty legit or what?
And yes, I can put them off. But they were due to HR a week ago. What’s another few days?
Burnley nailed the penalty. Nice.
Graham Alexander, you beautiful bastard.
@HL: Join the shitty club.
I have a feeling I’m in for 2 hours of desperately searching for a working link every 12 minutes.
BBC says “not much doubt about it” fwiw.
COYS.
Good to see Modric on the bench (was he on the bench this weekend? don’t remember).
Good to see Aquilani on the bench.
2017: I just lost £20 in a bet about David Ngog not scoring more than five goals this season. I think he’s the worst player I’ve ever lost a bet on.
Wow that’s one stupid fucking gambler.
“2017: I just lost £20 in a bet about David Ngog not scoring more than five goals this season. I think he’s the worst player I’ve ever lost a bet on.”
Shows you should never bet against Torres sitting out a few months of the season.
Is it just me or is Ngog not completely worthless lately?
N’Gog could one day be rather good. Just needs more time.
Worth noting: David N’Gog has more goals this season than Peter Crouch. And he didn’t even need a Carling Cup game against Preston North End to do it!
@Steve: Yeah, he was on the bench v. Wolves.
He has some nice moments where he plays well with Kuyt. I think he’s just not a single striker guy; he needs a partner.
MH: don’t we all.
@ JT: Who has more games?
@JT: Way to keep yourself encouraged. Compare him to a piece of shit striker. At least he’s not diarrhea!
Sorry Chief, you know I always work alone.
@JT: You’re missing why Crouch is on the field. The combination of his height and Lennon’s lack of it provides a natural balance to the team. No goals needed.
This is Ngog’s fourth start, tenth appearance total, fourth goal in the league. I’ll take that from a 20 year old who cost 1.5 million pounds.
But Georger, you’ll never walk alone…
…
/so sorry
Crouch: 5 in 9 (3 in one game)
N’Gog: 6 in 11
Steve: all Crouch does is take up oxygen needed by players around him.
Christ on a delicious Triscuit cracker, where was this crossing all season?
Gotta bury that Yossi.
Gareth Barry is so awful.
No matter how badly we’ve shot today, I <3 Lennon. It's always fun watching his little legs skitter across the pitch.
On the bright side, it looks like the gives a damn version of Adebayor has shown up today.
@ Ryan . . . and he’s alllllll yours =D
“@ Ryan . . . and he’s alllllll yours =D”
Even we wouldn’t want him now! SUCKER!
I’m pretty sure my Asian announcers just went on a smoke break.
What’s this shit about Cesc being injured?
@Ryan – which team’s talismanic player (if we want to call Lescott for Everton that) will Hughes overpay for next only for him to become complete crap?
Crouch was offsides… on a free kick…
KILL ME NOW.
Ramsey on for Cesc. I can only presume Cesc is injured. FUCK!
This just keeps getting better and better…Cesc off injured for Ramsey.
Great save by Jensen to deny Vermaelen. Score the fucking ball, assholes.
What the fuck is up with Vermaelen today? Honestly, he’s playing for the wrong team.
Mick McCarthy observes Fabregas’ injury, and feels vindicated in resting his entire fucking team for a league game.
FUCK YOU CROUCH.
I can’t take this. :(
(@Gooners: Seriously. That many injuries, something in the training and fitness regime is fucked up, no? Or is it really just an unrelated spell of bad luck? Your thoughts.)
Who was that through ball to, exactly?
Deeelishus pass from Palacios.
@dmvdc – slow moral decay of wearing the Arsenal shirt affecting their physical fitness?
Steve, watching Villa play this year without him, he’s pretty much the opposite of a Talisman. Even before Downing came back and James Milner emerged as a central dynamo, the team was playing a lot more freely than they had at any point that Barry was pulling the strings.
@dmvdc
Considering most of the injuries are muscular, yes, it’s something with the training staff/regimen. If we had 8 guys out with broken legs, that’s something different. But we don’t, so I blame the trainers. I didn’t see Cesc’s injury so I don’t know if it’s a knock or a muscle issue.
@Steve: Sounds reasonable.
Arsene is going to sue himself over this.
Yep. About right.
Masche couldn’t stand on his own after getting a ball to the face. Ouch.
And he’ll out maneuver himself all through the court proceedings before a mistrial is declared and nobody wins.
Uh was Mascherano’s nose that crooked before hand?
What’s up with the Mascherano hug?
MH I think he was about to fall down.
NIKO!
LENNON!
You beauties!
Thanks, Sylvinho. Son of a. . .
/much more nervous about Spurs than Citeh
@Ryan – by talismanic I mostly meant essential to their team while they were there. Villa was definitely dependent on Barry (psychologically, too), and MON has done a good job of getting them over that quickly. And yes, Milner and co. play much more freely now.
Oh look.
Peter Crouch is useless.
Shocking.
Anyone who say it comment on what actually happened to Cesc? And why the fuck have we apparently squandered about 16 chances?
I know he’s no long term answer, and hell he might even be shit now, but any Spurs fans interested in sending some Crouch tape to RVN to try and convince him to come to N. London?
We were far more dependent on Laursen than Barry. The bad run of form started last year with Laursen going out. Barry’s demands to play in the center to get into the England setup ultimately limited our play much more than anything else.
Liverpool won’t get a penalty this calendar year. Thanks Ngog.
DAMN
Our worst 45 minutes of the season, at least we’re only down 1-0.
Numbers Pertaining to Peter Crouch
60,000
1,250,000
5,000,000
2,500,000
7,000,000
11,000,000
10,000,000
What do they mean? It’s the amount of money clubs have spent on him over the years. Absolutely baffling.
High boot there? Really?
@Keith – I agree, that’s why Dunne has been such a great signing. Collins, too. But the perception was that Villa would fall apart without Barry.
@Steve: Why not? He can’t be worse than Crouch. Crouch is just an empty shirt.
And I guess sitting in Defoe’s lap and trying to disrobe him counts as acceptable defending.
We really REALLY need a second goal.
@JT: That’s the 50-70% markup for English players right there. If Crouch were some freakishly tall player from Ghana who did the robot dance at the African Cup of Nations back in 2006, I’m sure he’d be playing in the second tier Belgian league right now.
@JT: It reminds me of basketball teams who try to recruit people who are 70 feet tall and have absolutely no coordination or basketball skill.
@Ryan, since City is playing Spurs, they’ll either win 3-2 or lose 5-1. Here’s hoping for the latter. Really have no idea which Spurs team will show up after halftime.
I think that’s accurate the summer that Liverpool were chasing him, but by the end of the season many Villa supporters were accepting that he’d be going on, and that, while he needed replacing, it wouldn’t be an impossible task.
WTF was Ngog doing there?
Ummmm…
So I go to the Guardian website to check out what’s being said around there, but I navigate to the main news page first. And this is what I see: “Should gays be killed, asks BBC site”
WTF?
Yeah your probably right about that, Keith. I forgot that that whole thing dragged on for two whole seasons. What a dick.
If I was Hughes, I’d pull the McCarthy at half time.
@spectator: I’d say 25% markup
@dmvdc: I agree. He’s like the Shawn Bradley of the EPL
Ryan: maybe a Phil Brown leading into a McCarthy? Admonish players on the pitch, then bench them all.
From the EPL site: “Manchester City fielded a full strength team for their visit to Parrs Wood Mega Bowl.”
Pompey!!!
Pompey equalize. Happy Chanuka Avram.
@James T I’d enjoy a Phil Brown with a Singletary maneuver at the end.
Fuck you Chelsea. I just don’t want United to win another title. This sucks.
POMPEY!
“Fulham boss (and former Inter Milan manager) Roy Hodgson on their potential next opponents in the Europa League: “I wouldn’t mind playing Juventus.”
<– lol. Right.
What the fuck, Manuel?
I haven’t played competitive football in nine years and have had three ankle surgeries and I have no doubt I could contribute more than Walcott. HE. FUCKING. BLOWS.
From mattyjwwfc on 606: “I wonder if all the Pompey changes will have the same effect on the sports headlines as Mick McCarthy’s team selection from last night…”
No, because Avram just took over, and is trying to figure out his team, while McCarthy is a douchenozzle who was not interested in testing his best XI to play at OT. Honestly, I don’t know how any Wolves starter would want to play for him after that. “Oh, don’t worry, I didn’t think you could beat United anyway. Rest up!”
For fuck’s sake, Arsenal! Get your fucking shit together.
Eduardo on for that useless Englishman. Thank God.
“Foreign McForeign pants on for that useless Englishman, thank god.” <– The Arsenal mantra. :P
@dmvdv=c: Is he wrong, Dude?
Burnley deserve a goal, and it will come.
@dmvdc Hey now, we have plenty of useless foreigners too! Silvestre scares the shit out of me.
@Keith:
No, but that won’t stop me from poking fun at a Gooner. :)
DEFOE!!!!!!
Yup.
And, God help me, that was a nice job by Crouch flicking the header on.
Arsene needs to open the checkbook in January to replace that useless Spaniard between the sticks. I’m an equal opportunity racist.
Big bloke passes it to the little bloke.
so, that crouch guy is pretty good huh?
Benayoun’s not having a great match. If only there were another creative midfielder we could use…
@HL: You’re a Gooner. That’s bad enough. ;)
donde esta anonsters? crouchie makes some plays and the chatty boy goes missing!
Indeed, Charley. He flicks on one header and he’s ok to love again
Looked up and saw Burnley ball in the net. Offside, I guess. I did not zee it.
The useless Paraguayan comes in for the useless Brazilian.
@TLL: “On December 16, 2009 @ 16:14 dmvdc says: And, God help me, that was a nice job by Crouch flicking the header on.”
BTW, this game is demonstrating my earlier point that our midfield ain’t half bad.
@JT: Not ok to love again, but I’m also not the type who just totally ignores when someone does something right. He’ll get props where he deserves them.
The problem is that he basically never does.
Ryan: I think your problems stem more from the useless Welshman.
@JT indeed. he has such sublime moves. if the beautiful game could be describe in one player’s grace, Peter Crouch would be that player. Definitely a number one or two striker for england right?
/ironic
Just saw replay. First impression is goal should have stood. Lucky.
@Ryan: But his name is Santa, and it’s Christmas-time!
/TV commentator fail
Fuck me, Ngog. Score that.
MH can you direct message me on twitter any goals? I have to drive to SC right now.
@dmvdc I just attribute his good contribution to being mere fluke, or the law of probability. Still, it was a lovely header.
@Georger: Yup, will do. Any goals for any games, or just this one?
Just this one, final scores for Chelsea/Arsenal/Spurs
Great. God go with you, Georger.
‘Pool will now collapse into a quivering pile of lose, as Georger drives to S.C.
No danger there.
dammit, Pompey.
FUCK ME NGOG IS AWFUL.
C’mon, Niko. Don’t be a dipshit.
This ref keeps gifting us decisions and we still can’t manage to capitalize. Awful.
Give him hell Nigel.
Yahoo.co.uk says “Outrageous dive from Ivanovic” on that penalty for Chelsea.
The foul on Torres starts when the arm extends; should’ve been called.
This Caldwell chap is a cunt.
2133: Breaking news from the Press Association: Everton tonight confirmed they have “agreed a deal in principle” with the Los Angeles Galaxy for forward Landon Donovan to join the Merseyside club on a two-and-a-half-month loan in January.”
i though de jong has pig flu! this is germ warfare.
and Kid, I prefer the Friedel approach to keeping: Be Bald, Be Spectacular
I’m not sure why Adebayor gets boo’d every time he touches the ball.
Isn’t the enemy of my enemy my friend?
As for NYK’s criteria for GKs, I wonder if it’s any accident that they just so happen to be the three chief characteristics of the French…
And the guy streaming the game for me just switched channels to the Arsenal-Burnley wrap-up show. I’m not even mad. Good win Spurs.
“Listen up, team. I have an idea for a game plan: let’s play the ball across the width of the pitch numerous times until hopefully the opponent loses interest and then we’ll be able to walk the ball into the net. Sound good?” Sounds fucking awful. Looks even worse.
Tor for TORRES! TORRES!!!! TORRES!!!!!!
Fuck me… come out of a meeting and my worse fear is realized. And yes, in my fucked up world a draw is worse than a loss. Way to take that ‘belief’ from the weekend.
Wonder how long Cesc is out for? Until he’s in blaugrana colors.
why is this coverage so slanted?
Feels exactly like the loss at Sheffield in I think ‘06. Knew we had no more fucking chance to win the league after that loss. Same thing here.
There’s been a bit too much of the highly speculative individual attemtps at goal in this game for my liking.
[Why are all the comments suddenly in italics?]
Attic, it’s because Kid is Disenchanted after that draw.
Oh, Niko, you beauty.
niko twice as nice. fuck off shiteh.
soo uggh good win eh? I’m sad to have missed it. Stupid finals week.
I’LL ITALICIZE WHEN I FEEL LIKE IT!
@NYK: I give you 9/10 for insanity, arrogance, and flamboyance, with that comment. I hoped you type it on an electric-blue keyboard.
@Steve: It was a good win! I’ve just been pretending I don’t have finals, though I have a take-home tomorrow. Whee.
^^^ Le Sigh. That was me.
Yeah, this was supposed to be a pick me up before I dive into 6 straight days of finals. Oops.
I’ve only got one final left and it’s my easiest class. This was supposed to be a relaxing, happy day and it ended up being thoroughly depressing.
Cesc done fucked his hamstring up. Definitely out for Saturday, says the Prof.