I'm more concerned about Newcastle. They're only playing Burnley but as per usual they tend to take a nosedive around this part of the season.
Injuries and Pardew's love for selecting certain players won't make it easier either.
The Best of Football - An ongoing discussion -
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#3977
Posté 02 décembre 2014 - 10:26
CrazyRah
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Solid display for most of the game from United and while fate was tempted twice towards the end I'm growing more confident that this team can achieve the goals of the season with rather good margins. Only concern is as always the far too many injured players
#3978
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Posté 03 décembre 2014 - 10:35
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Another day, another injury: Man United loses Rooney for the game against Stoke. They almost seem to be racing Arsenal at this rate. United adapted impressively, though, as they dominated to beat Stoke 2-1, with Fellaini and Mata scoring. LVG seemed to have worked out how to get the best out of Fellaini. Stoke's Mame Biram Diouf had late chances to steal a point, but once again De Gea stood strong and played a blinder. Is it possible Man United is now a one-man team, and that one man is a goalkeeper?
Liverpool recovered from an early Mignolet own-goal to beat Leicester 3-1. Gerrard returns to start and played like he never left. Newcastle continues to stutter, drawing 1-1 with Burnley. Next up, Chelsea. Swansea vs QPR played like a goalkeeping exhibition before the Welsh side finally broke Robert Green's resistance to win 2-0. West Ham beat West Brom 2-1 to stay in the top five. Elsewhere in Spain, Real Madrid thrashed Cornella 5-0 to advance 9-1 on aggregate in the Copa del Rey.
Tonight, we have Sunderland vs Man City, Chelsea vs Tottenham, and Arsenal vs Southampton. Meanwhile, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla begin their Copa del Rey campaigns.
Liverpool recovered from an early Mignolet own-goal to beat Leicester 3-1. Gerrard returns to start and played like he never left. Newcastle continues to stutter, drawing 1-1 with Burnley. Next up, Chelsea. Swansea vs QPR played like a goalkeeping exhibition before the Welsh side finally broke Robert Green's resistance to win 2-0. West Ham beat West Brom 2-1 to stay in the top five. Elsewhere in Spain, Real Madrid thrashed Cornella 5-0 to advance 9-1 on aggregate in the Copa del Rey.
Tonight, we have Sunderland vs Man City, Chelsea vs Tottenham, and Arsenal vs Southampton. Meanwhile, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla begin their Copa del Rey campaigns.
- CrazyRah aime ceci
#3979
Posté 03 décembre 2014 - 10:43
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Another day, another injury: Man United loses Rooney for the game against Stoke. They almost seem to be racing Arsenal at this rate. United adapted impressively, though, as they dominated to beat Stoke 2-1, with Fellaini and Mata scoring. LVG seemed to have worked out how to get the best out of Fellaini. Stoke's Mame Biram Diouf had late chances to steal a point, but once again De Gea stood strong and played a blinder. Is it possible Man United is now a one-man team, and that one man is a goalkeeper?
Not to forget Young blocking the shot on the goalline, United playing a bit too dangerous but for once that didn't bite United completely in the behind. De Gea has really grown to be a world class keeper and while the header was almost directly on him it's still amazing how he managed to deflect it in the best possible direction. United will need him to keep doing this well for a while longer so that maybe at some point before 2020 we can field a full defence..
Liverpool really need to re-consider Mignolet or at least give him some much better competition for the first spot because his overall performance as of late has been remarkably abysmal
#3980
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Posté 04 décembre 2014 - 09:52
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Solid, if understandably cagey performance from Arsenal, starting off slow then gradually increasing pressure as the game wore on. Forster put on his own goalkeeping exhibition to keep Southampton in the game in the second half, until Alexis Sanchez finally broke his resistance in the 89th minute. Mignolet aside, it's been a good midweek for goalkeeping performances. Arsenal won 1-0. They now seem to be on a "one win at a time" mentality, which I think is prudent.
Meanwhile, Chelsea and Man City were impressive, almost to the point of terrifying. Drogba scored a goal and set up another, proving that the guy's still got it even at 36. Word is he's going to be offered a backroom job once he retires, which would be fitting. Eden Hazard also pretty much ran the whole game. Meanwhile, Aguero turned in another magical performance, scoring two goals and wreaking havoc in the Sunderland defence. The Zabaleta goal was just a work of art. Chelsea beat Tottenham 3-0, while Man City responded swiftly to an early deficit to outclass Sunderland 4-1. I'm starting to get an eerily La Liga vibe about this Premier League season.
In Copa del Rey, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid take healthy 4-0 and 3-0 leads into their respective second legs, while Sevilla seal an emphatic 11-2 aggregate win over Sabadell with a 5-1 second leg win.
#3981
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Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 10:50
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Big news: Manchester United are apparently ready to splash up to £200 million to overhaul their squad in the summer. Van Gaal's shopping list is almost Galacticos-like in ambition: Robben, Hummels, Godin, Strootman, Reus, Goetze, Alves, Clyne, Laporte, Valdes. Also, word is they're keen to keep Falcao, despite his fitness problems. Some of these makes no sense, such as why would you need Valdes when you already have De Gea, but most seem to be exactly what United need. Van Gaal himself don't seem to be happy to talk about it, though.
Also, in the wake of high-profile corruption allegations, Switzerland want to pass laws cracking down on sports organizations based there, which include FIFA. Hooray! About damn time. Also, the laws are ready pass in the coming days and months... ...but they won't come into effect until at least 2017. Oh bloody Hell, Switzerland, why do you always have to take your sweet damn time on absolutely everything?
Finally, USA star Landon Donovan will play his final game when L.A. Galaxy contest the MLS Cup final against New England Revolution on Sunday. Good luck, mate, you will be missed.
Anyway, here are how things stand in the Big 4 leagues heading into this weekend's games, with both of Friday's results (Fiorentina 0-0 Juventus and Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Hoffenheim) already included:
I'm including Bundesliga for now to keep the 2x2 shape of the image file, but I think this season's title race is already DOA, so I'm open to suggestions for replacements.
Newcastle vs Chelsea, Liverpool vs Sunderland, Stoke vs Arsenal and Man City vs Everton tonight. Elche vs Atletico Madrid, and Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo in La Liga, while in Roma has a chance to close the gap at the top of Serie A to 1 point with a win over Sassuolo.
- Kaiser Arian XVII et CrazyRah aiment ceci
#3982
Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 11:01
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As per usual silly season stuff tend to be wildly inaccurate and rather ridiculous but that said a name or two out of that bunch wouldn't really hurt United. Godin and Strootman are players that I believe would fix a few of United's current issues, especially Godin. Most of the other names are on positions where Untied already is well stocked and anything more would just cause another "where do we put Mata" situation and one of those is enough.
Bundesliga really were never going to get another winner this year than Bayern. Their domination is silly but very expected with that quality squad. Still feel the league might aswell be mentioned since it's really one of the current top 3 and there are a few teams worthy of keeping an eye on, like disaster Dortmund.
Todays game to be watch for me is probably going to be Newcastle Vs Chelsea just to see exactly what kind of Newcastle that we'll be shown this time around. Chelsea will most likely be as unforgiving as previously this season but if there's a team that always can throw a wrench in the machine it's Newcastle.
#3983
Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 11:58
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lol @ Dortmund being one position higher than Werder Bremen.
Cry @ the fact that Werder Bremen was Boss in 2004-2005.
It seems in Italia, Inter and Milan are replaced by Roma and Juventus as the best two teams.
*cheers* Real still rules!
I don't know, maybe France Ligue 1 can be put instead of Bundesliga.
#3984
Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 12:25
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Chelsea will most likely be as unforgiving as previously this season but if there's a team that always can throw a wrench in the machine it's Newcastle.
They've done it before, sure, but I can't see it happen here. Newcastle are very predictable in how they play and I think that six row of wins might turn into a similar row of losses instead now.
Apparently Gouffran isn't getting the nod on the wing again, that's good, surprising but good. Cabella won't do much better on the wing though, he's just too slow to play there.
A shame Mehdi Abeid is missing the game too, he brings a lot more stability in the middle than either Tioté and Colback does.
#3985
Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 12:54
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Also amazes me that they gave Michael Owen the job as a co-commentator. They guy has got less personality than a brick.
#3986
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Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 01:36
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Well, it's half-time, and Newcastle are holding Chelsea so far. Even forced Courtois to make a save late on.
Ah, yes, the train wreck dilemma; you want to take yours eyes off them... ...but... ...just... ...can't.
Sure, I can consider that. I've actually been keeping tables for Ligue 1 and Eredivisie as well, just outside the snapshot area, so it's just a matter of cut and paste:
As you can see, I've also been tinkering more with the cell colouring for readability. I've actually been keeping these tables since the beginning of the season - it's only just this week that I've managed to perfect the formatting so your eyes don't bleed reading them. Unfortunately, Eredivisie requires more work from me to update than the other five, so it tends to be updated last. I've also been keeping Champions League groups tables as well, but they're not readable yet.
Yeah, I'm a bit of a stats geek.
At least he's not as bad as Phil Neville.
Bundesliga really were never going to get another winner this year than Bayern. Their domination is silly but very expected with that quality squad. Still feel the league might aswell be mentioned since it's really one of the current top 3 and there are a few teams worthy of keeping an eye on, like disaster Dortmund.
Ah, yes, the train wreck dilemma; you want to take yours eyes off them... ...but... ...just... ...can't.
I don't know, maybe France Ligue 1 can be put instead of Bundesliga.
Sure, I can consider that. I've actually been keeping tables for Ligue 1 and Eredivisie as well, just outside the snapshot area, so it's just a matter of cut and paste:
As you can see, I've also been tinkering more with the cell colouring for readability. I've actually been keeping these tables since the beginning of the season - it's only just this week that I've managed to perfect the formatting so your eyes don't bleed reading them. Unfortunately, Eredivisie requires more work from me to update than the other five, so it tends to be updated last. I've also been keeping Champions League groups tables as well, but they're not readable yet.
Yeah, I'm a bit of a stats geek.
Also amazes me that they gave Michael Owen the job as a co-commentator. They guy has got less personality than a brick.
At least he's not as bad as Phil Neville.
- Kaiser Arian XVII aime ceci
#3987
Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 01:38
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At least he's not as bad as Phil Neville.
That is indeed true.
#3988
Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 01:40
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Jak Alnwick will make his PL debut.
Will be tough for the lad... hopefully he will have strong nerves.
At least I think he will. Kevin Pressm- Sorry, Rob Elliot is struggling.
Will be tough for the lad... hopefully he will have strong nerves.
At least I think he will. Kevin Pressm- Sorry, Rob Elliot is struggling.
#3989
Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 02:00
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Unbelievable, it's that man again...
#3990
Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 02:01
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And Newcastle scores, not surprised. 
Not the most amazing goal but the wrench is making a mess in the Chelsea machine
#3991
Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 02:21
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Todays game to be watch for me is probably going to be Newcastle Vs Chelsea just to see exactly what kind of Newcastle that we'll be shown this time around. Chelsea will most likely be as unforgiving as previously this season but if there's a team that always can throw a wrench in the machine it's Newcastle.
Hmmmm
- Nattfare aime ceci
#3992
Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 02:24
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Hmmmm
I stand corrected it looks like.
Not that I am complaining though.
Uh-oh, red card on captain fistpumps...
#3993
Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 02:26
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The flipside of it being Newcastle is that no team can screw things up like them..
#3994
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Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 02:30
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Here comes Chelsea. Sweaty-palms finish coming up. What a start to the weekend.
Add: They've done it. 2-1 Newcastle. What a game. Your move, Man City.
Add: They've done it. 2-1 Newcastle. What a game. Your move, Man City.
#3995
Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 02:47
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Newcastle never take the easy road but it sure lead to some exciting games!
#3996
Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 03:54
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Goodness Arsenal is just not even there! 3-0 to Stoke in half-time! So much absolutely dreadful mistakes in 45 minutes that one could almost believe that a bunch of turnips would do better
#3997
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Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 04:03
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I'm numb with suffering right now. I've taken to watching Atletico Madrid instead - just to take my mind away from England altogether.
Update: And now it's 3-2. Breath held.
Update 2: Gah. Red card.
Update 3: Fightback over. Stoke win 3-2.
Update: And now it's 3-2. Breath held.
Update 2: Gah. Red card.
Update 3: Fightback over. Stoke win 3-2.
#3998
Posté 06 décembre 2014 - 06:36
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Sad score for Arsenal again.
Cheers for PSV being on top.
France has three good teams: PSG, Olympique Lyon and Marseille. A few almost good teams like Nantes, Monaco, St.Etienne and Bordeaux, but the rest are really meh.
Actually England's league is just a little better than France right now!
#3999
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Posté 07 décembre 2014 - 10:50
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All aboard the Arsenal-coaster! An embarrassing first half in which Crouch scored in 19 seconds was then followed by a stirring fightback, which was then followed by momentum-killing red card, which then finished in a disappointing, yet strangely appropriate, loss. Truth be told, I was realistic about Arsenal's chances before the game; Sanchez has been doing a lot of work to put some veneer of respectability on Arsenal's season, so he was due for an off day. Added to that they had to start with their reserve goalkeeper and a 19-year-old kid in place of Monreal, and I would have been happy with a hard-fought draw against a tough and physical Stoke who gave United a heck of a fight in midweek. Stoke deserved every inch of that 3-2 win, and then some. Moving on.
Chelsea's quest for the title hits more turbulence; Papiss Cisse comes on for Newcastle in the second half and promptly scored two goals to send Chelsea reeling. Drogba pulled one back from a Fabregas free-kick after Steven Taylor got sent off, but 10-man Newcastle managed to cling on for a 2-1 win. Mourinho's Chelsea record at St James' Park is now played 5; won 0, drawn 2 and lost 3, and Newcastle are on a 3-game winning streak against Chelsea at this venue. Extraordinary. No wonder he's bitter about it. As for Alan Pardew, all the "Pardew Out" talk must now seem very far away.
Also extraordinary; QPR's Charlie Austin scored in their 2-0 win over Burnley to somehow become the league's top-scoring English player - before immediately being sent off afterwards. Man City loses Aguero early to injury, forcing them to grind out a 1-0 win against Everton. Liverpool vs Sunderland were among three games that end 0-0; Liverpool did look more lively after Gerrard came on, but it seems Rodgers doesn't think Gerrard is a 90-minute player any more.
In La Liga, Atletico Madrid beat Elche 2-0, while Ronaldo scored his record 23rd La Liga hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo 3-0 for their 18th win in a row. Finally, in Serie A, Roma dramatically fought back from two goals and a man down to draw 2-2 with Sassuolo.
A relatively quiet Sunday today; West Ham vs Swansea, Barcelona vs Catalan neighbours Espanyol, and both Milan clubs are also in action.
Chelsea's quest for the title hits more turbulence; Papiss Cisse comes on for Newcastle in the second half and promptly scored two goals to send Chelsea reeling. Drogba pulled one back from a Fabregas free-kick after Steven Taylor got sent off, but 10-man Newcastle managed to cling on for a 2-1 win. Mourinho's Chelsea record at St James' Park is now played 5; won 0, drawn 2 and lost 3, and Newcastle are on a 3-game winning streak against Chelsea at this venue. Extraordinary. No wonder he's bitter about it. As for Alan Pardew, all the "Pardew Out" talk must now seem very far away.
Also extraordinary; QPR's Charlie Austin scored in their 2-0 win over Burnley to somehow become the league's top-scoring English player - before immediately being sent off afterwards. Man City loses Aguero early to injury, forcing them to grind out a 1-0 win against Everton. Liverpool vs Sunderland were among three games that end 0-0; Liverpool did look more lively after Gerrard came on, but it seems Rodgers doesn't think Gerrard is a 90-minute player any more.
In La Liga, Atletico Madrid beat Elche 2-0, while Ronaldo scored his record 23rd La Liga hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo 3-0 for their 18th win in a row. Finally, in Serie A, Roma dramatically fought back from two goals and a man down to draw 2-2 with Sassuolo.
A relatively quiet Sunday today; West Ham vs Swansea, Barcelona vs Catalan neighbours Espanyol, and both Milan clubs are also in action.
#4000
Posté 07 décembre 2014 - 11:17
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Depending on how seriously injured Aguero actually is I'd say City would absolutely have taken a 0-0 over losing him because he's exactly that vital for the team. Without Aguero City just feel like a shark with all the teeth removed. Look scary perhaps but won't be able to do much. Now Roma is one of the least stable teams in Europe so it's still possible without Aguero but it will be a much more tedious task.
Might keep an eye on West Ham Vs Swansea if for no other reason than to keep being impressed on how far West Ham has come this season
