Little different look for a post, mainly because I don't have a lot of time to write.
Pretty important weekend, again, in the Premier League.
Since Chelsea is really wrapped up in the Christmas Spirit (Joe Cole loves Egg Nog) and remains in the giving mood, the door is now ajar for Manchester United and Arsenal to pounce for the title.
Move a little further down the table and we've got a legit four and possibly five team race for the final Champions League spot between Spurs, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City and maybe Birmingham City.
At the butt end of the table, saw off the bottom ten teams, throw them in a hat and pick three. Just look, Sunderland is 10th on 22 points, but only four above 18th place.
Let's look at some of the developments this weekend before previewing the mid-week games.
* Birmingham City 0, Chelsea 0 -- Birmingham, at least because it's organized defense, is legit. Don't believe me? Being the first team to hold Chelsea scoreless should count for something. Brum did even have that weird play when Cucho appeared to score but was ruled offside due to a prone on the ground Didier Drogba. And Cheslea? Something is clearly afoot. The Blues are still powerful, but lack spark. Will Roman Abramovich stand by while the team stumbles? Will Carlo Ancelotti get a chance to right the ship while a certain Dutchman remains unemployed, or at least without anything to do for a while? Chelsea could have run away and hid with the league, but it'll be paying for this last month of mediocrity until May.
* Fulham 0, Tottenham 0 -- A couple good saves for Mark Schwarzer and Gomes. Clint Dempsey did hit a peach of a free kick that fizzed just over the top of the crossbar. He later just missed a sliding attempt to guide a Damien Duff low ball home. Another active performance from the Texan.
* Manchester City 2, Stoke City 0 -- Good result for Man City, though Stoke did push them for times in the second half and were bailed out by Shay Given. Still, positive start for Roberto Mancini who went back to an almost Sven-lite lineup with Stephen Ireland, Robinho and Martin Petrov called into the fold. You also saw Micah Richards and Wayne Bridge dropped in defense in favor of Sylvinho and Pablo Zabeleyta. City are still an ultimate wild card, especially in light of the transfer window opening. Still, by firing Mark Hughes and replacing Mancini -- and his scarf -- City have taken a clear heel turn in the hearts of neutrals.
* Liverpool 2, Wolves 0 -- Steven Gerrard saves the day. Not much more to say here.
* Arsenal 3, Aston Villa 0 -- Strange game. Aston Villa got its footing after surviving an Eduardo miss in the opening minutes and dictated the play. Villa had a lot of the ball and did a lot of nice things, but never pressed Manual Almunia into any trouble. The lack of a finishing edge came back to bite them in the second half when Arsene Wenger rolled the dice and played a gimpy Cesc Fabregas, who only scored twice -- once via a perfectly curled free kick and second by running down a ball to finish a counter attack. Arsenal are now just four back of Chelsea with a game in hand. The announcers during this match made a point that the Gunners scored the most goals and had the most wins in the calendar year of 2009. Interesting. Villa were as good as I expected, but might be best served trotting someone beside Emile Heskey out at center forward. The dude looks about 50 years old and that's just because of its patch of gray hair, either.
* Manchester United, Hull City -- Rooney giveth, taketh and giveth back for United, which turned a nervy game into a route. Jozy Altidore and his inability to hold up the ball with his back to goal earned the ridicule from the English commentators. At his height, he does need to a get a bit stronger.
* Everything else -- Wigan 1, Blackburn 1, featured a game with Charles N'Zogbia vs. Steven N'Zonzi. ... Sunderland 1, Everton 1. Maroune Fellaini finally did something other than look ridiculous with his afro for the Toffees. ... Burnley 1, Bolton 1 ... ZZZZ ... West Ham 2, Portsmouth 0, it's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll.
Monday:
* Tottenham v. West Ham -- (Live, FSC, 7:30 a.m.) As long as Spurs don't give away any penalties, this should be a stroll. ... Spurs 3, West Ham 1
* Blackburn v. Sunderland -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Whatever happened to my old friend Morten Gamst Pedersen? Wouldn't he be an ideal January transfer target for some club in Europe, or the rest of the Premier League? ... Blackburn 1, Sunderland 1
* Chelsea v. Fulham -- (Live, Setanta, 10 a.m.) It doesn't get any easier for Chelsea, with this tricky West London Derby on the slate. Didier Drogba probably wants to left on a good note before leaving for Angola and the African Cup of Nations. Fulham is Fulham. If Chelsea give them an inch, they might sneak up and take it. ... Chelsea 2, Fulham 0
* Everton v. Burnley -- If Everton is ever going to kickstart its season, it's here. Not sure the Toffees have it in them, though since the team never seems to put in a consistent 90 minutes. ... Everton 1, Burnley 1t
* Stoke City v. Birmingham City -- Changes are probably on the way for Stoke come January. The team looked good in August/September but now feels stagnant. No reason to think Birmingham's unbeaten streak ends here. ... Stoke City 1, Birmingham City 2
* Wolves v. Manchester City -- (Live, ESPN2, 2:45 p.m.) Was City's nice game Saturday a mirage, or a sign of things to come. It's not like Wolves defense is a brick wall or anything. ... Wolves 1, Manchester City 2
Tuesday:
* Aston Villa v. Liverpool -- (Live, Setanta, 2:45 p.m.) Absolutely humongous game for both clubs fighting for fourth place and what a fine way to end 2009. Villa needs a quick bounce back after fading late Sunday vs. Arsenal, while Liverpool probably want to fire off another salvo before the transfer window opens. At this moment, Aston Villa is clearly the better team from one to 11. The problem is, they don't have the ability to click it into that extra gear like Liverpool occasionally can as long as it has Torres and Gerrard. The difference here is that Liverpool's defense doesn't have the pace to keep up with the Villa attacking players. And is there any other way for Liverpool to cap the year than with a loss? ... Aston Villa 2, Liverpool 1
* Bolton v. Hull City -- (Live, FSC, 3 p.m.) If you're not watching MTV's "Jersey Shore" well, you're a better man than I. Anyway, by now I'm sure you've at least heard of the show. Of the "cast" of eight people, there's this guy Vinne who's been featured about 10 seconds on the screen, basically to show that he got pink eye in the first episode. This matchup is the Vinne of the slate of 10. Sorry. ... Bolton 2, Hull 0
Wednesday:
* Portsmouth v. Arsenal -- (Live, FSC, 2:45 p.m.) Let's see how canny Avram Grant is. Will he pull a Bill Belichek and water down the pitch before game time. Maybe dig some ruts in it. Perhaps drop a bear trap in the area Fabregas likes to roam. Otherwise? Can't see Pompey sticking with the Gunners. ... Portsmouth 0, Arsenal 2
* Manchester United v. Wigan Athletic -- (Live, ??) Dpesn't matter the year, the players, the venue or the coach. Manchester United eats Wigan for lunch. ... Manchester United 3, Wigan 1
Last round: 5-5
Season: 96-90
Pretty important weekend, again, in the Premier League.
Since Chelsea is really wrapped up in the Christmas Spirit (Joe Cole loves Egg Nog) and remains in the giving mood, the door is now ajar for Manchester United and Arsenal to pounce for the title.
Move a little further down the table and we've got a legit four and possibly five team race for the final Champions League spot between Spurs, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City and maybe Birmingham City.
At the butt end of the table, saw off the bottom ten teams, throw them in a hat and pick three. Just look, Sunderland is 10th on 22 points, but only four above 18th place.
Let's look at some of the developments this weekend before previewing the mid-week games.
* Birmingham City 0, Chelsea 0 -- Birmingham, at least because it's organized defense, is legit. Don't believe me? Being the first team to hold Chelsea scoreless should count for something. Brum did even have that weird play when Cucho appeared to score but was ruled offside due to a prone on the ground Didier Drogba. And Cheslea? Something is clearly afoot. The Blues are still powerful, but lack spark. Will Roman Abramovich stand by while the team stumbles? Will Carlo Ancelotti get a chance to right the ship while a certain Dutchman remains unemployed, or at least without anything to do for a while? Chelsea could have run away and hid with the league, but it'll be paying for this last month of mediocrity until May.
* Fulham 0, Tottenham 0 -- A couple good saves for Mark Schwarzer and Gomes. Clint Dempsey did hit a peach of a free kick that fizzed just over the top of the crossbar. He later just missed a sliding attempt to guide a Damien Duff low ball home. Another active performance from the Texan.
* Manchester City 2, Stoke City 0 -- Good result for Man City, though Stoke did push them for times in the second half and were bailed out by Shay Given. Still, positive start for Roberto Mancini who went back to an almost Sven-lite lineup with Stephen Ireland, Robinho and Martin Petrov called into the fold. You also saw Micah Richards and Wayne Bridge dropped in defense in favor of Sylvinho and Pablo Zabeleyta. City are still an ultimate wild card, especially in light of the transfer window opening. Still, by firing Mark Hughes and replacing Mancini -- and his scarf -- City have taken a clear heel turn in the hearts of neutrals.
* Liverpool 2, Wolves 0 -- Steven Gerrard saves the day. Not much more to say here.
* Arsenal 3, Aston Villa 0 -- Strange game. Aston Villa got its footing after surviving an Eduardo miss in the opening minutes and dictated the play. Villa had a lot of the ball and did a lot of nice things, but never pressed Manual Almunia into any trouble. The lack of a finishing edge came back to bite them in the second half when Arsene Wenger rolled the dice and played a gimpy Cesc Fabregas, who only scored twice -- once via a perfectly curled free kick and second by running down a ball to finish a counter attack. Arsenal are now just four back of Chelsea with a game in hand. The announcers during this match made a point that the Gunners scored the most goals and had the most wins in the calendar year of 2009. Interesting. Villa were as good as I expected, but might be best served trotting someone beside Emile Heskey out at center forward. The dude looks about 50 years old and that's just because of its patch of gray hair, either.
* Manchester United, Hull City -- Rooney giveth, taketh and giveth back for United, which turned a nervy game into a route. Jozy Altidore and his inability to hold up the ball with his back to goal earned the ridicule from the English commentators. At his height, he does need to a get a bit stronger.
* Everything else -- Wigan 1, Blackburn 1, featured a game with Charles N'Zogbia vs. Steven N'Zonzi. ... Sunderland 1, Everton 1. Maroune Fellaini finally did something other than look ridiculous with his afro for the Toffees. ... Burnley 1, Bolton 1 ... ZZZZ ... West Ham 2, Portsmouth 0, it's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll.
Monday:
* Tottenham v. West Ham -- (Live, FSC, 7:30 a.m.) As long as Spurs don't give away any penalties, this should be a stroll. ... Spurs 3, West Ham 1
* Blackburn v. Sunderland -- (Live, FSC, 10 a.m.) Whatever happened to my old friend Morten Gamst Pedersen? Wouldn't he be an ideal January transfer target for some club in Europe, or the rest of the Premier League? ... Blackburn 1, Sunderland 1
* Chelsea v. Fulham -- (Live, Setanta, 10 a.m.) It doesn't get any easier for Chelsea, with this tricky West London Derby on the slate. Didier Drogba probably wants to left on a good note before leaving for Angola and the African Cup of Nations. Fulham is Fulham. If Chelsea give them an inch, they might sneak up and take it. ... Chelsea 2, Fulham 0
* Everton v. Burnley -- If Everton is ever going to kickstart its season, it's here. Not sure the Toffees have it in them, though since the team never seems to put in a consistent 90 minutes. ... Everton 1, Burnley 1t
* Stoke City v. Birmingham City -- Changes are probably on the way for Stoke come January. The team looked good in August/September but now feels stagnant. No reason to think Birmingham's unbeaten streak ends here. ... Stoke City 1, Birmingham City 2
* Wolves v. Manchester City -- (Live, ESPN2, 2:45 p.m.) Was City's nice game Saturday a mirage, or a sign of things to come. It's not like Wolves defense is a brick wall or anything. ... Wolves 1, Manchester City 2
Tuesday:
* Aston Villa v. Liverpool -- (Live, Setanta, 2:45 p.m.) Absolutely humongous game for both clubs fighting for fourth place and what a fine way to end 2009. Villa needs a quick bounce back after fading late Sunday vs. Arsenal, while Liverpool probably want to fire off another salvo before the transfer window opens. At this moment, Aston Villa is clearly the better team from one to 11. The problem is, they don't have the ability to click it into that extra gear like Liverpool occasionally can as long as it has Torres and Gerrard. The difference here is that Liverpool's defense doesn't have the pace to keep up with the Villa attacking players. And is there any other way for Liverpool to cap the year than with a loss? ... Aston Villa 2, Liverpool 1
* Bolton v. Hull City -- (Live, FSC, 3 p.m.) If you're not watching MTV's "Jersey Shore" well, you're a better man than I. Anyway, by now I'm sure you've at least heard of the show. Of the "cast" of eight people, there's this guy Vinne who's been featured about 10 seconds on the screen, basically to show that he got pink eye in the first episode. This matchup is the Vinne of the slate of 10. Sorry. ... Bolton 2, Hull 0
Wednesday:
* Portsmouth v. Arsenal -- (Live, FSC, 2:45 p.m.) Let's see how canny Avram Grant is. Will he pull a Bill Belichek and water down the pitch before game time. Maybe dig some ruts in it. Perhaps drop a bear trap in the area Fabregas likes to roam. Otherwise? Can't see Pompey sticking with the Gunners. ... Portsmouth 0, Arsenal 2
* Manchester United v. Wigan Athletic -- (Live, ??) Dpesn't matter the year, the players, the venue or the coach. Manchester United eats Wigan for lunch. ... Manchester United 3, Wigan 1
Last round: 5-5
Season: 96-90
Labels: English Premier League, Prem League, Prem Picks, Soccer
Most of the smaller teams experience that kind of game that Fulham had against Chelsea. They get out in front of one of the big boys an then hold on tight, frustrating the larger team for stretches of the game before the superior quality of the top four team wears them down and the smaller club eventually gives up the points.
The difference with Fulham is that doesn't usually happen to them. Sure, the Fulham attack can be pedestrian and they can lack creativity, but organization and fierce intensity in the defensive half are usually NOT their problem. Well it happened this week, and I hope it doesn't scar Fulham who have been one of the sharper teams in the league the past month.
That Smalling kid looked devastated after giving up the own goal, as one would expect. I wonder how bad Hangeland feels, because it was his injury that put the kid on the field in the first place. Bad times all around the Cottage, but Hodgson has done a very good job of keeping this team on an even emotional keel - so I'm hoping that continues.
Jozy got to play 80+ minutes on Sunday against United and looked more than a bit lost at times. The sad part was that the announcers kept talking about his inability to hold up the ball or be in the proper position and they did it a LOT. Their criticisms weren't wrong, but I hope Jozy gets the game film with the audio cut out. Ouch. Altidore *did* get the assist in the premiere league fantasy game for being the player who got fouled to create Fagan's PK. Maybe he can tweet about that.
Jozy did have his problems against Man U, but what typical player on a bottom of the table team wouldn't? And he did do some positive things too, forcing Vidic into several fouls outside the box and having a nice turn and snap-shot right after the second United goal. When he had service and support, which was rarely and always would be in that game, he did alright.
I feel like he was being unfairly singled out, and that the announcers were maybe picking on him because he was a Yank, or, more charitably, because of his recent history with the showing up late for a game and being a Twitter user and whatever. It's not like they were all over V. of Hesselink for being old and sucky, or Fagan for just not being any good at all to begin with. It looks like to me that if you're an American outfield player, you had better do like Dempsey and make yourself indispensable, or else you're in for it.