On Any Given Saturday

...Newcastle can either amaze or torment its fans.  Fortunately this week it was the former.  What better way to erase the memory of the derby loss to Sunderland than to take Chelsea down 2-0.  The Blues had the run of play early but at about 25-30 minutes the game seemed to change.  A second half free kick from Cabaye into the box was perfect and Gouffran gave his body up for the header to put the Magpies up 1-0.  I'm starting to think maybe we come away with a draw at this point.  But Newcastle continued to play well and a late goal by Loic Remy sealed the deal.  Earlier in the week they held Man City scoreless in regular time before surrendering 2 goals in the extra time in the Capital One League Cup match.  I was a bit concerned that 120 minutes of soccer on Wednesday might have left them a little fatigued but that was not the case.  This is a hard team to figure out right now - some high quality performances but some puzzling let downs too.  Not to mention all the off-field silliness, like 3 local newspapers being banned from St. James Park press events because of coverage of a protest parade by fans.  Here's hoping that football like last Saturday's will refocus attention to the pitch.

Mixed bag, though nothing awful for the other non-neutrals on the distribution list.  Dennis is still looking for Aston Villa's first win, (first goal?), since announcing his allegiance.  But a 0-0 draw at West Ham isn't terrible, though I expect he'd like to see the offense get in gear.  Luke is of course thrilled with the 2-0 defeat of Liverpool by his beloved Gunners.  Can't say that Liverpool looked all that competitive as Arsenal pulled clear by 5 points at the top of the table.  Michael won't admit it but a 0-0 draw for the Spurs on the road versus Everton is acceptable, though he too must be wondering where the goals are at this point.  Seemed like a bit of a chippy match but a fair result.

Midweek, Arsenal went out to Chelsea in the Capital One Cup but Luke didn't seem too bothered by it.  Tottenham had to go to PKs to beat Hull City and one wonders if all that midweek football hurt them Sunday against Everton.

Turning to MLS, haven't heard from Chris yet about the Red Bulls 2-2 draw at Houston in the first leg of the Eastern semifinal, but my guess is he's not happy/fuming.  Sailing along 2-0 at half (not winning the possession battle but unleashing some lethal counter attacks), they proceed to go down a man, surrender a goal, then have Houston tie it in stoppage time.  From my mostly neutral vantage point, I thought the yellow to Henry against the keeper was totally unjustified and the red to Olave, while more defensible, should have been yellow.  They have their work cut out for them in the second leg on Wednesday (?) at home in Harrison (wow a NY team that plays in NJ, wonder if that's ever happened before).

Some mid-week Champions League and Europa Cup action for Arsenal (vs Dortmund) and Tottenham (Sheriff).

Be a shame if the Spurs are a bit tired for their Sunday match vs Newcastle; on the road at White Hart Lane is never good but maybe we can steal a point.  Arsenal gets a test on the road vs Man U.  Aston Villa has a tricky fixture hosting Cardiff City; they could really do with a result soon.


The Chester Blues - we've had better weeks.  Lost away to Bristol City 2-1 in the FA Cup.  More distressing is that two key players I have on loan are not interested in extending beyond February.  Replacements are not jumping out at me as I search the transfer data base.  I did find a decent midfielder on a free transfer but other clubs are expressing interest too so I may be outbid.  Going to be a tough 5 months down the stretch to secure the promotion.