Too Much Stuffing?

We realize that the English do not celebrate Thanksgiving but the "action" we saw this weekend sure looked like many players were working through that second piece of pie - a la mode at that.  Or maybe players were just looking ahead to mid-week matches.  Whatever the case, there were some lackluster performances, at least most of the ones I saw.  Arsenal scraped by West Brom 1-0 on a quality header from Danny Welbeck.  Liverpool beat Stoke 1-0 only because Glen Johnson was willing to take a boot upside the face while making a diving header.  Chelsea couldn't score against Sunderland.

Villa finally had a player not named Weimann or Agbonlahor find the back of the net to take an early lead against Burnley.  But again, due to a lack of confidence, talent, or both, the Villans decided to park the bus and try to eek out the 1-0 win.  That tactic rarely works for us and it once again led to a let down with Burnley equalizing on a deserved 86th minute penalty.  A single point against one of the worst squads leaves us just 2 points clear of relegation with a total of 7 goals scored through 13 matches. 

But none of the matches were more lacking in luster than the Magpies 0-1 loss to West Ham.  The two teams managed a total of three shots on frame.  The only goal was scored when a botched shot fell fortuitously at the feet of another attacker in the box.  There really wasn't that much difference between the teams and you could say, and some have, that Newcastle were just unlucky after a run of good fortune.  On the other hand, the team looked unenthusiastic and slow; they committed 16 fouls (vs season average of 11.4), which suggests to me they were frequently a step behind or out of position.  Any hope of a late goal was pretty much dead after Sissoko got a yellow for kicking the ball away, then followed with a rash challenge a mere 45 seconds later to earn a second yellow and the requisite red card and a one-game suspension.  In sum, this was just a reminder of who we are - a mid table side.


Handling (again)

Haven't found a video that I'm willing to link to [Dennis added two gifs that are good enough to see the basics] but if you can, find one that shows the play when Tottenham defender Fazio either 1) denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity with his arm, 2) handles the ball in the box, or 3) has the ball contact his arm while in the box. From Laws of the Game 2014-2015, p 119 (published by FIFA):


Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into consideration:
• the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand) 
• the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)
• the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement
• touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shinguard, etc.) counts as an infringement 
• hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard, etc.) counts as an infringement

I'm sure there will be many comments about "arm in an unnatural position."  I have always viewed that as putting your arms in an unnatural position to deliberately block the ball.  To me it looks like Fazio's arm moves the way it does because he's jumping (not sure what else one is supposed to do with their arms while jumping...), not because he's trying to make himself bigger or to deliberately block the ball.  Will be interested to see the blogosphere comments on this one.

By the way, Soldado scored for the first time since April as Spurs beat Everton 2-1.  Seeing some comments that Howard could have done better on both Tottenham goals.

Both the Manchester sides had a good weekend.  City's 3-0 handling of Southampton (including two after they went down a man but none by Aguero) suggests the Saints aren't quite ready for prime time.  Also noteworthy in that match was the booking for simulation of Aguero even though he was actually fouled (I'm thinking a 0 [in the Ronaldo rating system]) and Joe Hart's horrific mustache (part porn star, part Hitler). United's 3-0 handling of Hull keeps them in fourth and suggests they may be back.


Au Revoir, Thierry; Encore Une Fois, Landon

The Red Bulls failed to advance to the MLS final as they could only manage a 2-2 draw in New England which means they lost on aggregate 4-3.  Much better match.  When the Red Bulls took a 2-1 lead that meant everything was square and extra time was in the cards.  Even after the Revolution made it 2-2, a third goal by New Jersey based side would have sent them on.  But that goal was not forthcoming so the match may have been the last for Thierry Henry.  A marvelous career and I would love to see more European stars follow his lead and play for in the MLS.

On the left coast, the second leg of the Western Conference final was also highly entertaining.  Juninho's second half goal - his first of the season! - gave the Galaxy the away goal that advanced them to the MLS final.  On the down side, this means that once again, the team with the best regular season record will not be in the final.  On the up side, we will get to see Landon Donovan one more time next Sunday December 7th (a date which will live in infamy) in the final at 3pm on ESPN.


Mid-week EPL

Full slate of games but going to be hard to catch too many of them.  Newcastle faces Burnley but without Krul (ankle), Colback (accumulated yellows), Sissoko (45 second brain fart last Saturday).  Aston Villa has another relegation rival in Crystal Palace.