The day started out well enough. Relegation rival Norwich had seemingly just snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat when Liverpool scored in the 96th minute. With the snow piling up, I celebrated Liverpool's fifth goal. Okay, my reaction, captured here, might have been a tad over the top.
Turning to live stream Newcastle, things went bad even before the match started. Why is Newcastle lining up in a 3-5-2, a formation they have never used, at least in the last five years? Because they only have four healthy defenders. The first half wasn't awful, just a return of the competent but ultimately harmless play the Magpies have featured much of the season. Not so good for the second half, as the unfamiliar formation led to two lapses. Even an unexpected goal from Lascelles (pictured right) -who's performance should earn him a continued presence in the lineup- in the 71st minute didn't really change the tone of the match. What coulda/shoulda been a rousing finish, was distressingly tepid.
Meanwhile Southampton was pulling out a late victory over Manchester United on a late goal by...Charlie Austin. When I saw the score posted, there was no doubt in my mind that he was the goal scorer. Perfect. He should have been in a Newcastle kit but no...
Crystal Palace broke a 6+ hour scoring drought (with an own goal from Vertonghen) but never threatened again and lost to Tottenham 1-3; check out the goal from Alli, this week's YouTubeableMoment. (You're welcome Michael B.) The West Ham-Man City (2-2) contest was probably great but when I sat down to watch the dvr all I got was storm coverage as the game had been moved from NBC to NBCSN. The weekend just kept getting better as Swansea picked up a second consecutive win, besting Everton at Goodison Park 2-1. I suppose the West Brom- Aston Villa (0-0) and Sunderland-Bournemouth (1-1) draws weren't bad news; nobody got three points to gain on or get farther ahead of Newcastle.
At the top of the table, Leicester easily handled Stoke 3-0. At the Emirates, Olivier Giroud once again failed to score against Chelsea but it wasn't his fault. After Mertesacker got a red in the 18th minute for DOGSO (clearly deserved though Costa's embellishment was annoying), Wenger felt he couldn't afford to keep the striker on. Still a reasonably decent match to watch but not a good result for the Gunners, who slip to third behind Leicester and Man City.
Transfer Doings
Newcastle finally landed winger Andros Townsend. Looks to be a decent player and the price wasn't bad. What's that you ask? Doesn't Newcastle need a goal scorer? Hmm, 21 goals in 203 appearances doesn't impress you? Yeah, we still need a striker. As of this writing, Berahino is looking unlikely, Remy and Gomis are still possibilities.
Much of the talk today was about Chelsea's $7.5m transfer fee for Red Bulls Matt Miazga. I guess the money is probably great for the MLS and for Miazga but I wonder how this plays out. Does he get loaned out to a lower division side or even another European league? Or does he sit at Chelsea hoping for first team appearances. Hopefully Chris K will weigh in with what it means for the Red Bulls.
Random SiriusXM FC Tidbits
Much talk about whether Tim Howard's time at Everton is coming to an end; he could be headed to Colorado but probably not until after the EPL season ends. Don't read anything into the fact he didn't start in the League Cup game on Wednesday (oh yeah, forgot to mention that the Liverpool - on kicks from the spot - and Manchester City - on a great comeback possibly aided by a no-call - have advanced to the final); Robles has played all the League Cup games to date anyway.
If Howard does return, he might fall into the category of "museum pieces," a term coined by one the pundits to describe "older" EPL players like Gerard and Lampard coming to MLS in the, ahem, twilight of their careers.
Chester Is the Leicester of Football Manager
With wins over West Ham and Sunderland, the Chester Blues now sit atop the EPL, holding a two point lead over Everton with a game in hand. Put together with no transfer fee greater than $10 million, we have much in common with the real life Foxes. Both near the top in goals scored, decent though not top in goals allowed, and have fewer losses but more draws than their competitors. Personnel management continues to be the big challenge. One player missed practice and was upset that I issued a warning about it not happening again. Then Rui Santos got upset when I rejected a transfer offer from another EPL club; the offer was outrageously high and if it had happened in the summer window I might have accepted it but Santos (right mid and attacking mid) is too integral to the team right now. Several players key players have been away from the club on international duty. So we'll see where this goes but for the moment it's all good.
FA Cup and Pesky Mid-week EPL Matches
This weekend is Fourth Round FA Cup action, otherwise known in Newcastle as an open date. But many friends of BFS have clubs in action. Spurs are on the road to lower division Colchester while Arsenal host Burnley. Aston Villa are home against Manchester City; it would be so like the Villans to win this match even as they struggle against relegation. Other matches include Man United traveling to face Derby, Liverpool hosting West Ham, Everton traveling to Carlisle, Crystal Palace playing Stoke (again) at Selhurst Park, and Chelsea on the road to face MK Dons. Many of the matches are on FS1 or 2 so check your local listings.
Quick turnaround for everybody as there are eight league matches on Tuesday and two on Wednesday. I have no clue what to expect from Newcastle against Everton at Goodison Park; frankly both sides have been widely inconsistent. Aston Villa hopefully won't be blowing bubbles at West Ham but the Hammers are in the thick of competition for a spot in the Europa Cup so it will be tough. My back up squad - Crystal Palace - are struggling right now but a home match against Bournemouth really should be a win. Dennis' contingency team - Leicester - have an important contest with Liverpool. The Foxes are the betting favorite and that makes sense to me as the Reds have also blown hot and cold over the last month.
Other stuff at the top of the table - Arsenal host Southampton (should be good for the Gunners but can't be complacent), Man City are at the Stadium of Perpetual Struggle to face Sunderland and Tottenham are at Norwich; we kindly request that the big boys take care of business and make sure Newcastle relegation foes get no points. Rounding out the calendar is Man United-Stoke at Old Trafford (how long can van Gaal hang on?), West Brom hosting Swansea (prefer a Swansea loss but draw wouldn't be bad) and Watford at home to Chelsea.
The midweek schedule really cuts down on viewing, although I guess with judicious use of Extra Time replays you can see more games - if you can somehow avoid seeing the scores.
PS - I hear something about a big match involving Atletico and Barcelona?
I can only hope Los Colchoneros use the disgrace of giving up 3 goals at home in midweek to Celta Vigo (which resulted in their elimination from the Copa Del Rey) as motivation for their match at Barcelona tomorrow. I'm cautiously pessimistic.
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