All I Want For Christmas

Decent news on the pitch for Newcastle but possibly even better stuff happening off the field as the likelihood of a sale before the end of the year increases.  Some interesting EPL results as well.


Good Draw

I'm going with the glass 3/4 full view for the Magpies 2-2 draw with Southampton.  Yeah, maybe it could have been a 2-1 win if not for Florian LeJeune's brain cramp of a foul in the box.  But overall they played well and Newcastle's history at the Little Stadium of Horrors (St. Mary's Stadium) says it was a good point to get.  The Saints were pressing hard so there's no guarantee Newcastle don't surrender the tying goal late even without LeJeune's mistake anyway.  Nice to see 1) great work rate from Perez and 2) a goal for him.  I'd say overall it was pretty good viewing for the neutral - a tight, competitive match and the non-PK goals were top quality.  In fact, we going with a Newcastle goal - Isaac Hayden's blast from the top of the box - for this week's YouTubeableMoment.


Not Rumors Anymore

Next Newcastle owner?

Reports have Amanda Staveley (right) making a £300 million bid (plus a commitment to spend £150 million in the next two transfer windows).  Today's reports say she has signed a non-disclosure agreement which would allow due diligence to proceed.  There is reported interest from Russian, Chinese and Turkish parties as well.  Ashley has indicated he wants out by the end of the year.  This would be a good thing since he has indicated there will be no money for the January transfer window under his ownership.  Whether a deal can actually be completed this quickly is not clear.  One can only hope.



Don't Look Now But...

Watford, after a 2-1 win over Arsenal, are now fourth in the table, ahead of bigger names like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal.  Another great game for the neutral with the Hornets scoring the winner in stoppage time - off the foot of one of Dennis' all-time favorites, Tom Cleverley (jk).  But the bigger upset of the weekend was clearly Crystal Palace taking the measure of Chelsea.  The Eagles are no longer goalless, pointless or winless after the 2-1 result at Selhurst Park.  Their first tally was actually on own goal and Chelsea responded fairly quickly with one of their own.  Wilfired Zaha, returning from injury, got the game winner late in the first half.  Gotta love the Crystal Palace faithful, who were in full throat for the entire match.

Looking around at other draws last weekend, sometimes it's hard to say who is happier.  Jurgen Klopp must be thrilled that his Liverpool side kept Man United off the scoreboard but slightly disappointed that all he got was a 0-0 draw.  Can't think that Mourinho saw much to be pleased with for his side.  Leicester grabbed a late draw from West Brom via an 80th minute goal from Mahrez.  We're going to put this in the category of a bad draw since the Foxes manager, Craig Shakespeare, was sacked after the match.  Everton must consider themselves lucky to sneak away from the coast with a point after needing a PK in stoppage time to rescue a 1-1 draw with Brighton.  And Hove Albion.  That result won't do much to take the pressure off of Ronald Koeman.  And lastly, Sean Dyche can't be too pleased with Burnley's 1-1 draw at home to West Ham given that his side played a man up for over 60 minutes.  Still, the result leaves The Clarets seventh in the table, ahead of all expectations at this point.

At the top end of the table, Tottenham got a workmanlike 1-0 win at home versus Bournemouth to stay third in the table.  Man City pasted Stoke 7-2, padding their already gaudy goal differential and opening a two point gap over Man United.


At Least They Didn't Have Their Flip-flops On

Full credit to the Union squad, who have nothing to play for at this point but pride or perhaps ensuring a spot on next year's team.  On the road against the Chicago Fire, they fell behind quickly but rallied to take a 2-1 lead.  Check out the soft touch from Bedoya on the Union's second goal; at Jeff H's insistence, we'll make this the YouTubeableMoment - MLS Division.  Alas, Chicago is just a better side and quality will out.  Jack Elliott surrendered a PK (actually his second mistake of the game - but really he has been one thing that went right for the Union this season) and then the Fire got the game winner in the 78th minute with Nikolic completing his hat trick.  Good effort but no result for the Union.  We note sadly that in 2015 the Union finished seven points ahead of Chicago but this year are 16 points behind the Fire.


European Playoffs

The draw for the European WC qualifying playoffs was held on Tuesday.  Here are the match-ups:

Northern Ireland - Switzerland
Croatia - Greece
Denmark - Ireland
Sweden - Italy

Each is a two game series with the winner on aggregate score advancing to the World Cup.  The games will be played in early November.


The Weekend

Well, I finally have to plunk down the $50 for NBCSN Gold as the Newcastle - Crystal Palace match is not on TV.  A hearty thank you to Chelsea for letting the Crystal Palace get their first win last week so at least the Eagles don't come to St. James' Park looking for their first goal or result.  Still, the Magpies better not be overconfident.  Anything less than three points here is a bad result.

Sunday has a good double header.  Clear underachievers Everton host an arguably underachiever Arsenal at 8:30 followed by Tottenham - Liverpool at Wembley at 11.  Both are on NBCSN.  Saturday's fare is somewhat less enticing though Chelsea - Watford has some potential (7:30 NBCSN).  Both Manchester sides are on at 10 am - City take on Burnley (CNBC) while United travel to Huddersfield (NBCSN).  Huddersfield surrendered two more in a loss to Swansea last weekend and have scored more than only Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.  The "featured" NBC match at 12:30 on Saturday is Southampton - West Brom; actually, it might be an interesting, competitive match between two mid-table teams.  For those looking for an excuse to blow off work early on Friday, West Ham is hosting Michael B's beloved Siegels Seagulls at 3 pm on NBCSN.

I'll be at Talen Energy Stadium on Sunday to see the Union conclude their season against Orlando.  Neither have much to play but here's hoping the Union put in the same effort as last week.

Oh wait, if I don't mention Tottenham's 1-1 at Real Madrid in the Champions League, Micheal B will be all over my case.