Tis Better to Have Led and Lost...

...then to never have led at all.  Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez made the brave decision not to "park the bus" at Old Trafford last Saturday.   The result was about 30 minutes of the best football of season and a 1-0 lead thanks to some fine play between Yedlin and Gayle.   So rarely do the Magpies put something that nice together that I have to make it this week's YouTubeableMoment (sorry for the ad but it was the only version I could find).  But, since Newcastle are Newcastle and Man United are better, things deteriorated from there.  The Magpies were sliced open multiple times as the Red Devils cruised to a 4-1 win.  Manquillo and LeJeune had terrible games, and Yedlin was outjumped on one of the goals too; DeAndre is listed as 5'8" so maybe we can give him a pass on that.

Would it have been better to play it tight and lose 0-1 or 0-2 as opposed to absorbing the beat down?  I'm going with the latter.  This style of play will suit Newcastle better as they face opponents of lesser quality, hopefully resulting in fewer 0-1 losses and more 2-1 wins.  We also saw a different Jacob Murphy.  Sure, he stills looks raw but at least this was a "making the wrong choices" kind of inexperience as opposed to the "deer in the headlights" we had been seeing.   So, while it was demoralizing to watch them get shredded like this, ultimately there were positives to be had from what was always a loss on the calendar.


Gunners on the Move

Mustafi and Arsenal celebrate opening goal vs Spurs

Arsenal came up with their best effort of the season to make the North London derby a bit of a runaway as the Gunners cruised to a 2-0 win over Spurs.  Sure, the foul on Sanchez that led to the free kick that led to the goal by a potentially (probably) offside Mustafi was, ahem, soft.  Sure, Sanchez might have been offside on the second goal (probably not).  Make no mistake though, Arsenal thoroughly outplayed Tottenham.  Not to take anything away from the win but Spurs did look off, maybe the worst they've played this year.  The win brought Arsenal all the way back into the fight for a top four spot and left Michael B fearing a return to Europa Cup after two straight years in Champions League.

Leicester put up a good fight but goals by Jay Zeus and DeBruyne were enough for Man City to take a 2-0 win.  As I suggested, the Crystal Palace - Everton match looked to be a good watch, at least for the first half; the 2-2 draw doesn't really help either side in the relegation fight.  Bournemouth, obviously buoyed by their win over Newcastle, spanked Huddersfield 4-0, with two of the goals coming even after the Cherries went a man down; after a great start defensively, the Terriers have surrendered 14 goals in the last 6 matches.  Chelsea's 4-0 win over West Brom sent Tony Pulis packing; for those keeping score at home, that's five EPL managers sacked before December 1 (yes, 1/4 gone before 1/3 season completed).  Of course, after suggesting it was an unexciting fixture, the Brighton (and Hove Albion) Stoke match was a rather enjoyable 2-2 draw.

Man City have an eight point lead after 12 matches and a staggering plus 33 goal differential.  Whether Man United's outburst versus Newcastle indicates a surging side or merely a hopeless opponent remains to be seen.  Certainly the return of Pogba is a positive.  Mark Sunday December 10th on your calendar for the next Manchester derby.


MLS Sleep Play Offs

Those who fell asleep during the first leg of the Toronto - Columbus Eastern Conference final can be excused.  Missing Altidore and Giovinco, Toronto played it safe and the 0-0 draw was perhaps inevitable.  All to play for as they head to Toronto for the second leg. 

Houston - Seattle wasn't scintillating but at least there were goals.  Already down 0-1, Houston got  a man send off for DOGSO.  Their keeper saved the PK but the damage was done.  Seattle added another and taking a 2-0 lead back to their friendly home stadium, you have to think the Sounders are in good position to return to the MLS Cup final.  Btw, is the Houston home pitch the best argument for artificial turf you've ever seen? 


Checking in on Chester

Finally got back to my Football Manager Blues and was shocked to see a calendar that included 12 matches in 38 days and six between 12/16 and 1/1.  Our EPL season is mirroring the real life Man City's, with 12 wins and draw and a +34 goal differential.  Champions League group play has been a little tougher with some road draws but we just qualified for the knockout stage.   The weakest part of our game looks to be tackling so we've made some adjustments to the training routine. 


We Give Thanks for a Full Schedule

Add a midweek slate of EPL games plus the second legs of the MLS playoffs means matches just about every day.  This is what we do right - watch football over the Thanksgiving holiday?

You can take a break from shopping on Friday to check in on West Ham - Leicester at 3 pm on NBCSN.  Both sides are under new management so maybe a change in fortune?

Saturday is the typical full slate - minus that annoying 7:30 early game.  I'll be NBC Gold streaming Newcastle - Watford at St.James' Park.  The Hornets are an excellent side while the Magpies are still sorting things out; I'm not saying Newcastle can't win here but I'm fully prepared for a draw or even a loss.  The 10 am TV matches are Man United - Brighton (NBCSN) and Tottenham-West Brom (CNBC); thinking the home sides are big favorites here.  The featured 12:30 match on NBC looks great with Liverpool hosting Chelsea.  Two more to take in on Sunday with Burnley-Arsenal at Turf Moor ( 9 am CNBC) and Huddersfield-Man City (NBCSN at 11).  Arsenal will be up after big win over Spurs but do not underestimate the Burnley side.  If Huddersfield defense doesn't sort things out, they could be shredded for multiple goals by the Citizens, who seem to be operating on one speed - all out - this year.

The Tuesday/Wednesday TV schedule wasn't out as I wrote this.  Matches to check on would be, um, well nothing jumps out at me.  I'll be watching Newcastle take on West Brom at The Hawthorns on Tuesday; the Baggies are reeling and I have some hope for a result here.  Most of the top of the table look to be favorites in their matches - Leicester v Spurs, Arsenal v Huddersfield, Man City v Southampton, Chelsea v Swansea, Stoke v Liverpool and Watford v Man United.  That last one might be the best hope for a truly competitive contest.  If you're looking for something with more of a relegation feel, go for Everton v West Ham.

Wednesday night at 7:30 on FS1 is the second leg of Toronto-Columbus and the week's viewing concludes with Seattle - Houston.  Pretty good leftovers.