A Decent Weekend

Most of the news is on the good side.  The Union got an important road win, Newcastle lost but didn't look awful.  Biggest issue was that of all weekends, this was definitely not the best for the cable box to go on the fritz. #Firstworldproblems, I know but damn inconvenient.


Deputized Defender

Elliott makes his second deposit of the night
(Photo USA Today)

The Union got off to a quick start against the Revolution thanks to the work of Jack Elliott, deputised as they say in England, to fill in for the injured Mark McKenzie.  He became the first Union defender to score two goals in a match, notching one at 14 minutes and another at 24 minutes.  The first half went pretty much the Union's way.  Not so much the second half.  New England struck in the first minute after play restarted and were on the front foot after that.  When they leveled things in the 64th minute, you felt this was going to end 2-3 or even 2-4.  Fortunately, with some renewed energy and some good midfield play from Dockal, the situation stabilized a little.  Then we got a big break when defender Delemea was whistled for handling in the box; Picault buried the PK and the Union finished strong to take all three points.

Later that night in Salt Lake City, Montreal drew with Real Salt Lake.  That left the Union tied with the Impact on points but we have a better goal differential (plus two games in hand).  So 5th place is ours for the time being.  With 11 matches to go and every club below them no farther than 9 points behind, the hold on a playoff spot is precarious.  There are matches against New England, DC United, Orlando and Montreal in the near future but the run-in looks pretty rough.  Buckle up.


Unlucky?

Spurs margin of victory?

Many pundits are suggesting that Newcastle were unlucky not to come away with a draw against Spurs.  Yeah, they hit the post a few times in the second half but Newcastle were mostly awful in the first half. That they were only down 1-2 was probably lucky.  So many giveaways, often in really dangerous positions.  Vertonghen's header goal at 8 minutes was scruffy looking but there it was.  Past the line by a good 1/4 inch (see photo right).  Not the greatest defending there by the Magpies.  Fortunately, Matt Ritchie, who was thought maybe to be leaving Tyneside, put a lovely cross into the box that Joselu, another player you wouldn't have necessary expected in the starting 11, deftly headed to level the match.  But then Aurier sent an equally good cross into the box that Dele headed in at 18 minutes.  Newcastle looked much better in the second half, possibly even the better side for that 45 minutes.  Unfortunately all we got for the efforts were some shots off the woodwork and the Magpies went down 1-2.

Overall though a decent outing, especially in the second half.  To be fair, Tottenham were a touch flat, especially Kane and Eriksen.  And the match ended with Yedlin hobbling off with a knee injury.  Fortunately he's not expected to miss a lot of time.  Looking at the table, we sit equal 13th with Leicester based on goal differential.  Woo woo, clear of the relegation zone!


Only the Best for the Magpies

There has been a bit of pundit pushback (example here) against Rafa Benitez, suggesting he's getting appropriate support from Mike Ashley and should shut up and manage.  On the one hand I get it that managers may be prone to complaining that they don't have the personnel they want as a way to protect themselves when results don't follow.  On the other hand, can you objectively look at the Newcastle roster and not see shortfalls?  And Newcastle didn't even spend a dime in this window; they were a net seller.  In the article, Key says that last season's result proves that Ashley was right about the club's transfer policy.  Sure, if right means you got away with spending nothing while avoiding relegation.  But that's a low bar, one that the club has failed to meet twice during Ashley's tenure.  If Ashley is saying one thing to Benitez about the club's goals but essentially undermining the the manager's ability to attain those goals, Rafa has every reason to speak out.   

Speaking of resources available to Benitez, courtesy of BFS archivist Mackenzie W, we have a glimpse into the reason injuries may be a problem for Newcastle.  Check this out.

Around the League

 Even with a balky cable box, I still managed to take in a share of the opening weekend action. Except now I don't remember much.  The scoreline says Man United beat Leicester 2-1 but the Foxes goal came in stoppage time so that wasn't as close as it sounds.  I was watching Chelsea handle Huddersfield while on the phone with the Verizon service person; she didn't seem all that interested in my updates.  Crystal Palace looked pretty competent in handling Fulham in the return of the EPL to Craven Cottage. Wilfried Zaha may not be the top striker in the league but he's no slouch either; he's important to their success and nailing down his contract must be a relief.

Liverpool was having no trouble with West Ham (that ended 4-0) so I switched to Southampton-Burnley; a more competitive, though not necessarily more exciting match that ended 0-0.  The marquee match of the weekend - Arsenal vs Man City - wasn't bad but the 2-0 final offered no suggestion that the Citizens are not fully prepared to defend their title.

Wolverhampton manager Santo.
 "Wolvesman Jack?" (h/t Michael B)

But for me the most fun was Wolves-Everton.  The Wolverhampton Wanderers, or Wolves to their friends, are a storied franchise in English football founded in 1877.  They've been playing in the same venue - Molineux Stadium - since 1889; hopefully they have upgraded the bathrooms a few times.  There have been ups and downs along the way and Wolves have been out of the Premiership since getting relegated after the 2011-12 season.  Preseason forecasts for them are remarkably rosy, with most pundits having them solidly in the mid-table.  So what better opponent to welcome them back than Everton, a solidly mid-table side themselves.  New acquisition Richarlison got the Toffees going with a classic poacher's goal in the 17th minute.  Then Phil Jackie Elka got himself sent off for serious foul play (at least I think that's what everybody eventually decided because you could argue it might have been DOGSO).  The ensuing free kick from Ruben Neves was a beauty and certainly worthy of the Wolves first goal back in the EPL. We'll make it this week's   YouTubeableMoment.  Poor marking allowed Richarlison to get a second goal to put shorthanded Everton back on top in the 67th minute.  But Raul Jiminez rescued a draw for Wolves with a goal in the 80th minute. Great stuff.  Plus it looks like Wolves have a colorful manager in Nuno Espirito Santo.


Up Next

That went so well let's try it again.  I'll be at Talen Energy to see the Union take on NYCFC.  The Union are coming off some good results but this is not a good match up.  Not counting on any points from this one.  With Montreal at home vs Chicago and New England taking on DC United, we could wake up Sunday morning with the Union back in 7th.  Would be great to nick a point in this one but...

The EPL schedule makers obviously do not like me sleeping in on Saturdays and have put the Cardiff City Newcastle match at 7:30 am.  At least it's on NBCSN.  Really, this should be a win for the Magpies; anything less will be a warning sign.

Marquee match of the week looks to be the London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal at 12:30 Saturday on NBC.  Many similarities here.  New managers (Emery and Sarri), both missed out on Champions League last year.  A win here, even though it's early, might provide a clue as to which one of these clubs might rebound.

NBC thinks Spurs Fulham at Wembley is deserving of the TV nod at 10 am on Saturday.  I might be inclined to go to NBC Gold to watch Leicester-Wolves.  Sunday is all about Manchester with City taking on Huddersfield at 8:30 and United traveling to Brighton for an 11 am kickoff.  There's a Monday fixture with Crystal Palace hosting Liverpool at 3 pm; the Eagles are usually a good watch so we'll be checking that out.  Besides, what else are you going to do on a Monday afternoon in August?