Where Has All the Offense Gone?

Gone to Manchester City I guess.  Another shut out for Newcastle and the Union didn't even manage a shot on target.  At least I have virtual Chester to show me what scoring looks like.


Almost There

Blake saves the Union bacon (Photo Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)

Despite not getting a shot on target, the Union nearly took all three points at Columbus but had to settle for a 0-0 draw.  An own goal by the Crew was wiped out by VAR, but we maintain that the Union are still a net beneficiary of the process. The real key moment came in the 90th minute when Blake made an incredible save on shot by Harrison Afful.  To give up a goal that late would have been aw... no that's too easy.  Not going there.  As we noted last week, a win would have made 4th place a real possibility. But the unexpected point on the road moves the Union very close to clinching a playoff spot.  In our nation's capital, Montreal got thrashed by DC United so now any combination of three points gained by the Union or dropped by Montreal seal the deal. 


Discontent at St. James' Park

With a 0-2 loss at home to Leicester, I think we can safely remove the label of overachievers from the Magpies.  Four goals and two points from seven matches, heading to Old Trafford.  Struggling to find a silver lining here.  Feeling very much like Will Rogers; I'm not a supporter of any EPL team, I root for Newcastle.  Fan protests about the owner, some booing of personnel decisions by Benitez, just not a pretty scene.  Is there an obvious change of strategy that would make things better?  I don't see it.  Maybe play Muto some more.  But all the moves seem like marginal changes.


Elsewhere

The featured Chelsea-Liverpool match, though low-scoring was a good watch, with a late goal from Sturridge rescuing a point for the Reds.  So Liverpool are no longer perfect and they drop to second in the table behind Man City, who dispatched Brighton 2-0.  After sarcastically dissing the Cardiff City-Burnley and Bournemouth-Crystal Palace matches last week, they turned out to be two of the more interesting contests, ending in 2-1 wins for Burnley and Bournemouth.  Sped through Spurs comfortable if unimpressive 2-0 win over Huddersfield; they really haven't been on top of their game since the big win over Man United.  Speaking of Man United, Mourinho is once again at the top of the oddsmakers list in the Sack Race after his side fell to West Ham 1-3.  Didn't see the match but rising BFS favorite Wolverhampton scored two late goals to take the measure of Southampton; Wolves sit 9th in the table.


Chester Relief

Mostly anyway.  A hiccup 1-1 draw at home to Everton but mostly solid wins since then.  Back top of the table.  At least somebody is scoring goals.


Weekend

Hoping the Union settle everything with a win at Talen Energy this Saturday night against Minnesota.  Mixed feelings about Montreal-Columbus.  A win by the Impact would improve our chances of finishing 4th but a loss or draw seals our playoff berth.  Let's be greedy and hope for an Impact win, knowing we'll take of business in Philly.  DC United, which could still catch Philly, has another of its 12 remaining home matches (it's really four, a result of a late opening of their new stadium) against Chicago.

This can't be right.  The NBC feature match at 12:30 on Saturday is a struggling Man United hosting a drowning Newcastle.  I can't imagine a result that doesn't stoke the fires of discontent in one or both camps.  A Newcastle upset win will raise the pressure on Mourinho; even a draw might cause a riot.  A Newcastle loss is sort of expected but it will just add to the mess.

There is a second straight week of #1 vs #2.  Liverpool host Man City at 11 am Sunday.  Every reason to think there might be a goal or two there.  Some interesting stuff in the Saturday 10 am matches.  I might be inclined to watch Crystal Palace - Wolves from Selhurst Park (NBC Gold).  The TV match is Spurs - Cardiff City; wouldn't expect Tottenham to have an issue there.  Leicester hosting Everton could be good too.

Don't miss the early start to the weekend with Brighton and West Ham kicking off at 3 pm Friday on NBCSN.  Hey, no 7:30 Saturday match.  Thank you schedulers. 

Yeah, I know there's been all kinds of Champions League and League Cup stuff going on but I've been swamped with work as my plan for part-time retirement has been temporarily compromised with a full calendar.