Baloney Again

Going to have to keep it short as meetings and appointments beckon. 

Newcastle were not totally outclassed in the 1-2 defeat to Chelsea.  They were in it right to the bitter end, which was a stupid short corner by Ritchie and Atsu that look like a total waste.  A brave effort but still no points.  Worse, the nightmare scenario I outlined last week did become reality and by Saturday’s end, Newcastle were back in the relegation zone.  The most nightmarish part?  Burnley beat Fulham 2-1 without registering a shot on goal.  Say what?  Yes, Fulham surrendered two own goals.  At 538, the Magpies are listed at 32% chance of relegation, which is better than Cardiff (49%), Fulham (76%), and Huddersfield (92%), but no one else. 

Our ace - Ciaran Clark
Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters

A clear sign that your team has trouble putting the ball into the net?  Your second best goal scorer is a center back, and a part timer to boot.  No disrespect at all to Ciaran Clark; he’s been an important role player.  But there’s no way he should be our number two scorer.

We did manage a 4-2 road win over Blackburn in the FA Cup replay but that came with a hefty price tag.  First, both Clark and Lascelles left with injuries.  Second, because they surrendered a 2-0 lead, the match went into extra time – yes, another 30 minutes of football this overextended and injury-ridden squad absolutely did not need.  So we get Watford at home in the 4th round.

Around the League

West Ham continue to do well, besting Arsenal 1-0.  Ready to give up those sea green away kits yet?  Brighton was brave against Liverpool but still fell 0-1.  Conditions were so bad at Goodison Park that I actually saw an assistant referee in a long-sleeve shirt.  First half was about as awful as the conditions but the second half was lively enough.

Tottenham vs Man United delivered a gem of a match.  Neutrals and Red Devil fans were likely thrilled.  And surprisingly, even Spurs fans were pretty cool about the 0-1 defeat.  Tottenham had plenty of chances.  De Gea was excellent in goal but you have to say that Kane et al were not as clinical in their finishing as we’ve seen them.  Ruh roh, looks like Man United might be back in the top four chase. 

New Pool

Will Newcastle sign a player in this transfer window before the partial US government shut down ends?  Two pretty stubborn, immovable forces involved.  Should be a close contest.

Ironic Names

Michael B will not let me hear the end of it if I do not mention that in the FA Cup match, Newcastle's Sean Longstaff marked Blackburn's Richie Smallwood.  

Schedule

Much good stuff ahead for weekend that promises snow, freezing rain, downpours and single digit temperatures.  The rest of the world will likely be focused on other matches but we will have all eyes on the six pointer of all six pointers - Newcastle hosting Cardiff City.  This was a 0-0 draw in Wales, a "classic" in which Cardiff could not score against 10-man Newcastle and Kenedy was stopped on a PK that could have given the Magpies the win in stoppage time.  I'm expecting a very tense crowd at St. James' Park that could turn on the team at the first sign of trouble.  This is a team that Newcastle simply must beat at home if they are to avoid relegation.  I guess that qualifies as a must-win game.  Here's hoping that the FA Cup win, even if in extra time, has the Magpies in a good place mentally.  The match is at 10 on NBC Gold.

Big London derby for the feature match on NBC at 12:30 Saturday - Arsenal hosting Chelsea.  The Blues are in better form and have a six-point cushion over the Gunners.  A draw really isn't going to be enough for Arsenal if they really do want to compete for a top four slot.

NBCSN has Wolves-Leicester at 7:30 Saturday morning, then Liverpool-Crystal Palace at 10.  The former has a chance to be a good flowing competitive match between two solid mid-table sides.  Liverpool should be heavy favorites at home against the Eagles but do have some injury issues.  Bonus TV coverage is CNBC with Man United vs Brighton, also at 10 am.

Sunday matches look like potential blow-outs but we will be watching to make sure they do in fact turn out that way.  We totally need Man City to dispose of Huddersfield (under new management as David Wagner "stepped down") and for Tottenham to come away from Fulham with all three points.  I realize that Spurs will be missing Kane (injury) and Son (Asian Cup duty) but as I noted earlier, Fulham seem more than happy to put the ball into their own net.  Also, too, Llorente, Dele and Moura are not exactly chopped liver.

Keep warm and dry - just stay inside and watch soccer all weekend.