Thanks for "Schar"-ing

Hip rehabbing and professoring will again limit the post.  Fortunately, those activities are not cutting into how much I can watch, just how much time I have to write about stuff.


Unlikely Source of Goals

Newcastle's latest scoring threat - Fabian Schar

Center defender Fabian Schar scored twice to power Newcastle to a relatively easy 3-0 over relegation rival Cardiff City.  One of the goals was off a corner, which is not necessarily unheard of from defenders, but the first was an awesome dribble penetration and a deftly placed finish.  The two goals mean that Schar is now the Magpies 4th leading scorer.  Six of their 19 goals in EPL action have come from defenders.  Sounds like somebody needs some fresh scoring threats.

Josh Murphy came on late for Cardiff but Benitez did not counter with his twin brother Jacob.  So we missed out on the chance, for just the third time in EPL history, for twin brothers to be on the pitch at the same time.  The last time it happened?  When Newcastle faced Cardiff earlier this year; the brothers were on the field together the 70th to 78th minute.

The win moved Newcastle out of the bottom three but only up to 17th and still just two points clear of the dreaded relegation zone.  With upcoming matches against Man City and Spurs, it's unlikely we'll see significant movement out of danger for a little while.


Pool Winners

Newcastle look set to complete a loan deal for Jordan Lukaku (Romelu's brother) - though I guess the deal technically hasn't been finalized.  But, last I checked the US Government was still shut down so those who went with Newcastle signing a player in the January transfer window are winners.  Details on Jordan Lukaku here.  This doesn't seem like a fantastic signing but it does seem to make the team better.  I am reminded of an earlier BFS post about the "Lesser Brothers Syndrome," which is reprinted below:

Philadelphia - The City of the Lesser Brother

The Phillies are famous for getting the less talented brother on their roster.  Other clubs got Joe and Dom DiMaggio, George Brett, Joe Torre, Greg Maddux, and Jason Giambi.  We got Vince, Ken, Frank, Mike and Jeremy.  With the signing of Giliano Wijnaldum, younger brother of Liverpool's Georginio, the Union may be taking a page from that playbook.  Earnie Stewart thinks Giliano is a potential steal who will provide some depth at left back.  He was playing in the second division of German football.

Yeah, how'd that work out for the Union?  Here's hoping Newcastle do better with Jordan.


Around the League

This blogger is pleased to have suggested that the Wolves-Leicester match was worth checking out.  Those who got up at 7:30 or otherwise DVRed the match were treated to an awesome back and forth 4-3 contest that was decided in the 93rd minute by Wolves Diogo Jota completing his hat trick.  Since it wasn't the only stoppage time winner we can only make it this week's co-YouTubeable Moment. Liverpool's surprisingly difficult 4-3 over Crystal Palace was pretty good viewing as well.  Perhaps an unnoticed footnote of that match was Milner being sent off late for his second yellow.  BFS Referee and Goal Keeper Consultant Graham R. noted that referee Jonathan Moss and Milner have a connection.  Less exciting was Arsenal's 2-0 win over Chelsea; basically the Gunners kicked Chelsea's Sarri asses.  And the manager expressed, in no uncertain terms, his displeasure with the Blues performance.  Sunday's early match featured Man City in their abominable alternate kits winning by their usual field goal over Huddersfield.  The late match was maybe not the highest quality but worth it if only for the ending.  Spurs snatched a 2-1 victory over Fulham from the jaws of a draw with a last second tally by Harry.  No not Kane.  The other Harry.  Winks. We'll make it this week's co-YoutTubeable Moment; wish I could have found a video from the stands with a bunch of Spurs fans.  Newcastle fans salute you by the way; we have a tough enough row to hoe without teams like Fulham picking up extra points from top six sides.

Have you noticed how stratified the table is right now?  There's a clear top six.  Man United, on the basis of their unimpressive 2-1 over Brighton coupled with Chelsea's loss are now just three points short of fourth.  Remarkable when we think of where they were before.  Then we have a clear mid-table stretching from 7th to 13th (we'll give Brighton the benefit of the doubt right now but they might be slipping into a relegation battle).  And then there's 14th through 20th, with none of those teams more than three points clear of the relegation zone.


Busy Busy

Friday - Monday sees FA Cup 4th Round action.  Pretty sure only ESPN+ for that stuff.  Will definitely see Newcastle Watford at 10 on Saturday.  Might get to see Arsenal-Man United on Friday at 3 pm (nasty draw that one).  Should be able to catch Crystal Palace-Tottenham at 11 am on Sunday.

Then quick turnaround for EPL matches on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Except that fixture list looks uninviting.  We'll watch Newcastle - Man City on Tuesday because we have to.  My choice for Wednesday might end up being Southampton-Crystal Palace for the relegation consequences.  The TV choices are Man United-Burnley on Tuesday and Bournemouth-Chelsea on Wednesday.  Not getting chills down your spine? Yeah, me neither.

Doesn't mean we won't watch though.

PS - It appears US may actually open before Newcastle close the deal for Lukaku.