Replays, Minnows and Replays with Minnows

What a draw to a lower tier side in the FA Cup
feels like

The first weekend of EPL involvement in the FA Cup provided all the usual highlights.  There were some blowouts, some surprising upsets of EPL sides by minnows and the requisite number of annoying draws with minnows that will require intrusive mid-week replays in the middle of congested league schedules. 

Newcastle got an early lead thanks to a goal from Almiron but never really asserted themselves against Rochdale and the 79th minute equalizer was no surprise.  Another really poor outing from Joelinton.  Some solace in that it looks like Matt Ritchie is ready to play.

Dennis could barely contain his delight that Aston Villa fell to Championship division Fulham.  For his money, if it doesn't involve points in the EPL standings, it is an unnecessary distraction. The Fulham goals were pretty good strikes.  Michael was more philosophical about Spurs draw to Championship division Middlesborough, especially after a near-viewing disaster in which ESPN+ claimed they didn't have a subscription listed under his email address.  He ended up missing just a few minutes.  Plus the replay will be at home.  Better than Watford's fate, a 3-3 draw to League 1 relegation candidate Tranmere at home no less, which means a road replay. 

Some claimed the 0-0 Wolves - Man United contest was a bore but I find it pretty good viewing; sure they couldn't finish for s....quat but it was good end-to-end football.  Ooh, United had no shots on target.  And for Jurgen Klopp this time the kids were more than alright.  Though criticized for starting youngsters against Everton, he got the last laugh as Liverpool came away with a 1-0 win.

The overall tally for the EPL was 11 wins, five draws and four losses.  Besides Villa and Everton, Brighton fell to Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace went down to Derby County; both Championship division sides. 


Don't Carabao It Cup

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after Rashford's goal closes the
deficit to 1-3

The first legs of the two semi-finals were contested on Tuesday and Wednesday.  In an extra Manchester derby, City had the upper hand, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first half at Old Trafford.  A late goal from Marcus Rashford may have given United some life but heading to The Etihad down 1-3 doesn't seem like a winning strategy.  In the Wednesday match, Aston Villa played Leicester to a 1-1 draw.  Dennis lamented that they did so by playing much of the first team in a "meaningless" mid-week match.  He would gladly have traded this result for a point in any of the upcoming EPL matches.  Return matches are 1/28 and 1/29.



Department of Irony

Michael B's friend Simon (our tour guide in London) lives in Norwich and vacations in the Canary Islands.  Know that only readers of this blog will get the irony.


Get On With It



Yes, let's get back to the important stuff. 

The weekend starts a day early with Sheffield United - West Ham Friday afternoon at 3 pm.

Saturday's early match (7:30 NBCSN) looks worth getting up for - a London derby featuring Crystal Palace Arsenal at Selhurst Park.  Maybe a sign of the Gunners inconsistency that they are barely favored in the match.

The five matches at 10 am don't exactly get the blood flowing.  We'll be watching Newcastle vs Wolves at Molineux on Gold because we have to.  Very low expectations for that one, though somewhat buoyed by the possible return of some key players.  A draw would be awesome.  TV goes with Chelsea - Burnley.  If I wasn't otherwise occupied, I'd choose Everton - Brighton; both have done some good work recently to significantly reduce their relegation chances but remain in danger.  Man United can maybe keep pace in the race for 4th with a home match against bottom dweller Norwich.  Leicester - Southampton fills out the 10 am slot.

An important contest in the NBC feature match at 12:30 with Spurs hosting Liverpool.  Probably should put important in "".  Even at home, that looks like a tough assignment for Tottenham.

Sunday morning (9 am NBCSN) starts with a relegation special between Bournemouth and Watford.   These are two sides moving in different directions, with Watford finally lifting themselves out of the bottom and actually putting together a good streak and Bournemouth sliding down the table into the relegation zone.  The second match at 11:30 on NBCSN has all the appeal of a car crash; Aston Villa will likely struggle even at home against Man City.

Weekend temps in the 60s so maybe more DVR and less live action than recent weeks.