Let It Snow

Thoughtful of the EPL to have Matchweek 13 coincide with a major snow event in the Northeast.  Great set of fixtures as the flakes were falling.  Coming on the heels of an interesting weekend, a good seven days of football.

Covid-19 Blowback

Recall that Newcastle's training ground was shut down for over a week and their match with Aston Villa postponed after a serious outbreak of covid-19 in the ranks.  Frankly, in their latest two games, it showed as there were missing players and fitness issues.  Home against West Brom, they managed two moments of quality and 90 minutes of mediocrity to escape with a 2-1 win.  An early (23 seconds) goal from Almiron offered hope of an easy day but for the next 60 minutes they were awful.  They did get better after the Baggies leveled things at 50 minutes.  Finally sub Jacob Murphy fed a beautiful cross to sub Dwight Gayle for the game winner at 82 minutes.  Gayle's entry into the match had changed the dynamic so it wasn't a total surprise and was good enough to be this week's YouTubeableMoment.

Picture says it all - Newcastle ran out of gas at Leeds

Wednesday they were close with Leeds until they weren't in a 2-5 loss.  They did score first again, clearly against the run of play.  Leeds pressure was too much and they drew even within 10 minutes.  At 60 minutes (1-1 at the time) I texted Dennis that you could see that Leeds were going to blow the Magpies doors in based on the difference in fitness levels.  They scored within a minute.  Ciaran Clark got that one back pretty quickly.  Didn't change my forecast and sure enough, Leeds poured in three goals between 77 and 88 minutes.  Leeds are known for their fitness levels and their constant attack.  It was just too much for that group of Magpies.  Hadn't really hoped for more than a draw here anyway, though the final margin was a bit upsetting.

Dropped Points

The top ten sides took a bit of a beating in Matchweeks 12 and 13, resulting in some reshuffling in the table.  No one took a bigger hit than Chelsea, who dropped six points in falling 0-1 to Everton and 1-2 to Wolves. In the second match, Chelsea looked in trouble with a late PK call for fouling Neto in the box until VAR saved them.  Turns out they were still in trouble as Neto made a great run to score the game winner in the 95th minute.  The Blues tumble to 7th as a result.

Not a great set for Spurs either.  They ran into an incredibly hot keeper in Vicente Guaita, who helped Crystal Palace steal a 1-1 draw.  Next was Liverpool and again Spurs had their chances that went unfinished.  Firmino made them pay with a late goal for a 2-1 victory.  That's five points dropped for those keeping track at home.  At least they hold onto second for the moment.

Man City is next on the list as the Citizens dropped four points in draws with Man United and West Brom.  The derby was a 0-0 bust and you sense that United was the happier crew with that result.  I figured the Baggies were toast after that.  Instead City struggled to finish and all they got for their domination of play was a 1-1 draw.  They now sit 9th in the table.  Unfortunately for Simon Bilic, this draw was not enough to save his job (see below).

Well somebody had to be getting points, right?  Everton were as they beat Chelsea and followed it up with a 2-0, on the road, against Leicester. After a bumpy stretch, the Toffees are back up to 5th.  Man United only dropped two points (draw with Man City) and may have figured out that it's better to start playing before the second half whistle.  They fell behind early to Sheffield United on a horrible blunder by Henderson (who started in place of DeGea); however, this time they responded much earlier and were in front by the 33rd minute on their way to a sort of easy 3-2 win.  Southampton were another side to drop only two, thumping Sheffield United and drawing with Arsenal.  Yes, that is Southampton in 3rd place right now.

Firmino had most important goal of the week,
 a 90th minute winner against Spurs

Liverpool did drop points in a 1-1 draw with Fulham. Maybe they were looking ahead to the marquee match up with Spurs.  They did see a couple of VAR calls go their way so maybe those things even out.  And the win over Tottenham puts them top of the table.

We can't forget Aston Villa here.  They kinda stole one from Wolves on a PK in stoppage time.  Probably deserved a draw instead of a 1-0 win.  On the other hand, they probably played well enough to win against Burnley but had to settle for a 0-0 draw.  Wait, 27 shots and no goals?  El Ghazi did a great Joelinton impression - worked his ass off, creating chances and taking eight shots with nothing to show for it.  The four points seem about right and the Villans sit in 11th.  

Sack Race

We have been remiss in not discussing the prospects of managers being fired.  I had Mikel Arteta at the top of the list but he was beaten out by Simon Bilic, who got sacked even after grabbing a draw with Man City.  The EPL Managers Revolving Door continues as Sam Allardyce was named as Bilic's replacement. Recall that Bilic replaced Allardyce at West Ham.  

Gunners fan demonstrates 

After a loss to Burnley and a draw with Southampton, you figure Arteta's still on thin ice.  They are 15th in the table, just five points above the relegation zone.  Only Fulham, West Brom and Sheffield United have more losses.  Next two matches are Everton and Chelsea.  Does Arteta make it to the New Year without results in both?

Chris Wilder is also on the hot seat with Sheffield United stuck in last with just one point (a draw with Fulham).  I didn't think they had massive personnel turnover, though they did lose keeper Dean Henderson as Man United weren't willing to send him out on loan again.  

Others near the top include Ol Gunner (will the real Man United please stand up), Scott Parker (he has reworked Fulham's lineup with some apparent success), Sean Dyche (eight points from last five matches may signal improvements at Burnley) and Steve Bruce (Newcastle managers, by rule, must be in the top six).  

Text Conversations That Could Have Taken Place But Didn't

Dennis: I thought you said Leeds key defender was hurt

Steve: No, I said he was Ayling

and

Dennis: Did you just call Aguero the Anti-christ

Steve: No, I said Aguero will probably replace Jesus

Text Conversation That Could Have Taken Place and Did

Jeff H: What would you rather have on your team shirt: Ideal Boilers [West Brom] or Bimbo [Union]?

Steve: Why not Killian's Hardware [local but legendary store in Chestnut Hill]

Jeff H: I mean Man United have Kohler on their shirts but it doesn't say Kohler Toilets

Goodbye Columbus Seattle

A very respectable MLS Cup Final with the Columbus Crew taking the measure of the Seattle Sounders 3-0.  The game was quite watchable and didn't feel like a blowout. This was the last match to be played in Mapfre Stadium, one of the first soccer-specific venues in the US.  

MLS did a decent job of getting this season in despite the pandemic.  Sure, it wasn't quite as tidy as the EPL given the shortened season and not everybody played the same number of matches.  However, the fact that most of the action was intra-conference lends an air of legitimacy to the title races in each conference.  We say that not just because the Union won the Eastern Conference.  Put us down for a "no" on the expanded playoffs though.

No More Doops in the Old Onion Bag

Tommy Smyth won't be returning to the Union broadcast booth.  Mixed feelings there as he could be colorful but was turning into a bit of a homer.  The excellent news is that he'll be replaced by Danny Higginbotham, who currently works as an analyst for NBCSN.  We've enjoyed his insightful comments there and are thrilled to have him on board.  Apparently his wife is from the area so that's how we got him.

Correction: 17 Days of Football

Either we didn't read the calendar correctly or there were last minute scheduling changes.  Anyway, we will be treated to four match weeks over the next 17 days running from 12/19 to 1/4.  Everybody gets four matches in this stretch, including one with a nasty turnaround of two days for most clubs.  First is this weekend (Saturday - Monday).  Then there is the Boxing Day set (Saturday 12/26 or Sunday 12/27).  This is followed quickly by the late December midweek set (Monday 12/28, Tuesday 12/29 and Wednesday 12/30).  We finish with the New Year's set running from 1/1 to 1/4.  Football on New Year's Day, woo woo.

This weekend returns to the no concurrent match format and with this set of fixtures, that is a good thing.  All 10 have importance in one way or another.

From the BFS perspective, both Newcastle home against Fulham on Saturday at 3 pm on Peacock and Aston Villa traveling to West Brom on Sunday at 2:15 on NBCSN really need to be wins.  Pretty comfortable about the latter but if the Magpies continue their covid hangover, Fulham could surprise them.

Two top table matchups include Southampton hosting Man City at 10 am on Saturday (NBCSN) and Tottenham vs Leicester at 9:15 on Sunday (NBCSN).  In the former, the Saints credentials as a top six side will be under review; City are big favorites even on the road but their recent scoring difficulties make me wonder.  Spurs and Foxes is a 2-4 matchup.  Liverpool have Crystal Palace on the road at 7:30 on Saturday on NBCSN; the Reds are likely to take of business there.

Among the more competitive fixtures we have Everton hosting Arsenal as the NBC feature match Saturday at 12:30.  At 538, Everton is 41/33 favorite (with 26% chance of a draw).  The Toffees may have found their mojo while Arteta may be fighting for his job.  Even tighter is the Burnley Wolves match on Monday at 12:30 on NBCSN; 538 has that one at 31/36/31 favoring Wolves.  Burnley don't yield much at home and Wolves scoring punch is diminished so this might be a tight, low-scoring affair.

Chelsea and Man United have similar fixtures.  The Blues face West Ham at home (Monday at 3 pm on NBCSN) and really should be okay here but recent form has been shaky.  Man United get Leeds at home  (11:30 on Sunday on NBSCN); like Chelsea, this really shouldn't be a difficult win but the Red Devils penchant for showing up late coupled with Leeds' attacking leaves some room for doubt.

Even Brighton - Sheffield United (stuck with the 7 am Sunday start on Peacock) has some drama.  Chris Wilder is hanging on as the Blades manager and this might be one of the chances to grab a lifeline.  

Sounds like we need more snow...