Could've Been Worse

Though not by much.  We knew that an injury-riddled Newcastle would struggle at West Brom so the 0-0 draw, though disappointing, was not surprising.  At least they got a point.  No, the real killer was Fulham's 1-0 upset over Liverpool, at Anfield no less.  Even one point for the Cottagers would have been problematic but all three?  The result was so big that it totally shifted the relegation picture.  Going into the weekend the percentages at 538 were 29% for Newcastle, 55% for Fulham; now they are 41% to 32%.  In short, the Magpies are now "favored" to go down.

There was help elsewhere but nowhere near enough to offset the damage.  The Southampton win over Sheffield United was helpful.  So too was Leicester's 2-1 win over Brighton, though the Foxes took their sweet time on that one.  They trailed for much of the match until Eat-A-Nacho Iheanacho (Ee-an-acho phonetically so Eat-A-Natcho is really not that far off) leveled things at 62 minutes and Amartey got the game winner in the 87th minute.  Arsenal's weak 1-1 draw with Burnley - another unexpected point for a relegation rival - wasn't appreciated.  

Ironically, the weekend results did lift Newcastle to 16th but with their respective schedules, both Fulham and Brighton are projected to overtake the Magpies.

Only the Inauguration Date Has Changed

Man United decided that this time they would 1) score and 2) actually beat a top six side, ending Man City's 15 game win streak with a surprising 2-0 win.  The loss only pushes back the date on which City will clinch the title.  But, it did provide a big boost to United's CL chances; they are looking solid at 90% at 538.

Chelsea were also big winners.  I had hoped for a more interesting match from Everton but the Blues dominated in a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.  Even though one score was an own goal and the other a PK, Chelsea were mostly in control and their CL chances are vastly improved.

West Ham (2-0 over Leeds) and Spurs (4-1 over Crystal Palace) are still in the hunt.  Jesse Lingard continued to make the case for the Best Loan of the Winter Transfer Window as he earned a PK for West Ham; we'll let it slide that the PK was actually saved because he bounced on the rebound to score anyway.  In the Tottenham win, all Harry Kane could manage was two assists for Gareth Bale and two goals for himself.  Slackard.  We'll make his marvelous strike in the 52nd minute this week's YouTubeableMoment.  On paper, Liverpool still have a shot at Champions League except their recent form has been so bad it's hard to see them rallying to get back into the top four.  They have been held scoreless at home six times since January 1 and have lost six of their last seven.  

Playing Like Neither Wants to Qualify for Europa League

Speaking of scintillating 0-0 draws, Aston Villa versus Wolves was not one of them.  Normally, we might have expected some good back-and-forth action between these two sides.  Unfortunately, Villa were still without Grealish and Cash while Wolves just haven't been the same team as the last few years.  No, they really looked like two teams that dread the prospect of finishing between 5th and 7th and getting a Europa League spot.

You're Not Making the Case You Think You're Making

Lacazette unwittingly makes the case for the defense

Late in the 1-1 Burnley-Arsenal draw, Pepe took a shot that Burnely defender Erik Pieters blocked off the line.  Andre Marriner initially decided that Pieters had used his arm and awarded a PK, plus showed a red card for DOGSO.  The VAR quickly determined that the ball had hit Peters in the shoulder so there was no infraction.  The funniest part was seeing Lacazette point on Pieters body the exact spot where the ball hit, seeming to suggest that this was an obvious penalty.  Of course, in pointing to the shoulder, Lacazette in fact confirms that VAR got it right.  Maybe the players should have to pass a test on the Laws of the Game.  Kudos to Marriner and crew on this one for a) getting the call right and b) efficient and correct use of VAR to overturn a clear and obvious error.  

Are They Buying It?

Dude, we are on to you

In the very late stages of the marvelous second leg of the Juventus-Porto Champions League round of
16 tie, we got to see one of the seamy underbellies of the current game - shameful overacting.  Porto were desperately defending, trying to hold on to advance to the quarterfinals.  There was a collision and the Porto player went down like a shot, grabbing his face like he was in agony.  After some seconds of laying (lying?) there, the camera caught him peaking from behind his hands as he checked to see whether he needed to continue the performance.  Wish I'd gotten the license plate so I could call him out by name.  But you can see the picture (right).

Other than gamesmanship like that, which was prevalent the entire match, this was a classic.  Porto came in with a 2-1 lead from the first leg.  They went up by two early in the second leg with a softish PK.  Still, Juventus was not out of the match as two goals would be enough to send it to extra time.  They got one back early in the second half.  Then, Porto got a man sent off for a second yellow (for kicking the ball away and wasting time of all things).  Surely, with a man advantage, Juve would settle this one quickly enough.  And they did level things at 63 minutes.  With nearly 30 minutes to go, Juve had plenty of time to win in regulation.  They didn't, though 30 minutes of extra time, a man up, still worked in their favor.  Except Porto had other plans and slipped a goal in under the wall on a free kick at 115 minutes (Dennis asks where was the draft excluder?).  But not over yet.  Juve got one two minutes later.  The problem was, Porto now had two away goals to Juve's one so 4-4 was not good enough.  And that next goal was not forthcoming though it was a wild finish.  

Conversation That Could Have Taken Place But Didn't

Dennis: So you're not impressed with the midfielder West Brom got on loan?

Steve: No, I said he was Okay

Conversation That Could Have Taken Place and Did (But Probably Shouldn't Have)

During the Manchester derby

Steve: Jesus couldn't get to the cross

Dennis: They gotta work on nailing that one down

Steve: You're saying they need to do a better job of nailing the cross to Jesus

Dennis: Precisely

Yeah, we're both going to hell...

Fillebrown Derby

The weekend kicks off with Newcastle hosting Aston Villa Friday at 3 pm on Peacock.  Dennis has graciously offered a 0-0 draw in this one, which we would both gladly take.  For me that would be an unexpected point and for him it would lessen the prospects of Europa qualification plus a clean sheet for Martinez would tie him for the league lead.  

Two best/important matches Sunday.  At 12:30 (note that we move clocks forward a few weeks before the Brits) we have the London derby with Arsenal hosting Spurs.  Both teams' Champions League chances are hanging by a thread, though the Gunners' thread is of considerably thinner gauge.  At 3:15 Man United host West Ham.  The problem for the Hammers here it that their hottest player, loanee Jesse Lingard, cannot play in the match against his parent club. Both matches are on NBCSN.

Relegation scoreboard watching will continue for me.  This means I root for Man City over Fulham (Saturday 3 pm on Peacock) and Southampton over Brighton (8 am Sunday on Peacock).  

Key Champions League contenders Leicester and Chelsea have arguably winnable matches.  Leicester are home to Sheffield United (10 am Sunday on Peacock) and should prevail there.  Chelsea travel to face the always pesky Leeds (7:30 Saturday on NBCSN) but should be able to get all three as well.  Liverpool have Wolves on Monday at 4 on NBCSN; they need all three there to keep pace.

Champions League and Europa action Tuesday-Thursday next week too so no days off for awhile.  Fortunately, we are in good viewing shape after a busy winter of watching.