Did That Seem Weird To You?

Results that didn't align with what we saw on the pitch, some interesting calls by referees, outright strange results.  Certainly an interesting week.  The fact that Newcastle and the Union got points was helpful.

Correct Use of VAR

That ball is obviously bound for the back of the net:
Wilson levels things for Newcastle
Photo:Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

The Crystal Palace Newcastle match at Selhurst Park was good Championship Division fare - tense,
competitive and physical but not necessarily a display of the beautiful game.  Benteke clearly why he plays for Palace and not, say, Liverpool as he converted one of his multiple chances; to be fair, he had another ruled out (see below).  The Eagles thoroughly dominated possession (75/25) but could only take a 1-1 scoreline late into the match.  That would be thanks to another great finish from Callum Wilson, a second consecutive YouTubeableMoment of the Week for the Newcastle striker.

Palace looked to have snatched a late winner on a header from Benteke only to see it ruled out by VAR.  You can see the play here (should open to the play but it's at 8:35 if it doesn't).  Aside from the fact that it saved the Magpies' butt, I argue that this was an excellent use of VAR as opposed to re-refereeing.  You can see how Clark was held and that the holding directly affected his ability to mark the goal scorer Benteke.  

Though just about everything screams Palace victory here, Newcastle hung on for a point.  Seems like a small thing but might mean a lot in May.  Or, it could just be a preview for when the two teams face either in the Championship Division in the 2022-23 season.

Incorrect Use of  VAR

Aston Villa did not need any help in losing to 1-3 to Arsenal.  This was a curiously flat performance from a generally reliable squad.  However, the PK call late in first half stoppage time was not helpful at all.  It is also an excellent example of how NOT to use VAR. You can see the play here (5:22 of highlights).  Pawson saw the play and made no call at the time.  He was told to look at it by VAR Michael Oliver.  I don't think Targett ever touched Lacazette.  Even if he did, the Gooner went down on his own, not from any contact that there might have been.  And lastly, how on earth is that an egregious error?  At best it was inconclusive.  The icing on this crap cake was that Martinez made a great save on the PK only to see the rebound fired past him.  At least it happened in a match that wasn't going Villa's way to begin with.  

You Can't Play Newcastle Every Week

Though the London derby between West Ham and Spurs was close on the scoreboard, Spurs looked remarkably lifeless for this key fixture.  Hammers did have an xG advantage and it's hard to say they didn't deserve the win.  Yes, life is hard when you can't play a crappy team.  

Wat the Ford?

Josh King celebrates one of his 3 goals vs Everton- remember
when he played for my Chester Blues FM side?
  Photo:Jan Kruger/Getty Images

WTF is not the usual abbreviation for Watford but it was appropriate this weekend.  I got a bit of a spoiler about this one yet it was still fascinating.  Dennis let slip that Watford had put up five goals on Everton but didn't provide context.  So I was speeding through my recording of Leeds-Wolves 1-1 draw while keeping an eye on the Everton- Watford score.  Seeing Everton up 2-1 in the 75th minute, I switched over to that one, which fortunately I had also recorded.  The last 15+ minutes was a car crash, at least if you're an Everton fan.  Two quick ones at 78 and 80 minutes, then a couple more to salt it away.  I saw the term "shambolic defense" more than once.  Benitez's honeymoon may be over at Goodison.

Kick the Can (aries)

Already down 0-5, Norwich got a man sent off.  Soon there was a PK.  Krul, a PK specialist, stopped it.  Except he came off his line too early.  Mount did not miss the retake.  They added a seventh in stoppage time.  This was just, um, cruel.

Not Your Father's Man United

For the neutrals and Man United fans, how could you not be disappointed with the 0-5 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford that saw the Red Devils down 0-2 by the 13th minute?  Two more goals before half and a third from Salah to complete his hat trick in the 50th meant completed the rout. Liverpool fans were probably okay with it.

Man City kept pace with Chelsea and Liverpool with a solid 4-1 win over Brighton.  Still early but there is a little bit of separation between these three and the rest.   Fourth looks wide open.

All You Need to Know About the Ashley Error Era

This is the first season since 2018-2019 that Newcastle have gone the first nine matches of the season without a victory.  Ooh, all the way back to then, huh?

Don't Have to Outrun the Bear

This was a better, though not stunning, first half from the Union; they went into the locker room up just 1-0 thanks to a shuhBILLkoh PK on what was maybe a harsh handling call.  They came out flat in second half and Nashville looked way more dangerous.  Well, except for the fact that they couldn't get too many shots and none were on target.  Still, it felt like we were one mistake away from a draw.  Watching Bedoya run out of gas and not seeing Curtin make a sub was frustrating for us in the stands.  In the end, they survived with a 1-0 win, as Nashville didn't get a shot on target until a weak header in stoppage time.  This was a case of not being great, just better than your opponent.  Full credit to the back line and Leon Flach.  Assume he put in his usual 7 miles or so.

That win opened the possibility that the Union could clinch a playoff spot with a win at Toronto Wednesday night.  They came out strong and dominated the first 37 seconds, ending with a Bedoya goal.  The rest of the night was quite rocky.    They spent the rest of the first half on the back foot but somehow got to break still up 1-0.  The second half was more of the same and Toronto finally broke through when an attempted clearance bounced off a Toronto body to the waiting foot of Jozy Altidore, who knew what to do with it.  Things continued to go downhill as minutes later Jack Elliott, trying desperately to intercept a pass into the box, put one past his own keeper.  Properly shocked, and with an injection of some speed (Santos) and youth (McGlynn), the Union started to play better.  They got one back on a cross from Wagner to Santos' head.  They even looked good for a possible winner but in the end settled for a draw.   Probably a fair (and disappointing) result.

Early scores from elsewhere were encouraging but even they turned sour.  Nashville fell behind Cincinnati 1-3 only to bury them 6-3.  Atlanta trailed Miami but eventually came away with all three points.  At least Orlando lost.  The bad news is that the draw has severely compromised their chances of finishing second.  The good news is that 1) they are still a good bet to make the playoffs, 2) with a win against Cincinnati will pretty much seal up a top four spot and home field for the first round game 3) second place is not out of the question yet.  Secondary bad news is that the team have hardly been setting the world on fire even as they get results.  Particularly frustrating has been the passes sent directly to the opposition. 

 

ICYMI

Jason Sudeikis was the guest host for SNL.  He professed surprise that Ted Lasso was a hit, given that it's about two things Americans hate - soccer and kindness.

Turn the Clocks Back (if you live in England)

We head into those few weeks when the time differential with England is a mere four hours, eliminating those nasty early morning start times.  Well, starting Sunday anyway.  If 538 projections are to be believed, there's a host of competitive matches.

Unfortunately, Newcastle isn't one of them.  The Magpies get to host a hot Chelsea squad.  Yeah that should go well (Saturday at 10 on Peacock).  The other likely blowouts include Man City hosting Crystal Palace (Saturday at 10 on NBCSN) and Liverpool hosting Brighton (Saturday at 10 on USA).  Must be nice to be one of the top three sides.

After you get past those three though, things look pretty tight.  Start Saturday morning at 7:30 on NBCSN with Leicester - Arsenal.  Both have been somewhat inconsistent but may be sorting some things out.  Two of the Saturday 10 am contests should be close - Burnley hosting Brentford and Watford - Southampton; both of those are on Peacock.

The NBC feature match at 12:30 is Tottenham - Man United.  Both of those side need to do something to save their managers.  We'll tread lightly on Norwich - Leeds (10 am Sunday on NBCSN) as that migh be close but in a Championship Division kind of way.  But do tune in for Aston Villa - West Ham at 12:30, also on NBCSN.  We are expecting a better showing from the Villans at home.  The week finishes with Wolves - Everton on Monday at 4 on NBCSN; that should be a lively affair.

The Union close out their home season with Cincinnati on Sunday night (7:30 PHL17); anything less than three points in that one will be a disappointment.  Rivals NYCFC have Miami, the Harrison Pink Cows host Montreal, Atlanta play Toronto, and DC host Columbus.  It is entirely possible that by kickoff Sunday night, the Union will have secured a playoff berth.  However, the advantages of a second or third seed are significant so they will still have much to play for.  

Maybe weird is okay...