Newcastle Qualify For Europe*

 * If the season were to end today.

Okay, getting ahead of ourselves here but I can't remember Newcastle getting a result on opening day so we're excited.  Mixed results elsewhere, including the Union crashing hard in Cincinnati.

Newcastle See the Forest

If the strikers can't score, go with a defender:
Schar puts Newcastle up 1-0

So it took a while for the dominance to show on the scoreboard but this was all Magpies.  The 2-0 final is very flattering to Nottingham Forest.  But it's also a reminder that while Newcastle have a lot of the pieces in place, their finishing will need to be much more clinical.  They won't get this many scoring chances against the better clubs.

Still, it was cool watching Newcastle move the ball with such ease into dangerous positions; non-shot xG was 3.3.  A lot of chances but no goals.  In some ways highlighting our lack of a star striker, it was defender Fabian Schar who broke the ice with a rocket from about 20 yards out.   On quality and context, we make it this week's YouTubeableMoment.  Things felt much calmer after that, even if it was another 20 minutes before Callum Wilson salted things away.  Lots of reason for optimism.

Title Race Over

We only sort of jest.  In recent years, the smallest of missteps has been the difference between first or second place and Liverpool made one on Saturday, managing just a draw against newly promoted Fulham.  Meanwhile, Man City showed off their new striker - Erling Haaland - who looks like he will have people forgetting who Jesus was.  Sterling too.

Technically, City are not in first at this time as Spurs dumped on Southampton for 4-1 win to lead the division on goal differential.  Arsenal and Chelsea also got wins over Crystal Palace and Everton respectively.  

Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss (apologies to The Who)

The news was not so good for Man United fans at Old Trafford, as Pascal Gross scored twice in Brighton's 2-1 win over the Red Devils.  Yes, it's only one game but changing the manager doesn't look to be what this team needs.  Ronaldo wants out.  He didn't start but Ten Hag had to put him in when they fell behind.  I'd be looking at some significant personnel changes to rework the chemistry.  

A Second Bite of the Cherries (h/t Michael B)

Opening day was also not so kind to Aston Villa.  They surrendered a quick goal to Bournemouth but were still in the game until a late second tally sealed the result.  I did not see the match but Dennis reports that the result is not as distressing as the lackluster performance from Villa.  The internet was full of disparaging remarks about Gerrard's line up choices and system of play.  Unlike Man United, I'd be looking for a few more matches before making any decisions about Villa's future.

Conversation That Did Not Occur But Could Have

Dennis: Did you say Arsenal's new motto is "In God We Trust?"

Steve: No, I said they will be depending on Jesus this season

Heard on Telecasts

Ten Hag says his management style does not include
hair dryer treatments.  We don't doubt it.
Photo: Jan Kruger/GettyImages

After Darwin Nunez scored the second goal to wrap up Arsenal's win over Crystal Palace: "Darwin ensures the evolution of the front line is in good shape."

Erik ten Hag when asked about his management style, said he won't be using the hair dryer treatment.

A commentator wondered who would be missed more - Sterling from City or Mane from Liverpool.  That got Dennis going - as in the correct answer - Mane - is obvious and he is currently doing the statistical research to back that up.

How Many Brothers in the Family

Spurs got a goal from Ogee, who was their second leading scorer last season.  Turns out, he has many brothers.  Ogee also scored for Arsenal, Leeds, and Man United.

Who's in the Technical Area?

Some new teams and some new managers.  Can you match the team with their manager?

Answers next week.

Joker in Queen City

You can't spell Medunjanin without "adieu"
Nice job Haris

Even VAR could not save the Union this time in a 3-1 defeat in Cincinnati.  A goal was correctly called back late in the first half but that only delayed what you could see was coming.  The hosts got two quickly in the second half and added a third before the U got on the board.  The score looked right based on what I saw and the stats pretty match back it up too.  Just two shots on goal for the U; passing percentage was just 78%.   Cincinnati's press seem to bottle up the free flowing passing we'd gotten used to and the long game just didn't work.  

The glass is 7/8 full says they were due for a stinker and there's no reason for long term concern.  I would like to see them make sure the long passing game can work if teams press them like Cincinnati did on Saturday.  Again, we got help in other places, with Columbus knocking off NYCFC 3-2 so the three point lead continues.

The match also marked the end of the MLS career of Haris Medunjanin, who will head for a second division Dutch club to be closer to his family.  He made 172 appearances in the MLS, including 100 starts for the Union; in 2019 he was the only non-keeper to play every minute.  A pro's pro.  

Shameless Cross Promotion

FanHub - a relatively new platform to cover track and field by AthleteBiz - picked up the post about the similarities between soccer and track and field.  You can see the post here.  While you're there, we encourage you to explore the site.  Lots of great content from talented writers and producers.  An excellent way to stay current on a sport that just doesn't get the media coverage it deserves.

Away for the Weekend

Best action looks like Chelsea - Tottenham Sunday at 11:30 on USA; Spurs will be tested here but could come away with something.  Man City and Liverpool have what look like home walkovers against Bournemouth (Saturday 10 am on USA) and Crystal Palace (Monday at 3 on USA) respectively.  

Newcastle are more underdogs than I would like to see in their away match at Brighton (Saturday at 10 on Peacock).  At 538, they favor Brighton 49/25/26; I guess the "bright" side is that a draw would not be a bad result.  

Aston Villa will look to bounce back at home, taking on Everton at 7:30 on Saturday on USA.  This really should be three for Villa.  More importantly, we'll be looking for improved performance regardless of the result.

The Saturday 12:30 feature match on NBC returns and it is a curious one - Brentford hosting Man United.  Shockingly, the numbers at 538 barely favor Man United at 39/36/25; hard to imagine a draw with Brentford is acceptable even for an away match.

For the neutral sorting out the five 10 am Saturday matches, I'm going out on a limb to recommend Brighton - Newcastle.  I think that could be both highly competitive and entertaining.  Your other choices are Arsenal - Leicester (okay, that could be good too on Peacock), Man City - Bournemouth (USA) , Southampton - Leeds (Peacock) and Wolves - Fulham (also Peacock).  

Who'd I forget?  Right - Nottingham Forest host West Ham at 9 am on Sunday on USA.

On this side of the pond, the Union host Chicago at 7:30 on Saturday.  A perfect bounce-back opportunity.  NYC is on the road at Miami so maybe we shouldn't expect much help.  

I'll be in New Hampshire Friday - Monday and don't expect to see much (any?) of the weekend's action.  BFS co-founder Dennis will be there too so next week's post could be on the light side.  Maybe with judicious use of DVR and Peacock replays we'll be able to piece something together.