My Dog Ate My Homework

Well, actually my excuse is that I've been working on a rush project since last Thursday.  I know a lot happened.  I'll get to what I can. 

Newcastle had a 3-0 win over Wolves that was relatively easy though the final score is probably a bit flattering.  Nice to have a match that wasn't exciting for the neutral.

Lowest xG for the Weekend

Sheffield United    .24 (in 6-0 loss to Arsenal)

Man United           .29 (in 3-1 loss to Man City)

Crystal Palace       .36 (in 3-1 loss to Spurs)

The Sheffield United match was over in 15 minutes.  An early goal from Marcus Rashford and resolute defending by United kept the Manchester Derby close; City didn't get the go-ahead goal until the 80th and the insurance goal in stoppage time.  United managed just three shots and Rashford's was the only one on goal while City had 27, with eight on target.  I didn't see the Palace match but the stats suggest it was all Tottenham but it took forever for Spurs to actually put the match away.

Orange Is the New Orange

Website says orange - Dennis sees red

Aston Villa coughed up a two-goal lead at Luton Town but escaped with all three points on a late goal from Lucas Digne, seen here.  However, the hot topic on the text string was the color of Luton Town's jersey.  Dennis disputed Peter Drury's characterization of them as orange.  Everything I found on the internet said team colors included orange with no mention of red.  The picture left is from the Luton Town website with no filter applied.

Oxymoron of the Week

On Sunday, a commentator first labeled the title race as a four-team chase but then added "If you're a Spurs fan and an optimist, it's a five-team race."  I don't think there are any of that variety of Tottenham supporters around any more.

MLS (Mighty Lame Stuff)

As detailed here, replacement referees will be calling this weekend's game as the lockout is still unsettled.  The article notes how they had to replace a replacement for the Miami - Orlando match after a photo surfaced of him wearing a Miami jersey.  Surprisingly, they do not cite the end of the Union match.  In the closing seconds of their contest with Sporting KC, the referee and/or the AR called a throw-in favor the Union when it should have been KC's.  Seconds later, the Union win a corner and Bedoya puts in the tying goal.  You can see that action here.  The bad call comes at about 38 seconds of the video.  I did like how the announcer pointed out that, yes it was a horrendous call but Sporting KC dominated the match yet failed to put the Union away.

But referees aren't the league's only black eye.  This week we got to see the "compromise" solution worked out by US Soccer and MLS regarding the US Open Cup.  Eight MLS sides will have their first team participate while another nine will enter their MLS NEXT Pro (i.e. minor league) affiliate.  Sides involved in Concacaf Champions Cup (eight) get an excused absence.   The three Canadian teams are not eligible anyway and DC United does not have an MLS Next Pro affiliate.  The details are here. Way to support the game in your own country MLS.  And don't trot out that congested schedule crap.  That was created when you added the Leagues Cup competition.  It's about the money.

The Ugly American

And another thing; Pulisic (r) mixing it up in Italy
Alberto Lingria/Xinhua via Getty Images

BFS Scandinavian Correspondent Philip S alerted us to the interesting week US international Christian Pulisic had.  In a Serie A match with Lazio, Pulisic got two opponents sent off for their second yellow cards with basically just cheeky hustle (okay, maybe a little holding too).  Highlights of the match are here.  The video should open to the first incident.  This one is all on the Lazio player - if you're worried about your teammate's fake injury, just kick the ball out.  The second happens at about 2:42 of the video.  Pulisic did hold Guendouzi (for which he got a yellow) but the Lazio player then totally lost his cool.  Pulisic did receive death threats and a ton of abuse on social media, which Philip points out might be the ultimate compliment for an American in European soccer.

No Respite

Full EPL and MLS schedules this weekend.  Concacaf Champions Cup, Champions League, Europa Cup and Europa Conference League during the week.

Great Sunday EPL doubleheader - Aston Villa vs Spurs at 9 am and Liverpool vs Man City at 11:45, both on USA.  Already five back of Villa, this is a must-not-lose for Tottenham.  Man City go in just a point behind Liverpool so they could take over first with a win.  On the other hand, a draw there and an Arsenal win over Brentford puts the Gunners at the top of the table.

Newcastle are on the road at Stamford Bridge.  Not getting hopes up too much, but we've had some success against Chelsea in recent years so maybe we'll get something out of the match.

All four Champions League ties look competitive.  We'll be watching Arsenal at home, down 0-1 to Porto on Tuesday and maybe Atletico in the same situation against Inter on Wednesday.

Thursday will be the second leg of Aston Villa - Ajax Europa Conference League tie, which sits at 0-0.  

As for the Chester Philadelphia Union, they host Seattle Saturday at 7:30, then have a quick turnaround to face Pachuca in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 tie.  That one is 0-0 after the first leg.

Yeah, I know, I left a lot out.