A lot to get through but not as much as there was meant to be as Covid intervened on some of the midweek fixtures. Not much fun this week really. Hate watching other teams win when we haven’t, and it’s even worse when it’s a double header and we’ve filed to win twice.
Not really how I’d want to be spending New Year’s Eve but it’s not like there’s anything else to do is there? If 2020 were a footballer it would be Richarlison. The absolute fucking pits. Ok, let’s get started then.
Things are finally looking up a bit for Arsenal. Two wins in the space of a few days has taken some of the heat off Arteta. The win over Chelsea was somewhat unexpected, especially considering the youth of the Arsenal forward line. Saka, Martinelli and Smith Rowe (no hyphen, for some reason) all started behind Lacazette.
Mount hit the post with an early free-kick but the Gunners went ahead from the spot. Lacazette converted after Tierney had been felled by James. I’ve watched this about half a dozen times and I just don’t think it’s a pen. What contact there is was actually initiated by Tierney leaving his leg there waiting for James to run into him. James can’t actually do anything about that. His mistake was getting beaten in the first place.
Mad how all the pundits I’ve seen discussing it all said it was 100% a penalty. Would they be saying that if it was a foreign forward ‘winning’ a pen like that rather than a good old fashioned honest Scottish full back?
Timo Walcott had a chance to equalise but scuffed his shot well wide. Then Xhaka lashed in a free-kick from 30 yards to make it 2-0. There hadn’t been much in the game but Arsenal had shaded it. The scoreline flattered them though.
And then early in the second half it was 3-0. Again, out of absolutely nothing. Saka was 100% trying to cross that ball. I don’t care what he says to the contrary, that was a cross gone wrong with his weak foot. He tried to claim afterwards he meant it but he’s a fucking liar. It genuinely annoyed me.
He didn’t even do that thing where you say you meant it but you have a little twinkle in your eye that shows you’re taking the piss. This fucker was deadly serious, trying to say he saw the keeper off his line and lobbed him with his right foot. Get. The. Fuck. Outta. Here.
A dodgy pen, a worldy free-kick and a complete fluke, and just like that it’s 3-0 Arsenal and it looks like they’re back in business. Nah, they were just lucky and on another day they’d have lost this game, even though Chelsea were shite.
With a three goal lead though Arsenal’s confidence seemed to grow and they should have had a couple more. Mendy recovered from his own howler to foil Lacazette and Elneny hit the bar.
Then Abraham pulled one back with a cool chested finish. Initially it was given offside but VAR said it was a goal. It was one of those that they could have given whichever way they felt like. We would never have been given a goal in that situation, I know that much.
Chelsea then got a pen in the last minute but Jorginho was thwarted by Leno. I proper jinxed Jorginho didn’t I? He’s never been the same since I said he was automatic from the spot.
So a huge win for Arsenal and a third defeat on the spin for Chelsea. Fucking hell, what a fraud Lampard is though. Completely entitled cunt. He threw his team under the bus by saying they didn’t work hard enough or want it enough in the first half.
This is what he said: “Any game in the Premier League you can’t be below par, you can’t lack energy, you can’t lack desire to win balls, second balls, fight for everything. We lacked it and we were 2-0 down at half time”.
The interviewer said “presumably you put that right on the training pitch?”. Nope, that would imply that this is something that Fat Frank could be somehow responsible for. He’s not having that. No siree. “And in the mind. You can prepare as well as you want but if you turn up like that then that’s another thing”.
That was to the BBC. To Sky he was even worse. “Not good enough. First half not good enough. Second half, yeah good enough but we had a mountain to climb. We fought second half, the people that came on added speed and energy, intensity.. but that should be a given from the start”
When asked why that was, he said “Dunno. That’s one for the players. I’ll take responsibility on the outside but the players have to take responsibility because the message was clear. This was a dangerous game for us. We were lazy to give away a penalty. Lazy to give away the free-kick that he puts in from 30 yards. It’s not about tactics and systems or whatever. It’s about do you you want to run. Do you want to back your team-mate up. Do you want to sprint. Or do you want to jog and say maybe I don’t have to run, and we took that decision rather than the right one”.
What a fucking bellend. Defo a tory him. “Not my fault, guv”. What he’s said there is basically “I told them not to be shit but they were shit so it’s on them, not me. Because I told them, don’t be shit. It did get better when I made changes though. I made it better. With my changes.”
Arsenal have had some shit results and performances recently but all I’ve heard from Arteta is how his players worked hard and they’re fighting and just need some luck. He could easily have done what Lampard did, but he didn’t because most managers don’t do that.
Most take responsibility in front of the cameras, even if they absolutely fucking lay into the players privately. Not Lampard though. He’s the type of cunt who probably brings in his medal collection to show his players why he’s better than them.
Next up, United’s run of away wins finally came a halt as Leicester twice came from a goal down to grab a draw.
Rashford gave United the lead with a cool finish after Fernandez has fortuitously diverted the ball into his path while stretching to control a cross. Fucking jammy cunts these. Absolutely sick of them.
Barnes lashed one in from the edge of the box to equalise but Cavani played in Fernandez to make it 2-1. My boy Vardy equalised with a shot that went in off a United defender.
That Fernandez is just one horrible little shitbag. Sick of him constantly trying to get people booked and sent off, the prick.
At one point I was looking at my phone so I didn’t see what happened, but I heard a big girly scream and knew instantly it was Fernandez. Not a doubt in my mind. No-one else on that pitch is making that noise. I looked up, and sure enough he’s lying on the ground looking like he’d been shot.
United’s young full back Tuanzebe had the ball and he actually passed it to Fernandez even as he lay on the floor! He knew. He’s seen enough of him to know what a cheating little shithouse fuck he is. As soon as the ball arrived Fernandez jumped to his feet and sprinted off with it.
Horrible little cunt him. Goofy little shit looks like Suarez around the mouth too. He’s got the same snide way about him but absolutely none of the charm Luis had. Rat faced fuck.
The draw was a fair result as both sides had their chances. Great result for us although I’d have much preferred a Leicester win on so many levels. Especially as we fucked up the next day. And then again a few days later.
Grealish was playing his 200th game for Villa at the weekend. He might spend his whole career there you know. If he was going to leave you’d think he’d have gone last summer when they only just survived. For him to sign a new deal suggests he wants to stay, and Villa have become a fucking good side almost overnight.
Traore put them in front against Palace. He then hit the post with a great solo effort. He might be good him you know. Not seen enough of him yet to be sure but what I have seen has been quite impressive. He could become my new second favourite Traore (behind Djimi, obviously) given the way that Adama tit has been playing
Zaha and Mings were both booked for a spot of handbags. Looked like Mings maybe left a little on him (could have been an accident, not easy to tell) and Zaha twice kicked out and then had a little swing of the arm at him too.
He’s got that in him has Zaha. Most of the time he just gets up and gets on with it when he’s kicked (which is a lot) but every now and then he completely loses his shit. Usually it’s when Ward-Prowse is in the vicinity (one of the funniest beefs in football that one), but the time it was Mings that got under his skin.
Mings paid the price though as he was soon back in the dressing room after fouling Zaha again. He can’t have any complaints on that but something I noticed that was a bit weird was that Anthony Taylor didn’t produce a second yellow, he just pulled out a red. I’ve seen this a few times recently. Refs just pulling out reds instead of a second yellow. Not sure what that’s about as they were definitely not straight red offences, and presumably the suspensions are still just the one game.
The ten men took a 2-0 lead when Hause headed in from a yard out following a set-piece and El Ghazi then smashed in a cracker to wrap it up. Really disappointing from Palace. That beautiful kit they were wearing really deserved a better performance than that.
City were without Walker and Jesus due to the ‘Rona but they had more than enough to see off Newcastle at the Etihad. The opening goal came from a Sterling cutback. Of course it did the boring bastards. Gundogan was the beneficiary this time. Good play by Sterling to be fair.
De Bruyne then went clean through but never looked like scoring. He shot straight at the keeper which wasn’t a surprise, because from the moment he was played in he was looking across to see if there was anyone he could pass to. Bizarre really. Maybe Trent and Robbo have got in his head with the whole ‘beating him on assists’ thing.
He’s brilliant and I love him as a player but this is one of several reasons why he’s inferior to Gerrard. Why am I bringing up Stevie? Because when I saw De Bruyne miss that chance the first thing I thought was “Stevie would have buried that”. Why am I thinking that? Probably because De Bruyne is the closest thing I’ve seen to Gerrard.
There are a lot of similarities, but Gerrard is just much better because he can do more things. Would De Bruyne be able to drop into right back and be the best right back in the world? No. He can’t score the bread and butter goals that Stevie would collect either. Passing, crossing, shooting, driving forward with the ball, there’s nothing to choose between them, but as an all round player Gerrard is just clearly superior.
You’re probably thinking “well duh, captain fucking obvious” but you’d be surprised. There was a game either last season or the season before, I can’t remember exactly when it was but I wasn’t in my normal seat, I was in the Kop. In fact, I can tell you what game it was. It was Brighton last season when Lewis Dunk scored that free-kick after Alisson was sent off. I don’t think I’ve been in the Kop for any other league games so it must have been that one.
Anyway, I was queuing up to get in and struck up a conversation with a lad stood next to me. I think De Bruyne had scored a worldy that day in an early kick off and this lad says “he’s unbelievable him. He’s even better than Gerrard”. I politely disagreed with him while thinking “fucking hell get me back into the Main Stand. Kopites really are gobshites”.
Anyway, so yeah, De Bruyne - not fit to lace Gerrard’s boots.
Torres made it 2-0 after Newcastle made a complete mess of dealing with… yep, a low ball across the six yard box. Samey bastards.
Newcastle still have key players out with Covid (Saint Maximin and Lascielles) but they’re still completing their fixtures. So how come City were able to call off their game with the Blueshite? They played this game but then called off the next one even though they had more than enough players to complete the fixture.
I’m not even saying they should have played it as I don’t know the exact circumstances, but if other teams are playing then how come they are able to call it off? Are they just making up their own rules again? If so, I’m all in favour this time as I love the irony of Everton finally being on the wrong end of it after years of them condoning that shit.
Speaking of the Blues, they scraped past Sheffield United to move into second spot. I said last week they’re shit and I stand by it. I’ll always stand by it. You’re just not going to convince me otherwise. Because they are shit. That shitness will catch up with them again soon enough, as it did a few weeks ago because this flukey winning run started.
Sigurdsson got the only goal of the game with ten minutes to go. They’re fucking shit, as I may have previously mentioned, but Sheffield United are worse. The Blades are in such a rut now that they just look utterly devoid of any belief. They shouldn’t be THIS bad.
Rhian Brewster might have killed his career with that move. May as well start calling him Rhian Solanke really, as their career paths are eerily similar. Started at Chelsea before moving to Anfield as youngsters, great England youth careers including Golden Boots at major tournaments. Moved on for big money to struggling sides and just can’t score.
Scott ‘Scotty’ Parker was isolating as Fulham took on Southampton at Craven Cottage. The game ended goalless although both sides had good penalty shouts for handball turned down. I wouldn’t have given a pen for either but we’ve seen them given for a lot less than that. It’s just pot luck at this point isn’t it?
Southampton had two goals ruled out for marginal offsides too. Correct decisions but you’d be pretty sick if you celebrated twice only to have them chalked off. Of course, most people now probably just didn’t celebrate.
Other than those disallowed goals the closest anyone came to scoring was when Ward-Prowse hit the woodwork with a trademark free-kick and Che Adams somehow failed to convert the rebound from a yard out. Proper shit that was, especially as he’s been playing well this season.
Not as well as my boy Bamford though. He won and converted an early penalty for Leeds against Burnley. Bit of a contentious one as Pope came out and won the ball before taking Bamford down. I’d have been majorly pissed off if that decision went against us but technically Pope did have his studs up and did wipe out Bamford after playing the ball.
To me it’s not a pen but if that tackle was in the middle of the park by an outfield player it would almost always be given as a free-kick nowadays. Keepers generally aren’t held to the same standards and as a rule they can pretty much do whatever the fuck they like without punishment, so I can see why Pope (and Dyche!) felt hard done by.
I think this is just one of those ‘modern football’ decisions. The game has changed, and not necessarily for the better.
Burnley’s sense of injustice was heightened when Barnes had a goal ruled out for a foul by Mee on the keeper. Scandalous decision. Mee is not looking at the keeper and just wants to jump for the ball. The keeper came charging out, smashed him in the back with his knee as he tried to come over the top of him, and then he just dropped the ball.
Barnes lashed in the loose ball but the the ref had blown the whistle immediately so VAR couldn’t even overturn and give the goal, but they could have given the penalty but for some reason didn’t. Shite officiating that on multiple levels. The idea that that was a foul on the keeper is just fucking ludicrous.
Leeds held on for the win but Burnley were massively hard done by I’d say as they played well and threw the kitchen sink at Leeds. You can’t really overcome those kind of decisions though and Dyche was understandably pissed off. I think he was pretty restrained all things considered. If that was me I’d probably be looking at a six month touchline ban after that.
Dyche didn’t even go as far as the normally mild mannered Nuno Holy Spirit who has just been banned for three games for telling us that Lee Mason is shit. Not sure if he’s been punished for criticising a referee or for stating the bloody obvious.
Speaking of Wolves, they needed a late equaliser from Saiss to secure a point against Spurs after Ndombele had lashed one in from 20 yards with only a minute gone.
Kane dived to try and win a penalty late on but no-one will say anything because it’s Sir Harold of Hotspur. What a fucking cunt he is.
Maupay gave Brighton the lead at West Ham but some kid I’ve never heard of equalised early in the second half. Dunk bundled in from close range to restore Brighton’s advantage. West Ham equalised when Soucek headed in a corner. Of course he did. I told you, he scores every week this fucker.
Without doubt one of the most annoying - yet perversely satisfying - results of the festive period was West Brom getting dicked at hone by Leeds just two days after they got a point at Anfield. One on hand it’s sickening because you think “why couldn’t you have been this shit on Sunday?” but on the other it’s “hahahaha fuck off Allardyce you mashed potato faced cunt”.
They were 4-0 down at half time!!! Fucking losers. Badly want them relegated now, the impatient, manager sacking pricks.
They went a goal down from a hilarious own goal by Sawyers who attempted a back pass when his keeper was nowhere to be seen. Alioski hammered in number two with a John Arne Riise special and Harrison made it 3-0 with another brilliant goal after a nice one-two with my boy Bamford.
Rodrigo’s deflected effort made it four and Raphinha thumped in number five. He’s a boss little player him, and I like that Harrison too. Bamford is obviously my favourite though. If you’re with me, Raise Your Hands. What, no takers? Well I don’t give a fuck. Me and Patrick don’t care about conforming to your bland, socially acceptable musical choices. We Weren’t Born to Follow.
Been a great response by Leeds after the spanking they had at Old Trafford and all the nonsense about them having to change their style. Fuck that, you stick with what got you where you are. They’ve probably been the best team to watch all season, good or bad they’re always fun.
Seeing United get that undeserved, spawny as fuck late winner against Wolves was a sickener. I’m officially worried about them now. Not because I think they’re that good, but because for the past year or so they’ve had the most ridiculous amount of good fortune. If that continues, then with all the pens they get as well, they’re going to be a problem if we keep failing to beat the dregs of the division.
That’s the thing that separated us from the rest (excluding City) these past couple of years. When you beat all the shit teams and drop no points against them you’re going to be pretty close to winning titles.
I only watched the last 10 minutes or so of United / Wolves and I shouldn’t have even done that. I had a sense of dread every time United crossed the halfway line. I sensed it coming and should have just switched it off.
One thing I did notice in the short time I watched was that my boy Adama just couldn’t be arsed. It’s been like that the last few times I’ve watched him. He doesn’t look like he’s interested. To be honest, he’s been a disgrace. I think he’s playing for a move. He wants out but his value last summer was way too high so no-one came in. By playing shit he’ll make himself more affordable.
I don’t want him anymore though. Terrible attitude. I still think he could be fucking incredible in the right team with the right coach, but this season he’s been garbage.
Speaking of garbage, Arsenal managed another win. 1-0 away at Brighton. Lacazette came off the bench to get the only goal of the game. They weren’t very good but against Brighton you often don’t need to be. For all the nice things Brighton do between both boxes, they’re proper shit at both ends. They only won one home game in 2020.
Arsenal will start to get all chesty again now they’ve won a couple. They’re a fucking mental fanbase. They’re either wanting everything burned to the ground or they’re telling everyone how good they are. They do look livelier with the kids playing up the top end though so maybe they have something to build on there. Makes you wonder why they gave William that big pay day though.
Sheffield United lost again. 1-0 at Burnley. Mee’s header from a corner was enough for the Clarets who have dragged themselves up the table a bit now and eased their relegation worries. They’ve got a five point cushion over the bottom three. Not only that, but they’ve got new owners now and they’re promising Dyche some funds. Honestly, he won’t have a fucking clue what to do with it as he’s had the same starting eleven for five years. He’ll probably lash in a £50m bid for Michael Keane.
Danny Ings was back and scored a fucking lovely goal against West Ham. Until VAR told him he hadn’t, that is. One of those etch a sketch line decisions against Che Adams. Probably just about right but I’m so sick of seeing quality goals ruled out because of these gnats pube type offsides.
A point apiece then but I feel like Southampton deserved a bonus point for keeping Soucek off the scoresheet (only just, he nearly headed one in late on) as nobody else has been able to do that all season. At least that’s how it feels. Did he score against us? I’m sure he must have.
Finally, Chelsea failed to win again. How many more until Lumpard is under genuine pressure? He spent loads and made the team worse.
Villa are flying though. I said a month or two back that they might actually be a very good side and then they went and lost a couple. Since then they’ve picked it back up again and I have to say they look a decent bet for the top six. They’ve got a good keeper, some decent defenders, an excellent midfield and they can score goals.
Big handsome Giroud headed Chelsea in front with his 11th goal in his last 14 league games. He’s sneaky good and just doesn’t get any real credit.
El Ghazi’s good run in front of goal continued as he volleyed in the equaliser. Chelsea had a player down injured at the time and seemed to lose focus as they expected Villa to put the ball out. Christensen got hurt trying to challenge Grealish. He didn’t actually make a tackle but Grealish was doing that ‘leave the leg in to draw a foul’ and booted the defender. Should have been a Chelsea free-kick that. There was a possible handball seconds before that too, so that gave Lampard the excuse he needed for not winning.
Decent game though. McGinn hit the bar with a screamer from distance and Timo Walcott blazed one over as both sides looked for a winner. Chelsea went closest when Chilwell was inches away from goal of the season with an incredible volley that flew just wide.
Leicester made a load of changes against Wilfried Palace and it showed. That bum Iheanacho started instead of the rested Vardy and he missed a pen. He then missed a header from four yards. I don’t just mean he didn’t score, he actually missed it with his head and it him on the shoulder. Probably had his eyes closed, the twat. Useless cunt. I fucking hate him.
The fact he’s still at Leicester reflects extremely badly on Brendan. I get that it’s not easy finding an alternative to Vardy, but it’s not that difficult improving on this loser.
Zaha broke the deadlock with a back post volley. Schmeichel should have saved it but may have been caught by surprise as you wouldn’t have expected him to shoot from there.
Barnes equalised with his 8th of the season. He’s developing nicely. Good player. Leicester should have won it late on but the chance fell to that loser Ayoze Perez who blasted it high over the bar. Because he’s a loser.
And that’s a wrap for 2020. See you next year.
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