We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Liverpool step onto the hallowed Anfield turf today with the chance of hopping over Citeh into 5th for the first time this year. Will their quixotic quest for Champions League status continue or fall aground against Sunderland? Join me to find out.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 10:19 AM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
110 Comments:
The Liverpool side for today:
25. Jose Reina
2. Glen Johnson
23. Jamie Carragher
5. Daniel Agger
22. Emiliano Insua
17. Rodriguez Maxi
20. Javier Mascherano
8. Steven Gerrard
19. Ryan Babel
18. Dirk Kuyt
9. Fernando Torres
The Sunderland side for today:
1. Craig Gordon
2. Phillip Bardsley
4. Michael Turner
19. Lorik Cana
5. Anton Ferdinand
9. Fraizer Campbell
16. Jordan Henderson
39. Lee Cattermole
10. Kieran Richardson
8. Steed Malbranque
11. Darren Bent
Good morning everyone.This is a great opportunity for Costa. They should defeat Sunderland at Anfield. I was absent yesterday because my daughters were in a softball tournament. Details are posted on facebook.
The match ready to kick off at Anfield.
Morning, MUR. Liverpool straight onto the attack from the opening whistle, Craig Gordon doing well to keep Agger out there.
Free kick to Costa curled in By Gerrard, flicked on by Torres and Agger's volley well saved by Gordon. Nearly 1-0 in the first minute.
Did you have a chance to take a peek at that Texas derby in the MLS yesterday. 1-1 draw between Houston and Dallas, right?
Wow 1-0 what a goal by Torres. Was that meant to be across. Costa really want fourth place.
GOAL! And now it is 1-0!
It's a long ball attack that finds its way to Torres and he does the rest. At second look, I suspect that Torres "shot" took a wicked deflection over Gordon.
I agree with you - I think Torres meant to cross there and the deflection took it into the net over Gordon. A fortunate goal but just rewards for their early pressure.
So that's Costa up to 54 points and into 5th - four points behind Spurs.
I did not see the Texas derby. I did not realize the match was being televised. I had recorded some EPL matches on my DVR and was watching them at the time. Houston is traditionally the stronger of the two teams, but matches between the two teams are normally competitive.
It's nice to see that we're starting to get some regional rivalries that mean something in the MLS. The country is really too large to have any kind of meaningful "away day" experience for fans, so the regional trips are even more important. I know that the Gooner is excited about getting up to Philly for a match.
Sorry I meant fifth not fourth. It will be difficult to catch Spurs with only six matches remaining after the weekend. This would be Arry's first venture in the EPL.
Pool on the attack again now through Glen Johnson - still my top choice for right back for England. Babel seems up for this match too.
There will be several rivalries in the northeast with Philly, the Red Bulls , DC United, and New England.
The commentator is making it out that Torres may leave if Costa don't make it into that last CL place. Is he out of contract this summer? I can't quite see him going merely because Costa will be in the Europa League.
I have to admit that I was really disappointed by the Revolution last night. We've been saddled with Taylor Twellman as our "Marquee Player" for the past two seasons, during which he's barely played. We've never really recovered from the loss of Clint Dempsey. Now, we're starting the season without Rallston, Twellman, Shalrie Joseph and so on. It's a shadow of the team that went to the MLS Cup Final three years in a row.
Houston is the nearest MLS team to Harlingen, but is 325 miles away. It would be worth my while to go if I am in Houston for some purpose while a game is being played. If San Antonio can get a franchise then they would be my local team. That is still 250 miles away, but a more realistic venture.
Sunderland still really under the cosh here. Mascherano tries another pop from distance.
I am uncertain about Torres' status. I agree with you. If he leaves then it is probably related to his contract rather than playing in the Europa League. He might be able to get a good move if he has a strong World Cup.
Are Rallston, Joseph, and Twellman out injured? If so, for how long? Stevie Nicholl is a really shrewd manager despite his Costa connection.
That is quite a hike for you - I'm not sure I'd make the trek unless I was in Houston for another reason. The closest one to me is Toronto FC at about two hours drive. Columbus is next at about five hours. Philly and DC are about seven, NY about eight. I'm still connected emotionally to the Revolution because I was an original member of the supporter's club when the league started in 96 and wrote for a Revolution fanzine from 96 to 2000 when we went to Japan.
That should have been 2-0. Great back heel by Kuyyt and great passing by Gerrard as Torres volleys just wide.
Yeah - Rallston and Twellman are long term. Joseph should be back in the side within a couple of weeks and that will help. But we just definitely lack quality throughout the side. I'd say we're the poorest side in the East, but I haven't seen Philly yet.
Gerrard should have scored and then Agger could have as well. It could be 3 or 4-0 at this point.
Just wide by Agger off a corner. Costa running riot over Sunderland.
Good result for the Happy Hammers this morning, with Blackburn turning over Burnley away from home. A Burnley win really would have put the frighteners on the West Ham board. I'm surprised that Zola hasn't walked the plank already. It's a matter of time.
You have some strong ties to the Revolution. They have been one of the stronger franchises in MLS and Stevie Nicholl seems to find a way to at least make the playoffs.
Houston would be a five hour trek and Dallas is about an eight hour trek. However we have some friend in the Dallas area, so it might be realistic to catch a match in Dallas this summer.
As of Monday Zola had two matches to prove himself and with consecutive home defeats against Stoke and Wolves I agree with you. David Gold and Karen Brady stated in no uncertain terms that they are not Zola fans. That should have been done privately, but point made.
Another terrific stop by Gordon there from Maxi's header. He's the only thing keeping the score down now.
Gordon saves well from a Maxi Rodriguez header off a corner. Gordon is in great form after having an excellent game against Citeh.
I agree - there was no need to air dirty linen, but the situation at Upton Park is dire. The only thing that might help them survive is the squalid nature of the bottom of the table. Pompey are done and Burnley look fairly hopeless. So it's probably one more from Wigan, WHU and Hull. Hull with Jimmy Bullard look to have some spirit and the Hammers have a tough run in with the likes of Liverpool away to deal with.
Stevie Bruce publicly endorsed Darren Bent for a place in England's Wold Cup squad. I am not convinced even though he is a great striker. I wonder if Costa want revenge after Bent's beach ball goal in their 1-0 win in the corresponding fixture at The Stadium of Light.
That third spot is tight. At least Pompey won't set the record for the fewest number of points by a top flight team as hapless Derby County amassed eleven points several seasons ago. They won only one game that season and went on a thirty game winless run.
I'm not convinced by Bent either but I'd be happier with him in the squad than with Bobby Zamora, someone else who's been chattered about recently. Beyond Rooney and Defoe, the choices get fairly slim. I'd have Crouch because his strike rate for England is improbably good, and probably Heskey because he's a useful foil. Then I'd probably stick an extra wide man like Gabby Agbonlahor into the mix rather than another striker.
GOAL! Glen Johnson adds to Liverpool's lead. Made space for himself well but again there was a deflection that helped the ball beat Gordon.
2-0 Costa!
WOW 2-0. Great shot by Glen Johnson on his weaker left foot after Sunderland clear a corner.
I've been reading Steven Goff's blog in the WashPo. He mentioned that Dallas had an opening day attendance of merely 8,016 at Pizza Hut Park. Ouch. They need you, MUR!
And here I was thinking that fan culture was progressing in the MLS.
I think I would go for Rooney and Dafoe as the starting strikers with Crouch and Agbonlahor in reserve. If Capello goes with five strikers then I would pick Heskey for his physical presence especially late in a game against a tired team.
The primary problem in Texas is that high school sports take a high priority. The high school basketball teams are currently in the playoffs and baseball season is in progress. Once summer vacation begins attendance figures might improve.
That should have been 3-0 or rather 6-0. Tores off the post after a scramble in the penalty area, then scuffs his rebound wide.
Ah - that makes perfect sense from a Texas context. That makes me feel better about the rest of the season down there.
Should have been 3-0. How did they not score?
This match is more like a training session with the starters against the reserves.
Liverpool in full flow now. Stevie G. goes crashing into the advertising boards but he's up again.
Stevie Bruce will probably have an SAF type chat with the lads. The tea cups will be used for target practice rather than for drinking.
Agreed. Steve Bruce's side in truth don't have much to play for now. They're virtually safe on 35 points but don't have any chance of winning anything or of qualifying for Europe. They're just playing out the string.
Benitez looks relaxed for once. Brucie resembling someone ready to throw the nearest object across the room. Poor Eric Black.
A rare sighting. A sunny March day in Liverpool.
Peep peep. That's half-time. Sunderland basically rolling over and Pool are rampant even at 2-0. I'm off to make a sandwich. Back in two ticks for the second half.
Halftime. Sunderland will need a good start at the beginning of the second half. As you stated they might be playing out the string. I noticed a similar pattern when Brucie was manger of Brumie and Wigan.
Bob I will have my sandwich once the match ends as we are on central time. My wife bought a loaf of French bread and left it on the cutting board. I think that my means my name is written on the loaf. Okay I will share.
Aston Villa better be careful. They are in jeopardy of losing their Europa league spot and being taken over by in from Everton. Moyes encourages that "fighting " spirit.
The teams are coming out of the tunnel. The second half is ready to commence.
One change for Sunderland at the half. Cattermole making way for Da Silva.
Da Silva on for Lee Cattermole.Like for like. No change in the formation.
Sounds like you've got a good lunch coming up!
The announcer stated that Sunderland's last double over Liverpool was in 1936. Any chance that Sunderland will score three without reply and end the streak?
Yes. I am looking forward to lunch. How was yours?
Lovely. I've been on a Bobby Flay kick recently so I've taken to doing an open faced turkey sandwich down under the broiler. Quite tasty and quick to do.
Costa break with a nice run by Gerrard and Babbel shoots well over.
My wife has been watching a series with Jamie Oliver where he is trying to change the nutrition habits of American youths. I am a Bobby Flay fan.
Liverpool seem to be inviting Sunderland on to them in the second half. I'd love to see the Black Cats nick a goal from a corner and make a game of it.
Here comes Kenwynne Jones on for Malbranque, who made little impression.
Kenwyne Jones on for Malbranque. A good positive move by Sunderland. Meanwhile Costa break and a good run by Glen Johnson results in a shot from Torres being blocked.
Gerrard free kick blocked. the second half much like the first half.
I caught that Jamie Oliver series premiere on Friday night too. Shocking stuff. Even more depressing than the British series, which my folks sent me on tape.
A weak Jordan Henderson shot easily saved by Reina. At least that is something from Sunderland and a good pass from Jones.
We have similar problems in South Texas. There is high poverty and really poor eating habits. I am in better physical condition than some of my students. Yes definitely scary stuff.
GOAL 3-0. Too easy as Johnson assists Torres.
GOAL! After all of that Sunderland effort, Torres dinks in his brace and kills off the game. Cool finish.
3-0 Costa!
Pompey gave Spurs a tougher match than Sunderland is giving Costa. Torres on a hat trick. Match over.
I had the same revelation that Jamie had on the show when I was observing in a local elementary school the other day. When I went through the lunch line, I noticed that there weren't any knives. I asked the principal and he said that they were worried that the kids would assault each other with them. Really? Eight year olds?!
I wonder if this will be like the Chelsea vs Villa match.
Jamie's Oliver's primary obstacles were politics and red tape, not the students.We have plastic silverware at our school.
These matches do point out the obvious gulf in quality between the top six or so and the rest of the Premiership.
Babbel dribbles through the Sunderland defense, get a lucky deflection, then passes to Babbel who shoots into the crowd. Too easy teat again.
I meant yet again.
Yeah - I noticed that. He came a cropper on the issue of "two breads" mandated by USDA regs when he tried a dish with brown rice. It's a worthy effort though. I loved the scenes where he and the other teachers were buzzing about the lunch room showing the kids how to eat the put with the proper utensils.
Agreed. At least its a top six and not a top four with Spurs and Citeh adding to the competition. I thought Villa might join that elite group and though they would give Chelsea a better game.
As I don't have kids, I don't know for sure but I assume that if you start kids off on what I think of as ordinary food (e.g., a meat, a starch and a green vegetable for dinner), they'll eat it for the rest of their lives. Hard to say. I know that my brother has struggled with the issue with my nephew.
When my youngest daughter was in preschool we saw the other students pick up a bowl of cereal and drink the milk. as opposed to using a spoon. We had to explain to our daughter at the time that using a spoon is her only option.
On their day, Villa can be added to that group - it's perhaps a top two or three and then another grouping of four or five. Then the rest.
Well, if they were Japanese, that would be one thing, but I can't imagine my mother having ever let me get away with those kind of table manners. The dishes always stayed rooted to the table in our house.
Yes you are correct. The girls normally do start off with a meat,starch, and vegetable. They eat the processed stuff about once every two weeks. It is s completely different story for their friends. I believe the girls are the exception rather then the rule.
Gerrard fouls Jones and Sunderland have a free kick about 25 yards from goal.
Fifteen minutes left now. The steam has all but gone out of this game. For some reason Costa aren't bothered with running up a Chelski like scoreline.
Bent shoots well over. This match is over for all intents and purposes. The big match next Saturday will be United vs Chelski at OT. Also CL quarters on Tuesday and Wednesday.
I think Chelski ran up the score because the title may come down to goal difference.
The Kop joining in on the "Seven Nation Army" singalong. Love that.
Sunderland must be feeing that way at the moment.
I'm already looking forward to that big match next weekend. Should be an absolute cracker. I passed on the option of taking some Welsh exchange students on a tour of a local Amish community largely because of that one.
No Torres hat-trick today then. He's off for a well-deserved rest.
Ngog on for Torres as Benitez protects Torres. UWS would say keep him on so he can get his hat trick. Zenden on for Henderson against his old club.
Just about enough time for Javier Mascherano to pick up his requisite yellow card for the afternoon. Cynical little tug on Bent there.
Now Gerrard gets his rest. El Zahr on in his stead.
Richardson free kick wasted as his cross is easily gathered by Reina. Costa must fans must be enjoying this as Sunderland have United connections through Bruce, Richardson, Bardsley, and Frazier Campbell.
At one point, Brucie was one of the OT old boys that people speculated might take over for Fergie when the great man retires, including Stevie Coppell and wee Gordon Strachan. Not so much anymore. So who might take over then?
Another opportunity as Sunderland has a free kick following obstruction By Agger.
Another free kick wasted by Richardson alas.
Sunderland fans starting to stream out of the ground. Long trip back for them.
Again Richardson wastes another free kick. After today's performance I wonder why SAF didn't keep him at OT. Sense the sarcasm?
Aquilani nearly playing Jones in there.
I do. I take it that you probably weren't a Kleberson fan either, right?
I am not sure who would replace SAF. I was thinking Martin O'Neill, but have noticed that Villa have finished the last two seasons very weak. Mourinho has been mentioned has been mentioned as well. I don't think United fans would take to his defensive strategies. Perhaps a foreign coach who can adapt to the EPL.
Kleberson was a flop along with another superstar in Eric Djemba Djemba. Remember him? He was supposed to be the best thing for the next decade. Also Massimo Taibi was supposedly the heir apparent as the next goalie for the Italian national team. Remeber that shocking performance in the 3-3 draw against Southampton?
Costa running riot in stoppage time.
Match over Sunderland put out of their misery. Should have been more by Costa, but they will take three points.
Well, you bring in players that you think are going to make an impression. No one can predict what every player is going to do. Fergie's record speaks for itself - the most trophied British manager ever.
Liverpool settle for three. I'm off to run some errands. Nice chatting with you, MUR!
Yes definitely and other than those exceptions has made really outstanding, astute decisions. The best judge of talent ever? That is matter of opinion, but definitely a likely candidate.
See you Blue Devil. Great chatting with you.
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