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!
We've got some fascinating matches on offer for this Easter Sunday, including Birmingham v. Liverpool coming right up in a moment or two. That's followed by Everton v. West Ham at 11 am on FSC. Join me if you're around this morning.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 9:55 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!
143 Comments:
The teams for today:
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Benayoun, Gerrard, Lucas, Maxi, Torres, Kuyt. Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Agger, Babel, Mascherano, Ngog, Degen.
Birmingham: Hart, Carr Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Gardner, Ferguson, Bowyer, Fahey, Jerome, McFadden. Subs: Taylor, Larsson, Phillips, Benitez, Michel, Parnaby, Vignal.
Good morning Blue Devil. Costa need a win at St. Andrews to maintain their challenge for fourth place.
Not the greatest picture on this stream but it's the one I've found:
http://www.justin.tv/kakiaw#r=qJnXb6g~
Morning, MUR. I'd love to see Birmingham do them over. I would hate to see Pool get anything out of this season. They've been poor.
Fulham v. Wigan has started as well. That mainly concerns the relegation battle. Wigan are on 32 points and a win today would almost assuredly keep them up. A loss and they're back down in the mire, especially if the Hammers can get something at Goodison today.
Hello Blue Devil. I found A stream at http://www.rifmax.com. It can't be any worse than your video. We must credit Birmingham City. As a newly promoted team they are currently in a creditable ninth place with only two home defeats. ST. Andrews is a fortress as Birmingham have conceded only eleven home goals. This will not be an easy match for Costa.
Liverpool with all the initiative so far. Brum have dropped off in form since that purple patch around the holidays.
Toffees v Hammers is a crucial match as Everton maintain their challenge for a Europa League spot and the Hammers as you stated are in the midst of a relegation battle.
Thanks for the link. I'm gonna stick with mine because of my lack of proficiency in Spanish. I'd imagine that where you are, you linguistic skills are pretty sharp.
Best link I've found yet:
http://atdhe.net/16750/watch-birmingham-vs-liverpool
Both sharing possession in their own half - some steady, patient possession.
I'm not sure that Everton can quite sneak into the Europa League spots. I fancy Spurs, Costa and Villa for those slots.
A bit of an appeal for handball but the ref wasn't having any of it.
Neither team has really settled. My proficiency in Spanish is rather limited to what I would call slightly inappropriate language. It was a survival skill early in my teaching career which was OJT. Seriously though I am extremely limited in "proper" Spanish.
I'd be happy with Costa dropping two points here. 0-0 would be just fine.
I agree. Everton have left it rather late. Citeh seem to have secured the final Champions League spot. My youngest brother will be pleased.
Did you do Spanish with Senor De la Cruz at LHS?
I would not be surprised if this one finishes 0-0. Rafa may take 0-0 even though Costa have a habit of playing horribly and sneaking a 1-0 win.
I think so. It's a bit depressing but money tends to win out in the end. Citeh will probably push on next year and become another "Chelski" within a year or two with the proper management and bags of cash.
No I was a French student for five years from 8th grade through 12th grade. I believe Senor De la Cruz is from South Texas. He was residing in McAllen which is about 40 miles from Harlingen.
Yes, I do think that the De la Cruz's have settled in McAllen. I've made attempts to reach out to JDLC through Facebook but he seems happy to leave high school to the past. He has some unhappy memories - I don't know why.
Torres tries a pop from distance but it was always going well over. Brum have done well defensively so far.
The first real opportunity of the match. This has been a sleeper as I have expected. Costa having difficulty breaking down a stubborn Blues team.
No score in the Fulham v. Wigan match either. Wigan will probably be happy with a point there, which takes them onto 32 points.
Decent chance there for Maxi, but he only finds the crossbar. Joe Hart was prone.
The match is starting to open up a bit.
Costa starting to take control as the sunshine makes an appearance.
Oh - Reina came for that corner but didn't get close to it. The header went just over the bar. Close call.
Are you on Central or Mountain time? Two hours behind EST, right? It's about 8:40 am your time?
Two chances for the Blues. Jerome shot straight at Reina which was punched away for a corner then a header went over when Reina was struggling.This match has opened up since the sun made an appearance. Coincidence?
I am on CDT. Is currently 9:40 AM.
Gotcha. Thanks. Just checking.
Torres buys a cheap free kick there. Gerrard marshaling the forces.
Torres fouled by Scott Dann just outside the penalty area. The free kick taken by Gerard is cleared.
Wigan take the lead through Jason Scotland. I wondered about that match. Fulham really don't have much to play for at this point. Wigan certainly do. They're up to 34 points and could be safe if they can hold out.
I beleive that is Jason Scotland's first EPL goal for Wigan. About bloody time. Hart saves well from Maxi Rodriguez.
Half time at St. Andrews. 0-0. Rafa's not happy. Liverpool's race for fourth spot could easily run aground here today.
Someone Said will be happy with this result. Celtic have won away to Hibs through a Robbie Keane penalty. They're still ten points back on Rangers though.
I guess Rafa is looking for a 1-0 win. My mistake. Rafa is a real enigma. Everton v West Ham should be more open.
The key match in the SPL is Killie v Aberdeen. Falkirk won away to Motherwell, so Killie are only two points clear of the drop zone.
I'm done with my political yack shows for the morning and onto FSC for the match at Goodison. Huge game.
Moyes going with Saha up front alone with Tim Cahill in the hole.
Zola goes with the big two - Mido and Cole up front.
Teams back on at St. Andrews. Liverpool ready to get the second half started.
Gorgeous looking day on Merseyside.
GOAL! Stevie G. fires Costa into the lead early in the second half. The ball came back out to him after his corner, somewhat fortunately. Then it was all him, jinking inside and slotting home in the side netting. Good goal.
0-1 Costa!
That goal takes Pool up to 57 points, one shy of Spurs in 5th.
I'm not sure that Brum have a Plan B for today's match.
Okaka has equalized for Fulham - Wigan back down to 32 points.
GOAL! Forget my earlier comment about Brum's lack of a Plan B. They've scored an excellent equalizer. A great team move finished off at the back post by Liam Ridgewell.
1-1!
Hello Blue Devil. I was out for a few minutes. Did I miss anything?
Kilmarnock have gone 1-0 up against Aberdeen through an own goal.
I missed two goals at St. Andrews. The match has sprung to life. Still 0-0 at Goodison.
Just a few things. Two goals at St. Andrews for either side. 1-1 now.
And Fulham equalized.
If Kilmarnock win then they will be four points ahead of Falkirk.
Scottie Parker picks up a yellow card. I thought that was harsh. He won the ball but his follow through was high and caught Cahill.
A booking for Scott parker. A bit harsh as he did get the ball. Free kick to Everton.Just wide by Saha. I would have received about a hundred yellows when I was a player and possibly a few dismissals.
I've just had a look at WHU's run-in:
Sunderland at home
Liverpool away
Wigan at home
Fulham away
Citeh at home
Not a lot of easy points there. The home matches with Sunderland and Wigan are absolutely crucial three pointers. They'll also have to nick a point here and there off the others. If I had to guess I'd say they'll finish on about 33 or 34 points. Probably not enough, although the 17th placed team might not need 40 this season.
Torres being replaced by Ngog. I am not sure why. Possibly an injury?
Hangeland has scored a second for Fulham dropping Wigan back down to 31 points. Good news for the Hammers.
Torres is very fragile this season. That's got to worry the Spanish set up. They must wince their way through every Costa match at this stage.
Fortunately Hull City and Burnley are worse than the Hammers, so those two teams will probably go down. In any other season the Hammers would be certs for relegation. Lucky Hammers . I think Hull City and Burnley play each other soon. That will be crucial.
GOAL! Bilya opens the scoring for Everton. Jon Spector looked poor there nodding the ball back into the danger area.
1-0 Toffees!
West Ham back down to 27 points, level with Hull on points. Not good.
Goal Everton 1-0. Baines crosses from the left, The Hammers defense heads the ball straight up in the air and Bilyetanov heads past Robert Green. Zola not amused.
I feel sorry for Gianfranco. He puts the side out to play football but they aren't really good enough to do the basics the way that a Bolton does.
Next Saturday in the EPL . Hull City v Burnley and West Ham v Sunderland. If the Hammers fail to beat Sunderland then they are in real trouble. What do you think?
I agree. I think that safety will require probably around 36 or 37 points. So if they lose this one today, they'll need full points from the home matches with Sunderland and especially Wigan and then a couple of points on the road. Very hard. Liverpool will need all three points as will Citeh on the last day of the season. Only the Fulham match is against a team with nothing to prove.
Hull have a slightly easier run in with home matches against Burnley and Sunderland and an away match with Wigan. My guess is that they end up on something like 36 points, one or two points ahead of WHU.
When Hull play Burnley someone will take points from this match, so if the Hammers lose then they will be in the drop zone. Hull will probably win as they have a decent home record and Burnley have one solitary away point. A repeat of last season?
Ten minutes now for Liverpool to rescue this match. Their season is slipping away here. Lovely.
Penalty to West Ham!
What about Distain who tripped up Carlton Cole?
Penalty Hammers As Distin bundles Cole in the penalty area. Really clumsy. What was he thinking? That should be a red card.
Absolutely crucial penalty chance here for the Hammers.
Mido takes...and Howard saves!
Very casual by Mido and Timmy was very good. That could be the Hammers season right there. Wow!
By the letter of the law, Distin should have gone, but I don't like that ruling. I think a yellow and a penalty is punishment enough in those situations.
Mido with a poor penalty saved by Howard. The Hammers can't seem to anything right. That was a gift wrapped opportunity.
Maxi has a shot blocked out. That was a big chance for Costa. Less than ten now at St. Andrews.
Who would be Gianfranco Zola? He must have wanted to step onto the pitch and take that one himself!
Sunderland have only two away wins and have conceded 31 on the road. Watch the Hammers fail to score against Sunderland's mean defense. Too easy for Everton other than the penalty.
The reaction from Zola says everything. He just turns his back on the action with arms crossed.
Zola probably would have scored. He must be thinking about coming out of retirement.
All hands to the pump now for the Brum defense. Can they hold out?
Ryan Babel somehow conrives to shoot into the side netting there. Almost into stoppage time at St. Andrews.
Ngog has a chance to win it right at the death one on one with Hart and he shoots right at the keeper.
That might be it for Costa today.
Halftime.The only positive for the Hammers is that it is only 1-0. One goal and they are right back in it. Zola is fuming.Everton normally a direct side playing all the football and in control. The hammers look really poor, but down only one goal.
Half-time at Goodison. With Wigan losing right now, it's all to play for West Ham but like Leeds yesterday, they don't seem to have the morale to be able to pull themselves up out of despair.
1-0 Everton.
That's it. Birmingham hang on as they hold Costa 1-1. They had eleven players behind the ball, were clearing everything and Reina taking a throw in.
It's all over at St. Andrews. Despite the heroics from Gerrard, it's two dropped points for Costa today. And with Torres limping off with a knock, it's just about all bad news for them today. In 6th place and four points behind Citeh, I can't see them still getting into fourth.
Hey Guys
I am around for a while
Happy Easter to all on LOB
Still bumming about tomorrow.
They just showed the off-side goal again!
I am still steaming!
Glad to see Costa drop some more points.
Of course, I still want them with a shot of fourth when they play Chelsea
Everton in 8th place one point behind Aston Villa and three points behind Costa with five matches remaining. I am not ready to discount Everton.
Hello UWS. Its half-time at Goodison as Everton lead the Hammers 1-0 through a Bilyatenov goal after some comical Hammers defending. Zola was not amused. Mido missed a penalty for the Hammers.
The second half ready to begin. The Hammers who are known for being a footballing side had 37% of the possession in the first half. Can they do any worse?
Baines down injured. He should be okay.
Little action early in the second half. The Hammers still in this match.
Morning, UWS!
Cahill booked for a nasty tackle on Scott Parker.
A quiet second half. Everton need a second to seal the victory. Corner to the Hammers as they begin to pressure the Everton defense.
GOAL! West Ham have finally fashioned an equalizer. Da Costa came close a moment ago and now does convert from close range after the corner.
1-1!
Noble with an angled shot off the crossbar. Another corner. GOAL!!! 1-1 Da Costa with a header off a corner. An unlikely score.Zola jubilant.
Zola's happy now, leaping up and down.
West Ham up to 28 points now. They might be winning but for Mido's profligacy.
The announcer just stated that the Hammers scored their first goal in 366 minutes. What a vital goal that could kick-start the Hammers season and give tham much needed confidence for their vital match against Sunderland.
Jack Rodwell warming up now. I don't know why he didn't start the match. I really rate him.
The Toffees normally so solid at the back allowed Da Costa to bundle home from close range following a Noble corner.
The Yak is on for the goalscorer Bilya.
Just wide by Cole. The Hammers with a much improved second half performance. Will they rue that miss by Mido?
His physical presence should unsettle the fragile Hammers defense.
Probably.
I am back from the backyard
Glad to see the Hammers get the goal back!
Howard Webb this time waves away a penalty claim by Saha. Did Da Costa catch him? Not sure.
What's going on in the backyard, Davey?
Mark Noble with a booking for a rough tackle on Steven Pienaar. Saha goes down in the penalty area. Howard Webb is not impressed.
Is this the end of Everton's challenge for European places?
Not necessarily. They would be three points behind out of from Villa with five games remaining. They still have a chance.
Free kick to Everton. Cahill's cross is easily cleared.
Fifteen minutes plus stoppage time remaining and even at 1-1.
Corner to Everton taken by Parker. Afoul by Upson in the Everton penalty area. A wasted opportunity.
Mido strolling off at this point. Applause from the away crowd - not sure why. He was rubbish today.
Mido being replaced by Ilan.
I agree. If he had put in a decent shift then the Hammers would probably be leading. Its frustrating to watch a player fail to give a decent effort . He was definitely off the pace.
Zola motivating his troops for the final ten minutes.
A draw at Goodison is a creditable result, but for Mido.
Corner to Everton taken by Baines.Jaglieka with an attempted scissors kick high and wide.
In the past when the Hammers have needed a miracle, they've often relied upon foreign exports such as Di Canio or Tevez to bail them out. I'm not sure Mido is in that mold.
Jack Rodwell on for Leon Osman. He should have come on earlier when he could have made more of an impact.
GOAL! Yakubu! That's cruel. But you could see it coming from a mile away. Good build up through Rodwell, cross over from Baines and Upson takes a nap and Yak is left with a free header.
2-1 Toffees!
GOAL 2-1 EVERTON. A header by Yak from a left wing cross by Baines. Could that be the winner. Five minutes plus stoppage time left in the match.
The look of despair is back for Zola.
Rodwell with an instant impact on the match.
GOAL! Wow - fantastic come back from the Hammers. Great cross over from Faubert into the danger zone and Ilan stuck away the header.
2-2!
The Hammers away fans are going barmy. Their East Sunday is saved.
GOAL 2-2. a header by Ilan after an amazing run and cross by Faubert. What a finale to this match.
GOAL 2-2. a header by Ilan after an amazing run and cross by Faubert. What a finale to this match.
Zola will be pleased with a draw at Goodison. An excellent result under the circumstances.
Three minutes remaining and end-to-end action.What a thrilling climax.
Corner to the Hammers. Could this be an unexpected winner? An ambitious volley by Ilan high and wide.
The final minute of stoppage time. and Cahill injured. The Hammers fans ecstatic
Danny Gabbidon replacing Junior Stanislas
Given what's happened in the second half, it's a very creditable point won by the Hammers today. It shows that they've got a bit more fight in them than I'd given them credit for. They could build on this.
Sorry fellas, I was pulled away from the game again
Good comeback from the Hammers.
Hopefully this will kick them into surviving
Take care
UWS
Everton 2 West Ham 2 a final . A relieved Zola leaves the pitch. This should give the Hammers confidence heading into their vital match against Sunderland.
Well, I'm off to enjoy the rest of this Easter Sunday. I'll be back in the early morning for those League 1 fixtures tomorrow. No Premier League games on so I don't know if you lot can be bothered but I'd love to have you on board. Cheerio for now!
Will LOB meet tomorrow for the lower division matches. I know Leeds is away to Yeovil. There should be matches on streaming video. Newcastle United need a draw at home to Sheffield United tomorrow to clinch promotion.
I will be in and out tomorrow. I might be able to join you part of the time.
Cheers. Hope to see you tomorrow.
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