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!
I'm back today after my whirlwind Saturday to laze about and enjoy some matches this morning. Fortunately, we've got some games with real import. If you didn't get enough action yesterday, join me for all the usual LOB fun today.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 9:14 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!
156 Comments:
Villa have already pulled out a 1-0 in the early kick-off Brummie derby this morning, which puts tremendous pressure Liverpool who are now in 7th.
I didn't too terribly well on the I Know the Score competition yesterday, earning only a paltry 10 points.
Here are my picks today:
Burnley 0 Liverpool 2
Everton 1 Fulham 1
Chelski 3 Stoke 0
Kick-off time now at Turf Moor. I've got a great stream up through P2P:
http://www.vipcanal.com/ch1.html
Given Hull's loss yesterday, Burnley have drawn level 18th place with them just by kicking off. They'll hope to end up this evening on 30 points, which gives them a slim hope of survival.
Liverpool, meanwhile, need three points, no doubt. Only three points will do in order to shore up their Europa League spot, which is now in some doubt.
I like a Prem rid of Hull City. Morning Bob.
Morning, Gooner. I'm with you. Hull for the drop, safety for the Hammers.
I had no idea that Fulham have only managed one away win all season and that it was back in August. That's wretched.
Away they're W1-D8-L9.
It really shows you how poor the sides are outside the top seven or eight.
Nicely done against the Dons yesterday, btw
Are you watching the Everton v. Fulham match?
Yeah - clearly the trick for me is to stick the lucky Leeds shirt on under the jacket and tie and go about a busy schedule. Had a good but busy day, ran meself ragged at Jamnesty but a good, warm feeling about it all last night.
Yeah. It's on the deuce, so I can get that channel in the basement where the computer is.
It's a bit uninspiring at the moment which is surprising considering that Everton are outsiders but mathematically possible for 4th.
I also think Simon Grayson man management of Jermaine Beckford has been spot on. The kid's back to scoring again, after having been dropped for three matches. Honestly, though, I'm not sure that JB has the sense to come in out of the rain. He must know that he's out of contract this summer and in the shop window. Now's the time to rip it up in case one of the promoted sides wants to roll the dice on him.
Nice. We went to a plant nursery and lunch and then had a quiet night in while Eric went to see Kick-Ass. He was underwhelmed by it.
Wow - I had no idea. I'm used to their having the early match on a Saturday morning but not on Sundays. Excellent. I've got the Burnley v. Liverpool match going on the laptop. That seemed the more crucial match of the two, somehow. No goals in either though.
I wish some of our guys who won't be back had that attitude. Vela repaid his extended contract this year with no goals, mystery injuries, and showing up at Heathrow for the plane to Barca without a passport.
I'm not surprised. There are just too many people making the same kinds of movies. These skinny, dorky kids like Michael Cera and Mintz-Passe have been suckered by their agents into thinking that they can carry a big Hollywood film instead of playing more interesting character roles.
Vela will go out on loan next season, no?
Nasty late sliding challenge from Hibbert on Nicky Shorey. Idiot former footballer doesn't see anything wrong with Hibbert's tackle but that was really wrong.
The quality of color commentary is pretty these days. Most of the time I'd prefer to just have one authoritative voice rather than the small-minded Little Englanders that they usually run out (e.g., Trevor Francis, David Pleat). Only Andy Gray adds anything to my understanding of the match.
Nice save, Jensen from a Stevie G. drive.
Vela doesn't seem like he's blessed with either ambition or dedication. If we get a loan offer, absolutely. But really, I can't see anyone offering to pay his wages given his output and attitude.
Eduardo however should go on load somewhere and try to recover his career. He's another one we rewarded with an extended contract. I feel more sympathy for him obviously, and hope that he can make it back someday for us or be successful somewhere else.
Everton blunder and Nevland picks up Baines's suicidal backpass. 1-0 Fulham
That's great news for Liverpool who are still making hard work of Burnley well into the first half, with the Turf Moor faithful urging their side on.
Nasty. Arteta splits his head open in a challenge and there's blood everywhere. That's several stitches there.
Big chance there for Burnley. A free header that the Burnley striker contrives to put straight at Pepe.
Liverpool look very off the boil today. My Veetle is grainy, so I can't tell who it is in the center of their midfield who keeps screwing up their breaks by passing the ball to Burnley.
Stevie G with an X-certificate challenge earns a ticket.
Insua?
0-0 at the half in Burley. Injuries at Goodison making this one run late. There, 0-1 Fulham at the half.
I'll be back for the second half.
No - Insua isn't on the pitch today. I reckon it's Aquilani who's been at the center of everything wrong today. He's got to be the worst buy Rafa's made in recent years. I'm also alarmed by Gerrard's drop in form over the past few months. He's got to sort his shit out in time for June 12.
Yes, that probably is Aquaman who is at the head of what's not working. He was really good in Italy. I wonder what his problem is. Rafa?
I won't be around much
COME ON STOKE!!
Chelski taking the pitch at Stamford Bridge against Stoke now. Like Liverpool, only three points will do for Chelski today.
Morning, Dave. Are you in your lucky chair today?
Burnley now trotting back out on the pitch at Turf Moor.
Great to see Cashley in the Chelski side again today. We'll need him this summer.
Good free kick oppo for Burnley well saved by Reina.
Good morning Blue Devil, UWS,and Gooner. I am here to join you for the Sunday action.
All change in these matches. Anichebe has tucked in an equalizer for Everton.
Morning, MUR! How are you?
Relief for Stoke as Sorensen makes a fantatstic double save and Lamps fouled outside the area with no call by the referee.
Cashley, who's playing essentially as a left winger should have opened the scoring for Chelski there. A shot straight at the keeper.
Stevie G. meanwhile has opened the scoring for Liverpool at Turf Moor.
Great. How are you Blue Devil? I am wearing my Arroyo Gators parents t-shirt in honor of the girls' softball team. It is blue and orange( the colors of your beloved Gators).
Only two points separating 4th from 7th place now in the Premiership. Any of the four sides could get that elusive fourth CL spot.
Great to hear. I usually save my blue and orange Gators gear for the fall football season.
Captain Fantastic Steven Gerrard has added a second goal at Turf Moor. Burnley just about down now. Stevie G. must have been listening to his favorite Phil Collins records before the match to pump himself up.
Shawcross gets away with handling inside the area.
Great stop Sorenson from a Drogba header. The keeper's keeping Stoke in this contest.
Chelski goals seem inevitable now. Sorry, United fans, I don't see Stoke doing you any favors today. They're just not good enough.
The results are unchanged. Brilliant reflex save by Sorensen from Drogs header. Lamps with the corner shot wide by Anelka.
Sorensen misses the cross and Drogs shoots over. Chelski will eventually score if Stoke do not improve their defending.
GOAL! Kalou scores after 23 minutes. Drogba made that with a lovely take down and cross for Kalou to stoop for a low header into the net.
1-0 Chelski!
GOAL 1-0 CHELSKI as Kalou scores a really simple goal inside the six.
If the score remains unchanged at Turf Moor then Burnley will be relegated today. In fact, the Hammers would be safe for the season as all three spots have been decided with two games remaining.
Now it's training pitch shooting practice for the Blues, this time for Lamps. Chelski back on top of the league and trying to add to their GD.
That's good news for the Hammers. 34 points and safe. That's got to be one of the total survival targets in recent years, far below the usual 40 point mark. I believe they were relegated not long ago on 41 points.
Stoke with some pressure as Kitson's shot is blocked and Ashley Cole gets away with some unorthodox defending.
Havoc in the Chelski area from Delap's long throw but now they spring a quick break.
GOAL! Kalou mops up a mistake by Sorenson from a Lampard shot. And the Stoke keeper is injured in the process too.
2-0 Chelski!
2-0 as Sorensen fails to hold Drogs' shot and Kalou from a yard out on the rebound.
Begovich is going to be forced to replace the injured Sorenson.
Begovic, the former Pompey reserve may be coming on for Sorensen.
On the replay, I can't quite see what contact Kalou made with the keeper. He got mostly ball as he slid in two-footed.
The replay shows that Kalou's studs made contact with Sorensen's hand as he shot home the rebound. The contact was unintentional.
I am back for a tick!
So, Chelsea are strolling against Stoke 2-0
So then there were two games to go!
I really need Everton to get a winner against Fulham(sorry Tony) for them to have a chance to catch LIVERPOOL.
Liiiiverrrrpooool would need to take Chelski seriously!
The match at Anfield should decide the EPL championship as Costa will be fighting for fourth spot in the Champions League. United's remaining two matches are against mid-table teams whose seasons have already been determined.
Maxi Rodriguez has added a third for Costa at Turf Moor and the Reds are home and hosed. Burnley will be relegated tonight.
Everton go very close!!
Great passing but one Aussie saves from another!
Johnny's Hammers are safe this season.
It is all done and dusted for the relegation places
How boring!!!
Kitson with a great through ball to Fuller whose cross is cleared. Goal kick Chelski.
Yeah - I had a feeling that there would be three worse teams than the Hammers. Zola still for the chop this summer, though, right?
Malouda's shot deflected out for a corner after an amazing run by Lamps.
FSC are way behind the BBC again!!!
THEY ARE HOPELESS!!!!
The race for top and 4th are still very much alive though. With Liverpool meeting Chelski next weekend, you have to fancy them to come up short, though. My bet is still on Citeh for 4th.
I knew that was going happen five minutes ago
Pen
Penalty Chelski. What a daft challenge by Huth .What was the former Chelski player thinking?
Penalty to Chelski. Kalou was bundled over by former Blue Hugh and Kalou has a chance to get his hat-trick. No, it's Lamps who steps up to take.
3-0! I like to see those Lamps pens go rattling in ahead of the WC. His 24th goal of the season.
3-0 Chelski as Lamps scores the penalty.Begovic goes the wrong way.
Liiiveeerpoool are going to come up short for fourth or next week????
HAVE FAITH
Thanks for keeping it to yourself, UWS.
Lamps with eight goals in seven matches.
Two minutes left at Goodison
Come on you Blues
Have faith in what, Dave? You know my main concern is that Liverpool aren't rewarded for their poor play this season with another CL spot, even if it goes to moneybags Citeh.
Bloody hell - how did Sorenson break his elbow in that challenge?
Everton's Europa League hopes seem to be over.
I don't care if Costa get fourth as long as they can defeat Chelski to help us win an unprecedented fourth consecutive league championship.
Struth... I thought Saha hit the back of the net with a header! Side netting
This is looking good for Liiverpoool!
You still want to win next week you Reds!!
I think so too. Even if they were to pick up a late winner, they'd still be five points behind Liverpool with only two matches to play. I don't see it.
PENALTY EVERTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't think so but who cares!!
Will Sorensen be able to play in the World Cup?
Kicked him right in the stomach!
I guess it was a pen!
Arteta to keep Everton's season alive.... IT'S IN!!!
GAME ON MERSEYSIDE!!
Agreed UWs. The Reds have to win.Only two points separating fourth from seventh.
Final whistle blows almost immediately!
Everton get the win and keep on the tail of Liiiiveeerpooool!
You better get something next week. You are only three points ahead!
I assume that Sorenson is out for the WC now. Is Jensen Denmark's #2?
Now 4-0 to Costa as they compound Burnley's misery.Ryan Babel with the goal.
Liiiveeerpoool win 4 nil
I like how ESPN keep with the commentator until he is done. They don't straight to commercial
Babel notches #4 for Liverpool. Lights out at Turf Moor. Sad, that.
Everton' slim Europa League hopes alive. A Costa victory over Chelski will eliminate the Toffees from a Europa League spot due to Everton's inferior goal difference..
Liiiiveeerpooool have won their last two games scoring SEVEN and conceded none!
Liiiiveerpooool have won their last TEN games at Anfield
May the streak continue.
Are Everton still 5 behind or three? I don't know if my table has updated because of that late goal?
Of course, Stoke are going to score early and then Chelsea will start to be worried
3-3..... MARK MY WORDS!
Everton are five behind,but are all but eliminated due to an inferior goal difference. They would have to count on Villa and Costa losing their final two matches.I don't see that happening.
COME ON STOKE !!! Get an early goal.
They only have to get to seventh place
Seventh makes the Europa League because of Pompey in the Cup Final.
Next week both Chelski and United play on Sunday. The early match at 7:30 EDT from Anfield on FSC plus and United at the Stadium of Light at 11:00 EDT on FSC.
I am off
Have a great week
Talk to everyone next weekend
UWS
Everton Is currently in 8th. They are five points behind seventh placed Costa. The above scenario is what is needed for them to get seventh.Their chances are slim.
The best match on Saturday will be Citeh vs Villa at 11EDT on FSC. I think I will skip the early match between Brum and Burnley on ESPN and get some much needed rest. The late match is Pompey v Wolves. I may watch that one. Not sure.
Cheers UWS. Take Care.
Take care, UWS. Let's chat in mid-week.
Dave Kitson being replaced by Tuncay. Kitson obviously unhappy as he shows Pulis the middle finger.
More evidence of the poverty of quality in the mid-table of the Premiership. Stoke have only scored nine goals away from home this season. That's really poor.
Bob, The Citeh v Villa match seems to be the only significant match being televised next Saturday. The decisive matches will be on Sunday.
Right - Kitson's going to be fined for that. Middle finger and then straight down the tunnel. He'll be lucky to play for Pulis again. I don't know why he was angry. He was rubbish today and his side is 3-0 down.
Agreed. He has not really been prolific for Stoke. He is as responsible as any player for Stoke's poor away goals tally. He will probably be playing in the Championship.
It seems as if the life has been choked out of this match in the first half.
Chelski content because their goal difference is three better than United's. This match has no real significance for Stoke.
I'd love to see Carlo Ancelotti substituting some of the England boys right about now. No reason to risk any further injuries in a nothing match.
With only two domestic league matches and only Chelski involved in a cup match beyond that, things are looking pretty decent for England. Of my starting eleven, only Aaron Lennon and Wayne Rooney are currently injured and both are scheduled back with plenty of time to play themselves back into things. Joe Cole and Cashley have made reasonable returns to the Chelski side after injury. I think we have a real chance.
GOAL! Kalou's hat-trick as Stoke's offside trap falls apart.
4-0 Chelski!
GOAL 4-0!!! Kalou with a hat-trick as he scores on the rebound after a great Begovic save. Poor defending from Stoke.
Kalou off now. You know, the Ivory Coast are going to be more than a handful for the teams in the Group of Death. If Brazil and Portugal don't treat them with the proper respect, they could do some damage.
The hat-trick is an amazing feat for Kalou as the announcer stated that Kalou had scored three combined EPL goals in the previous three seasons. He saves his goals for the cup competitions. He receives a deserved ovation as he is substituted by Ferreira.
That should have been five as Malouda misses a sitter.
Young Sam Hutchinson on for Ferreira in only his fourth EPL appearance. I believe Joe Cole came on for Kalou.
Incredible miss by Malouda - should have been #5.
Bob, I believe The Ivory coast will be a handful for Portugal and Brazil.This will be their second consecutive World Cup in a "group of death" as they were in the same group as Holland and Argentina in 2006. This hardly seems fair.I guess this is the luck of the draw.
Dean Sturridge ready to come on for Chelski. He could start for most EPL teams.
Malouda again for #5 but this time it takes a brilliant save from Begovic.
A second consecutive miss from Malouda after great work from Anelka. That should have been six.
Sturridge on for Anelka.
As I remember, they gave Brazil a hell of a second round match last time around. That should be one of the highlights of the group stage.
Some incredible scores yesterday as Huddersfield won 6-0 away to Stockport. Inverness Callie celebrated their return to the SPL by winning 7-0 away to Ayr United.
5-0 Chelski as Lamps scores. A great finish.
GOAL! Bloody hell - one of the best goals of the season. A lovely team move ending with a cross from the sub and a cheeky flick with the outside of his boot by Lamps. Wow!
5-0!
The Ivory Coast finished third in their group as they lost 2-1 to both Holland and Argentina.They did give both teams a run for their money. It was Ghana that played Brazil in the second round in 2006.I think Brazil had some assistance from the referee in that match If my memory serves me correctly.
Will Chelski get six? It should be so much more by now.
6-0! Sturridge finishing off a great move. And an interesting goal celebration to boot. Stoke once and truly humbled.
It is six. Sturridge scores after Drogs turns a defender in the center circle and feeds Sturridge. The move started with Cech. a great team goal.
It is a carnival mood today but I wonder if they can get six points from their last two matches to keep up with United's obvious six points from Sunderland and Stoke. If they can get three points off Liverpool next weekend, they probably deserve the championship.
7-0! Wow!
free kick Chelski Malouda with the seventh as Drogs' free kick is blocked. Joe Cole with a great cross to the far post.
Did you see that Bob? Chelski have out shot Stoke THIRTY to three. NINETEEN SHOTS on target to Stoke's two. I have never seen anything like this.
When you tally it up, only four clubs in England have won anything of import this season:
United - Carling Cup (possibly title)
Chelski - Probably FA Cup (possibly title)
Newcastle - Championship title
Norwich - League 1 title
If Spurs, Citeh or Villa grab that last CL spot, they'll see it as a victory and progress. If Pool grab it, they'll see it as their birthright and not the result of a successful season. A sad state of affairs, really.
That's it . 7-0 Chelski. Stoke fortunate that it was not more. They were truly embarassed. What did you think of that statistic I posted?
Stoke really gave up there. Most of the time when a side are 3-0 up, they'll coast it, but Stoke almost invited the Blues to score at will. Shocking performance from the Potters.
As a result, Citeh vs Villa will be the only match I will View. Thirty to three says it all.
I agree - Tony Pulis will have some sharp words about those stats in the dressing room. That is, after he's given Kitson his requisite dressing down. That Stoke are safe for another season of long throws and parking the bus shows the poverty of quality in the Premiership.
I meant to say Saturday. I will definitely watch both matches on Sunday.
I'm off to get a bit of work done, MUR. Nice chatting with you. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Cheers!
I agree. It is not in Pulis' nature to give up. I have never seen stats like that in the EPL.
Cheers Blue Devil. I will see you next weekend.
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