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!
It's the big match of the weekend - 1st vs. 3rd - a fixture that has boiled over on more than one occasion recently. These matches don't always determine the outcome of the championship but they're always full of drama. Don't miss it - join me for all the action on FSC and of course on the LOB.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 10:16 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!
159 Comments:
Morning, chaps. I have to admit that I've had a leisurely lie in after a long week fighting off a cold. But I'm sorry to have missed to matches that sound like they were really interesting.
Citeh have seen off Newcastle 2-1 at Eastlands with goals from Tevez (his fifth of the season, ta very much) and Adam Johnson. That sees them at least temporarily in second place!
And - wow! - Blackpool are currently 0-2 up at Anfield! Roy for the chop after this one if the Reds go down today? I think so. The rest would sink Liverpool into the relegation zone for the first time in my memory, just below their city rivals Everton in 17th.
Of course FSC are still on the last moments of the Serie A match this morning as if there isn't a big match to come. (sigh)
The sides for today:
Chelsea (4-1-2-3) Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Cole; Mikel; Essien,
Ramires; Anelka, Drogba, Malouda.
Subs: Turnbull, Zhirkov, Ferreira, Sturridge, Van Aanholt, Kakuta, McEachran.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1) Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy; Song, Diaby; Nasri, Wilshere, Arshavin; Chamakh.
Subs: Szczesny, Rosicky, Vela, Whatever Happened To Denilson I Thought Arsene Said He Was Really Good, Djourou, Eboue, Emmanuel-Thomas.
Referee Mike Dean
Arsenal get us underway...
Oh - a really fast start from Arsenal. Sagna plays a wonderful ball in a Chamakh is first to it with a header that fizzes just by Cech's post.
Good morning BD. Arsenal had early chances with Nasri and Koscelny.
I watched the earlier match and posted a few comments on the Saturday thread.
Drogs is lining up to take a free kick. He shoots well over.
Sorry, MUR - I didn't even think to look at yesterday's thread. Welcome!
This one has started the way that we neutrals would have wanted - with a furious pace!
Flapianski replaces Almunia in goal. Was he dropped or is he injured?
If this pace is maintained then we are in for a treat. I would like to see this match end as a draw.
Almunia does have an injury but I reckon it's a convenience for Wenger. He would have been forced to drop him surely after last weekend's West Brom calamity. Flappy played in goal against Partizan in mid-week.
Malouda chips just over as Chelski are put through.
I'm sure you would like a thrilling 4-4 draw, and I wouldn't mind either.
I've just read your comments about Citeh. I'm really looking forward to seeing Adam Johnson's goal on the replay shows - it sounds really good. Do you see Citeh as a realistic threat now?
Oh - Arshavin gets by Alex and rifles a shot straight at Cech. Blocked well.
I am not convinced. They did beat Chelski, but they struggled to beat Newcastle.They gave Citeh a difficult match.
I love the way that these teams have gone about this match. I'm not sure it's what Wenger and Ancelotti would have suggested but the attacks are definitely having their way so far, despite the scoreline.
Interesting. I agree with you. I think they're in good shape for a Champions League spot for next season and perhaps a decent run in the Europa this year. That would be progress for Mancini IMHO.
I agree. I know Chesterfield and Crewe drew 5-5, and the Accies beat the Gils 7-4. I don't think we will see similar scores.
Kyrgiakos has pulled one back for Liverpool at Anfield. It's 1-2 there.
Premiership defenses are too good for that. When there are a lot of goals in a match, it's generally a one-sided affair (6-0, e.g.).
I agree. They are discovering what it is like to play three difficult matches a week. They played Chelski,Juventus,and Newcastle in successive matches. Their rivals are experienced in playing this type of schedule.
So how's the school year going for you, my friend?
If Liverpool lose then they will spend the international break in the relegation zone.
Wow - fantastic counter attack from Chelski just broken up by Sagna.
Chelski break and win a corner. I thought they would have a chance on goal.
The corner from Malouda was disappointing.
If that's the case, I don't think Roy Hodgson will survive the break. That's a shame - I had him pegged as the next England manager, but not now if he's sacked so quickly at Anfield.
The school year has been hectic, yet interesting. How has the school year been for you?
Cap is in the stands. There is talk of Wilshere being in the England squad for the Euro qualifiers.
I suspect that Gooner would prefer that Don Fabio overlook Jack Wilshere for the England squad. They're already missing RVP, Theo and Fabregas.
Really good for me here. This is my third year. I've just pitched in my dossier in order to earn a fourth year. I've got the teaching down to the point now that I've been able to take on some interesting new projects.
Oh - I thought Essien was going to score there but Song basically put him off. Header was errant.
Essien heads wide from a corner. He has shown that he can be dangerous in those situations.
Less than half an hour now for Liverpool to claw their way back.
I wish you the best with the projects.If you earn a fourth year does this mean that you will be rewarded with tenure?
Flappianski just flapped at a routine cross.Chelski should try to take advantage of this.
Flappy with a defining moment there - a ridiculous attempt at a volleyball style punch out that goes nowhere and his defender has to rescue him. That won't inspire confidence.
I can go up for tenure after my fifth year - I'm on a year to year contract until that point. It looks pretty good right now. I've got a book, two book chapters, two peer-reviewed journal articles and two book chapters under my belt now. Good teaching evals. I think that there is only one faculty member who would vote against my tenure right now.
The Gunners win a corner after a period of Chelski dominance. Nasri heads straight at Cech.
Keep up the good work.I do believe everything will work out for you. It sounds like you are doing an excellent job. My contracts are always on a year to year basis.
Half-way through the first half. This is all really fun stuff. Two really good sides going at each other. It could use a goal, though.
Texas is a "right to work" state, no? No tenure process? Do they award something like "professional status?"
I agree. The pace has been much faster than I would have expected. That was a great tackle by Koscielny on Drogs.
That was a decent effort by Arshavin.a great finger tip save by Cech.
The corner from Wilshere was disappointing.
Still 1-2 Blackpool with only about fifteen minutes left. Spare a thought for Ian Holloway's men. After seven matches, they may well have earned 10 points. Thirty more and they would survive. It's a marvelous start for them.
You are correct. Texas is a right to work state. Tenure is not officially recognized,but there is a lengthier process for terminating a teacher's employment after three years with a school district. There are not any special titles or status after a specific length of time.The legislation is unique and strange. Government employees do have due process as opposed to employees in the private sector.
Oh - Nasri bursts through but his left footer moved in the wrong direction with no bend toward goal.
That would be a fantastic result.
A great save by Flappianski from Drogs after a slip by an Arsenal defender.The corner is cleared.
That's a shame. One of my projects this semester is leading a post-screening discussion at a local theatre that will be showing the Guggenheim documentary "Waiting for Superman," which has got a lot of media attention recently. The premise of the film is that firing teachers = school reform and that teachers' unions block reform. As you can imagine, I'm not thrilled by it.
Arshavin thrusts forward but his shot is well wide. He's been in good scoring form this season.
I agree. The system needs to be reformed. Firing teachers s not the answer. There is a teacher shortage in Texas. This problem would increase as there would not be replacements for every teaching position. That is reality. we might want to look at the educational system in Finland. It is simple, yet effective. They never fired teachers.
GOAL! Oh - that is a bit special. The ball came from Ramires to Cole and Cashley actually played it behind the big man but Drogs somehow contrived to turn it in.
1-0 Chelski!
Goal !!! Drogs scores at the near post as Cashley crosses. Flappy should have done better. He looked clueless. 1-0 Chelski.
Absolutely, mate. I've been really intrigued by Linda Darling-Hammond's recent research on Finnish schooling.
It was a great finish, but I wonder of he shot could have been saved.
Five minutes left at Anfield. I've just noticed that Fernando Torres was replaced by David Ngog in the 10th minute - must be an injury there. Jovanovic is on now too. I'm surprised that Roy hasn't used Maxi Rodriguez - surely the kind of player who can produce something special.
Agreed - you always question a keeper who is beaten at the near post, no matter how good the finish was.
Two minutes of stoppage time remaining.
Abu Diabi is down injured. Will he be replaced?
I'm continually amazed that people feel that it's difficult (or even impossible) to fire teachers. I witnessed my dad firing teachers as a kid and saw teachers fired and laid off regularly as a teacher. The only difference between "right to work" states and "tenure" states seems to be the number let go. In Jacksonville, Florida, the school district I worked for let about 300 go every summer. Here is a smaller district, though, Dunkirk let 40 go this summer.
The fans are cheering . Did the Tangerines get a historical result at Anfield?
Looks like Denilson is coming on for the injured Abu Diaby. Gooner will not be happy with what he's seen in this half.
They're still playing at Anfield. Not sure what the cheering was in response to.
Chelski have another corner.
Half-time: 1-0 Chelski in a thrilling half of footie that only Arsenal won't have enjoyed. More of the same in the second half, chaps.
There was not enough time for the corner . Chelski lead 1-0 at halftime.
You don't see many teachers fired in South Texas. Most of that is political.
That's it - now the Tangerines have scored a historic victory at Anfield. I can only imagine what Alan Green - a noted Reds fan - will have to say on 606 this afternoon.
I am not sure, but I will have to watch the match this afternoon. It will be televised at 5 PM EDT. How could I miss something like that? :)
Nice - FSC will be showing the US. v. Poland friendly next Saturday evening. I'll look forward to that. If you didn't know, England have the day off on Friday when a lot of other EUFA sides are playing EURO 2012 qualifiers but they play Montenegro on Tuesday week.
Second half starting up. Chelski getting us underway. Peter Drury said something about John Obi Mikel as his commentary feed was being switched on. Is he off now?
I will have to record the Euro qualifiers as I will be at work for both matches. Will we blog on LOB when the US takes on Poland?
Lovely stuff between Clichy and Arshavin but the fullback's final ball was straight to Cech. Shame that.
Chamakh and Cech clash. That was a weak claim for a penalty.
Well - Cech certainly brought Chamakh down there but he had lost the ball already. Drury thinks it was a dive but I thought there was contact.
Song and Drogba wrestle each other there. That's quite a physical battle.
Drogs was rugby tackled by Song. I am not sure why that happened?
Oh - good move from the Arse ends with Diaby crossing over to Chamakh. It's great to see Arsenal playing with a true target man. RVP is never one to put his head in where it counts.
The Gunners win a corner. Chamakh heads the corner from Nasri wide.
Chelski win a corner after Ramires put Malouda through on the counter.
Flappy actually caught the corner from Drogs.
Malouda heads the corner from Nasri clear.
It's been a bright start to the second half from the Gunners. I could definitely see them equalizing if they can continue the pressure. Equally, Chelski could kill them on the break. Fascinating stuff.
Citeh now move ahead of United into second place. BUGGER!
The Gunners win a corner after a great pass from Arshavin to Diaby. The corner is cleared.
The shot from Diaby takes a weird deflection just wide of the Chelski goal. Drogs heads the corner clear. Better from the Gunners.
I'll say it again - with Lampard out for injury and Cole off to Liverpool, Ancelotti is playing a really interesting formation. It's four across the back and then three defensive mids (Ramires, Essien, and Mikel) and then four lethal speed merchants up from (Drogs, Malouda, and Anelka). I've never seen this before.
That could have been a penalty after Koscielny tackled Drogs.
That was dicey from Koscielny.
Flappy did well to catch the corner.
Another great Arsenal move ends with Chamakh going down claiming a pen again. I think he's going down too easily for his own good.
There was a scramble in the Chelski bis that is eventually cleared.
That was not a penalty. It was a great tackle by Ramires.
Oh - Nasri flashed one across the six yard box and I don't know why Arshavin didn't attack it.
And then Anelka capitalizes on Squillaci's mistake but puts his shot in the side netting after rounding the keeper. Wow!
Anelka missed an open goal as he was clean through with just the keeper to beat. He went around the keeper, but shot into the side netting.
Half an hour to go now.
Those two chances must have taken five seconds to occur.
Ramires fouls Arshavin on the right wing.
Yeah - they were so quick that the camera had trouble keeping up with them.
Clichy shoots well over from long range after the free kick was headed clear.
It is difficult to believe that it is still 1-0. Both teams have been on the attack the entire match.
The Golden Boot stakes are heating up. Here are the leaders:
Berbatov - 6
Drogba - 6
Malouda - 6
Bent - 5
Tevez - 5
That is a fascinating race. It will be interesting to see who wins.
Looks like Rosicky's preparing to come on - but for whom?
I thought Drogba might be too old this season but he's proven me wrong.
The Gunners are about to make their first substitution. Rosicky is receiving instructions from Wenger.
The goal from Cashley is called back for offside.
Cashley has it in the net but the Gooners cheer as it's flagged offside.
Diaby comes off for Rosicky.
Rosicky is on for Diaby.
This result would leave Chelski four points clear at the top from Citeh, five points clear of United in third and a full seven points clear of Arsenal and Spurs in fourth and fifth.
Chelski will need to make some signings as several key players are up there in age. I two years some of those players may not be able to compete at this level.
Alex Song shoots well over from long range. Chelski will let him shoot all day.
I agree. This is probably the last year that many of them will be able to compete at this level. Roman will have to open up the wallet next summer.
Paolo Ferreira is on for Ivanovic.
Nice one two between Rosicky and Chamakh but the shot was straight at the keeper.
Rosicky made a great run , but his weak effort was straight at Cech. Seconds later , Drogs was flagged offside.
What a ball from Essien to set Anelka away there! The shot was parried away by Flappy and cleared.
Anelka was clean through,but Flappy made an unconvincing stop.
Ironic cheers from the Chelski fans as Drogs earns a free kick.
The free kick from Malouda was headed clear.
I thought Wilshere might have pulled the trigger there.
It's the same story as the Gunners put together many passes with no end product.
Ferreira is booked for a clumsy challenge on Rosicky.
Ferreira goes into the book for pulling down Rosicky. First one of the day. Good refereeing that.
Oh - Chamakh should have scored there. Rose well but missed the target.
Chamakh heads just wide. What an opportunity.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas on for fellow Englishman Jack Wilshere. Has Arsene changed his mind about English players?
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas comes on for Wilshere as he makes his EPL debut. He made an FA Cup appearance against Stoke last season and had been on loan at Doncaster.
More Arsenal pressure here. Ferreira concedes a corner.
Oh - Ramires just a fraction offside as he ran through. Good call by the linesman.
Good round of applause from the SB crowd as Ramires comes off. He's played well today.
What a break by Chelski as Anelka puts Ramires, but he is flagged offside. Now Ramires is replaces by Jerkoff.
Under ten minutes now for Arsenal to rescue a point here at the Bridge.
So now Chelski have five across the back and two defensive mids. Are they Wolves in disguise?
Regarding Wenger's policy, It is hard to keep Wilshere out of the side. He has not been getting the results, so he figures that he must make some sort of a change.
Koscielny now picks up a yellow as he gives away a dangerous free kick.
Drogs lines it up....
No, it's Alex and straight in!
2-0 What a rocket!
WOW!!! WHAT A GOAL AS ALEX SHOOTS A ROCKET INTO THE TOP CORNER! WHAT A FREE KICK. 2-0 TO CHELSKI AND GAME OVER!
I think the EPL title race will be between Chelski and the two Manchester clubs.
Oh - Essien nearly completed a 3-0 win there. Good save, Flappy!
This scoreline will flatter Chelski a bit. Arsenal have been good but profligate in front of goal.
Vela on now...
That should have been three as Essien was through,but Flappy made the stop. Vela is on for Arshavin.
That free kick reminds of the classic Brazilian free kick efforts of those such as Eder in 1982. Brilliant stuff.
Mikel hobbles off to be replaced by Daniel Sturridge.
Sturridge is on for Mikkel.
I agree. What a goal!
Oh - Vela might have been in there but buggered up the chance.
Flappy parries away a shot from Cashley. It was going to be difficult to score from that angle.
Alex is down injured. The announcer says it may be an injured groin.
Now Alex is down and this doesn't look good for the man. Could be a groin injury.
So, Chelski are temporarily down to ten men as the clock winds down. Drogs has dropped back to center half.
Essien blasts over from close range.
Here's how the Guardian reporter described Alex's strike:
"This is one of the most ludicrous, unsaveable free-kicks I have ever seen. Alex takes a fast bowler's run up, starting somewhere in Fulham Broadway, and then screams the ball towards goal from 25 yards with great vengeance and furious anger. Not only that, but it swerves violently off the outside of the foot, away from Fabianski and right into the top corner. That is an astonishing goal, Johnny Metgod with bells on."
Chelski win 2-0. That is an interesting reference,BD. I remember Metgod scoring similar goals.
Full time then: Chelski complete a 2-0 win over their London rivals. Well, well, well. That was thoroughly enjoyable despite the scoreline. I would have of course preferred an Arsenal win or a draw but it was fun chatting with you, MUR. Take care!
Chelski go four points clear of Citeh and five ahead of United. I will not be available on Friday ,but can join you Saturday for the U.S. vs Poland match.
Take care,BD.
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