Sunday Special
Come join us for a trio of Sunday EPL matches. We begin with an early match as Manchester United take on Stoke City in a potentially tricky fixture at The Britannia Stadium. If United want to end their run of four consecutive away draws then they must be more solid in defense. This is followed by Liverpool vs Blackburn at Anfield and we conclude with a fascinating title challnge match as Man Citeh host Arsenal.
posted by manunitedrules @ 12:50 AM
257 Comments:
Sorry fellas but I have to miss today's festivities!
I am off for a nine hour course to learn about this game called soccer... I hope I don't get lost
COME ON UNITED!!!
I'm here to join you, MUR. Thanks for posting the marvelous image. I do believe, however, that that's Carlos Tevez scoring for United. I'll take another couple of goals from the little Argentine wizard to pump up my PPP score today.
I'm listening to yesterday's 606 with Chappers and Robbie Savage and there are a load of Baggies fans crowing about their 4th spot in the league. Enjoy it for now!
Along with the three crackers in England today, we've also got the Old Firm Derby to follow in the SPL. Wow!
Here are the teams for this afternoon's noon kick-off, and they are fascinating:
Stoke: Sorensen, Huth, Shawcross, Faye, Collins, Pennant, Wilson, Delap, Etherington, Walters, Jones. Subs: Begovic, Higginbotham, Whelan, Gudjohnsen, Pugh, Sanli, Wilkinson.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, O'Shea, Scholes, Nani, Hernandez, Berbatov. Subs: Kuszczak, Brown, Smalling, Carrick, Obertan, Macheda, Gibson.
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)
Good morning BD. I did not realize until after the fact That I had posted a picture of Tevez Scoring. I think we won that match 0-1 at the Britannia that season. I would be pleased with an identical result today.
It is 0-0 at Celtic Park in the Old Firm Derby with halftime approaching.
8:29 am and FSC is still on the bandsaw infomercial!
I'm really looking forward to this one. The coverage is just starting now at 8:30 EST.
A win at the Britannia would indeed be a good result for you lot today. I don't believe all the rubbish about a team in crisis. A win would put you level on points with your city rivals ahead of their tough clash.
The match has begun.
I rate this as a tricky fixture. It is difficult to get a result at this stadium. Just listen to the fans. I would not want to upset them.
The Neviller seems to be getting a hot reception from the Stoke support on his return to the side. Wonder what that's all about?
Yeah - it's a great atmosphere in the Britannia this afternoon. I don't know why - there must be better things to do with one's time in Stoke than watch the Potters.
Oh - Drac was nearly in there from Scholes' ball but Sorenson did really well at his feet.
The answer to your question is that Dean Kiely is the oldest keeper in the EPL. He turned 40 exactly two weeks ago. We did not wish him a happy birthday. Where are our manners? He is the third choice keeper with West Brom. The oldest keeper in the football league is Kevin Poole with Burton Albion at 47 years old. He is their reserve keeper and goalkeeper coach.He was born 7/21/63.
Hooper has fired Celtic into the lead right on the stroke of half time.
Well - that's heartening to hear that there is a keeper older than I am in English footer. I'll be 47 in a little over two months time.
Stoke win a corner. Proper defending is required.
Great counter through Drac there. He fed my boy Nani who chipped to Chicharito. The knock back couldn't find Drac though. Shame. End to end now!
OOH! We should have scored. What a break by Drac,but Wea Pea's header went wayward. Then Stoke broke through Ethrington,but shot wide.
You'll be happy to note that United are back up in third on the strength of just kicking off here.
Drac was crowded out in the penalty area by five Stoke defenders. United have possession in their own half.
I would want United to win and the later match on FSC to end in a draw.
That was an audacious effort by Delap,but he was never going to beat VDS from that range. What an atmosphere at The Brittania.
You've got to be happy with the way that United have gone about the opening of this match. Another ball fizzed into the area there. Corner.
United win a corner by pressuring Stoke. Stoke clear a poor short corner. Sorensen gathers the cross from Nani, who helped with the first counter of the match.
I think that's a reasonable expectation.
The Stoke fans are singing their version of "The Saints," which confuses me. "Potters" has two syllables - how do they fit that in?
United now face the famous Delap long throw.United break through Nani.
Collins,Walters,and Jones have all played under Roy Kenae. An interesting connection. So did Liam Lawrence, who is now at Pompey.
VDS turns 40 on Friday. Happy Birthday VDS, unless you make a mistake like last week.
Pennant is about to take a free kick from the right wing.Fletch heads out the curler for a corner.
United clear the corner after a mad scramble (panic) in the penalty area.
A bit more pressure on United now through a string of free kicks and corners. They've weathered the Route 1 style attacks so far.
Rangers have equalized through a Loovens own goal just after the re-start.
That is why we cannot take anything for granted in this match.
Here's a crossword question for you. "NBA star nicknamed 'The Candy Man.'" (Four letters)
Faye gets a lecture for a foul on Wea Pea. That should have been a booking.
The free kick from Nani is straight into the wall.United are matching Stoke for effort. I am sure that SAF emphasized this.
Just look at that cool, cushioned header back to VDS by the Neviller. That's the deft touch of a man who's played 600+ matches for a club.
I do not follow the NBA,but I can do some research at halftime.
GOAL !!! DID YOU SEE THAT ROON? 0-1 UNITED AS WEA PEA SCORES WITH A GREAT HEADER.
GOAL! Chicharito with a terrific acrobatic flick of the head!
0-1 United!
Wonderful short corner routine (which UWS would have hated). Nani played it over, Vidic knocked it back at the back post and the Wee Pea somehow contrived to twist his neck and re-direct the ball in. Sorenson with no chance.
Thanks anyway, mate. I'm rubbish at American sports so I always ask friends to help me out with those on a Sunday when I'm doing the crossword.
Kenny Miller has fired Rangers into the lead in the Old Firm match on the 55th minute.
What a short corner,but that was a great cross from Nani and Vidic had a Stoke like flick with a header to Wea Pea. We beat Stoke at their own game. I love it.
I wonder what UWS will think about us scoring off the short corner.I think we deserve to be in the lead.
Other than the Pennant free kick I don't remember Stoke causing us any problems.
I agree - Vidic and Rio have had no problems dealing with the usual Stoke arsenal of floated in Rte 1 balls and Delap long throws. I've always argued that Premiership defenders shouldn't give up goals to straight forward dead ball routines like those and United are proving my point today.
The Neviller is booked for a foul. I don't blame him for being upset. Faye received a lecture for the same type of challenge. where is the consistency?
Still 1-2 to Rangers at Celtic Park.
Stoke win a free kick after Delap's long throw was cleared. Vidic recieves a lecture.
The free kick from Pennant is cleared for a corner.
I meant throw. This throw was more menacing, but made its way to VDS.
Paul Scholes picks up his requisite yellow card for a late one on Jermaine Pennant.
Scholes is booked for attempting to tackle Pennant.The free kick from Marc Wilson goes harmlessly out for a goal kick.
'Gers fans must be dancing at Celtic Park now. They're 1-3 up after Kenny Miller has converted a penalty in the 67th minute.
Faye made a risky back pass and Sorensen's clearance went off of Wea Pea for a goal kick.
Stoke keep doing what they always do but it's all very predictable. Fergie will be really pleased with what he's seen in this first half.
The Neviller fouled Etherington. Stoke fans want a red card.
Stoke fans are baying for blood as the Neviller hacks another player down. Mariner wisely moves on - I think he realizes the earlier card was a bit soft, as you argued.
The free kick from Etherington is headed clear and the shot deflects to VDS.
United win a corner as Drac chases down a lost cause and catches Sorensen by surprise.Evra heads wide from the corner.
Two minutes of stoppage time.
Stoke were almost caught napping by a clever free kick chipped to Evra who poked across but it was scrambled away.
United have a late free kick and win a corner off the quick free kick.Vidic shot well over as Evra passed from the short corner.
Half-time then: 0-1 and that's got to have brought a smile back to Fergie's face even though he isn't showing it. The Stoke fans are feeling hard done by. Their team has had plenty of graft but little guile.
It is halftime and United lead 0-1. I am pleased,but I just hope that there are not any second half defensive lapses.
Rangers lead 1-3 in the 78th minute.
I have a trivia question,BD. Can you name a former Leeds reserve team keeper who was in their squad in the late 70s and early 80s. He never made a first team appearance. He transferred to Hearts where he played for fourteen seasons and was in the Scottish squad as the third choice keeper in Euro 92. He retired at age 46 in 2002 after playing the final seasons of his career in the lower divisions in Scotland. His final club was the former Clydebank.
The answer to your crossword question is Odom.
Some info on Kevin Poole, Burton's 47 year old reserve team keeper. He signed professional forms with Villa in 1981 as the third choice keeper behind Jimmy Rimmer and Nigel Spink. Left in 1987 after 24 league appearances. He made his league debut in the 1984-1985 season. He left Villa in 1987. He best known as being Kasey Keller's predecessor at Leicester City. He left Leicester in 1997 and had been a reserve keeper at Bolton and Birmingham until joining Burton in 2006. He was their starter until they were promoted to the football league. He made five league appearances last season and has played in a Johnstone's Paint Trophy match this season.
The second half is underway. Wes Brown replaces the Neviller, who pretended to be ignorant about the substitution. He and SAF were laughing about the matter.
Nani is down injured and Danny Collins is booked. SAF is not smiling.
Thanks for the crossword assist, MUR. I'm thinking about your trivia question. It definitely takes me back.
Hearts fans will have an easier time with the trivia question because he was one of Hearts' most famous players. It may be tougher for you because he never played for the first team at Leeds.
I thought that was a great chance for a penalty as Evra was pushed in the back. Evra has been dangerous twice on the counter.
United absorbing some more Stoke pressure. You can't really say that VDS has been pressed into service, though.
It's a tough trivia question. Scots players were the backbone of our side in the 70s (Bremner, Lormer, Gray brothers and so on). David Harvey was our Scots #1 keeper. I'm assuming that this guy was a kid in the late 70s who went on to a journeyman career in Scotland later on.
Maybe Henry Smith? Just a wild guess.
Higginbotham came on for Danny Collins. Stoke now have three former United trainees on the pitch: Higginbotham,Shawcross, and Pugh.
A bit sloppy from Scholes there but his mates helped him out as Walters raced through.
Well done,BD. That is correct. Hearts fans may disagree as he was their starter for close to fourteen seasons, until he was replaced by a French keeper.
Who came on for Gary Neville? I was in the shower during the interval.
Tony Pulis appears to be frustrated as Stoke cannot break down United.BD, you correctly stated that Stoke have lacked guile. They have lacked possession as well.
Wow - that was a stab in the dark. I remember him because he was a real Billy Bremner favorite during his time at Elland Road. I seem to remember that Andy Goram was the #1 Scots keeper during much of the 80s and 90s. He was rubbish. Should have given Henry the nod.
Wes Brown. The Neviller pretended to be ignorant about the substitution. SAF thought it was hilarious.
Henry Smith was also behind Jim Leighton. Smith won only three Scottish caps ( all in friendlies).
Did you read my summary on Kevin Poole. That brought back memories and made me realize that I am not so old.
Tuncay is on for Jon Walters.
Yeah - great anoraking on Poole. It's incredible to think that there's still someone playing from that era. I remember watching Jimmy Rimmer playing for Villa against Norwich at Carrow Road in high school!
We should have done better as United broke through Drac. Huth blocked from Evra.
Liverpool about to kick off against Blackburn at Anfield. Three points are a necessity today. Here's the starting side:
Reina, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Konchesky, Lucas, Meireles, Maxi, Gerrard, Cole, Torres. Subs: Jones, Jovanovic, Babel, Ngog, Poulsen, Shelvey, Kelly.
Poole actually played some matches in the Villa reserves while we were in high school.
will we cheer for Fat Sam's side today against Liverwurst?
John O'Shea being replaced by Michael Carrick now. That's a positive move.
I won't. I'm not so keen on seeing a great club like Liverpool get relegated. And I'm always cheering against Fat Sam's sides.
COME ON UNITED!!!
NO DEFENSIVE LAPSES ARE PERMITTED!
We are bringing on Carrick to make sure we maintain possession.
We should have been two goals up as Wea Pea volleyed just wide.
Oh - Chicarito was stretching there but he should have buried that volley.
This time Wea Pea is flagged offside. That was close.
Poole was probably on the bench in that infamous Villa away match at Carrow Road where we were standing behind the goal where Justin Fashanu was sent off, prompting a full-scale riot and pitch invasion. It was a really ugly scene. Even before the red card incident, I remember the Norwich boot boys were taunting Jimmy Rimmer in goal by throwing hard candies (and whatever else they had on hand) and saying, "Oi, Jimmy, what a sweetie?"
Stoke win a free kick as Carrick fouls Delap.
I am not sure because Nigel Spink was the second choice keeper at the time. Also, only one player was on the subs bench at that time.
Jermaine Pennant is replaced by Gudjohnsen as Stoke put an extra striker on the pitch in the hope for goals.
Stoke win a corner.The corner is eventually cleared.
BD, I am off to take my daughters to Sunday school for Bat Mitzvah preparation. I will be back in a few minutes.
GOAL! Tuncay makes United pay after a really sloppy pass from Paul Scholes when his teammates were trying to play keep ball.
1-1!
BUGGER!!! another late goal as Tuncay scores a cracker. We gave him too much room. Now I am off.
Sorry, mate. I'll catch you in a bit.
Under ten minutes now for United to strike back. I'll be cheering them on for you, MUR.
YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!
Chicharito has poked home to strike a dagger into the Potters' hearts.
1-2 United!
Fergie has wisely withdrawn Scholes. He's had a rotten match and the last thing United need now is to gift another goal to Stoke.
Inside the last 5 minutes at the Britannia now.
This will be a bad loss for Stoke and will leave Tony Pulis' side three points off the dropzone.
I am back as United have their first away win of the season. A great result. I will rewind to see what I missed.
That's it - United have ended a turbulent week with three very satisfying points against an evil Stoke side with very little to offer the Premiership. Now they'll sit back with their Sunday dinners and watch the Citeh v. Arsenal match with interest. Back after a break for some politics in about half an hour.
Welcome back, MUR!
Thank you,BD. I watched the remainder of the match. Ironically,Scoles' final contribution was to flick on Drac's cross for Evra to assist on the winning goal. It is true that he had a poor match and was at fault for the Stoke goal. United could have added a third at the end. All in all, a great result.
Rangers won 1-3 at Celtic Park and it is 0-0 at Anfield in the 38th minute.
It is halftime and still 0-0 at Anfield.
And now it's, arguably, the match of the day coming up - Citeh hosting Arsenal. Here are the sides:
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Djourou, Squillaci, Clichy, Nasri, Fabregas, Song, Denilson, Arshavin, Chamakh.
Subs: Szczesny, Koscielny, Rosicky, Walcott, Eboue, Gibbs, Bendtner.
Man City, with former Arsenal favourite Adebayor on the bench: Hart, Richards, Boyata, Kompany, Boateng, Silva, Toure Yaya, De Jong, Barry, Milner, Tevez.
Subs: Given, Bridge, Adebayor, Adam Johnson, Lescott, Vieira, Balotelli
Half time at Anfield now. It sounds like former England #1 Paul Robinson has been performing heroics in the Blackburn goal. 0-0 there.
The teams are on the pitch. Will you post a thread for the Monday night match?
A deserved moment's applause for Malcolm Allison.
Nice tribute to Malcolm Allison at Eastlands now.
I will be around tomorrow for most of the Leeds match. I'll have a thread up but I have to probably set up my 4:30 class around 4pm or so. Hopefully we'll be 3-0 by then!
The teams kick off.
I will not be around because I will be teaching. I will read your comments when I arrive at my house.
Great start for Citeh. Tevez has the beating of Sagna down the right. Puts in a super ball and David Silva with a clever flick that almost evades Flappianski.
Nearly 1-0 in the first minute as Tevez races down the right and passes to Silva who nearly scores with a cheeky back heel.
FSC MUST be several minutes behind.
A bright start by Citeh as Richards races down the right. Has Citeh spotted a weakness?
Arsenal are in all sorts of problems down that right side. Now it's Richards who romps up the wing and sends a great ball in. Sagna clears.
Boyata is sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity.
Now then....!
Was Boyata the last man there? Clattenburg thinks so - he's off!
A sensational start to this match!
That was the first attack of the match by the Gunners as Cesc put Chamakh through after a bright start by Citeh.
A bit to clever clever from the Arsenal from the free kick there. What a waste.
I think Clattenburg made the correct call under the "Letter of the Law."
I thought it warranted the red card. What do you think, MUR? Citeh down to ten men in any case.
Cesc wins a corner after a stumble by Tevez.
Kyrgiakos has fired the Scousesox into the lead over Blackburn!
Denilson is booked for a nasty challenge on Tevez.
Citeh had made a bright start. This will definitely change the course of the match.
Was that a tasty goal for Liverwurst?
Fabregas crumples under a strong challenge from Nigel de Jong, the villain of the moment.
Now De Jong fouls Cesc. I would expect that from him.
I'm sure the Kop is savoring that goal. I haven't seen it yet, though. Here's how 365 described it:
"Kyrgiakos loses his marker at the resultant corner and leaps high to plant a bullet header past the stranded Robinson. A slight deflection from Martin Olsson did not help Blackburn but all credit goes to the big Greek centre half."
Oh my - Blackburn have just equalized!
Incredible news from Anfield. I think it is 2-2. Balckburn scored twice in a minute, through El Hadj Diouf and a Cradonna og. Shortly after that El Nino scored to make it 2-1.
2-1 Liverpool!!!!!!
We're watching the wrong match - it's all happening at Anfield. First there was an own goal by Carragher. Now Torres has re-established the Reds' advantage.
Correction. It is 2-1. El Hadj Diouf did not score, just the Caradonna og.
Now Alex Song puts the boot in on little David Silva. Citeh fans going crazy. Mancini smirking on the sideline. Clattenburg is going to have his hands full today.
I think Spitty Diouf created the havoc that led to the own goal. Still 2-1 but that was three goals in less than ten minutes there at Anfield.
The Gunners had not taken advantage of the sending off. It is difficult to tell which team is down a player.
Flappy saves easily from Tevez as the shot lacked power.
Now the Gunners have a corner.
My Golden Boot boy Tevez pokes a shot on goal, he really didn't have time to set himself. I'd love to see a Tevez hat-trick in a 5-5 all draw with about three or four red cards in this one.
Djourou heads clear from the cross after the corner was initially cleared.
I think a draw would best suit United.
Citeh, to their credit, are still attacking despite that early dismissal. You know that under Sparky Hughes a luxury player like David Silva would have been straight off the park with a defensive middie replacing him.
GOAL!!! 0-1 TO THE GUNNERS. What a wonderful goal after some superb passing. A textbook goal by Nasri.
GOAL! A lovely training pitch move there, ending with a neat one-two between Nasri and Arshavin. Nasri roofed the finish past Hart.
0-1 Arsenal!
I agree. Sparky seems to be struggling at The Cottage.
What will that do to Mancini's plan then? This is fascinating.
The Gunners are now starting to fire on all cylinders. Citeh look powerless at the moment.
Arshavin wins a corner off of Milner.
Fabregas goes into De Jong this time and picks up a yellow. That's a battle to watch all game.
Hart punches clear from the corner. Cesc is booked for a foul on De Jong. Was that revenge for the earlier challenge?
Oh - Richards came romping forward again. Good chance for Citeh. You can't take your eyes off this one!
nearly 1-1 as Richards gathers the through and curls the shot just wide with his left foot.
Still 2-1 at Anfield.
Song is in the book for a really cynical challenge on Silva.
Now it's Song into the book. Arsenal fans can't really argue that their side don't put the boot in. That was an agricultural challenge on Silva.
I agree with Davie Provan. Adam Johnson should have started today.
Barry made a great tackle on Nasri to prevent a second goal.
And now Clattenburg is booking Djourou. It's all getting a bit tasty out there.
Now Djourou sees yellow for a nasty challenge on Milner.
Will the Gunners finish with eleven players on the field?
Into the last ten minutes at Anfield. Still 2-1 and the REds fans must be on tenterhooks at this point.
IT'S A PENALTY AS KOMPANY FOULS CESC IN THE AREA. tHAT WAS DEFINITELY A PENALTY. nOT A GOOD MATCH FOR bELGIAN DEFENDERS.
WOW!!! Joe Hart saves the penalty kick from Cesc. It was a poor penalty to be honest.
Now Nasri concedes a corner.
A relieved Kompany heads over from Silva's corner.
Citeh must be relieved that it is only 0-1. Arshavin shoots well wide. That was a poor effort.
Now De Jong fouls Cesc and concedes a free kick just outside the penalty area.
It is halftime and 0-1 to the Gunners. The match at Anfield must be into stoppage time.
Liverpool have won 2-1 at Anfield.
Wayne Bridge is on for Yaya as the teams are ready to begin the second half.The second half is underway.
Sorry to abandon you, MUR - I had the Gooner on the phone for a moment there. He's understandably happy about the proceedings so far but worried about Adebayor coming back to haunt his old mates.
Bridge will play left back and Barry will take over the role played by Yaya Toure.
Any changes for the Arsenal yet?
Hello BD. Gooner has reason to be concerned as this match is in the balance.
Cesc misses an easy chance as his soft shot is easily saved by Hart.Great combo play by Cesc and Nasri.
Jerome Boateng has got to be the worst defender in the Premiership. He was completely outmuscled there by Chamakh. Fabregas with a tame effort at the end.
I don't think the Gunners made any changes.
I am surprised because Boateng had such a great World Cup with Germany. He may not be cut out for the Premier League.
The Scousesox still in the relegation zone at the end of their heroics today, level on 9 points with Fulham and Blackburn.
It is really tight at the bottom. Liverwurst would be a mid table table with two consecutive victories.
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