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!
The fixtures come thick and fast during the holidays but they don't come any bigger than this one tonight. It's Arsenal v. Chelski at the Emirates, third v. fourth in the league at present and these encounters often get a bit tasty. Join me from 7pm GMT for all the action.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 12:36 PM
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!
83 Comments:
Hello everyone. I am looking forward to this encounter between two of United's title rivals. I am wondering if a draw in this match would best suit United.
Hiya, MUR! It's a bitterly cold evening here in London. I don't know if that will suit either side. Here are the teams for tonight's encounter:
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Song,
Fabregas, Wilshere, Walcott, van Persie, Nasri.
Subs: Szczesny, Diaby, Rosicky, Squillaci, Arshavin, Chamakh, Bendtner.
Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Essien, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou, Drogba, Malouda.
Subs: Turnbull, Ramires, Bosingwa, Van Aanholt, Bruma, Kakuta, McEachran.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
Good afternoon BD. It has been cold the past two mornings in Harlingen, but it has warmed up to near 70 this afternoon. I heard that a blizzard hit the east coast this weekend.
Ian Darke and Stevie Mac are the announcers for this match.
We've got Rob Hawthorn and Alan Smith over here with Richard Keys and Andy Gray in the studio.
I'm hoping that the East Coast "snowpocalypse" will be over by the time I fly back next week.
I hope so too. I am not sure who has the better announcers. I am surprised to see Flappy starting in goal for the Gunners after Szczesny had a great match against Manchester United. Lampard is back for Chelski.
The match is underway.
I did open a Skype account today. I need to learn how to use it.
The match has started at a fast pace with the Gunners doing the early attacking.
RVP is flagged offside, making a rare start due to injuries.
Ian Darke stated that it is 33 degrees at kickoff, which is warmer than it has been . That is my understanding.
BD, is your dad cheering for the Gunners?
That was a decent chance for RVP, but he was not alert to the past pace. He showed his lack of match sharpness.
Drogba shot wide after a great pass by Lampard.
Nasri beat Ferreira down the left,but his cross went straight to Cech.
Neither team has really settled after a fast start by the Gunners. It is still 0-0 with fifteen minutes played.Djourou defends well against Drogba to concede a corner. The corner from Lampard comes to nothing as Clattenburg blows for a foul.
Mid-way through the first half - still rather cagey.
Send me your Skype moniker and I'll give you a buzz.
RVP went down easily in the box looking for a penalty after minimal contact from Malouda. That was definitely not a penalty.
Clichy fouls Malouda after a great throw from Cech, The gunners head away the free kick from Malouda.
I sure will .Is the moniker the user name?
I agree with you that this is a cagey affair. I am observing that both teams are playing as if they are afraid to lose this match.
Theo failed to control a great pass from Cesc.That was a decent opportunity.
Cashley is booked for fouling Theo near the corner flag. The Gunners fans love it.
Cech catches the free kick from Cesc.
RVP fouls Mikkel and is booked to end a promising attacking move. The Gunners are starting to dominate, but they need to get some shots on target.
RVP blazes over from a narrow angle after passing through the Chelski defense.
Chelski have shown absolutely nothing and are playing like the underdogs.
There has only been one shot on target the entire match with only ten minutes left in the half. That is absolutely pathetic.
This has been a really negative Chelski performance.Kalou is booked for a high challenge.
Walcott forces Cech to make a block for a corner.Drogba makes a key block from the corner.
A rare Chelski attack is easily cleared by the Gunners.
OOH! Cech does well to tip over a chip by Nasri. Some audacious skill.
Cech easily catches the corner.
Ian Darke states that there will be one minute of stoppage time. How would one know this early in the half?
GOAL!!! 1-0 Gunners as Song scores with a minute remaining in the half. A great finish and great passing by Les Cannonaires.
One minute of stoppage time and Chelski will be forced to come out and play more positive in the second half.
Koscielny concedes a ;ate corner and Clattenburg blows the whistle for halftime after some chaos in the Gunners' box. The Gunners deservedly lead 1-0 at halftime.
The game really needed that Song goal. Apart from the Nasri chip that Cech saved well, there hadn't been that many clear cut shots on goal. Chelski will now have to come out of their shells in the second half.
Sorry, yes, if you'll send your Skype name or email account I can get in touch with you that way.
I have to give Mark Clattenburg some credit there. He apparently has confirmed that he would have given a penalty but played advantage to allow Song to score.
Thank You BD. I will provide that information this evening once I get back from picking up the girls from their grandparents.
I do agree. This game really needed a goal. Chelski will need to change their old school Serie A tactics. Tiny Ramires is on for Mikkel.
The second half is underway. Bob, Steve and your dad must be delighted with this score.
The cross from Theo is deflected and Cech fails to prevent the corner.
Cech grabs the corner from RVP.
Chelski start the second half brighter then they did the first . Lampard has been really quiet after being out for quite a period of time.
Cech punches away the corner from Nasri.
GOAL 2-0 GUNNERS! THE BALL BROKE TO THEO AND CESC TAPPED INTO AN EMPTY NET AFTER A HORRIBLE MIX UP BETWEEN JT AND CASHLEY.
More delight for the Gooners in the family as Fabregas knocks home an easy second goal after the Chelski defense had completely broken down.
2-0 Arse! Wow!
I DON''T BELIEVE IT! 3-0 GUNNERS AS THEO FINISHES PAST CECH DUE TO A GAPING HOLE IN THE CENTER OF THE CHELSKI DEFENSE. THEY MADE MINCE MEAT PIE OUT OF CHELSKI.
This match has been decided and it now has to be damage limitation for Chelski.
Malouda is being replaced by Kakuta after being responsible for the third goal due to lax defending.
GOAL!!! Chelski pull it back 3-1 as Ivanovic heads in a free kick from Drogba.
We've certainly got a match on now. Two quick goals for either side and it's 3-1! I can hardly catch my breath!
Lampard is booked for a foul on Song.
Bosingwa is on for Ferreira as a more attacking right back replaces a more conventional right back.
Drogba wins a corner after a great run by Ivanovic.
The corner is easily defended.
Kalou wins a corner after a great tackle by Sagna.
Sond heads clear from Drogba's corner and Bosingwa shoots high and wide from long range.
Cesc is booked for pulling back Essien. That was an unnecessary challenge as there was a covering defender. Cesc will miss the match against Wigan on Wednesday.
Nasri failed to beat Cech after a break from the Gunners.
Drogba is flagged offside after a long ball.
Abu Diabi is on for Theo to give the Gunners a more physical presence in midfield. The Gunners have a free kick on the left wing as Ivanovic fouls Cesc.
Song concedes a corner from a poor Bosingwa pass.
The Gunners clear the corner from Lampard.
Chamakh is on for RVP.
Diaby had a chance to score,but he took too long and Lampard blocked his shot.
Chelski had a spell of pressure ten minutes after scoring, but have looked poor again.
Ian Darke and Stevie Mac are drumming up conspiracy theories as Chelski have not won a game since Butch Wilkins was sacked. They have aptly stated that Chelski have been running into cul-de-sacs this match.
Drogba line up to take a free kick.The free kick had pace, but was over the bar.
I think Ian and Macca have a point. The Butch Wilkins sacking does seem to have destabilized what was a good camp. They've been weak ever since. This match now seems to be petering out to an Arsenal win.
Rosicky is on for Cesc, who gets a great ovation from the Gunners fans.
I agree BD. This match is over for all intents and purposes.Is this the end of Chelski's title hopes? There will be four minutes of stoppage time.
Chelski were a threat from a free kick that was similar to the one in which they scored. They were let off due to the fact that Kalou was offside.
Hey Guys
I am pleased with the Arsenal win. I know I would have preferred a draw but this is second best. I know Arsenal are closer to United but I am still glad
WELL DONE GOONER
Hey Guys
I am pleased with the Arsenal win. I know I would have preferred a draw but this is second best. I know Arsenal are closer to United but I am still glad
WELL DONE GOONER
Rosicky is offside as his shot hits the post from a Song break, then Clattenburg blows the final whistle. The Gunners emphatically defeat Chelski 3-1.
That's it - a famous victory for Arsenal and real crisis for Chelski who have now gone six matches without a win.
Hello UWS. I would have preferred a draw as well, but definitely prefer a Gunners win. Congratulations Gooner!
As I mentioned earlier, I joined skype today. I can send my information via email or of there is a more preferable method please let me know.
It was great chatting with everyone. Cheers everyone as I look forward to chatting with you guys tomorrow There are more holiday matches during this busy part of the football season.
Evening, UWS! Great to hear from you.
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