Relegation Dogfight!
With the Title decided yesterday, all of the focus will focus in on the bottom of the table.
Who will survive in the next two weeks
West Ham are virtually down. They must win today at Wigan and hope Birmingham lose at home to Fulham. If both of those things don't happen... Leeds vs West Ham next season!
Join me
UWS
posted by United We Stand @ 8:10 AM
530 Comments:
The Scottish League is to be decided this morning. They are calling it Helicopter Sunday. A helicopter is ready to fly the trophy to Glasgow for a Celtic win or Killmarnock for a Rangers victory
Well...the helicopter should have already be in the air
Rangers take a THREE goal lead inside the first SEVEN minutes... it is still 3-0 approaching half. Celtic are two up to Motherwell
FSC have Chelsea v Newcastle at 8:30 followed by the LiverSox v Spurs in the Europa League battle.
The relegation matches don't seem important to FSC
All of today's games
Chelsea v Newcastle 8:30
Arsenal v Villa 11:00
Birmingham v Fulham 11:00
Liverpool v Spurs 11:00
Wigan v West Ham 11:00
Rangers have taken their lead to half.
The commentator says Rangers 3 goal lead was after 5 and half minutes!
Morning, Dave! Terrific graphic there. I've just been listening to 606 while I've been making my breakies and it's all about the Cup Final as it should be. They'll have plenty of time to talk about the title win next weekend.
I saw some neat headlines from some papers this morning.
IncREDible
IncrediBLUE
CITY UNITED
IN TRIUMPH
Here are the line ups for the match at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Cole, Ramires, McEachran, Lampard, Anelka, Benayoun, Torres. Subs: Turnbull, David Luiz, Essien, Drogba, Mikel, Malouda, Ferreira.
Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Barton, Ryan Taylor, Ferguson, Shola Ameobi, Lovenkrands. Subs: Soderberg, Smith, LuaLua, Ranger, Tavernier, Kuqi, Sammy Ameobi.
Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)
Morning Bob
I was pleased finding that picture
Seeing the highlights of the Rangers onslaught
They scored after 2 ,5 and 7 minutes
Why couldn't United win the title like that!
MK Dons 0 Peterborough 1 at half time
Another Fergie victory?
I'm disappointed that neither channel is showing the early match but I've got a link:
http://premier--games.yolasite.com/
Newcastle get us underway at Stamford Bridge then...
We're off at the Bridge with Chelsea wearing their new kits for next season
FSC are showing the match
Chelsea take the lead!
Ivananvic with the goal inside two minutes
WHO CARES!
GOAL! Great start for the Blues as a corner comes in, Torres flicks on and Ivanovic finishes.
1-0 Chelski!
Thanks, mate! They were showing an SAT prep informercial when I turned it on so I thought they weren't bothering. And ESPN2 had their bass fishing show on - does anyone watch that bollocks?
I watch it religiously!
Rangers have just scored their fourth
Has the helicopter landed yet?
Roman's enjoying himself today.
Do you think that Ancelotti will get the chop this summer? He did get them to second this season!
What is Terry arguing about... that was nasty
John Terry picks up his usual yellow card. Nasty hack there.
I don't think he should.. he won the double last season
GOAL
1-1
Big deflection but who cares!
Rangers are FIVE NIl UP
GOAL! Ryan Taylor hits one straight at the wall and it hits Gutierrez and goes straight in.
1-1! What a start!
Time for the copter to land, eh?
Condolences to Someone Said for that Rangers win in the SPL then.
Terry deserved that for the nasty foul
Nice to see McEachren and Ferguson getting run-outs today in this dead rubber.
Oh - Cech got that all wrong against Ameobi and that was nearly a second for the Toon Army to celebrate.
Strange atmosphere in the ground today.
Torres tried to go it alone there and was brought down. Ref waved on until Ramires came in late.
The Toon Army rubbing salt into the wounds with this one: "You're not champions, you're not champions, you're not champions any more!"
You must have enjoyed that one.
Free kick for the Blues now. Total rubbish from Lamps but it still evaded the Toon defense. It's almost as if the players aren't trying today. It feels like a mid-summer friendly.
Did you see Rooney shaved his chest and just left the number 19 there!
YIKES!
I have a feeling that United will run out a second team next weekend and that Blackpool have a chance to survive if they get after you lot. That penalty will have major implications for the league top and bottom.
Killie have scored... only 1-5!!!
That is frightening!
I don't know who United will run out. I would feel it would be everyone not starting against Barca... of course, that is what Roon did against Shalke... United won 4-1
As the table stands right now
United 77 1 to play
Chelsea 71 1 to play
Arsenal 67 2 to play
Citeh 65 2 to play
Could the top four change positions in the last two weeks?
Could Citeh nip Arsenal? Arsenal will want to clinch 3rd and not have a qualifying game for the CL
I meant FERGIE not ROON... but maybe it is Roon picking the team... he's always in it!
I wouldn't be surprised!
Gooner won't like me saying this but I could see Citeh pipping the Arse for third and the Arse having to do the awful qualifying rounds next season.
Score Update
MK Dons 3 Peterborough 2
When are you coming to Via Lino?
Friday the 27th?
What time?
I was thinking I'd jump in the car at the usual time on the 27th and be there late afternoon/early evening in time for dinner. Let me know if I can take you guys out again like I did last summer.
Does that sound good?
Louvencranz had a chance to play Gutierrez in there but the ball was rubbish.
Sounds great
You aren't leaving until at least Monday, right?
Leaving?
Oh - I do have to get back for Memorial Day because I've got a load of kids from Plymouth to pick up at the airport. So I'll have to buzz out on Sunday. Sorry, mate.
Torres can't even dribble
He was soooo good a few seasons back. He killed us at Anfield and Old Trafford. I really wanted him at United
NOW... he couldn't play for Sheffield United!
Bugger
What did you have planned for Memorial Day?
Scramble in the Newcastle box but they break with a sweeping move but fail to capitalize
Football League Danny: "Full-time in the League One play-off semi-final first leg - MK Dons 3-2 Peterborough. Hugely controversial second goal for Posh means this tie is absolutely in the balance ahead of Thursday night's second leg…"
There is a chance that I could get a buddy to do the driving on Monday.
tstrachanedit on Twitter: "Anyone else disappointed David Luiz and Coloccini aren't on the pitch at the same time?"
Hmmmm. I don't think the space taken up by their hair would leave too much room out there for anyone else.
THAT WOULD BE A MUCH BETTER IDEA!!!
Nice one! Boom boom!
Are you sure that you want me around that long?
Come on Toon... score from this
YES.. WE DO
Useless free kick
How can professionals be so bad sometimes!!
Half time
Half-time whistle. It was a fast and furious start but it sort of fizzled out toward the end of the half.
1-1
Well, I'll do me best to get another driver.
harrymccombe on Twitter: "Chelsea's new kit makes them look like Wigan. Played like them in the last 20 minutes of the 1st half. Confused "
The Copter has landed in Killmarnock
Rangers won 5-1
Celtic won 4-0
Rangers are Champions by 1 point
That missed penalty by Celtic in the Old Firm match was crucial.
Celtic's lost at Inverness was deadly too
Sir Alex will be pleased
A trophy has been lifted at Stamford Bridge today...just not the right one!
Good morning UWS and BD. I slept in late today.
Huh?
Morning MUR
And we're underway again at the Bridge.
Morning, MUR! I'm sure that that was a well-deserved lie-in. How are you, mate?
This game is meaningless as neither team has any thing to play for except pride.
True - and it really feels like it.
Great. How are you BD and UWS? It was great to witness a Manchester double yesterday.Citeh deserved their Cup win and United won the title.
Of course, if the score stays the same, the Arse could close within 1 point of Chelsea for second. The blues have a trip to Goodison next week while the Arse go to Fulham
I read the comments yesterday and the Matthews Cup reference was made. I made the same reference twice before I left.
I am not sure if there is a difference between second and third as both places will result in automatic qualification for the group stages.
Very true
As one the headlines from one of the papers I mentioned earlier
CITY UNITED IN TRIUMPH!
Looks like Ancelotti has seen enough - Drogba's warming up.
There isn't but...
If the Gunners lose to Fulham and Citeh defeat Stoke on Tuesday then Citeh leapfrog into third place and the Gunners are in fourth place .
No - I believe that only the fourth club has to go through the qualifying matches in the late summer. That's what Citeh and Arse have to scrap over now.
Just heard the popular cheer... I feel for Forest... why are they always picked on?
We hate Nottingham Forest
We hate .... too
I thought of another cup reference. The last time both Manchester teams won a major trophy in the same was 1968. WBA defeated Everton 1-0 in the Cup Final as they did yesterday in the EPL.
I don't get the Forest chant - what's it about?
I need to make a correction. The Arse host Villa today, not Fulham.
PLUS... UNITED WON THE EUROPEAN CUP AT WEMBLEY!!!
On May 27th instead of May 28th
Lamps in the book... could have been red
Some argybargy now and Lamps picks up a yellow card for diving in late.
Lampard is booked for a tackle from behind on Barton. He should get a goal instead of a card for that.
I just heard it
It is sung all the time
I just feel sorry that they are always included. All the other names change but Forest stay there... it fits so well
We hate Nottingham Forest
We hate Liverpool too
We hate Leeds United
But Man U we love you
Not a big fan of Joey Barton then, MUR?
We did defeat a team from the Iberian Peninsula in '68. Is that a sign of things to come. I heard that you cleaned up in the standings,UWS.
Now it's goalscorer Ivanovic going into the book. Some tasty end of season tackles going in now.
I meant to add that too.... another Iberian team to go down!
Apparently not yet... my eldest could nip me because he picked Barca for the CL... he's a big United fan too
Not really ,BD. I did feel that Ivanovic deserved his card for the lunge on young Ferguson.
McEachran commits a foul just outside the box.
The PPP Game will all come down to Saturday, May 28.
Straight into the wall and Chelski break.
No peaking but who were the two teams in the 1968 League Cup Final?
Who won?
No cheating
Barton is fouled by McEachran just outside the box.
I won the Double in the prediction season but I could still be beaten!!! I NEED TO WIN A DAMN TREBLE!!!
Triple change for Chelski. Malouda, Drogs and Essien for Ramires, Benayoun and McEachren.
As for the '68 LC, I was looking for any omens... there are none but guess anyway?
Malouda is on for Ramires and Drogab for Benayoun. The teams in the '68 League Cup Final were BD's team and Steve's team.
Lovely singing by the Toon
You're not Champions
You're not Champions
You're not Champions anymore
You're not Champions anymore
Great choice by the Toon fans.
Wonder if YaYa will by that net at Wembley.. he scored in the same one in the Semi and Final
Miss Drogs... not me
It was definitely Leeds in the 1968 Final because it was one of many that we missed out on in the Revie era. I believe that we were in the Fairs Cup Final that season too. Not sure who beat us on the day, though. Who was it?
Milton Keynes have defeated Peterborough 3-2 in the first leg of a League One Playoff.
You are right AND wrong
YOU WON IT!!!!
I see that Rangers are SPL Champions . Celtic did defeat Motherwell 4-0 as the same tams meet in the Scottish Cup Final next Saturday.
Nocito Sportscenter already announced that score
PAY ATTENTION!!!
AGAIN... PAY ATTENTION.. Nocito Sportscenter is way ahead of you
I think Leeds defeated Juve on the away goals rule in the 1971 Fairs Cup Final.
That's what you get from sleepy heads!!
Was I asleep when you mentioned that?
Did we really? Maybe it was the Fairs Cup that slipped away that season. I believe that in 1970, we lost out on the treble - title, FA Cup and Fairs Cup in about ten days.
Leeds United beat ARSENAL 1-0
Terry Cooper with a a first half goal
Spot on, MUR. Our only European victory. We were constantly in European finals during that era. We were robbed of the 1975 European Cup IMHO.
You guys were in the Fairs Cup Final the previous season
Danny Simpson in the book
He was a red, wasn't he?
It'll be one hell of a Championship next season with Southhampton coming up from L1 and West Ham going down. Should be loads of competition.
I thought the Gunners won the Fairs Cup in 1970 and Newcastle in 1969 when English teams were dominant in that competition.
What future United favorite was in Leeds line up for that Final?
Along with Leeds and the playoff losers. It will be really competitive.
Arsenal lost the next League Cup Final too... to SWINDON.... they didn't do to badly a few years later!
It am guessing Gordon McQueen.
Yeah - I've just had a lot. We lost in 67 against Dinamo Zagreb and won in 68 against Ferenvaros. Newcastle won in 69 and Arsenal in 1970.
Yeah - big Gordon for sure. Another great that you lot poached off us.
Would you call McQueen a United favorite?
I was never a big fan of his. I like Joe Jordon a little better but still didn't like them too much
Keep guessing
They were signed at the same time.I thought they both did a great job for United.
They were alright but I still didn't completely fall in love with them
Nice attempt of an overhead there.... just mistimed
Must have been someone on the bench. I can't remember another of our starters who ended up at United.
Sammy Ameobi on the bench!
I cannot think of anyone else .
Nope.. he started in the match
Jimmy Greenhoff!!!!
Not McQueen or Jordan? We are talking about the 75 Final, right?
Bugger... ALex scores for Chelsea
GOAL! Krul is having one of those matches. Alex ghosts in at the free kick and heads home easily.
2-1 Chelski!
THis has been Chelsea for the run in... playing like crap and winning
Sammy Ameobi, the brother of Shola, comes on for his debut, as Alex gives Chelski the lead as he heads in a free kick. Tim Krul completely missed the cross.
I don't remember Greenhoff playing for us at all.
1968 League Cup Final
Oh - before my time. I get it.
Manager: Don Revie
Team:
Gary Sprake (GK)
Paul Reaney
Terry Cooper
Billy Bremner (c)
Jack Charlton
Norman Hunter
Jimmy Greenhoff
Peter Lorimer
Paul Madeley
Johnny Giles
Eddie Gray off
Substitutes:
Rod Belfitt on
Scorers:
Terry Cooper (20 mins)
They were gifted that goal. Krul and Kuz would be an excellent comic team.
With this win, Chelsea can still be caught by Arsenal for second on GD... they have to make up 8 goals though
Does anyone else think that the creepy Russian guy on the Time Warner ads who has the miniature giraffes is modeled on Roman Abramovic?
Now I remember. I associate Jimmy Greenhoff mainly as a Stoke player prior to his time at United. He did play for Brum too. He was never a regular at Leeds.Who was Rod Belfitt?
Brilliant... I found a SS Link
http://www.vip--tv.eu/
Thanks for the link, mate!
Me too
I was a fan of Greenhoff when he was at Stoke. When he came to United I was thrilled. He was my favorite and I was always him in my backyard or living room
You're welcome
I was hoping there was one to watch.
I was going to look for a WHU link but this is better
Yes - you felt the same way about Greenhoff that I felt about Tony Currie.
I was always Steve Coppell. He was my favorite.
Did you see that David Whelan, the Wigan owner, is the richest British man in Sports. More than Beckham and co
He broke his leg in the 1960 Cup Final and used his insurance to make millions!!
So, is it assumed that Drogs is off in the summer and won't be back for Chelski next season? I think he'll be missed.
There is three minutes of stoppage time.
A quality goal by a quality player..... useless defending!!
Tommy Ameobi is at Leeds? Can you provide some info, Bob?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEsgDPu7xc8
I saw Stevie Coppell once - in the airport in Bangkok. Told him that I'd always enjoyed watching him play. I think that he was amused to be recognized in Thailand...by an American!
Yes... Newcastle tie it up in injury time!!
GOAL! Steven Taylor equalizes! It's another set piece poorly defended and Taylor nips in.
2-2!
The header by Ryan Taylor was just wide. That must be their last chance.
YES! Steven Taylor heads in from the corner to tie it up. Now 2-2.
You couldn't get his autograph for me!
Drogba shoots to Row Z from the halfway line straight from the kickoff.
Of course, Tony Currie scored that goal for the Blades... that must eat at you
The match finishes 2-2.
It's over... all square
LOVELY JUBBLEY
WHO NEEDS A ROONEY PENALTY!!!
1517: BREAKING TEAM NEWS FROM THE EMIRATES
Defender Thomas Vermaelen starts for Arsenal, for his first appearance since injuring his Achilles in September. They've missed him a bit, I think.
Do we want LiverSox to make the Europa League
Luv it if they don't make Europe at all
Luv it if they get distracted by the Europa League
I've never heard of him, to be fair. I've just looked him up. Apparently Tomi Ameobi was at LUFC as a youth prospect from 2005-7, made no senior appearances and left on loan for Scunny in 2008, then we shopped him to Doncaster. He's also been on loan at Grimsby and Mansfield. More recently he's been at Forest Green Rovers and Whitley Bay (Australia, maybe?) and is now at Bolungvarik in the Icelandik league. Talk about a journeyman!
Well, that's that. I'm going to watch my newsy shows for half an hour and will be back for the later matches at 11.
Off to the store.. I'll be back soon
If Arsenal are up for it today at the Emirates, they could do some real damage to Villa's prospects. Even on 42 points, they're not entirely out of it as Blackburn, Wolves, Brum and Blackpool could all potentially finish on 42 points. Goal difference could make the...um, difference.
I will be back by the tine the next matches kickoff.
Yes. It is possible that one team could be relegated with 42 points on goal difference. Villa do have the best goal difference of the lot.
The line-ups at the Emirates this afternoon:
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Squillaci, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song,
Wilshere, Walcott, Ramsey, Arshavin, van Persie.
Subs: Lehmann, Denilson, Eboue, Chamakh, Henderson, Miquel, Bendtner.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Walker, Collins, Dunne, Luke Young,
Petrov, Reo-Coker, Delph, Downing, Bent, Ashley Young.
Subs: Marshall, Pires, Agbonlahor, Albrighton, Bradley, Heskey,
Cuellar.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)
And at Anfield:
Scousesox: Reina, Carra, Johnson, Skrtel, Flanagan, Kuyt, Spearing, Lucas, Maxi, Carroll, Suarez.
Spurs: Gomes, King, Kaboul, Dawson, Modric, Pienaar, Rose, Lennon, Sandro, VDV, Crouch.
Howard Webb is officiating...again!
Beside Wigan vs Hammers , I think Brum vs Fulham will decide what happens next weekend. If Fulham win then it is really wide open. If Brum win then they are safe. Villa need one point to be safe.
Brum vs Fulham was a Cup Semi Match in 1975.
And at the DW:
Wigan: Al-Habsi, Figueroa, Caldwell, Alcaraz, Boyce, Watson, McCarthy, Cleverley, Diame, N'Zogbia, Rodallega.
West Ham: Green, Tomkins, Spence, Bridge, Gabbidon, Spector, Hitz, Collison, Ba, Piquionne, Hines.
Mike Dean is officiating
West Ham is in real trouble. They need to win their remaining two matches , have Brum lose their remaining two , AND have a five goal swing in order to survive.
I agree, MUR. There are lots of fascinating machinations. A lot of it has to do with the incentives that the opposition sides will have. Do Arsenal want to avoid dropping fourth enough to put some goals by Villa today? What about Fulham - what do they have to play for? Fascinating stuff.
Who was Rod Belfitt, the Leeds sub in the 1968 League Cup Final?
I hope that WHR will join us this morning, even though I think it is a long, long shot for the Hammers.
Another thought! Wolves host Blackburn next Sunday. Depending upon the outcome of that match and other matches, both teams could be relegated, one team could be relegated, or neither team could be relegated. I think that is the most crucial match next Sunday.
To be fair, I've never heard of Belfitt. Here's what the LUFC website has to say, though:
"Rod Belfitt was on Arsenal's books as an amateur before joining Leeds United, aged 17. During his 8 years at Leeds they were one of the dominant teams in Europe and he didn't achieve a regular first team place. However, Belfitt still scored 33 goals from 128 appearances for Leeds, Belfitt appeared for Leeds as a substitute in the 1968 Football League Cup Final against Arsenal."
I think the key match today is Birmingham vs Fulham.
I wouldn't mind it at all if Blackburn went down.
Great work , Bob. Ta very much.
Does that mean that you're already conceding that Wigan and WH will both go down? I think you may be right. It's about that third relegation spot now.
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