Up Early for the Footie
Saturday has rolled around again and it's got some tasty morsels for us today. We start and end the day with the Manchester clubs who have been dominating the Premiership this season, Citeh v. Everton on ESPN2 as the early one and United away to Stoke as the late one. In between there are the usual 3pm GMT kickoffs with Chelski, Liverpool and Arsenal all in action. Join me for all the usual LOB nattering.
682 Comments:
Here is the team news out of Eastlands this morning:
Manchester City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Nasri, Barry, Toure Yaya, Silva, Dzeko, Aguero. Subs: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Milner, Kolarov, Savic, Tevez, Balotelli.
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Neville, Fellaini, Rodwell, Osman, Coleman, Cahill. Subs: Mucha, Heitinga, Bilyaletdinov, Saha, Drenthe, Stracqualursi, Vellios.
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)
Way hay - the coverage on the Deuce has started with Ian Darke chewing his words next to Stevie Mac.
They start with the Owen Hargreaves story, which is a cracker. He's alleged that United's physios used the Sick Note as a guinea pig. Fergie's hit back straight away.
Hargreaves of course won't feature today as he gradually gets back to full fitness.
Citeh of course come into this one as favorites, riding high in second and can go top with a win. However, Everton will be a stiff test for them, coming in at 6th and with a great recent record at Eastlands.
Nasri's back in the Citeh side today. The last time Mancini employed this front four was when they put Spurs to the sword. Should be lively.
Good morning. I see Saha is on the bench. Will be be tweeting during the match?
I'll be in and out. My parents are visiting from LI today and I have to take my son swimming before the end of the morning match.
No true strikers up front for Everton. Cahill leading the line again.
News from Columbus has no Beckham for the Galaxy as they take on the Crew tonight. I guess he played on Wednesday and left his Doane's pills with Posh.
We're back for kick-off now. Citeh to get us underway in the first half. I'm hoping for a goalapalooza.
Morning, Someone. How are you, mate? Interesting news about Becks and co. Are you heading out to Crew Stadium tonight?
Ian Darke thinks that there is bad blood between these two sides stemming from the Joleon Lescott transfer. Your thoughts?
No match tonight, not with parents here. Might have it on. Doctor Who is on tonight too.
Hoping Everton can snatch a point on the road. They've had success here.
Oh great, they're playing Chelsea in the next round of the Carling Cup.
Rodwell with an early speculative effort there.
I think Darke's wrong about the bad blood about Lescott now. I'd like to see Mancini and Moyes get nose to nose on the sideline again though :)
A point would definitely be a good result for Everton today. They've made a good start.
Darke jinxed Leighton Baines there complimenting his free kicks. Rotten ball in.
Baines playing confidently, shooting poorly off his own foot.
Jags covers for his poor header. Scary moment.
Oh - Dzeko nearly got in behind Jags after a poor header. Dzeko's first touch was unkind.
Good BD and Someone. I am up for early footie in what should be a fascinating match. An uncharacteristic error by Timmy as he came out way too far,but Jags cleared.
Citeh's front line not quite clicking yet.
Some agricultural challenges flying in now. The Toffees are not allowing Citeh any time on the ball.
Morning, MUR! Is the sun up yet in Texas?
Nasri shoots well wide after a great Citeh possession. Citeh is starting to dominate.
It's almost up. Not quite. I slept in late today as I now have to wake up at 6:10 on a school day as Jacquelyn's bus arrives at 6:33.
I am surprised Webbie is letting both teams play in blue. I have never seen this in footie. I thought he would have Citeh wear their away kit. That Webbie has an eagle eye!
Come on Everton. Get one through!
I hadn't thought about that, MUR. It probably is the only time I've seen both sides in variations of the same color.
Is Columbus on Eastern time or Central time?
Morning fellas
I was watching the beginning of the match upstairs
Decent start from Everton
I think Howie is thinking of sky blue as being closer to white as he had Everton change to all blue instead of their traditional white shorts.
Columbus is Eastern time.
Just over by Aguero.
Citeh starting to look a bit more ominous. Aguero with a half chance on the turn. Over the top.
Good Morning UWS. How have you been?
Morning, UWS - how's the proud papa this morning?
Rodwell goes into the book for another rash challenge on Silva.
Thank you Someone. The sun must be up. I am still in darkness even though I am starting to see a few odd cracks of daylight.
Rodwell takes down Silva. Gets a make up yellow for his tackle.
If there was sun this morning, it would be up. Cloudy and damp so far.
Lovely jubbly - the Merseyside Derby next Saturday early morning.
I should have said daylight. The sun is hidden in the clouds. We could actually use some of that weather in Texas as we are in the middle of a severe drought.
I'm very good thank you.
I guess congrats is in order for yesterday's point even though you were two up!
Jon's game never happened... the other team never showed up!
I do have to go to Tom's game this afternoon. I will miss the second half of United's match.... your calling me!
Cahill goes down in the box - nothing doing.
The Little Neviller has taken Rodwell's place in kicking lumps out of David Silva. Into the book.
Neville's been booked for a Silva dive.
I will be up for that one.It must be at Goodison as Everton is playing away today.That will be the last match before the international break. Someone must be excited about that match.
No worries, mate. I'll be on it.
I know Bob doesn't care about this any more... wonder why?
CARLING CUP FOURTH ROUND DRAW:
Wolves v Manchester City
Cardiff v Burnley
Blackburn v Newcastle United
Arsenal v Bolton
Stoke v Liverpool
Aldershot v Manchester United
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Everton v Chelsea
I'll be out at a local early for the Derby!
I thought Silva made a meal of it. I hate when players roll around in order to get an opponent booked.
Everyone on Everton is going to elbow Silva today.
This one's starting to boil over a bit. Webby's got his work cut out for him.
Aldershot away in the next round, eh, lads? Lucky, lucky United!
Aldershot? Must be nice :)
It is an interesting draw. United have a toughie! Will they play their youth team? Everton vs Chelski looks interesting as does Stoke vs the Sox and Arsenal vs Bolton , which is repeat of the 10 AM match that is being played today.
Now it's Osman into the book for shouldering Mikah Richards aside. Very harsh.
Now Osman's booked for a light tackle on Richards. Really? A yellow for that?
These yellows are just getting ridiculous... there are fouls that aren't cardible!!
That looked like a soft yellow for Leon Osman. I thought that was a shoulder charge, which is perfectly legal.
We might be 9 on 8 by the end of this one.
Cards flying around now. Yaya is the current recipient.
Aldershot is tough. They are one of the best teams in Europe. They are not too far from Crawley, who gave us a tough time at OT last February.
I heard Macca say this earlier but I didn't know that Everton were ahead of LiverSox on the bench
Right now, Everton are up to fifth with this point
Oh - half chance there by Dzeko. Over the top.
Is anyone feeling blue this morning?
I do feel bad for the ALdershot fans. They are thrilled to get the famous Man United coming to their town and it will be all reserves!
Superb save by Timmy from Kuhn Aguero.
City showing some initiative now. Howard makes the save.
Oh - an interesting cross-shot from Kun that Timmy tipped away before Dzeko could get to it.
The corner is headed away.
Citeh starting to turn the screw
I agree - they've picked up a gear.
I made a typo yesterday. I meant to say that Leeds were happy to earn a point , but accidentally typed pint.
Dzeko's a bit greedy there, shooting from distance when he could have dished off to Aguero.
Just wide by Dzeko from long range.
I needed a pint after that match. We've conceded 15 goals in eight league matches - struth!
Tev and Balo are on the bench with Balo giving his opinion. what a surprise!
Despite that , you are up to ninth place.
Rangers lead 0-2 at Dunfermline. Someone will not be pleased.
Yeah - I'm not that disappointed. I would have taken a point before the match against a good Brighton side away.
Gus looked upset when he shook hands with Grayson.
I think Everton have won their previous four away matches vs Citeh.
Still 0-0 despite the fact that Citeh are dominating.
What was Joe Hart playing at there with that cross?
Everton playing solid defense. Trying to sneak one past now. Hart a bit sloppy on a cross.
Well wide by Yaya as there are two minutes of stoppage time. He dribbled nearly the length of the pitch.
I am not sure, but he was fortunate that Richards headed away.
Half-time: A well organized Everton back line have kept Citeh at bay and frustrated. I'm off for a shower.
eh Rangers.
Halftime and Everton have earned a point, so far.
A poor Hibbert cross after a great Everton possession. it is now halftime an 0-0 at The Etihad Stadium.
Rangers lead at Dunfermline 0-2 at halftime.
I am going to have to leave for rec soccer in a few minutes. I will be back a few minutes after the 10 o'clockers... and then leave again... PARENTING!!!!
Second half is underway
Enjoy the match, UWS. Cheers!
Citeh earn a corner as they attack straight from the kickoff.The corner is wasted.
Citeh were scoreless against Swansea at half time and won 4-0
Back from a refreshing shower, then. Everton will be well pleased. I wouldn't expect to see Saha unless they concede a goal.
Aguero curls high and wide as Citeh continue to attack.
Easy shot by Osman easily saved by Hart.
Osman tries one from distance just to warm up Joe Hart's hands.
I thought something was wrong yesterday as Yorkshire Nani was not even on the bench. Shocking behavior from Simon Grayson!
I hope United do their business today against Stoke
Beat Arsenal and Chelsea but do the same to Stoke
Saha's twitter. Minutes of entertainment.
http://twitter.com/#!/louissaha08
Citeh attack after that Osman effort Timmy easily catches the cross from Silva.
I am off
Be back in an hour
COME ON YOU TOFFEES!!!!
I agree UWS. We need a victory.
Cheers UWS!
Impressed by how Everton has shut down Silva, and very little mention of Nasri today.
Saha's warming up on the sidelines.
Everton won 1-2 at Eastlands last December in a Monday night match played in Arctic conditions. Does anyone remember that match?
Nunez had a bit of a strop with Simon coming off the pitch about two weeks ago. The relationship has been chilly since. Grayson doesn't tolerate that kind of behavior.
I do agree with Bob that we will probably not see him play unless Everton fall behind.
Then I agree with Simon. He is quite right! It was shocking from Yorkshire Nani, not Simon.
I do remember that match. It had a similar feel to this one. Everton could still nick a win here through a set piece as they've done in the past.
Everton earn a corner. Jags was up front. What???
Everton have six English players starting, but not one British player on the subs bench.
I was surprised however to see Danny Pugh thrown straight into the first team. That's one thing that I disagree with Simon about. He quite often gets loan players in and throws them straight into the starting eleven, which I reckon destabilizes the squad.
Hart fumbles the corner , but gets away with it. He has been rather fortunate today.
I think Pugh could contribute to Leeds' cause this season He was good enough to play in the EPL, so he should do well with Leeds.
Rangers now lead 0-3 at Dunfermline.
Balotelli putting down the game boy. Looks like he's coming on for Dzeco. Tevez assuming the Berbatov role today.
Everton have been packing their box as Citeh continue to attack.
Citeh old boy, Distin started a counter for Everton.
Citeh can ill afford dropping points again this weekend.
Dzeko coming off to be replaced by Balo.
Balo, the sulk, is on for Dzeko.
Great defending by Everton old boy , Lescott, on Cahill.
Now Cahill is down injured as Saha is about to come on.
Webby's waiting for Cahill to get up off the turf to book him.
Cahill is booked for that challenge on Kompany.
Is there some unwritten rule about not booking a man when he's on the turf :)
Balo was looking for that foul.
GET ON WITH IT!
Moyes is about to make the Saha for Cahill switch now.
Cahill off for Saha. Let's see if Saha's motivated enough after last weeks tantrum.
I am not aware of that rule! Players have been booked when down injured! It must be another bit of wit from Ian Darke!
Oh - Nasri produces a good sharp save from Timmy.
A superb save by Timmy from Nasri. Saha is now on.
The match seems to be opening up a bit now.
Nasri fires hard on Howard, who makes the stop.
Pace seems to be picking up a tad.
Citeh counter from an Everton attack
GOAL! Balo breaks the deadlock!
1-0 Citeh!
GOAL!!! 1-0 AS BALO SCORES WITH A GREAT FINISH AFTER AGUERO HAD A SHOT BLOCKED. 1-0 CITEH.
poop.
balotelli makes it 1-0. good shot.
Aguero did well to mask the run, laid off to Balo and he placed it really well in the corner. A deflection perhaps?
Bad boy Balo makes a point to go to Roberto for a big hug after scoring.
Balo hugs Mancini upon scoring the goal.United definitely need to win at The Brittania today.
What will Moyesy do to counter that goal now?
Oh - Silva off the post! Citeh nearly killed off the game there.
oh man. silva hit the post. city have everton completely messed up.
Silva hits the post after a great run by Balo and another blocked Aguero shot. Corner Citeh.The corner is cleared and Citeh keep possession.
Balo shot wide from the corner.
Now it's Tevez off the bench, looking anxious to get in on the action.
Everton must attack. They don't have a choice.
Everton have very few attacking options, and what they do have is easily countered.
Great defending by Distin on Aguero.
Cahill has an ice pack on his shins. That is terrible new for The Toffees.
Drenthe in.
Drenthe, on loan from Real Madrid, is now on as a sub.
Balo is well offside.
Saha was looking for a foul on Kompany. It was never a foul.
No foul given as Kompany knocks down Saha just outside the box.
Fairly obvious obstruction by Kompany there. Nothing given. The indirect free kick for obstruction is a vanishing part of the game.
A Citeh victory would end a run of four consecutive home defeats to the Toffees.
Aguero trooping off and Milner coming on.
James Milner is on for Kuhn Aguero, who gets an ovation from the Citeh fans.
Poor cross from Drenthe as he had a player wide open on the right .
How much dissent will Balo get away with before he gets a card from Webb?
Velios in for Coleman.
Apostelos Vellios is on for Seamus Coleman.
I agree. Balo needs to shut it.
Baines wins a corner after a great one-two with Fellani.
Drenthe looks interesting but a bit raw as a talent. How old is he?
The corner is headed away and Drenthe shoots well over from long range. Savic is on for Nasri.
The Montenegran Savic coming on. Tevez not best pleased on the bench.
Oh - great shot by Yaya, beaten away well by Timmy.
Great save by Timmy from Yaya.
Citeh play it short and Milner wins another corner.
Drenthe's 24. Velios is 19.
This means that Tev will not play today.
Offside Silva as he stabs home.
silva taps one in net, but was offside.
That could have been 2-0 as Silva had the ball in the net from a Balo pass ,but Silva was miles offside.
Jags picks up a yellow for a late one on Balo.
Balo is down after a challenge from Jags. He is booked, but I thought it was a fair tackle from Jags.
alright i'm off. have a great morning gentlemen. hoping for an equalizer while i'm headed to the pool.
Rangers now lead 0-4 at Dunfermline.
GOAL! Milner with his debut Premiership goal for Citeh.
2-0!
GOAL !!! 2-0 AS CITEH AS MILNER IS PUT THROUGH AND FINISHES WITH JUST THE KEEPER TO BEAT DESPITE A TOUCH BY TIMMY.
Exquisite ball through from Silva who had drawn three defenders around him. And Milner just had to beat Jags and Timmy to the ball.
Citeh fans doing the Poznan.
Cheers Someone! Sorry about the result.
Citeh's goal difference now +14.
Four minutes of stoppage time as it was a superb assist from Silva.
Cheerio, Someone. Good to have you on board this morning. Condolences about the result here.
Balo is down again and gesticulating wildly at Webb. Maybe Howard doesn't know any Italian?
Saha with a decent effort, which Hart pats down.
Saha shoots straight at Hart.
Savic clears one off the line from Fellaini!
Fellani has a shot cleared off the line after a mix-up between Savic and Hart.
Citeh defeat Everton 2-0, ending a run of four consecutive home defeats against their supposed bogey team.
Rangers won 0-4 at Dunfermline.
Next, is Arsenal vs Bolton on FSC as we will watch the worst defenses in the EPL.The Trotters may actually be a worse team than the Gunners.I predict a 7-6 victory to the Gunners with ten elbows from Kevin Davies and Wenger stating that he has turned around the season for the Gunners.
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