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!
I've just about lost track of the days at this point. Yesterday felt like a Saturday; goodness knows what day it is today. But one thing I do know is that there is a small slate of Premiership matches on tap today, starting with Arsenal v. Wolves at 10am EST. Join me for the Christmas hangover football.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 9:19 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!
395 Comments:
No coverage of the match this morning, alas. ESPN2 is favoring us with "First Take," while FSC have basically thrown in the towel and are showing an informercial for "New Magic Jack Plus," whatever the hell that is!
This one seems to be working for the match: http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/99768/3/watch-arsenal-vs-wolverhampton-wanderers.html
I'm on Link 3.
The team news out of the Emirates today:
Arse: Szczesny, Djourou, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Arteta, Song, Rosicky, Benayoun, Gervinho, RVP.
Wolves: Hennessy, Berra, Johnson, Zubar, Milijas, Hunt, Ward, Forde, Jarvis, Henry, Fletcher.
No surprise there - Arsene is fielding a side without any English players. Happy Christmas, Arsene!
The teams are out on the pitch greeting each other.
Good morning BD. I must have made it just in time. How are you today?
Wolves get us underway at the Emirates on what looks to be a bit of dreary day in old London town.
Great timing, MUR! I'm doing well. You?
A little sleepy. I just woke up.
You are wise as you must have known that Stoke vs Villa was going to be a dud.We went out to eat at a Chinese buffet restaurant instead of watching the match.
I'm watching on firstrowsports. It's not on the telly . Is that correct?
Never mind . I see that you typed a link.
Lovely - the buffet was a wise choice over that late match. I heard Tony Pulis interviewed on 606 yesterday making the excuse that most people fall asleep for a couple of hours on a late Boxing Day afternoon. It appears that everyone at the Britannia did.
Mertesacker blocks a shot from Jarvis after a great long ball from Stephen Ward
Looks like the QPR v. Swansea and Norwich v. Spurs matches are both live on FSC later on.
I wonder if the players fell asleep and ate a big Boxing Day dinner before the match. I expect the next two matches to be more entertaining.
GOAL! Great goal from Gervinho. 1-0!
GOAL !!! 1-0 ARSENAL AS GERVINHO SCORES A SUPERB GOAL AS HE STAYED ONSIDE AND ROUNDED HENNESSEY AFTER A SUPERB THROUGH BALL FROM BENAYOUN.
Great counter-attack through Rosicky and Benayoun who slid a pass through to Gervinho who took his time to weave past Hennessy and a couple of defenders before slotting home.
That goal will take Arsenal above Chelski into fourth now. Spurs are solid in third and have a chance later in the day at Carrow Road to narrow the gap with the Mancs. They also have another match in hand.
I think I will lose some points in the PPP table due to that
Yes, it appears that you get points for Spurs in third but - like me - you had Arsenal outside the CL spots.
I expect Swansea vs Evil QPR to be an intriguing match as both teams are newly promoted and just above the relegation zone. The loser will begin to be in a relegation dogfight. I expect Neil Warnock and his evil minnions to show how evil they are by playing cynical football while the Swans will play good football.
Oh - RVP was in there from a lovely flicked ball from Gervinho. Wide of Hennessy's far post.
Vermalen shot wide after a great move. I will admit that the Gunners are playing good football. Gooner will be pleased.
I think you're probably right about the QPR v. Swansea match. Now that the QPR bubble has burst, Neil with resort to his usual tactics to survive.
Better from Wolves as a cross from Zubar intended for Jarvis was cleared.
It will be the Swans vs the Ugly Ducklings.
A great counter until Benyaoun lost his footing and slipped in the box.
It's interesting to see that Arsenal are inviting Wolves onto them and then breaking quickly, even though they're the home side. Very different tactics for Arsene who in years past would have played a tippy tappy game against a Wolves side who would have retreated into a defensive shell.
Artetea and Benayoun are a great partnership. Wenger should make them his first choice pairing and leave Arshavin on the bench.
Wenger finally realizes that he needs to change what he's doing.
RVP has a shot deflected off of Stephen Ward for a corner.
Wenger says that Arsenal scoring from corners is a rare event. They have done so twice this month.
Zubar is down for Wolves now after a foul on the edge of the box by Koscielny.
Zubar is down injured after winning the ball as Hunt shot over.
It was really clumsy by Kos.
Karl Henry nearly teed up another goal for RVP or Arteta. Blocked out in the end.
I twas chilly by our standards last night as the morning low was 36. It is finally a nice sunny day .it's supposed to be that way the rest of the week.
Hennessey saves at the near post from RVP.
Another shot from RVP now, turned around by Hennessy, who is certainly going to earn his Christmas bonus today.
Mick might as well play Lenny Henry instead of Karl Henry.
Ooooh - RVP goes down right on the edge of the box after Roger Johnson goes in late. Johnson picks up a yellow.
Boom boom MUR - I'd like to see that.
Roger Johnson is booked for a foul on RVP just outside the box after another defensive error from Karl Henry.
Almost too close in for a true chance but Arteta, Benayoun and Song might still fancy it.
Arteta dinks in one that's collected easily by Hennessy.
The weak free kick is easily saved by Hennessey. it reminds me of the free kicks I would take in the empty field outside my house.
Can you Adam and Eve it? How were the Blades the early match today? They are getting special privileges now?
When will you be leaving for Belize? You will be greatly missed during that fortnight.
Milijas wins a corner off of Mertesacker.
GOAL! A really jammy equalizer for Wolves!
GOAL !!! 1-1 AS WOLVES SCORE OFF THE CORNER AS HUNT HAD A SHOT TAKE A WICKED DEFLECTION OFF OF STEVEN FLETCHER, WHO WILL BE CREDITED WITH THE GOAL.
Of course it came from a set piece. Stephen Hunt's initial shot was deflected toward Fletcher who nodded on toward goal and past Szcesny.
1-1!
I can hear the cursing coming from a basement in the D.C. area from here.
It was a lucky goal and while it may help us in the PPP it was not a deserved equalizer.
Rosicky stings Hennessey's palms but it was straight to the keeper.Gooner will not pleased.
Milijas is lectured by Stuart Atwell for a foul on Benayoun.
There should a couple of minutes of stoppage time for that Zubar injury.
Arsenal on the attack again as the half draws to a close. They'd love to score right about now.
It's halftime and 1-1 from the EM.
Arsene shakes his head in disbelief as he troops off into the dressing room. He's wondering how on earth his side isn't three or four up.
The Blades lead Notts County 2-1 in the second half.
Grrrrrrr!
Acoording to the announcers Karl Henry is acting like Lenny Henry as the teams come out of the tunnel.
I second that,BD They move a point ahead of their city rivals if this result holds.
Arsenal get us underway in the second half.
The second half kicks off from The EM.
Zubar is down injured for the second time this match. That seemed clumsy by Gervinho.
The replay showed that it was not a foul, but tough tackle by Zubar.
Gervinho is offside as he is played in by Rosicky.
Zubar is down ANOTHER TIME!He needs to come off. Richard Stearman will come on in his play as it's like for like.
About time that Zubar was given a break here.
Gervinho wins a corner off of young Anthony Forde.
It's a final from Bramall Lane as The Blades have come from behind to defeat Notts County 2-1. The winning goal was an OG.
Grrrrrrrr!
This is more like the typical Arsenal plotline with the Gunners trying to force it by tippy tappying their way through a resolute Wolves backline.
I think they were actually more dangerous when they allowed Wolves to run at them in the first half.
I will be rooting Swansea and Norwich in the next two matches as Kos is booked for dissent as he thought Arsenal should have had a penalty instead of a corner as Berra may have handled in the box. Hennessey gathers the corner.
I agree. wolves are really well organized and this plays into their hands.However, you can never count the Gunners out.
Vermaelen is called for handball as he was booked earlier for a similar complaint. Another complaint could have resulted in an early bath.
Cor! Three London derbies for the Gunners this week.
Milijas shoots high and wide after Vermaelen gave the ball away to Anthony Forde
High, wide and 'orrible from Milijas.
The horrible Arshavin is about to come on.
A superb run by Gervinho , but a horrible pass.
I don't see any point to having Arshavin around the club at this point and yet he still gets a round of applause from the clueless Arsenal faithful.
A poor decision by wenger as the excellent Benayoun is replaced by the awful Arshavin.
I agree. Arshavin should go to MLS!
Karl Henry brings down Gervinho just outside the box.BRING ON LENNY!
A superb save by Hennessey from that RVP free kick as he tipped over.
Another superb save by Hennessey, this time from a Mertesacker header then RVP has the rebound deflected for a corner.
Now Wolves are defending for their lives as The Gunners apply the pressure for the first time this half.
Hunt is down after a foul by Song. Wolves players are upset. Song is booked by Atwell. It seems the right decision based on the replay.
Song goes through several Wolves players like a bull in a china shop and gets his requisite yellow card.
Now Roger Johnson and Vermaelen get into it and Stuart Atwell needs to sort this out.
Now there's a bit of argy bargy between Johnson and Vermaelen both of whom have been booked. It's boiling over a bit. Referee pulling them aside - that's wise.
Roger Johnson thought Vermaelen intentionally stepped on him ,but I didn't see anything.
Each side made a change as Ramsey is on for Song and Geudiora is on for debutant, Anthony Forde.
Just wide by Rosicky after a tackle on Ramsey as the ball broke loose.
Oh Rosicky should have got that one on target for sure.
Guediora ,who just came on ,is booked for a foul on Mertesacker.
Oh - a looping RVP header is cleared off the line.
Straight red card for Milijas!!!!
Wolves are down to ten men.
A fracas as Milijas sees a straight red for a foul on Arteteta
That was nasty. He overran the ball and the went lunging in on Arteta, who made the most of it.
Fifteen minutes now for Wolves to survive with a point.
Now Arsenal have a free kick in scoring position.
Arteta has a chance now from the resulting free kick....
It's deflected off the wall and behind for a corner.
Arteta has a free kick delectyed for a corner.Ramsey has a shot deflected off of Staearman for a corner as both players are down.
I guess the red card was the right decision based on the rules as it was a two footed challenge.
Oh - RVP broke the offside trap but then dillied and dallied on the ball. Wasted.
RVP seemed offside but had a shot deflected for a corner when he should have scored.
I agree MUR - it was a red card offense in IMHO. You see those tackles all the time. Stupid really.
OH!inches over by Arshavin after a nice give and go with RVP.
I wonder if we will see the same from warnock's evil minnions.
wenger will be furious if the gunners drop two points at home to Wolves.
Stephen Hunt is called for a foul on Djourou who may have made the most of it.
Another good save by Hennessey from an RVP free kick , but he would have been expected to have made that save.
Then a kick save by Hennessey from RVP.
Under ten minutes for Wolves to hang on to this improbable away point.
If they do hang on, it will be largely down to Hennessy. Wish he were English, eh?
Now it's RVP and Johnson who are having a bit of a "chat."
Chamakh is on for Djourou and Kevin Doyle is on for Stephen Hunt.
I think Hart would still start for England, but Hennessey would be an excellent reserve keeper.
Hennessey tips a Kos cross for a corner.
RVP and Chamakh clash heads going for the ball off the corner as one of them headed over.
The Gunners are temporarily down to nine as both players receive treatment.Chamakh requires extra attention.
Poor control by RVP as he was through and should have scored from a superb through ball.
what a save by Hennessey off of Vermalen who was through then RVP has a shot deflected for a corner.
This time Hennessey gathers a through ball from Arteta
SIX MINUTES OF STOPPAGE TIME!
I agree,BD, that wolves have Hennessey to thank if they earn an improbable point.
Hennessey is booked for time wasting when taking a goal kick.
Wenger paces nervously in the technical area.
Kevin Doyle fouls Gervinho just outside the box.
The free kick is headed away.
RVP heads wide . was that the last chance for the Gunners?
Stephen ward blocks an Arshavin effort.
Stuart Atwell blows the final whistle and it finishes 1-1 as Wolves earn an unlikely away point ,especially as Wolves played part of the second half with ten men. They need to give a special thank you to Hennessey.
Swansea vs Evil QPR is about to kick off on FSC.
This is a vital match between these two newly promoted sides as the winner will be in a mid table position and the loser gets dragged into a relegation battle. The match kicks off from The Liberty Stadium.
It's a contrast in styles as Swansea love to play great football and Evil QPR play an evil cynical style.
However, Augustien fouls Faurlin just outside the box, but fortunately the Evil team's free kick was wasted.
A good through ball from Barton, but Helgusson can't control the pass.
The Good Guys are in all white and the Bad Guys are wearing Orange jerseys and black shorts.
Evil QPR have started the stronger of the two teams as Worm missed a cross , but recovered to beat Helgusson to the ball.
Danny Graham has a shot cleared off the line from a Swansea corner.
These teams are meeting for the first time in the top flight.
The cross from Routledge to graham was just too high and that should have been 1-0 Swans.
Swansea have conceded only two goals at the Liberty in EPL matches. One was an OG and the other a goal by Wea Pea.
Swansea now have all the possession and are in control.
Sorry to abandon you temporarily MUR. I'm trying to sort out a problem with my cellphone and I have some other errands to do for a party tonight so I'll probably be in and out a bit during this next match. Enjoy!
GOAL !!! 1-0 SWANSEA AS DANNY GRAHAM CONTROLLED A PASS FROM ROUTLEDGE WITH HIS CHEST AND GRAHAM SCORES WITH A SUPERB FINISH!
Cheers BD! I hope the party goes well.
Ashley Williams heads high and wide from a corner.
I am not sure why Neil warnock and Keith Curle are losing it with the forth official. I haven't seen any officiating errors.
Warnock continues protesting, but this time the fourth official is there one telling Warnock off.he better be careful or he could see an early end to his evening. I think Warnock is upset because he feels that Danny Graham controlled the pass with his arm upon scoring the Swansea goal.
What a superb save by Worm from a long range Barton effort as he tipped it over.
The corner from Faurlin was cleared by Augustien.
Danny Graham wins a corner off of Fitz Hall
Danny Graham is flagged offside from a through ball by Augustien.
Routledge wins a corner off of Traore.
I think Routledge did have a spell with QPR at one point.This is his ninth club!
A great tackle on Jaime Mackie for a QPR corner. The ball is crossed to Worm.
A cross from Tarrabt was headed out by Rangel for a corner.Now Rangel is he is cynically fouled by Clint Hill who is booked.It does not look good for Rangel who just came back from an ankle injury and now seems to have injured his ankle again.
I think Rangel will be okay,but that was nasty from Clint Hill as Cerny saves easily from Danny Graham's long range effort.
Swansea countered through Joe Allen , but was stopped by a great Barton tackle.
Routledge is offside from a long ball.
Richards is booked for a foul on Joey Barton. That seemed minor,IMHO.
Helgusson has a shot deflect off of Leon Britton for a corner.
Clint Hill heads wide from a great cross.
There should be a couple of minutes of stoppage time due to that Rangel injury.
Now Helgusson heads over from a Barton cross after what seemed to be originally a harmless, aimless long ball.
Two minutes of stoppage time.
Halftime in this battle of Good vs Evil as the Good Guys lead 1-0. The main talking point was the goal in which the ball may have grazed Danny Graham's arm when he scored and Warnock's incessant berating of the officials in the first half which was a constant annoyance.
The Gunners did not move into a CL place as a result of that draw and if this results stands then Wolves move ahead of Evil QPR as both teams will be two points ahead of Wigan which means two points clear of the drop zone.
If Norwich defeat Spurs then they will move up to ninth place . A great position for a club that was in League one just two years ago.
The second off kicks off from The Liberty Stadium.
COME ON YOU SWANS!
Shaun Derry starts the second half with a cynical foul. Orders from the Gaffer?
Swansea fans cheer as Armand Traore is called for a foul throw. Neil Warnoock will protest that the remainder of the second half and perhaps the rest of the week.
Neil warnock was instructing Traore on how to take the next throw and Swansea fans were cheering. Bob will love this!
Tarrabt has shot deflected for a corner off a pass from Barton as this is better from The Bad Guys. The corner is easily cleared.
Swansea fans cheer as Faurlin tries a spectacular shot that goes all wrong.everything about this team is all wrong.
To be honest, Evil QPR have dominated the opening stages of the second half.
Better from Swansea as Joe Allen plays through Routledge who shoots just wide as Nathan Dyer comes on for EX QPR Player, Routledge and Luke Moore is on Angel Rangel.
bloody hell!! EVIL QPR TIE IT UP AS JAIME MACKIE SCORES . PURE ROUTE ONE STUFF AS A GOAL KICK WAS HEADED ON AND MACKIE FINISHED PAST WORM.
It seems like 1-1 as the most popular score in this Boxing Day round of fixtures.
I'm back at the hour mark and see that these two newly promoted sides are locked at 1-1. Has this one lived up to your prediction, MUR?
Worm rushes out to prevent Mackie from scoring again.
Welcome back,BD.I thought Swansea would win as they had conceded only two league goals at The Liberty prior to this match.
I have been really critical of EVIL QPR today, looking for any excuse to attack them.
Nasty from Barton and he should be booked for the foul on Richards. That is what will happen.Warnock will complain saying that was a fair challenge.
To be honest, this has been an intriguing match.
I've just been reading over your comments, MUR, and it sounds as if Evil Neil has been up to his usual Warnockian antics. I'd love to see him sent to the stands.
I'm sorry that I had to miss the first hour, but I'm glad to get some post-Christmas errands done.
The ref does a nice job nobbling Joey Barton there. Well in, sir!
It is fantastic having you back. I am surprised that he was not sent off even though his complaint about the Swansea goal was somewhat legitimate.He didn't need to go on like some nagging granny for ten to fifteen minutes.
Barton is on his requisite yellow and will need to be careful the remainder of the match.
Did you like my Good Guys , Bad Guys comments?
I did, indeed. Can't say better than that. QPR are the evil equivalent of Cardiff in the Championship and the Blades in L1.
Danny Graham and/or Luke Moore should have done better there.
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