The Opening Act
Can you Adam and Eve it? We have Friday night EPL action as the opening match of the New Years Day weekend is Liverpool vs Newcastle United. The main news is that fee scoring Demba Ba starts for Newcastle while not so free scoring Andy Carroll starts against his former club. We even have action from the lower divisions. The main act is tomorrow and if you don't know what that is then you may not be a true EPL fan. Come join us for some Friday night footie.
posted by manunitedrules @ 2:12 PM
214 Comments:
I may be in and out as our dog Sparky is at the groomers being pampered . I just dispatched a salami sandwich on French bread and was playing tag with my daughters in 80 degree weather at aptly named Windsor Park.A tough life, but someone has to do it.
Afternoon, MUR - thanks for posting this afternoon's thread. I need a break from my course prep and this is just the ticket. I'd love a 4-3 thriller like we used to get in those King Kev v. King Kenny days.
Liverpool are in sixth place on 31 points while Newcastle are in seventh on 30 points. The winner is in great position to challenge for the final Champions League spot while the loser loses valuable ground.Since Liverpool have lots of 1-1 draws at Anfield I am predicting a 1-1 draw in this match.
Hello BD. It's my pleasure. It was also a pleasure chatting with you the past couple evenings.
I particularly like the forlorn Andy Carroll graphic; but I hope he can strike against his old bosses today.
Thanks, BD. I would love to see a 4-3 thriller. I remember Stan Collymore scoring a last second winner and Kev with his head in hands as Newcastle's title hopes were shattered.
We have a match from the Championship as Sotton hosts Bristol City. I guess my post and comment was a tad silly!
Here's the team news out of Anfield tonight:
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Jose Enrique,
Henderson, Spearing, Adam, Downing, Carroll, Bellamy.
Subs: Doni, Gerrard, Maxi, Kuyt, Carragher, Shelvey, Kelly.
Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Obertan, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Vuckic, Ba.
Subs: Elliot, Santon, Ben Arfa, Perch, Best, Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi.
Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)
I'm happy to see that King Kenny hasn't bottled it by keeping Andy Carroll on the bench tonight.
In the "Back to the Future" column today, news out of the Emirates that Arsene has arranged a two-month loan deal to bring TH-14 back to Arsenal. I don't honestly see the point of that.
As per my first comment I may be in and out , but will try to do everything around halftime to the best of my ability.
I am not sure other than to draw fan interest, he may chip in with a few vital goals, and extend his club goal scoring record in the process. It may be all generated by Stan Kroenke instead of Wenger.
The match is on FSC, so a link is not necessary.
The match kicks off from Anfield , but I need to pick up Elizabeth from the grocery store, so I should be back in about ten minutes.
CHEERS!
Cheerio, mate. Liverpool get us underway at Anfield at a furious pace.
Demba Ba playing off the shoulder is just caught offside.
Carroll's definitely hustling around the channels but to very little effect so far. Not really his game.
I am back BD. Did I miss much?
The announcer talks about the two 4-3 thrillers. BD already brought that up.
Oh - Enrique worked his way to the by-line but his ball over wasn't met by anyone. Bellamy certainly should have been there.
King Kenny must be in a sentimental mood as Bellamy, Carroll's strike partner is also a former Toon player.
Not a lot, mate. But welcome back. How's Sparky - did he have a good rub a dub at the spa?
Now Ryan Taylor is down injured.
Thank you,BD. Sparky is still at the Spa.
There's the problem that Liverpool have with Carroll. Enrique lofts a meaningless ball forward looking for him. It's not really his fault that they haven't figured out how to use him. I don't know why with natural width from Downing, Bellamy and Enrique, they can't ping balls over to the big man.
Some latest scores:
Huddersfield 0 Carlisle 1
Cheltenham 1 Rotherham 0
Daggenham 0 Gills 1
Crawley 1 Barnet 0
Nice tackle there by Lee Probert setting up Charlie Adam to blaze well over.
Charlie Adam hits a shot well over after a Newcastle pass came off of referee, Lee Probert
My social studies buddy David Hicks who's from Huddersfield but teaches at Virginia Tech will not be best pleased by that score update.
I don't blame him as Huddersfield have a chance to move into an automatic promotion spot.
Hereford take the lead over Accrington Stanley.
Did you email the MIA UWS about posting tomorrow?
I agree with you about Andy Carroll. The system is set up perfectly for him to succeed. I am not sure why he is not being successful.
Not yet. I thought he would be on LOB for this match. I will do so probably at halftime. Thanks for the reminder.
Oh - Krul made a mess of that cross but again no one was on hand to take advantage. I don't think I've noticed Bellamy yet. Is he playing?
Daggenham have tied it up vs Gillingham.
Liverpool have to be more patient.
You listed him in the starting lineup. He is just innocuous today.
Yet another draw at Anfield?
GOAL! Cabaye has scored for Newcastle!
GOAL !!! 0-1 TOON AS CABAYE DIVERTS A HEADER PAST REINA. WAS THE CROSS FROM RYAN TAYLOR?
Seconds before the goal a Newcastle player was holding hi neck in agony, but the Toon still managed to score.
What a comedy of errors. While everyone was paying attention to Vucic, who seemed to lose a tooth when blocking a shot, Gutierrez whipped in a brilliant ball and it actually came last off Agger's shoulder and arm and deflected past Reina.
0-1 Newcastle!
Tranmere take the lead vs Bury.
I think the supposedly injured player was Vukic.
However it went it, I'm glad it did. That will open up the match nicely.
That will lift Newcastle over Liverpool and level with Arsenal on points in 5th.
Agreed . The replay now makes it look like either Ba diverted the header or Jordan Henderson as an OG. As i type Gutierrez fouls Glen Johnson just outside the box.
Agreed . The replay now makes it look like either Ba diverted the header or Jordan Henderson as an OG. As i type Gutierrez fouls Glen Johnson just outside the box.
Useless free kick by Charlie Adam , then he puts in a poor cross deflected for a poorly taken corner.
Lee Probert is in the way again. He's acting like a bloody statue out there!
GOAL! Bellamy emerges! 1-1!
GOAL !!! 1-1 AS BELLAMY SCORES FROM A POOR TOON CLEARANCE OFF WHAT WAS A POOR CROSS BY CHARLIE ADAM!
Poor defending there from Newcastle when they had two chances to clear. Colocini's poor header just went to Adam who drilled the ball back in. Bellamy took full advantage.
Add King Kenny and Jose Enrique along with Carroll and Bellamy to the ex Toon list!
We're well on our way to a seven-goal thriller.
Another set piece that Bellamy takes due to Adam's ineptness on set pieces. Caroll had a decent volley well blocked.
Could be . You never know.
Bellamy and former Man Yoo trainee Danny Simpson share a laugh.
Btw, I've just put up what I think of as a pretty funny status update on FB riffing on the new Chocolate Waterfall promotion at Golden Corral. Feel free to post your favorite double entendre from the Carry On tradition.
Krul rushes out to clear after a poor back header by Williamson.
Oh - Skrtel goes might close with that near post header.
Skrtel heads just wide from a Bellamy corner. He's much better at set pieces than Charlie Adam.
I haven't eaten at Golden Corral in years as I hate the place, but Pepe's , a Mexican restaurant in town, has a 69 special that is supposed to be 6 PM to 9 PM.
Sotton vs Bristol City is the only scoreless match in England. I guess Calamity James is having one of his good nights.
That sounds like a dare as well. I can think of a number of things you could do with a saucy chimichanga.
You are being rather saucy, BD. COR!
LOL! Well, the match has settled down.
A bit naughty by Demba Ba on Spearing.
Huddersfield have tied it up vs Carlisle . Your friend will be pleased.
Blimey, it's Phil Collins-fan Stevie G. on the bench. I'd almost forgotten about him. Should retire or come Stateside.
Jordan Rhodes , the recent Scottish international, scored his 19th league goal of the season for the Terriers. How much longer till he is snapped up by an EPL club? Would the Gunners be better off with him than TH14?
Another 1-1 draw at Anfield? Not sure about Stevie G?
Clever by Downing to get past Ryan Taylor after a superb long ball from Spearing, but a shocking pass.
The pace is picking up again as we head toward the interval.
Stuart Downing was just offside from a great Enrique cross.
As Alexi Sayle famously stated, "It's time for a halftime repor."
Spearing has a shot deflected for a corner.
Nice one - I miss Alexi.
Three minutes of stoppage time as Bellamy overcooked the cross.
Thanks BD.He was funny.
Danny Simpson makes the Man Yoo Academy factor one today.
Cabaye with a speculative effort that rounds off the first half.
1-1 at the interval.
Cabaye curls a shot over and the halftime score is 1-1.
Hey Fellas,
I sit down at the computer as the half time whistle goes!
Happy to see the score!
I see Newcastle must have won the toss and threw LSox towards the Kop in the first half
I'll take this score!
I see that Sotton are scoreless with Bristol City at half time
David James has made a few fantastic saves aparently
Some halftime scores:
Sotton 0 Bristol City 0
Huddersfield 1 Carlisle 1
Tranmere 1 Bury 0
Cheltenham 1 Rotherham 0
Crawley 1 Barent 0
Daggenham 1 Gillingham 1
Hereford 1 Accrington Stanley 0
Good afternoon UWS. I was just about to email you.
Yay - FSC just played my favorite Golden Corral advert. So, what are you going to stick in that Chocolate Wonderfall, MUR?
Afternoon, UWS - how have you been, mate?
Out to lunch with the Mrs and a couple of sons and then grocery shopping. I am back for the duration
Just called the groomers and Sparky will be ready in thirty minutes. He sure is more pampered than yours truly.
I am not sure what to stick in the chocolate waterfall. I haven't been to a Golden Corral in about fifteen years.
This round of matches brink most teams (except Spurs and Everton) to the half way mark of the season.
That game is being made up on Jan 11
We all know about the early match tomorrow. The highlight of the weekend for obvious reasons. UWS, it would be fitting if you put up the post for tomorrow due to the occasion.
Luv to see LSox get something from Citeh
Consider it done!
The header from Cabaye has been changed to an Agger OG.
Wonder if I can find a picture of Sir Alex celebrating his birthday on TOP of something!!
I second that. I just fell that you are the right person for this occasion. I am delighted you are doing the post.
I second that, MUR.
We're underway again in the second half.
The second half kicks off from Anfield.
The better matches are on New Years Eve. The only matches on New Years Day are WBA vs Everton( early kickoff) and Sunderland vs Citeh at 10 AM. I may skip the early match on Sunday. Not sure yet.
Davide Santon has come on for Ryan Taylor.
I'm with you - I may opt for a little extra kip on New Year's Day.
High and wide by Stuart Downing that the Toon fans will enjoy due to his Middlesbrough connection.
Spearing has knobbled himself now.
On the replay, that was quite naughty from Cabaye.
I should watch Sunderland vs Citeh due to the title implications.The extra kip will come in handy due to the celebrating . I am sure SAF will doing plenty of that due to the timing of his birthday.
Spearing goes in at 100 mph... the other guy lift his foot but he really needs to stop going in in a reckless manner
Tiote has a bloody nose and Gooner may enjoy that.
It is a balmy 85 degrees in Harlingen today. Is it really December?
Is Spearing okay
Alan Parry and co are really on the Toon man
Cheeky back hell from Ober. Ne never did that at OT.
Stop bragging, MUR. Dreary and cold here in Fred-town. 46F and signs of snow for tonight.
Did you see that the Swiss FA docked FC Sion 36 points for fielding unregistered players. Three points for each game they played in.
This satisfies UEFA so United are definitely in the Europa league!
FC Sion had 31 points before the day began
Downing is fouled near the corner flag and Bellamy waves off of Adam as Carroll heads sideways and Lee Probert blows the whistle for a foul.
Great Anoraking , UWS. FC Sion are basically relegated and UEFA will definitely be pleased.Great news for United and great post. I had not heard about this.
Sorry , BD.I will quit being so boastful.
Crikey - that's Sion's season over, in't it? Why bother to show up?
Any thoughts about the TH-14 loan deal with Arsenal?
Spearing seems to be okay as he fouls Vukic.Stevie G looks set to come off the bench.
That's alright, mate. I'll just have to lard it on in the summer when you're roasting and we're loving the 72F summer breezes.
Stevie G coming on
Su-su-sudio! It's Stevie G. off the bench for old time's sake.
Useless free kick from Cabaye, but some lucky fan will have a souvenir. Stevie G is on for Charlie Adam , who did not have one of his better matches.
Touche BD! Great point.
I emailed Steve about TH 14... should I say TH 12 these days!
I don't think it is a bad idea for a loan. Look how United did with Henrick Larson.
He could replace Gerv of at the ANC
I think I had stated my opinion on TH 14 and offered Huddersfield's Jordan Rhodes as another option instead. Your colleague on campus will not be pleased with my suggestion.
Good point, UWS. I did not think about that and Henrik Larsson was a key player during that title run.
I am surprised that not a single second half goal has been scored in eight English matches this evening.
Newcastle are responding by sending on Ben Arfa.
Ben Arfa is about to come on for the Toon.
The Beeb said that Becks is leaning towards staying with the Galaxy
A second half goal has been scored as Daggenham just took a 2-1 lead vs Gillingham.
Bristol City have a goal disallowed for offiside at St. Mary's
Chance for Carrol... useless control
Great pass from Stevie G to Carroll whose poor first touch prevented him from Scoring when he had just the keeper to beat. He can't use Krul luck as an excuse.
Ben Arfa on for Vukic.
Oh - Carroll should have done better there with that sumptuous ball from Stevie G. Carroll's doing a good impression of a "Ball of Confusion."
Clumsy by Tiote on Agger.A free kick in a decent position.
GOAL! It's Bellamy again!
2-1!
Liverpool take lead!
I was in the kitchen and i didn't know who scored because of the lack of crowd noise
Bellamy waves off Stevie G.
GOAL !! 2-1 AS BELLAMY CURLS IN THE FREE KICK AND KRUL MAD E A HASH OF IT AS HE SHOULD HAVE PUSHED IT AWAY!
That could only have been Bellamy's second touch of the match. He's been completely anonymous all night. Carroll might have got a cheap touch but he couldn't even get his bonce on that.
Krul on Newcastle who were let down by their keeper.
I don't think Carroll got a touch.
He didn't - what a berk.
Danny Simspon blocked Carroll's Perhaps I was too Krul to criticize the keeper.
Skrtel with a tremendous clearance off the line from Ba's chip.
Skrtel is down injured as he heroically cleared a Ba Shot off the line.
I am back to see the replay of the ball saved off the line
Stupid challenge by Guteirez
Carroll hits the bar with a header!
Oh - Stevie G. Abacabs one over to Carroll and the big man fails to score again. Wow!
Is Stevie G. the new Beckham?
OH! Andy Carroll heads off the bar from a brilliant Stevie G cross.
Bellamy's sustained a head wound somehow. Kuyt to come on for him.
I'd like to see Carroll get some goals. I think he could be REALLY dangerous for England
Bellamy Fing all over the place while bleeding from the eye
Now Bellamy goes off due to a bloody gash near his eyebrow. How did that happen? Kuyyt is on for Bellamy.It was due to a clash with Collocini. Accidental or not???
The commentator wants a bit more "contact." I'm sending him a coupon for Golden Corral.
Still 0-0 at St.Mary's The Hammers and Teesiders could narrow their lead to one point tomorrow.
Bellamy could teach a Berlitz course on f'ing and blinding.
This time Carroll completely misses a header from a perfect cross by Stevie G. wants holding for looking like a right berk!
Kuyyt wins a corner off of Tiote. The corner fails to clear the first defender.
Stevie G... what a difference he has made since coming on!! How did he have so much space!!
3-1
GOAL !!! 3-1 AS STEVIE G FINISHES WITH A SHOT THROUGH KRUL'S LEGS!a SUPERB PASS FROM SPEARING.
GOAL! Stevie G. skips through a crowd and finishes with aplomb!
3-1! The Lamb (and Newcastle) are now lying down at Anfield.
Bristol City have taken the lead at St. Mary's!
I hope Gerrard starts against Citeh!!
Oh dear about the Saints
Glen Johnson shots well wide from a poor clearance of a Downing cross as Liversox countered.
I second that about Stevie G vs Citeh.
Gerrard should be fresh for the summer!
BTW, I don't agree about one of the excuses for England is their tough league season... what about all the foreigners playing here!
I was just about to do the classic joke about Bristol being held by Soton... and they've gone and wrecked it for me. Pssshaw!
If wets Ham and Middlesbrough win tomorrow and Bristol City win then all three teams will be level on points.
That's not a result, just a bit of gossip
Good point,UWS. It is probably their attitude .Sorry BD. Sotton may score yet!
That's the one, UWS.
Good thing Glen Johnson doesn't play for Bristol City or the headline may have read Johnson held on by Sotton!
That was an elbow from Collucinni
Sammy Ameobi has come off the bench while his older bruv is still keeping the bench warm.
Nast by Collocini. will he be punished through use of video evidence?
Sotton have been unbeaten throughout 2011... don't blow it in the last game!!!
Did I tell you that Obertan is CRAP
Accrington Stanley have tied it up at Hereford as Sammy Ameobi came on for Ober.
They can go ahead a blow it, for all I care.
He sure is CRAP! Good riddance to him.
Sammy Ameobi on for Over-ran now.
Will Demba Ba be gone for the African Cup of Nations? That will really hurt Newcastle.
Yes - they mentioned that earlier. It will hurt them, definitely.
Yes he is off... Pardew said they weren't going to buy anyone to replace him
Useless control by Sammy who does a good Ober impersonation.
Why hasn't Krul saved everything thrown at him today like he did at OT??
Tranmere now lead Bury 2-0.
Nearly into stoppage time now.
I hope he misses everything next Wednesday.
Into added time at St Mary's
Sparky will be picked up from the groomers as soon as this match ends.
Gutierrez and Gerrard discussing their favorite Phil Collins singles.
Four minutes of stoppage time form Anfield.
Did Sparky get a perm or just a short back and sides?
Pseuddio!
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