"Top v. Bottom" day in the Premiership
posted by The Blue Devil @ 7:25 AM
Lakenheath Old Boys
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!
Saturday, December 05, 2015
Lakenheath Old Boys
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!
Contributors
Previous Posts
- Pop Culture Trivia of the Week
- Capital One Cup Update
- Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 14 Update
- A Very Early Sunday Morning in the Capital
- A Critical Weekend in the Premiership
- Matchday 5 Wednesday in the Champions League
- Song Exploder!
- Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 13 Update
- Are These Two Teams Real Title Contenders?
- The Premiership is Back!
390 Comments:
Only thirteen years ago, both Stoke and Man City were freshly promoted teams. Since then, the clubs have taken wildly different routes. City have become a "Big Club," largely through Emirati financing, while Stoke are dogged Premiership perennial, rarely winning much but hard to beat.
So, the question again is, "Can Stoke be spoilers today?" Will they rob City of precious points that they need to stay on top of a competitive Premiership table top.
Good morning Bob. It's great to join you for this early match. Mark Hughes will be up against the team that sacked him.
The teams are out in the tunnel and it's the return of the vocal Joe Hart telling his team to keep the ball and start bright.
Morning, MUR - it's great to have you on board this morning. I appreciate your waking up at the crack of dawn for this one. True dedication to the LOB cause.
The teams out on the pitch at the Britannia:
Stoke City: Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters; Cameron, Whelan; Shaqiri, Afellay, Arnautovic; Bojan
Subs: Haugaard, Joselu, Wilson, Van Ginkel, Adam, Diouf, Walters
Manchester City: Hart; Sagna, Otamendi, Demichelis, Kolarov; Fernando, Fernandinho; De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Bony
Subs: Caballero, Navas, Kelechi, Delph, Garcia, Clichy, Humphreys
Referee: Martin Atkinson
An interesting result yesterday as Middlesbrough won 0-2 at PR to go top of the Championship. I expect the high flying Seagulls to return to top spot as they host struggling Charlton at 10 AM.
How much will the loss of my GBB Sergio Aguero be for City over the next month?
Cheers Bob. It's great to join you. Unfortunately, I'll only be around for the early match, so I will have to DVR the others.
I do, too. But I expect that Brighton and Boro may well be 1 and 2 this season. They could easily run away with it.
What are you up to this Saturday, mate?
That's an interesting question given the busy schedule during the holidays.
They're off from the Brit.
Peter Drury and Jim Beglin are our commentators today. City, wearing their dark away kit, get us underway.
We're going to the in-laws for an early celebration of my half ton.It's the only day that worked for everyone in the area.
That's odd - the only camera shot we've got right now is the full pitch establishing shot. Technical problems on NBC?
Citeh may compensate for the loss of Aguero by Joe Hart's words of encouragement in the tunnel.
It is an odd camera shot. I presume that it would be with SKY, not NBC
An early birthday celebration. Well in, mate!
That reminds me. How was the Gooner's birthday yesterday.
Cheers mate. Next time we get together we need to have one with the Gooner and any other LOBers that are along with us.
Joe Hart must have the wind behind him based on the fact that the ball travelled nearly the length of the pitch with minimal contact.
GOAL !!!! ARNAUTOVIC PUTS STOKE IN THE LEAD WITH A BLAST FROM CLOSE RANGE OFF A SUPERB SOLO RUN AND PASS FROM SHAQUIRI.
GOAL! Arnautovic celebrates early too with a stonking finish from Shaquiri's center.
1-0 Stoke!
Gooner had a great night out with family and friends at one of his favorite restaurants.
Fernandinho is down off a challenge from Affellay. There didn't seem much in it.
Citeh win a corner.
Bojan counters off a corner from De Bruyne that came off of Ferandinho. Citeh won the ball back
Back to the goal. SOme superb trickery from Bojan in midfield as he got past Fernando and picked out Shaquiri down the right. He then played a one with Glen Johnson , then went past Fernandinho and Kolorov before his cross was smashed in from close range by Arnautovic.
I'm delighted that the Gooner had a great birthday. Fred says that he will watch an upset at the EM today. Fred may be too optimistic.
This fixture might well expose the soft underbelly of City's set-up. I'm not sure that they're enjoying this cold, windy day in the Potteries.
I don't know - Arsenal are suffering their usual injury crisis right now.
Oh - the Ginger Winger got into the area and poked one toward goal, but right at Butland. Good stop.
De Bruyne went on a solo run as the ball took an odd bounce, but he shot straight at Butland from close range and the ball was cleared away
GOAL! Shaquiri and Arnautovic destroy City again! And Mark Hughes is lovely it!
2-0!
GOAL !!! ARNAUTOVIC AT THE DOUBLE AS STOKE GO TWO UP AND SHAQUIRI THE PROVIDER AGAIN AS WELL.
Lovely spin away from Fernando by Shaquiri and then a slide rule pass to the big Austrian. Tidy finish past a prone Hart.
Mark Hughes couldn't be happier to put the knife in against his former employers.
A great Stoke counter as a pass from Silva was cut and cleared to Geoff Cameron. He held off Fernando then passed to Shaquiri , whose through ball found Arnautovic hand he scored with a great finish past Hart.
Agreed. The goal came a minute after a missed sitter by De Bruyne at the other end.,
So, Citeh have been hit with an avalanche from the Alps.
A stoke win will be welcomed by United , the Foxes , and the Gunners . Any one of those could overtake Citeh at the top and throw the PPP race wide open.
I noticed that the second round of the FA Cup is being played today. According to the Beeb web site. The draw for the Third Round is on Monday at 7 PM GMT. Isn't that an odd time?
"An avalanche from the Alps" - I love it. This will be a great opening for United and the others at the top.
That does seem an odd time - there is a Premiership match on Monday night. Perhaps there is also a 2nd Round FA Cup match on as well.
These teams will meet twice next month in the Capital One Cup semis. Rather interesting.
Yes there is . It's a classic as Grimsby host the Shrews.
It's crazy the way things are being scheduled now for the telly viewership. A Monday night FA Cup 2nd Round match?!
There are some cup matches today and tomorrow as well. The main talking point has been Salford City, who defeated Notts County 2-0 in the First Round and drew 1-1 with Jeff's lads yesterday.
Crikey - that was high from Dimechelis. These sides are switching roles today. Stoke are all about flair and City has regressed to kicking them.
I'll bet that you lot would take a 3rd Round tie against Salford. Wouldn't that be a Manc derby?
There has been some interesting scheduling in the Championship as QPR won 0-1 with a late goal at the Reading Railroad on Thursday and Not a Big Club host the Rams tomorrow.
Shaquiri is having a marvelous outing today - justifying all of the dosh that Mark Hughes has spent on him.
It sure would. Salford and Manchester are separated by a river. If you take an aerial picture, both look like the same city
Boni turns and hits one into the stands. Not that impressive. Aguero won't be afraid of losing his place with that effort.
He and Bojan have been running Citeh ragged in the midfield today.
Pieters has gone down like a sack of spuds there after a clash with the man mountain Boni.
Is Aguero out injured? As I type Peeters is down from a stray elbow ot the head from Boni. It's great to see him get up.
You will not be pleased to hear that JFH is the favorite to take over as the next manager of QPR where Evil Neil is a temporary place holder until the next manager is appointed.
A corner from De Bruyne is carried over everyone by the breeze , then Bojan runs the length of the pitch beating several Citeh players . He goes down in the box and somehow he is called for a foul.
OH ! Arnautovic nearly had a hat-trick as he headed inches wide from a cross from Whelan, the former Citeh trainee. Nio\ce back heel from Peeters.
Another Stoke player down now - Affellay now.
Affelay is down Boos from the home fans as they felt he was fouled by Fernando and Citeh had a long spell of possession as a result.
Another rugged challenge from Fernando this time, studs were up. What is the referee thinking?
I think this first half is evidence that Citeh are not the same side without Kompany, Yaya and Aguero. They're the heart and soul of the side.
Great near post save by Butland from Kolorov.
The corner from Kolorv is easily cleared by whelan, but Citeh maintain possession.
Agreed mate. I wonder if Kompany is a greater loss than the other two since Citeh have yet to keep a clean sheet while he's been out injured.
Oh - Arnautovic was in for his hat-trick but hits the post!!
OH!!! another chance for a hat-trick for Arnautovic as he was superbly put through. It smacked off the uptight with just Hart to beat off a superb counter.
Otamendi gifted possession to Stoke and Glen Johnson passed to Shaquiri and his superb through ball found Arnautovic , who beat the Citeh offside trap. three minutes of stoppage time.
Hey Boys
I have been upstairs for the first half and not seeing all of it
Well done Stoke!
Was LVG or any modern day player watching their first goal? Get the ball wide, beat a man, put in a dangerous cross... GOAL
I did read a few of your comments about the Cup
There is a Prem game on Monday
Everton host Palace
Stoke win a free kick as three minutes of stoppage time have elapsed.
Good morning UWS
Stoke are two up at the half and could have been as much as four as they are running the league leaders ragged.
Half-time: Stoke are looking like the league leaders here, running rings around their well-financed opponents. Bojan, Shaquiri and Arnautovic have sliced them apart.
Half time... Stoke two up against the wind!
Of course that isn't alway important is it Bob?
Liverpool 3 Forest 2 at half time in the Cup final with all three scored by Nocito
Second half Nocito(against the wind) 2 Forest 0
From the Daily Mail
Buffalo has broken a 116 year old snow record
The latest date with no measurable snowfall...none expected until at least mid-December... Our Bob must be luvin it
No Rooney today for United.. that's some good news
Just saw who the Neviller's first game is against today.... at home... to Barcelona!! Good luck Gaz
We're off for the second half
COME ON YOU POTTERS
Leeds have a tough one today
Home to Hull
Got my SS link going strong... I luv it
I'm back from a refreshing shower to see yet another Stoke player down.
United have to come here on Boxing Day... that won't be easy
We've barely started again and Whelan is having to come off for treatment. More Citeh thuggery?
Useless attempt of a cross by Sterling.. he's useless
Wilfried Bony's backside is a lethal weapon, apparently.
Sounds like a tough match . Leeds will need a Tigerish performance if they hope to get a result today.
Morning Bob... you ignoring all my comments??
Morning, UWS - how are you mate?
Nice one Bob. If he can't score then he will have to contribute some way somehow,.
Sorry, I was doing dishes at half-time and didn't notice you come on.
Good morning UWS. Does ENY have the same snowless streak that Buffalo does?
Stoke need to keep a clean sheet. If City score, they could go on and win it
Yes ENY is as mild as WNY
Otamendi booked for a foul on Shaquiri/
No comment about the "Cup Final"
There is a goal coming soon...I have to go to the loo
It's supposed to be sunny and in the low 70s the next few days. Highs near 80 by the end of this week.
OH!!! Yet another miss by Arnautovic as Hart saved a close range effort from Bojan then Arnautovic shot the rebound into the side netting.
Cheers UWS. Perhaps Arnautovic will complete his hat-trick.
I am ignoring that comment, mate.
I missed that cup final, but we played in equally windy conditions in the day
The Ginger Winger is having trouble getting the ball to stay in the triangle for the corner. It was still moving when he took the corner. He needs to take those left-footed to replicate the "wind-assisted" Nocito goals.
Fernando off after a 'mare and LUFC Academy boy Delph off.
Citeh make a double change . An attacking change as Delph is on for Fernandinho and Stoke players will be delighted as Ihenacho is on for Boni, who inflicted a lot of pain , but failed to muster an effort on goal.
Bony gets the hook, too. All he's done today is to injure Stoke players with him enormous bum.
" The Lethal weapon" is done for the day for Citeh. His attempts were in vain
No goal yet during UWS' loo-break.
United will have a tough match here on Boxing Day, which Boni thought it was and it should be an interesting two legged semi when these teams meet in twice in January
He's off to do damage to the Man City bench. Maybe it has to be reinforced for him?
So far he has yet to miss a goal. Just the double switch by Citeh
If the wind doesn't do any damage then he might as Navas looks like the final sub to come on for Citeh
The final roll of the dice for Manny P is an all Spanish swap as Navas is on for Silva.
This game has become a bit terrible in the second half. The extremely windy conditions are not helping.
Shaquiri shoots straight at Hart off some intricate Stoke passing.
No more subs for Pellegrini!
That plays into Stoke's hands as they aim to ride this one out. A faint bit of sunlight in the Potteries.
Shocker.... no goals when i was in the WC
Nope. That was the final roll of the dice for Manny P and not looking like snake eyes.
Well done. You did not miss a goal, but you missed all three of Citeh's substitutions.
Delphi swivels and rockets one into the upper deck. He didn't learn that at LUFC.
Are you blaming the wind?
Oh - how did Shaquiri miss that one?
OH!!!! Arnautovic with a hat-trick. That is of missed sitters as it was laid on a plate for him and he shot wide with just Hart to beat
I was listening to 5LIVE and they were talking about the modern day pitches. They look great but they are rock hard and horrible to play on
STOKE SHOULD HAVE GOT NUMBER THREE THERE!!
Oh - cleared off the line by Dimechelis!
OH! Now Bojan was put through and Hart was out there with a timely block to keep it down to 2-0. Now Bojan is off and replaced by Joselu
What was the explanation for that, mate? I thought that they all had the fancy dan undersoil heating and drainage systems and whatnot.
I didnt realize that , which might explain some of the injuries. They're sure not a stick in the mud.
Almost in again!
Shadow is at me right now and being very stubborn... I have to leave for walkies
If I don't get back before the end of this one, have a great time on your belated b-day party
It's our 25th Wedding anniversary on the Dec 15... I work day and night!!
TTFN
Stoke should be seven up , no pun intended, but for the missed chances.
City are now down to 10 men with Fernando hobbling off.
Yikes! It goes from bad to worse for Citeh as they are down to ten because Fernandinho is off injured and Citeh have made all their remaining substitutions.
Cheers UWS. Thank you very much. Enjoy walkies in the mild weather , which we will also be having today
Into the side netting by Kolorov for the ten men.
A deserved standing ovation for Shaquiri as he's replaced by Van Ginkel as Sparky aims to shut up shop.
Stoke have De Bruyned Citeh today.
Manny P on the Citeh bench where the P must surely stand for pissed.
Down to just over ten minutes. City still have time but do they have the resources to pull it off?
I don't think so. I think Stoke will see this one out. Iehanacho wins a Citeh corner
A training gorund routine as De Bruyne passes to Otamendi , who misses his kick . The Potters clear and Delp with a shot that is basically a pass to Butland.
Surely that weak effort from Delph was not a training ground routine learned at the LUFC Academy
Not at all, mate. Not at all.
Walters on for Affelay. The last thing Citeh want to see is a powerful player running at them.
LOL! That shot was gone like the wind.
Shaquiri gets the MOTM award. Well deserved. Sparky now has a nice mix of steel that was brought in during the Pulis days and his own flair players.
High And wide by Sterling as time is running out for Citeh
Not Raheem Sterling's day today - he wrenches another one wide and over.
Agreed mate. He had a brilliant match and Sparky seems to have a useful side.
Three minutes of stoppage time.
City will be stuck on 29 points and now reduced to a +14 GD. Leicester, United and Arsenal all have a chance of ending up in pole position at the end of the day.
Stoke are two up, but it could have been much more as they are giving the league leaders a right walloping.
Correct. The title race is wide open and any of those can be top of the pops.
United arguably have the toughest opponents in Slavan Bilic's Hammers. They could catch you lot if you're napping.
Arsenal should be able to see off Sunderland, Alexis or no Alexis. And I fancy Leicester with Vardy on fire to turn over a crisis-ridden Swansea side.
It's over and Stoke defeat Citeh 2-0
Sounds like the Foxes may move back on top.
I'm off for a quick shower before the 10am kickoffs.
I am back
Lovely jubbly with the result
West Ham can catch us if we are napping... I know I will be napping watching our boring lot
United roll over West Ham by Six and we'll be top on points and gd if Leicester don't win.... what a fantastic United side we have
Even a five goal win would do... I can see that!!
NOT
I'm back from the shower, mate. I'm wishing your United and my United the best of luck today. I'd be happy with a boring point against Hull, who are currently third in the table.
Not liking United's line up with Felaini in it.
I would want Martial up top and not him
Sorry, UWS, but I can't stand to watch United today. I'll be watching the most entertaining side in the Premiership - Leicester City!
Will Vardy score a 12th in a row?
That would equal the all time record... even though Dixie Dean had 15 in a row but was out injured during that streak
We are off at OT
COME ON MAN U
COME ON MAN U
COME ON MAN U
ATTACK
ATTACK
ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK
We're away at what looks like a cold and windy day at the Liberty.
So you should
I feel the same but I am forced to watch them... Its the law
I will be around for another ten minutes as they enter the match fifteen seconds in at the EM.
Stan Mortensen's record, right?
Almost it... get it over Martial...he seems a bit of a sourpuss to me sometimes
Yup
Here are your line-ups at Old Trafford, btw. I didn't see that you had posted them already:
Manchester United: De Gea, Darmian, Smalling, McNair, Blind, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Mata, Fellaini, Lingard, Martial.
Subs: Depay, Carrick, Young, Romero, Jackson, Andreas Pereira, Varela.
West Ham: Adrian, Tomkins, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Song, Zarate, Noble, Kouyate, Moses, Carroll.
Subs: Randolph, Jenkinson, Obiang, Collins, Jelavic, Antonio, Oxford.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)
And here are the line-ups for the one I'm watching on Extra Time:
Swansea: Fabianski, Naughton, Bartley, Williams, Taylor, Britton, Ki, Routledge, Sigurdsson, Ayew, Gomis.
Subs: Emnes, Nordfeldt, Montero, Rangel, Cork, Fernandez, Barrow.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez, Drinkwater, Kante, Albrighton, Ulloa, Vardy.
Subs: King, Schlupp, Okazaki, Wasilewski, Benalouane, Schwarzer, Inler.
Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)
Cross comes in but high and deep to HB and comes to nothing
WHERE'S THE QUALITY!!
First goal of the day
Huddersfield take the lead at St. Andrews
Just by kicking off... you're watching the league leaders
United on the front foot
Charlton have taken a surprise lead at Brighton
In the absence of Alexis Sanchez, Wenger has gone with a front line of The Ox, Giroud and Joel Campbell. Where the hell is Danny Welbeck?!
A chance for the bright greens as Fabrini misses a sitter for Fred's lads, shooting straight at Cech when clean through
Weak shot by Felaini
Sound off again on NBC... come on boys get your finger out
Wellie's been out injured all season
Leicester take the lead!!
GOAL! Leicester take the lead. Not Vardy. This one was off of Mahrez's shoulder. I think he's got eight or so this season. Leicester are entertaining.
Leicester are on top again. Wow!
Useless cross by Darmian
Do you think that Fellaini was added to give you lot some aerial muscle up front against a sturdy West Ham backline?
Wolves take the lead at Rotherham
Brighton two down
Felaini with a header just over the top
Better cross... by McNair
That's it for me. I'm off, but will be around tomorrow if anyone else is. Cheers!
Take care MUR
Have a fun day
Cheerio, MUR - have a great pre-birthday celebration with your family!
How was your walkies, mate?
Blimey - Charlton are 0-2 up on the south coast!
Victor Moses with a break right thru the United defense...
Saved by De Gea...phew
Walkies was fine... a little chilly but not complaining
De Gea has been the best in the Premiership this season. He must have earned you lot ten points already.
I think all the talk about United's great defense... they're not that good... De Gea saves us all the time!
Are you keeping up the five mile pace?
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