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!
That's followed by the regular 10 o'clock kickoffs, including the big one for me with my beloved Leeds United hosting relegation strugglers Newcastle. The stand-out match-up is Man Utd v. West Ham - a real battle royale between two sides battling for European spots.
Finally Man City travel to Soton for the late fixture. Join me for all the action today, won't you?
posted by The Blue Devil @ 7:23 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!
338 Comments:
This one features Everton stand-in boss Duncan Ferguson in his first match in charge. He will likely receive the sort of ovation reserved for living legends, while Villa manager Steven Gerrard will cop the kind of abuse specially tailored for arch villains.
The teams now coming out to the strains of the Z Cars Theme:
Everton: Pickford, Kenny, Mina, Holgate, Godfrey, Townsend, Doucoure, Andre Gomes, Gray, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison.
Subs: Keane, Allan, Begovic, Coleman, Gordon, Gbamin, Rondon, Dobbin, Onyango.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey, Buendia, Watkins, Coutinho.
Subs: Olsen, Targett, Sanson, Young, Ings, Kesler, Hause, Chukwuemeka, Iroegbunam.
Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire).
A plane is now flying over Goodison Park with a banner that reads, "Time to go, Bill," in reference to long-time Everton chairman Bill Kenwright. Cor!
We're all set to kick off now - Everton are in their royal blue, Villa in second-choice white.
DCL has only played in five matches this season, but he's scored three. He's finally back in the fold and the Toffees will need him to start scoring straight away.
Quick start for both sides in what seems like a tumultuous atmosphere at Goodison.
Andre Gomes brings down Buendia some thirty yards out and Villa have a tasty free kick chance.
Oh - Douglas Luis has a go and Pickers was scurrying across to try to tip it over. Just over the bar.
Morning Bob
I am here... for a while! I might have to go to the store and also be a host again if Walt comes over later
It is bloody freezing outside!!
Just tuned in the Cloughie Derby on Plus
Gomes crosses deep from the left. Calvert-Lewin heads down, hoping to tee up Richarlison. Mings reads the danger and intercepts just in time. This game is being played at 101 miles per hour.
I thought Goodison would be rockin today with Big Dunc in charge....was it before? It not right now
Morning, Dave - great to have you on board, even temporarily. How's the weather your way?
It was before the match, but with some dissension in the air around Bill Kenwright's chairmanship. But Villa's start has quietened them - they've been the better side.
Derby should have taken the lead.
We got about 3 or 4 inches last Monday and all of that is all crusted at the top because it is so cold
I'm surprised that we're on USA and your lot are on Peacock. Ours is 15th vs. 18th, while yours is 7th vs. 4th!
I really hope that Wazza's Derby County get out of trouble. A 21 points deduction is absurd! And we've been there!
Really cold here today, too, but it's the first day all week that it hasn't snowed. We got about 20 inches on Monday and then it's been about 3 or 4 inches a day since then.
Nice turn and run there from Buendia but his final shot was scuffed wide.
Good Morning, Bob and Dave., Just woke up and a bit chilly here too. We received a light dusting of snow last night that should be gone by lunch
Mina had a chance there from the corner but his marker put him off a bit.
All about $$
Not enough people have ordered the Cock yet!
Spurs and Chelsea not on TV either!
Morning, David - welcome!
A matchup between two managers who never saw a foul they didn't like in a Mersey derby but probably more low key ope the bench
I see what you're saying - sneaky buggers!
Morning David
I've read that some teams are trying to sue Derby for causing them not to be promoted during the time they beat Leeds in the playoff
Thanks, Bob. Glad to be around
Why would Michael Keane be assured of a spot on the team sheet - he's been wretched this season.
WOW! That's really absurd. Those teams deserve a points deduction. I hope that's nit why the Rams were deducted points and 21 points is ridiculous. It punishes the supporters
I agree. Now you see why he didn't make it at United
Oh - Buendia was nearly in there but Godfrey tracked back well.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10424221/MARTIN-SAMUEL-Middlesbrough-Wycombes-lawsuits-Derby-based-fantasy-seasons.html
Ben Godfrey tackles Buendia for a corner off a nice run and pass by Matty Cash
Oh - Doucoure had a chance there to play in Richarlison but he got the ball all wrong. Huge groans around the stadium. I can't believe how quiet it is at Goodison. I won't be for the next one, I can promise you that. Elland Road rocks and rolls.
Thanks for the article, Dave - I can see the point those clubs are making but I think it's harsh to sue at this point when they're down.
Goodison Park used to be one of the noisiest stadiums. Sad how that ha s changed
Thanks, Dave. I will read the article at the half
I've just noticed that Andros Townsend is on the pitch - that's quite a disappearing act he's been pulling off this morning.
Cardiff City took the lead at Ashton Gate then Bristol City tied it up two minutes later in the Severn Derby . That's not idle gossip.
The other Championship match currently being played is a Derby too , the East Midlands Derby. That means Derby is drawing in the derby
Mina and Pickers with a comical moment there, the defender nodding the ball back over his goalkeeper's head. Heart in mouth time for the Everton faithful.
Well the article also says that it wasn't Derby's fault they dropped points in all the other games
Oh - Ollie Watkins got behind the backfour but he couldn't quite poke it in.
VAR check on the challenge from Pickers.
OH! Nice long ball by Mings the Merciless and he did well rio control it then shot wide with just Picjkford to beat. He went down theatrically looking for a penalty. Thankful;ly nothing given
I HATE VAR
I need to read the article . Sounds interesting
This has been a more even affair than I expected. I thought that Villa might build on their second half performance against United.
How is this for a rhyme? Let's BAR VAR
I was expecting a committed performance from the Toffees ice Big Dunc is on the touchline. It has been that to a certain extent. Villa may be better in then second half
Derby, unbelievably, still have a chance. They're only seven points from safety, despite the points deduction. I'd like to see it happen.
Gift corner comes to nothing for the Toffees
So many teams are toothless at corners.... none worse than United! Haven't scored from a single corner this whole season..... over a HUNDRED!
I'm on Wazza's side too
That's a nice one, David - you should put it on a t-shirt.
How about Fulham....last three games....scored 6, 7 and 6!!!
Pickers with a great save but offside anyway
Oh - Villa nearly in again but for a miraculous save by Pickers - and then the offside flag goes up.
Into two minutes of stoppage time then.
OH! How did Olly Watkins not score. Great kick save by Pickford from his header as he was miles offside . A Pair of stoppage time minutes
The Cottagers will definitely bounce back up but I'm bored with them. They'll do nothing in the Premier League again.
Thanks, Bob. I will consider that
The Cottagers are quite a goal scoring machine of late. That's absolutely incredible
Oh - another chance for Villa through Coutinho now - Pickers did well again to tip over.
Pickford does well to tip over a header from Coutinho
Villa take the lead....from a corner!!
GOAL ! BEUNDIA SCORES OFF THE CORNER AT THE VERY END OF THE HALF
GOAL! That one is in! Buendia has been great this morning and he gets his reward just before half-time.
Geez.... stuff thrown from the crowd
Great near post header off the corner but left wide open. Two Villa players down
Good point.... Townsend would have cleared that if Pickers didn't save it
Why is the commentator saying that Buendia was being provocative? Can't players celebrate goals any more? Ridiculous. Matty Cash has been felled by a bottle thrown from the crowd. There's no excuse for that.
Off to the store
Matty Cash down after bottles thrown from the crowd and Villa one up at the half
And that's half time - a lot to clean up during the interval.
Agreed, Bob. The supporters are to blame. I didn't see anything unusual about the goal celebration
The players are back out for the second half - no changes to either side. Villa in the driver's seat.
The second half is underway from Goodison Park
Oh - Ollie Watkins did well to get to the by-line and drag one back but no one was following in.
Mings the merciless fouls DCL just outside the Villa box
Now Everton have a free kick chance.
Demari Gray takes and the wall deflects it out for a corner.
Free kick from Damari Gray deflected for a corner
Oh - DCL miss-timed his header at the back post. He should have done better with that chance.
Header from DCL off the corner from Townsend headed well wide
Like for like as Allan on for Andre Gomes Addams as he appeared to limp off injured
Allan has replaced Andre Gomes. Like for like for Big Dunc - I don't really see the point of that. They need more attacking threat.
Why wouldn't Everton be in relegation trouble? They're in 16th and some of the other sides around them such as Norwich, are in better form and picking up points.
Derby trading in the Derby Because Forest have Grabban the lead with a goal from Lewis.
The Toffees are only five points clear of the drop zone. Definitely in a relegation battle
Villa now tenth with this lead
Another pretty much like for like as Anthony Flash Gordon on to take on Mings the Merciless. Would you watch that movie?
Rich Arlison heads overt a cross from anthony Flash Gordon after Damari Gray had a shot blocked off a solo run
Mina shoves Ramsey a bit and picks up a yellow card for his trouble.
Not sure how Villa got a free kick . Jacob Ramsey ran into Jerry Minor. How was he to avoid that and how is that a booking?
Coutinho over this tasty free kick chance.
Free kick from Coutinho well over
Oh - great save there by Emi Martinez.
Actually on the replay it seems like that was more Tyrone Mings nodding off the line. Quite merciless on Everton really.
Nice one, Bob. Seems like everyone has been merciless on the Toffees
At the half they said the Hornets are about to sack Ranieri. We said that yesterday
Did you hear about the nw Flash Gordon Movie? Mings the Merciless roasts the Toffees
The final roll of the dice is a huge gamble as Doucoree off injured and replaced ben eighteen year old Onyanga for only his fourth Toffees first team appearance
Oh - great cross over by Gordon and DCL might have done better.
OH! The Toffees best football of the match after Anthony Flash Gordon played a one two with Rioch Arlison and his pass was diverted well wide by a sliding DCL
Bristol City has come from behind to take a 2-1 lead vs Cardiff
Jerry Minor heads wide from a corner. The Toffees have had chances but haven't forced more than a save from Martinez
That substitution is still like for like. I would've thought that he'd want to put another striker like Rondon on.
Martinez booked for time wasting off a goal kick. Really early to be time wasting. A stupid booking t o pick up
Has Rondon even scored for the Toffees? I think Gordon has done well since coming off the bench and created chances . Big Dunc must have thought the same as you that Townsend put on too much of a disappearing act and will probably hear from, Big Dunc after the match about it. Will you stay clear of that ?
Onyanga with a header blocked for a corner off a cross from Damari Gray
I was intersted to see this week that Marcelo Bielsa has given more starts to teenagers - eight in all - than any other manager in Premier League history.
Another chancer for the Toffees and off target and yet again off target as Jerry Minor heads well over from a cross
Cotuniho is replaced by Chookwookie , as second cousin of Chewbacca, sop we have Star Wars and Flash Gordon represented in this match
Matty Cashed in as he's booked for bringing dow Rich Arlison
Ollie Watkins trotting off now, to be replaced by Danny Ings. I expected him to get some boos but the Everton faithful can't be bothered. They're too nervous.
Like for like as Danny Ings on for Olly Watkins
Allan goes into the book for some backchat.
On Derby Morningin the Championship Bristol City takes a 3-1 leads Cardiff while Forest now two up vs Derby in the Derby
Some argybargy now between the two groups of players. Godfrey picks up a yellow.
Ben Godfrey booked for a foul on Doug Lewis and a minor skirmish breaks out
Some of these teams will have a lengthy break heading ion to the international break, especially if they're already out of the Cup
Mings the Merciless added to the list of bookings for climbing all over Rich Arlison. Great chance for the Toffees
Free kick from Anthony Flash Gordon takes a deflection and Martinez did well to prevent the Toffees corner
Derby pulls one back in the Derby as they trail Forest 2-1
The Toffees have had a baker's dozen shots in the second half. Big Dunc as a former striker will be disappointed that precious few have worked Matinez in the Villa goal
Nearly into stoppage time at Goodison - this would be a hard loss for the Toffees to take.
Mings the Merciless down , time wasting
A quintet of stoppage time minutes
A late, late substitution just to ruin Dave's whole morning.
The final roll of the dice from Stevie G as he shuts up shop in stoppage time to ruin Dave's morning as Courtney Hause on for Buendia
Champ says this is the Toffees worst run of form since 1994. That must have been when Joe Rpoyle replaced Mike Walker
Danny Ings becomes the ninth player of the match to be booked
Kate's comment for the morning - "What?! There's Mings and Ings on the same team? How does that happen?"
Good question!
Big Dunc is about to start with a loss.
Pickers up for the late, late corner.
Anthony Flash Gordon wins a corner off former teammate , Dogne. Corner headed on and out and Villa hold on to win 0-1 as it's yet another loss for the Toffees
Definitely a great question from Kate. That would make for a great t-shirt
And that's it - Villa get all three points this morning and vault up to mid-table security. Everton are in the dumps.
Now then - for the big ones featuring our two sides. I'll take wins from both.
Next up is both of our Uniteds as Leeds vs the Toon on USA and United vs the Hammers on the Cock
I second that .
CIOME ON YOU UNITEDS!
It's another big day in the Premier League for my beloved Leeds United. We host fellow relegation strugglers Newcastle at the sacred Elland Road ground. We've started 2022 well, with two wins on the bounce, so my patented survival rubric says that three more points will see well clear of danger. Come on, you Whites! #MOT!
The teams now preparing in the famous tunnel at Elland Road:
Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Dallas, Koch, Raphinha, Klich, Rodrigo, Harrison, James.
Subs: Roberts, Klaesson, Bate, Gelhardt, Hjelde, McKinstry, McCarron, Moore, Kenneh.
Newcastle: Dubravka, Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Dummett, Willock, Shelvey, Joelinton, Fraser, Wood, Saint-Maximin.
Subs: Clark, Lewis, Hendrick, Manquillo, Murphy, Almiron, Darlow, Gayle, Sean Longstaff.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire)
Police have apparently arrested the fan who threw the Lucozade bottle at Matty Cash earlier today.
Back for the 10 AM matches. I'm watching the match from ER on the Telly and the one from OT on the IMAC
And we're away at Elland Road! MOT!
Quick start from the Whites with James playing Raphinha down the wing. He was trying to jink in on his favored left foot but well defended.
Dan James seems well up for this one.
Gareth Southgate in the crowd today. I wondering who he's watching.
Bit of a dicey moment in defense as Struijk slips and Willock should have shot. Fortunately he dished off to Joelinton who scooped over.
Dan James wins a corner then. Come on!
Chris Wood wins a corner now - mark 'em up!
Nice punch out by Meslier.
Nasty one there by Trippier on Dallas. Should be a card.
Oh - big chance for Dan James there. And a big save by Dubravs.
Glad they arrested the supporter. Hope the supporter gets a lifetime ban and some time in prison
Nasty clash after the fact between Schar and James - Schar seems to have come off worse.
How are United looking so far?
I guess southgate will watch plenty of players between now and the friendlies in March. His next chance will be in a fortnight
United have been fairly average. Not many chances so far at OT
Schar is finally up trudging off - he'll likely continue for now.
QPR takes the lead at Coventry and are now fourth , three points from automatic promotion
Terriers take a 1-2 lead at the Mad Sad and move up to fifth place
St. Max tries to work an angle for a shot but scuffs it wide.
Potters 1 Cottagers 1
Dallas was looking for Rodrigo but it was a bit heavy.
In L1Wycombe go top as they take the lead at Morecambe and None Too Wise. Wigan second as they6 take the lead vs the Gils
Not a Big club take the lead at Oxford and are a point outside a playoff spot
Oh - great ball from Llorente to Jack who crossed it in early and won a throw.
Oh - now Matty Klich ghosts in at the near post and blasts one just wide. We're definitely on the attack here.
OH! Nice cross from Bruno and a wide open CR 7 completely misses his header. Should have given United the lead
Nice interplay between Jack and Dan wins a corner now.
Leeds starting to dominate at ER
Dalot heads well wide off a cross from eland
Oh - from the corner, the ball is played back to Raph who tries a curler. Well over.
Accrington Stanley takes the lead at PR
A wild one at the Mad Sad as it's now Desmond between the Reading Railroad and the Terriers
Jack's getting a lot of joy down the left - he whips another cross over that Raph nearly got his head on.
Joe Linton down for the Top. They can ill afford to lose him. Would Dwight Crystal GAyle sing a Toon to come on for him?
That's a right old ding dong.
Looks like Joelinton might have done his groin.
Wee Ryan with a shot deflected for a corner off a pass from SAt. Max
Fraser's shot on goal earns Newcastle a corner. Mark 'em up!
Meslier does well to save a volley from Shelveyy after a bout of head tennis from the corner
Oh - great save by Meslier to keep out that volley by Shelvy!
Terriers now lead 2-3 at the Mad Stad.
Tractor Boysd tie it up vs Accrington Stanley. Wigan two up vs the Gils. Rotherham takes the lead vs Cheltenham
Morning Chaps!
Good to see that Fotmob lists Lord Bamford as an injured player today. It's been a month since he's been even worth a mention. Foot injury. I'd have guessed something that involved an iron lung.
Must win for Leeds. MOT!
Oh - Raph did so well to get past his man but then his final ball didn't find anyone running in on it.
Raph running rampant down the right now. Earns a corner.
Brum takes the lead vs rock bottom Barnsley while table topping Cottagers taker a 1-2 lead at the Brit
Good Morning, Steve. How have you been?
Oh - Rodrigo was in there but decided to go on his own. Earns a corner.
According to the history books Abe Lincoln falls behind at Plymouth Rock. I predict Abe Lincoln will tie it up four score and seven min utes into the match
Raph tries to do Dummit again but the ref sees nothing.
Bees vs Wolves match has been halted. According to FOTMOB it's due to a drone flying above the pitch. That's a first
Dan James gets to stretch his legs but can't quite jink inside.
Looks like Joelinton is going to have to come off - one of the Longstaff brothers to come on for him.
It's been a good start to 2022 Al Prez. I'm earning a salary again after two years out. It's work, and I envy your retired status. I want to get me some of that as soon as it's possible. I'm digging how much you're enjoying the change of scenery around yours.
Joe Linton goes off injured and what appears to be a defensive switch as he's replaced by one o f the Longstaffe brothers
Newcastle have been wasting a load of time with all of these supposed injuries. I hope the ref will add some time. We need a goal before half-time.
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