Sunday in the Relegation Zone
posted by The Blue Devil @ 8:55 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!
Sunday, May 01, 2022
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
- It's Crunch Time!
- The Match in Hand
- A Trip Down Memory Lane
- A Very Big Afternoon!
- Sunday on the Mersey
- A Manchester Kind of Morning
- Premiership Predictions Game - Week 33 Update
- Liverpool vs the United Way
- The Sunday Footer Agenda
- Saturday in the Prem and the Cup
204 Comments:
Morning, boys - Three weeks ago, Everton were four points clear of Burnley with eight games remaining. They haven’t done much wrong themselves since then – they drew at home to Leicester before losing respectably and a little unfortunately at Liverpool. Trouble is, in in the same period Burnley have taken 10 points from four games, which has left Everton in all sorts. They are five points behind Burnley and Leeds (who might now be their main relegation rivals) with two games in hand.
The teams now out on the pitch at Goodison Park:
Everton (4-3-3) Pickford; Coleman, Holgate, Mina, Mykolenko; Doucoure, Delph, Iwobi; Gray, Richarlison, Gordon.
Substitutes: Begovic, Kenny, Keane, Allan, Calvert-Lewin, Davies, Branthwaite, Rondon, Dele.
Chelsea (3-4-1-2) Mendy; Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Rudiger; James, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Alonso; Mount; Havertz, Werner.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Chalobah, Sarr, Kovacic, Saul, Kenedy, Pulisic, Ziyech, Lukaku.
Referee Kevin Friend.
Everton get us underway on a cloudy morning on Merseyside. Everton wearing blue, Chelsea in yellow.
Good Morning, Bob. Here to join you for the big match. Big match late too
COME ON CHELSEA
Anthony Gordon wins a dangerous free kick early on.
Morning, David! Thanks for joining me for this one. I'm very nervous.
Early free kick to the Toffees. Not exactly feeling Tongue N' Cheek about it
Thankfully high and wide by Anthony Gordon
Phew! Gordon fires it high and wide of the mark. But that shows the danger today of Chelsea being complacent.
Glad to join you and I understand . Hopefully a large Chelsea win will help you
The Toffees seem to always lose on the road , so their only hope is points at Goodison and Chelsea at home is not exactly easy
Chelsea last won at Goodison five years ago when they won the title when Conte was in charge
Chelsea now starting to impose themselves.
Reese James fouls Rich Arlison , who weans a card . It was just a minor foul
Well, it's not exactly imperative for Everton to lose today - they just can't win.
OH! Mounted shot was inches over
Agreed, Bob. A Toffees win throws the relegation race wide open.
Mina goes over in the box and Kevin Friend waves on. Phew!
Horrible attempt by Jerry Minor . Should be booked for that
I thin VAR would have overturned any penalty and would have been our friend
Yes - a win for Everton means that Leeds are no longer in control of their destiny.
Hopefully the return of Mina doesn't solidify the Toffees defense. He's been out long term , and supposedly that's why they leak goals, but at the same time a team shouldn't be that reliant on one player.
I'm hoping that Kevin Friend will be my friend today. I need all the help that I can get.
Chelsea have eight wins and two draws in their last ten away matches. That sounds encouraging
Mason Holgate mounted a foul and a free kick to Chelsea
Oh - Demarai Gray races through and pulls a good save out of Mendy. He was off anyway.
Horrible free kick from Reese James passed basically to Pickford then a superb long throw from him results in a run dfroim Damari Gray. Shot saved then the offside flag raised
That foul from Rudiger didn't cut the mustard and booked for obstruction on Seamus Coleman
Rudiger gets a yellow card for taking down Holgate.
Chelsea win a corner - come on, in off one of the big boys!
In the other match it's Spuds 0 Foxes 0. I guess we need to root for the Foxes from a United point of view.
In the Old Firm Derby it finished 1-1 at Celtic Park. Hoops need four points from three matches to be SPL champs
BUGGER! Spuds take the lead. Harry Kane and Abel to be assisted by Number One Son. No Surprises there
Two good blocks by Seamus Coleman who has been Mr. Reliable for the Toffees.
Spuds now fourth a point ahead of the Gunners. The DC boys may get together in the late one as the Hammers host the Gunners.
Naughty by Delph on H+Jorginho. I din't think they taught that at the LUFC Academy, mate.
The Foxes are Everton's next opponent next weekend, so I'll be a Leicester fan for this period.
Anthony Gordon goes down off a challenge from Jorginho then come straight back up. The temperamental Teuton yells at the fourth official about it
Sorry, mate - hoping for the best in that one.
I don't know why Tuchel gets so wound up about these things. Just calm down, mate.
Hey Boys
Busy morning but I'm here and there
I don't mind if you are a Foxes fan on Mum's Day, but not today. I don't think Steve is a Foxes fan today either in the battle for fourth place
Good Morning, Dave. What's happening today?
The return of Yerry Mina has brought some calmness to the Everton defence. There’s a long way to go but they’ve been relatively comfortable in the first half hour, despite being under constant pressure.
Morning, Dave - hope you're doing well this Sunday. How was the golf?
Shot from Anthony Gordon not too far widest Mendy seemed to have it covered
I don't like the return of Jerry Minor. Hope it doesn't solidify them for the run in
Now there's a coming together between Mason Mount and Yerry Mina.
Mason booked for mounting down Jerry Minor
Very nervous about this one - Everton are definitely pumped up for it.
Now Kevin Friend talks to the two skippers after a brief spat broke out
I think yesterday was the LOB's Birthday . Sweet Sixteen?
Golf was fun....the buggers beat me
Oh no - I forgot it with all of the excitement around the Leeds match. I've often posted a birthday message. Yes, Happy 16th Birthday, boys!
Was it really?
16 years!!
I remember we were texting a lot of times and then Bob had the blog idea...what a clever boy
“Where were you when you were shit?” chant the Everton fans at the away end. I doubt it will be reciprocated, for obvious reasons.
When did you join David?
Bob, remember when it started we couldn't get any coverage!! Then I was told about a website that showed games!!!
Thanks, Dave - I was on bedrest at home after my appendectomy when I cooked up the idea of blogging for the upcoming 2006 World Cup.
Chelsea fans don't remember when they were a yoyo club
Remember the day, when we all went on the website for WC qualifiers?
Ive gone and read some of it!
I had to leave for one of the boy's games
I join in January 2010. My first match on the LOB was the Mersery Derby. Last Sunday may bhave been the last one for a while
Dangerous attack there by Chelsea.
Well....lets' hope so!
In a few years I may say my first match was the Mersey Derby, but those are now part of history
It's been a great 16 year run - thanks for being the bedrock of the LOB.
If Everton go down, surely they will pop right back up. They ARE a big club!
I mentioned that to a couple of my Liverpool supporter friends last weekend and they hadn't even considered that it might be the last Derby in a while.
All these guys are just flopping on the ground all over the place!!!
Don't they know VAR will see they are cheating!!
VAR should be used to punish cheaters!
A pair of stoppage time minutes
I'll agree with you, Dave - Everton are indeed a very big club. But that's the genius of relegation. No club is guaranteed a spot. You have to earn it.
Our old LUFC Academy friend Fab Delph into the book now for a late one.
I guess the Toffees chances of going straight back up depends upon whether or not they can keep their players. If they have to sell their lineup then it depends upon the quality of their academy players. I have thought about that
Agreed, Bob. If the Toffees have a wholesale clearcut then they maybe down for a while
HT
I am off for walkies
We arrive at half-time goalless. I'm just about okay with that. But a Chelsea win would be much, much better.
It's 0-0 at the end of a scrappy half
Spuds one up at the half vs the Foxes
Kovacic is on for Jorginho, so basically like for like . I guess the Tempremental Teutonm wasn't happy with Curious George
Second half underway. COME ON CHELSEA
BLODDY HELL! RICH ARLISON HAS GIVEN THE TOFFEES THE LEAD
The reliable Thiago Silva , of all people , caught dwelling on the ball by Rich Arlison just outside the Chel;sea box and Rich Arlison scored past the stranded Mendy. Sorry, Bob
The relegation race is now wide open. Toffees still in the last drop spot a pair of points behind Leeds and Burnley
I cannot believe it - I'm back in my chair with the official LOB breakfast and I've missed an Everton goal. Curses!
PHEW! Mickey Lenko misses a sitter , shooting high and wide from close range off a pass from Doucourre.
Everton now in total control of their destiny. Win today and their match in hand, which I believe it away to Watford and they're above us.
Sorry, Bob. I'm confident Chelsea will come back. Hope you enjoy a great brekkies
Hopefully Toffees away day blues continue. Last away point was at Chelsea the day we moved in to this house. Pointless on their travels since we've had a full day in this house. Hope this house continues to haunt the Toffees on their travels
Surprising that it was Thiago Silva, of all people, that gifted them the goal. He's the last person I would have picked for that
Great brekkies - but I'm really nervous now.
Mickey Lenko fouls Tongue N Cheek in the break . Should have been booked
Oh - great saves by Pickers! And both posts!
OH! Mounted shot off the inside of the post then a superb turn around by Pickford from Azpi.
And again from Pickers! He's keeping them in this.
OH! Superb block by Pickford from Rudiger after Tongue N Cheek headed on the corner
Pickford and Mickey Lenko down from that.
Spuds two up.Number One Son , assisted by Kulesevski
Yes, I'm surprised by that, too. The Chelsea defense is usually safe as houses.
Sorry about that, mate - results not going our way today.
VAR check now for an incident as Everton broke - comes to nothing.
Rich Arlison breaks for the Toffees then after couple of blocks his near post cross turned around by Mendy
The Bridge made eight changes from the Conference League tie on Thursday. He has all his eggs in that basket
Thanks, Bob. Definitely italy not going our way. Not sure who to root for in the late one.I guess the Gunners so that the Hammers don't catch us
Long range shot from Rudiger not too far over.
Two changes for Chelsea to come. Looks like Pulisic and Kovacic.
Havertz with a headed chance - well wide. Should have done better. He'll get the hook.
If the Gunners win and this result holds then the Gunners will be three points behind Chelsea and the Spuds five points. Chelsea may be in the EL next season
No - it's Ziyech alongside Pulisic. Very progressive from TT - let's hope it works.
Pulisic on for Azpi and Ziyech on for Werner on the final rolls of the dice for Tommy T
I'm guessing Puli will play where Werner did and Ziyech in Azpi's role but further forward . Definitely progressive and much needed changes
Iwobi fouls Marcos Alonso
Like for like asa Allan on for Delph which eliminates the LUFC Academy Factor from this match
I am back from walkies
Not happy of course!
Still...home wins by Everton don't really make them go on a run
Chelsea are beatable at ER too
Toffees wins corner off the throw in
Welcome back Dave and well stated. Toffees last away point on December 16th
Rich Arlison down time wasting
Just saw the goal....bloody modern day play around at the back!!
MORONIC
Haveritz is a really diver....BOOK HIM!
I hate the cheats....that goes for Bruno too!
The commentators are just waking up to the danger facing Leeds. Of course, they're alway so reactive and just base their opinions on the latest result. They never look ahead at the fixture list.
Marcos Alonso bookers for telling Kevin that they're not Friends
Agreed about the goal, Dave. That was a gift if I ever saw one, but then there's plenty of those now
We need one of these corners to fly in - come on!
Mickey Lenko clears a free kick from Ziyech for a Chelsea corner
Spuds now three up vs Foxes,
All Chelsea pressure now - come on!
That one is done and dusted then.
Same combo as with the second goal. Number One Son assisted by Kulesevski
Pickers tips over a cheeky drive!
Long range shot fromTongue N Cheek well tipped over by pickford
Like for like as Solly is Runned on for Rich
Richarlison, the goalscorer, comes off to a hero's ovation.
Same as yesterday please....two late goals by the visitors
Under ten minutes - I've got a sinking feeling about this one.
Agreed, Bob. These announcers seem clueless as to the long term picture.
Agreed, Dave. Chelsea need to emulate Burnley
Havertz is a silly boy and gets a yellow card for some shoving on Mina.
Kai the Guy has run the limit of his Friend's patience and is finally booked
That is just so pathetic by Mina!!
Almost head butted and then took a dive
Why doesn't that get cracked down!
I think he had been begging for a card for the last quarter of an hour
Agreed, Dave. Both should have been booked.
Pickford going to his knees again!
Anthony Gordon is another one that goes down easily .
Oh - Demarai Gray nearly wraps it up. He should have scored.
Gray goes inches away... changing point
PHEW! High and wide by Damari Gray
Spurs three up
What kind of ball was that from Reese James!
Not a great day for either of our clubs.
Nice run by Anthony cordon but Runned on let the ball run on when he should have shot
Oh - Pulisic was nearly in there and at least wins a corner.
The match at Spurs was done and dusted a while ago. S{urs have been sweeping for a while. Brodge made eight changes from the match on Thursday
Everton scrapping for their Premier League lives here.
Anthony Gordon leads a Toffees break then his shot is turned around by Mendy
Looks like Leeds last two matches against Seagulls and Bees will be vital matches. Need to get something from those matches
Sounds like a lot of added time...
Seven minutes of stoppage time to come.
Chelsea aren't that good
Seven minutes... so inconsistent
Foes scored a consolation at SFL 2.0. Now 3-1
Dave's Lucky Seven stoppage time minutes
The forgotten man Dele Alli coming on for Demarai Gray now.
Agreed, Dave. It could be 700 minutes and it may not make as difference
Agreed, Bob. I had forgotten about Delle except for the fact that our local Subway recently reopened,.
Oh - Kovacic draws another great save out of Pickers.
Decent saver by Pickford from Kovacic. he would have been expected to have made that save
Good save by Pickford.... it is like he scored a hat-trick
Spuds have defeated Foxes 3-1
Do they serve a Dele Alli sandwich?
More subbing....hate it!!
Chelsea in danger of not even making the CL. It's a possibility after it looked a near certainty a fortnight ago
Dele coming on made me think of subs.
BOOM BOOM!
Dave, I thought this stoppage time sub would not please you. I think that's Lamps final roll off the dice
The subs are served at the Deli and Dele came on as a sub , so sounds like a theme in the making
Dele comes on and immediately gives away a decent free kick chance.
Bob will not want the Brodge to field a reserve side next Sunday like he did today
The Dele Alli is a garbage plate at Subway.
Offside on a free kick
Such a waste
Nope - but I wouldn't put it past him. Leicester have nothing to play for now.
Peter reid and Graham Sharp look a tad nervous. So did Allan Stubbs and Joe Royle
Everton kick the ball out of bounds...another ball takes forever to come back in
All the Foxes eggs are in the Conference League basket. I need to have a nasty conference with the Brodge about that
Fans now keeping the ball
One supporter with the ball underway this shirt.
The Toffees supporters sure have balls
Everton break...try to waste time...that's ok...why didn't DA shoot
Fortunately Delle and Ruined on were on the attack . Better ones would have scored
Frank complaining about the clock...of course...your players are wasting time
Everton win
Sorry mate.....false dawn for Everton tho
One last chance for Chelsea. And that's just about that. A terrible, terrible result for my beloved Leeds. Our main rivals in this relegation race have both won this weekend and we're now right up against it.
It's over and the Toffees win 1-0. Really Sorry, Bob. That throws the relegation race wide open
Those last two matches against Seagulls and Bees will really be crucial
All this means is that we can't just rely on keeping up with Burnley and Everton, because both have an advantage on us. Burnley have goal difference and Everton have that match in hand against Watford. It looks grim.
Dahlgren Derby next weekend then Chelsea. The match vs Chelsea may be the easier of the two
USA have made a mistake there. They've switched the matches that we and Burnley have on the last day. We've got Brentford away and Burnley have Newcastle.
I don't have any confidence about next weekend. Arsenal will need a win to keep up their CL hopes. And Leicester have nothing to play for against Everton.
I think those last two matches will decide Leeds's fate and boat are winnable for Leeds. I had Leeds getting four points from those about a month sago and that should just about put Leeds across the finish line
That's it for me, chaps - I'm swearing off football for the rest of the day. Off to soak my head in the shower.
The day concludes with a DC Derby of sorts. Johnno's Hammers vs Steve's Gunners. Both managers are ex Toffees. Davie as manager and Arteta as a player
Sorry, Bob. Hope you have a good rest of the day
They're off from the London Stadium
It's 1-1 at the half. The Gunners took the lead when Rob Holding headed in a corner from a great Saka player, then just before stoppage time a nice cross field pass from Declan Rice found Soufal wide right and his pass was well put away by Jarred Bowen
In terms of the table the Gunners remain fifth, behind their North Long rivals on goal difference. The Hammers remain seventh in the Conference League spot a pair of points behind United. The North London Derby on Melanie's Graduation Day seems like it will be a fourth place playoff.
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