The Soccer thread

[roy11 2,926]

Been a strange year with the WC break and the Queen saying goodbye, part of it painted Arsenal in a better spot than they perhaps were. Just saying in regards to the fact they played Manchester City for the first time in the middle of February.  City are now 6 points behind but have a game in hand and host Arsenal. If they win both of those they are on top and the juggernaut will keep rolling. Will be tight but City should take it from here, not a choke from Arsenal, a remarkable effort from them all things considered. 

[Macca 16,173]

@Dee Zephyr @layzie @Grapeviney@roy11

My gut feeling is that City might just catch the Gunners but the title may still be decided in the last game of the season anyway, regardless of the result of when they play each other.  One slip up by either team hands the advantage to the other

As for CL spots ... Spurs are at Newcastle on 23/4 and then vs Man Utd on 28/4.  Need positive results from both games but then they are at Anfield May 1st.  That's a tough trio of games over a 9 day period

They'll need at least 5 points from the 3 games you'd imagine.  Perhaps at least 7 points.  Kane & Son will need to get it done

Man Utd are involved in a lot of games (Europe & FA Cup) so fatigue could be a factor for them

But how about this goal from Haaland?  The man is a superstar!

 

[Grapeviney 8,815]

Spurs don’t really deserve a CL spot, and were lucky to be gifted a win on the weekend with the worst VAR non-decision I’ve seen, a clear penalty that - at the very least - should have seen the ref go to the screen. 

It could have huge ramifications because Brighton are one of the teams in the mix for top 6. They got an official apology but it’s not the first time VAR has cost them points this season, nor the first apology they’ve received.

Speaking of Spurs, Dele Alli was making headlines today after photos emerged him of inhaling nitrous oxide (laughing gas) balloons in what looked like a very grungy scene. He got booted and booed out of Besiktas recently (in his final appearance for them he was benched after 30mins against a 3rd division team in a cup match) and I think Everton have cut him off the books completely now.

There’s prescient footage in the Amazon doco on Spurs of Jose warning him that he’s going to regret it one day if he doesn’t pull his finger out. 

[Macca 16,173]

@Jumping Jack Clennett@Sir Why You Little

Hammers at Arsenal tonight 11pm

A big big game for both teams ... even one point for a draw will help West Ham a lot but Arsenal need to win

Could be a cracker of a game as the Gunners have to go for it

If you don't have Optus vision the game will be broadcast by SEN 1116 (11pm) 

#I'mForeverBlowingBubbles

[Macca 16,173]

Arsenal drop 2 points, Hammers gain a point, Spurs & Newcastle each drop 3 points and Man Utd get it done for another 3 points

Meanwhile, Man City win again with Haaland scoring another brace.  The man is a goal scoring machine

Arsenal now only 4 points ahead of Man City with City having a game in hand

Thursday 27th 5.00am ... Man City vs Arsenal

Edited April 17, 2023 by Macca

[layzie 28,723]

On 4/17/2023 at 9:22 PM, Macca said:

Arsenal drop 2 points, Hammers gain a point, Spurs & Newcastle each drop 3 points and Man Utd get it done for another 3 points

Meanwhile, Man City win again with Haaland scoring another brace.  The man is a goal scoring machine

Arsenal now only 4 points ahead of Man City with City having a game in hand

Thursday 27th 5.00am ... Man City vs Arsenal

Set the alarms! Draw would be a wonderful result for the Gooners the way it's looking.

[Grapeviney 8,815]

Tottenham were down 5-0 inside 20 minutes last night - I've never seen anything like it in 30+ years of watching football. 

Edited April 24, 2023 by Grapeviney

[layzie 28,723]

Newcastle deserve the CL spot now, credit to them. 

[Macca 16,173]

Yes the Geordies will be well pleased with that big win over Spurs

But the big clash is upon us tomorrow morning at 5.00am

Arsenal @ Man City

For what it's worth my pick is a 3-1 victory for Man City but any kind of scoreline wouldn't surprise (aside from a 3-0 or 4-0 victory for the Gunners)

Man City should score 1 or 2 goals you'd imagine.  Not sure Arsenal will play for a draw and if they go all out for victory then fortune might favour the brave

But they've got Haaland to contend with ... along with De Bruyne

Should be some sort of game

Edited April 26, 2023 by Macca

[roy11 2,926]

writing was on the weeks ago, even though Arsenal were in front it was Man Citys title to lose more than Arsenals to win, and the Man City juggernaut just rolls on. Arsenal will continue to improve but this was probably their best shot to win the title as other clubs will have a resurgence next year. 

[Grapeviney 8,815]

On 4/24/2023 at 11:40 AM, Grapeviney said:

Tottenham were down 5-0 inside 20 minutes last night 

It was 3-0 inside 15 mins last night against Liverpool.

Came back in the second half and levelled in the 93rd, only to concede the winner a minute later.

The most spursy thing ever.

Anyway, I hope @Deestroy Allenjoyed it - missed you mate, great to see you back on the boards.

[Deestroy All 14,261]

2 hours ago, Grapeviney said:

It was 3-0 inside 15 mins last night against Liverpool.

Came back in the second half and levelled in the 93rd, only to concede the winner a minute later.

The most spursy thing ever.

Anyway, I hope @Deestroy Allenjoyed it - missed you mate, great to see you back on the boards.

Thanks GV! Haha so Spursy. 
 

I said to myself when Richarlison came on, here we go, of course he’ll score against us. Sure enough…

Thank f… for Jota, and that it’s spurs. 
 

Wild match that was!

[layzie 28,723]

12 hours ago, Grapeviney said:

It was 3-0 inside 15 mins last night against Liverpool.

Came back in the second half and levelled in the 93rd, only to concede the winner a minute later.

The most spursy thing ever.

Anyway, I hope @Deestroy Allenjoyed it - missed you mate, great to see you back on the boards.

That game really summed up where both clubs are at right now. After conceding 6 to Toon it seemed baffling that Spurs didn't come out with closing down and defending tight as a priority. On Liverpool's side of things we came out firing like old, pressing high and winning it back in dangerous areas but after Kane's goal (Which was actually a great bit of play from Spurs) we didn't know whether to keep playing or keep possession, they just looked so confused. Our defending is woeful at times, Andy Robertson had his worst game in a very long time.

Should Jota have been sent off for the high foot? I'm right on the fence with this, there was a little bad luck involved and I was probably ok with a yellow but I wouldn't have been at all surprised if he saw red. Not a fan of high foot challenges at all, this one is on the cusp of reckless and careless. 

Richarlison's equaliser was great and they really should have had a point, Jota's winner at the Kop end was magic but that ball should have been cut out. 

Really a nothing game in the scheme of things as neither of us have a chance to make Europe, bring on the Summer. 

[roy11 2,926]

On 5/2/2023 at 9:20 AM, layzie said:

Really a nothing game in the scheme of things as neither of us have a chance to make Europe, bring on the Summer. 

Liverpool should finish 5th, so you'll have Europa League.

Tottenham probably 7th? IF (big IF) United win the FA Cup, then 7th place gets a gig in the European Conference League

This article covers some of the possibilities 

https://www.espn.com.au/football/english-premier-league/story/4921624/which-premier-league-clubs-will-qualify-for-the-champions-leagueeuropa-league-and-europa-conference-league

[layzie 28,723]

Something weird in the water yesterday. Along with the JVR appeal being upheld we had Hammers 1-0 over United, Forest edging out Southampton in a 4-3 thriller and Everton putting 5 past Brighton! 

Arsenal also look back on track now with a good win over Newcastle on Monday. 

[Macca 16,173]

On 5/10/2023 at 8:52 AM, layzie said:

Something weird in the water yesterday. Along with the JVR appeal being upheld we had Hammers 1-0 over United, Forest edging out Southampton in a 4-3 thriller and Everton putting 5 past Brighton! 

Arsenal also look back on track now with a good win over Newcastle on Monday. 

Hammers were very good and we outplayed Man Utd ... could have easily scored another 2 goals at least

Man Utd had a few chances but they'd be disappointed with their game, especially with a top 4 spot up for grabs

West Ham have finally found some form and should finish the season well now

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,615]

1 hour ago, Macca said:

Hammers were very good and we outplayed Man Utd ... could have easily scored another 2 goals at least

Man Utd had a few chances but they'd be disappointed with their game, especially with a top 4 spot up for grabs

West Ham have finally found some form and should finish the season well now

We’ll done, you Irons!

[roy11 2,926]

12 hours ago, Macca said:

Hammers were very good and we outplayed Man Utd ... could have easily scored another 2 goals at least

Man Utd had a few chances but they'd be disappointed with their game, especially with a top 4 spot up for grabs

West Ham have finally found some form and should finish the season well now

United were poor, but still had more possession and shots at goal than West Ham, nore sure about outplayed but definitely outfought.

With West Ham relatively safe wonder if they'll rest some players in the hope for Conference League Glory.

[Macca 16,173]

3 hours ago, roy11 said:

United were poor, but still had more possession and shots at goal than West Ham, nore sure about outplayed but definitely outfought.

With West Ham relatively safe wonder if they'll rest some players in the hope for Conference League Glory.

Ha ha! ... your sarcasm is obvious roy, don't be a bad loser tut tut

You got outplayed pure and simple ... all that money and you didn't turn up

An obvious hand ball not paid and a goal disallowed when your keeper fainted

More possession but wasteful and non threatening.  Tippy tap with no ambition

Not good enough

Better luck next time haha

Edited May 12, 2023 by Macca

[roy11 2,926]

15 minutes ago, Macca said:

Ha ha! ... your sarcasm is obvious roy, don't be a bad loser tut tut

We’ve all lived through Melbourne being bad, don’t think any of us are bad losers aha.

 

not sure what you thought was sarcastic though 

[Macca 16,173]

8 minutes ago, roy11 said:

We’ve all lived through Melbourne being bad, don’t think any of us are bad losers aha.

 

not sure what you thought was sarcastic though 

*Conference League Glory???

Please

[roy11 2,926]

12 minutes ago, Macca said:

*Conference League Glory???

Please

UEFA EUROPA Conference League.

90 minutes away from the final, would be nice to see the Hammers win a trophy, no sarcasm here. 

[Macca 16,173]

1 hour ago, roy11 said:

UEFA EUROPA Conference League.

90 minutes away from the final, would be nice to see the Hammers win a trophy, no sarcasm here. 

Fair enough

Well, interest is still high (now) with CL spots and even the title

[Macca 16,173]

@Diamond_Jim @Dee Zephyr @Grapeviney @layzie @roy11 @Winners at last @Jibroni @Jumping Jack Clennett @Sir Why You Little @loges @Pates

Great news re the starting time for the FA Cup ... (finally) back to 3pm (Midnight AEST) June 3rd

The first time since 2011 that the time-honoured FA Cup will be played at that time

Back in the day we used to have FA Cup parties (or get togethers) As the game time gradually crept out to 2.30am, that changed

But what a match-up!

Man Utd vs Man City

See y'all here on the night!!

The Demons are playing Carlton the day before (Friday night)

[Macca 16,173]

Well that ended quickly

Man City win the title after the Gunners run out of steam at the pointy end of the season

So can City win the treble? ... The Title, FA Cup & Champions League? 

We'll soon find out as the FA Cup Final is on next weekend and the CL final is on the weekend after

CL places for next season seem to be finalised (Liverpool will need a number of things to happen to gain a spot) so the real interest is which 2 teams out of Everton, Leeds or Leicester will be relegated

Edited May 21, 2023 by Macca