2020/21 Premier League Thread: VAR Check Complete - No Cough

[Dolphin Ziggler]

First topic message reminder :

We have our 20 as Fulham take the playoff spot and we welcome back West Brom, Fulham and, most importantly to the nation (apparently) Leeds.

[Duty281]

Feel sorry for Fulham and Parker. They got promoted a season early due to Brentford choking, and simply aren't prepared for the PL. Sheffield Utd. are definitely gone if they lose to WBA next week...Wilder might not even last that long.

[Guest]

Leeds 0-0 Arsenal. Leeds dominated but couldn’t score. Pepe sent off for being an idiot.

[Duty281]

Comfortable win for Liverpool over Leicester to join Spurs at the top. Firmino's just added the third...though I thought he got the third earlier! Another strong showing for Jota who's having a breakthrough season.

Was surprised at how passive Leicester were; they didn't seem to want to test Liverpool's makeshift defence.

Next three games for Liverpool are fairly simple - Brighton, Wolves and Fulham. After that it's the key game against Tottenham, by which time they should have Thiago/Henderson/Salah/Trent back from the injury list.

[Guest]

Palace 0-2 Newcastle FT

Big win for the Toon. Wilson and Joelinton

[Guest]

Brighton 1-1 Liverpool. Maupay missed a first half penalty. Jota gave Liverpool the lead. Grob equaliser from the spot. Brighton should’ve won this match.

[Duty281]

Underwhelming from Liverpool, but VAR ruling out Liverpool's first-half goal was a nonsense. The crucial penalty looked a penalty, though I'm not sure if it met the 'clear and obvious' criteria...principally because I've no clue what 'clear and obvious' means in a VAR context.

Liverpool are really creaking with an overly-congested calendar and injuries. Tottenham have never had a better chance to win the Premier League.

[Guest]

Liverpool had it all their way last year, and took advantage of City’s defensive issues and injuries. Quite enjoying the tables being turned, and Klopp’s complaining.

[Atila]

I just saw some of Klopp's post match interview, he's complaining about the 12.30pm start. Doesn't he understand that if a TV company is paying millions to televise games, they have a say in how they're scheduled? Solskjaer was recently complaining about the same thing.

Maybe the next time the television contracts are up for negotiation, the Premier League should stick to their guns and insist that games be played only at 3.00pm on Saturdays with the odd mid-week schedule and the odd game on Sundays like it used to be. Then, when they are offered less money for their games, and there is less money for the players and managers, managers will find something else to complain about.

[GSC]

Klopp has always been a massive hypocrite. Always quick to moan when he doesn't like it but he's had a pop at other managers moaning about scheduling before

[lfc91]

Wednesday/Saturday games will always be an issue for teams in the champs league, just greatly exatrabated by this condensed season. Not a chance in hell the broadcaster will change it though after the money they have spent to show it (which is their right). Just going to have to accept this season will have a lot more injuries than usual and hope none are too serious.

In terms of that game brighton were good value for the draw tbh. Although always hard to drop points with 3 var calls costing you. Not sure how anyone could say brighton deserved to win it though. No chance.

Had a few people say to me the interviewer for klopp was out of order (United men surprisingly) but the man was just doing his job and nothing he said was untrue.

[Duty281]

Klopp's obviously feeling the strain of managing a more inconsistent side than last year, with a fixture pile-up (games every four days for nearly two months) and an injury list that includes long-term absences for his two best centre-backs.

He should be grateful, however, that City are not providing a challenge this year, and that Chelsea are not yet the finished article under Lampard (and may never be). Tottenham have emerged as the main challengers, but it's likely that Kane will get injured at some point which will knock the balance of their side completely askew, plus they'll probably go 'Spursy' at some point and start bottling easy wins.

[Guest]

With regards to Tottenham, they might’ve been flaky in the past, but they’ve never had Mourinho before and he’s a winner. No chance they’ll choke under him imo

[Guest]

Everton 0-1 Leeds Rafinha with the only goal. Everton early season promise seems to fading.

[lfc91]

I still reckon City will be the main challenge for any team this year. There is so many points being dropped a few losses won't put you out of the race like it would have in the previous 2 seasons.

Whats peoples thoughts on the 2000 fans being back? While I'm buzzing to have real crowds back and a bit of atmosphere, it's not exactly fair on the likes of United etc. Should it be a case of the prem only let's fans back when everyone can have them?(not feasible for the lower leagues who need the money asap)

[Soul Requiem]

Make the most of it while you can, tickets should however be a uniform price throughout and spread evenly.

[GSC]

I think outside the PL, having any fans at all is so critical that you have to live with the competitive advantage

[Duty281]

Sheffield United lose 1-0, to WBA, which surely condemns them to the Championship. Horrible miss at the end.

One point after ten...they're threatening Derby's record!

Still 4/7 available on Sheffield United getting relegated, which seems highly generous.

[Guest]

Southampton 2-3 Manchester United. Cavani saves OGS job with staggering performance. Southampton 2-0 up at halftime. Cavani assists one and scores twice. Incredible game.

[Duty281]

That was one hell of a super sub from Ole. Felt a bit sorry for him after the first half - not a lot he could have done with Greenwood and Fernandes missing simple chances. But an inspired comeback keeps Ole alive for another week at least. If he gets United through to the last 16 in the CL, that'll be a lot more credit in the bank.

Wonder if Southgate would consider Ward-Prowse as a left-field option for Euro 2021? Best Englishman to stand over a dead ball since Beckham.

[Guest]

Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham a truly awful match. Mourinho parking the bus home is par for the course but Lampard showed nothing to show he’s capable of becoming a decent manager.

[Guest]

Typical performance, but a good point for Mourinho. Won against City, a point tonight, and Arsenal up next. Just got to see this period through, and if he comes out of it with seven points, then Spurs have done wonders.

[Duty281]

Good point for Tottenham. Now both they and Liverpool have two games they both should win, before the two sides meet at Anfield.

And I've just heard the sad news about Papa Bouba Diop, the former Pompey and Fulham midfielder, probably most famous for scoring the opening goal of the 2002 World Cup.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55124939

[Guest]

Shocking injury to Raul Jimenez. Heard he’s conscious and responding to treatment

As for Arsenal, they look like they’re going backwards under Arteta.

[JDizzle]

Chelsea the better team today vs Spurs, just needed Tammy or Giroud to take one of the chances they created. Spurs created nothing and Kane was anonymous, something Pep couldn’t do last week. Still only one loss in 90 minutes this year for Frank, not bad for a rubbish manager.

[Duty281]

Awful clash of heads between Luiz and Jimenez. Hope the striker is in good hands at hospital. As for Luiz...utterly moronic that he was allowed to continue playing. Will cause a debate and, likely, updated protocols surrounding head injuries.

Arsenal are going backwards and it shows no sign of abating. Barring a cup victory, it's difficult to see them getting European football of any kind next year. Could easily see them ending up as a consistent bottom half club within a few years.

And it seems like Newcastle are in trouble with Covid - apparently two players and three staff members have tested positive, and they fear a 'mass infection' may have taken place.

[Atila]

Southampton 2-3 Manchester United. Cavani saves OGS job with staggering performance. Southampton 2-0 up at halftime. Cavani assists one and scores twice. Incredible game.

I can see the logic behind United signing Cavani, and not just because he scored today. He's a good, temporary fix to their striker problems. I believe he signed a one year contract with United having the option of extending it another year.

Unlike United's deal with Sanchez, they're not being taken advantage of or running the risk of being stuck with a highly paid flop.

[Guest]

Awful clash of heads between Luiz and Jimenez. Hope the striker is in good hands at hospital

Confirmed fractured skull. Depending upon the severity, there is the real possibility that he could never play again, like, Ryan Mason. Awful news.

[Guest]

Southampton 2-3 Manchester United. Cavani saves OGS job with staggering performance. Southampton 2-0 up at halftime. Cavani assists one and scores twice. Incredible game.

I can see the logic behind United signing Cavani, and not just because he scored today. He's a good, temporary fix to their striker problems. I believe he signed a one year contract with United having the option of extending it another year.

Unlike United's deal with Sanchez, they're not being taken advantage of or running the risk of being stuck with a highly paid flop.

I think Cavani was essentially revitalised after his exit from PSG - has he retired(he had covid19 as well) no one could say he wasn’t a great player. 400+ career goals is legendary career.

He definitely adds something different for Manchester United, aside from being a proper striker. His defensive abilities are strong and he counter presses as good as anyone.

The likes of Rashford, Martial and Greenwood can learn a lot from the Uruguayan.

[westisbest]

Well that defeat is very difficult to take.
Didn’t deserve to lose. Penalty misses happen.

I’m more p155ed off with the disallowed goal. That VAR offside rule is the biggest joke in football.

Last 2 games now we’ve had more than enough chances to win the matches.

Frustrating.

Newcastle home Friday, (if the game goes ahead). Need to win that.

[Duty281]

And it seems like Newcastle are in trouble with Covid - apparently two players and three staff members have tested positive, and they fear a 'mass infection' may have taken place.

As many as 10 players are now positive, with the number expected to grow, so Newcastle are set to request a postponement.

Doubt the PL will allow it, however, so we may see Newcastle having to forfeit, or have to put out a drastically weakened squad to fulfill the fixture (which would equal the same result as forfeiture).

If this type of thing happens across multiple clubs, it will put the brakes on the domestic season, which is what happened in Rugby League's Super League competition. I think the PL has been hugely fortunate to avoid this type of scenario since the resumption.

[westisbest]

Villa Newcastle is off.

Plus side an extra weeks rest.

[Guest]

West Ham 1-3 Manchester United. Moyes will wonder how this one got away. Hammers 1-0 at half time and it could easily have been 3 or 4. Ole brought on Fernándes and Rashford at half time. The Portuguese doing what he does. Pogba, Greenwood and Rashford all scored.

I seriously don’t know if Ole is just plain lucky or a decent manager.

[Duty281]

West Ham should have buried the game by HT. Don't think Ole's substitutions changed the game, this time, but Pogba's rocket strike certainly did. The Hammers were floored by that and never recovered.

I did think the ball went out of play in the build-up to Pogba's goal, but VAR was unable to prove it.

[Atila]

Another decent win for United. Yes, they could have been out of it by half time but that's West Ham's fault for not putting the game away. If United had failed to put the game away by half time and then gone on to lose, I doubt anyone would have any sympathy for them, so I have none for the Hammers.

It's beginning to look like Ole will beat the "gone by Christmas" rumours again.

Still early days in the season, but only 2 points behind the leaders and 1 point ahead of City.

[Duty281]

Son is an absolute dream.

[Duty281]

2-0. Classic counter-attack finished off by a powerful Kane finish.

[Guest]

Jose might be dusting off his crown again come May...

[Atila]

Jose might be dusting off his crown again come May...

Good luck to Jose if he wins the title with Spurs. However, as a lifetime United fan, I'm still glad we got rid of him.

[Luke]

Thought when giving a foul it's where contact was made, not where the players end up. Never a penalty though Southampton deserved the win.

[Guest]

Man U 0-0 Man City FT

Dire, dire, dire game

The fact that Bruce’s Newcastle are within three points of both these sides after eleven games, showcases how far these teams have fallen.

[Duty281]

Yep, absolutely dire. Both teams played not to lose. I'd have thought City would be chasing the win, especially after their poor start to the season. They're now five points behind the leading two with an equal number of games played.

Meanwhile Everton have re-discovered their early form, at least for one game, beating Chelsea 1-0. Means Tottenham and Liverpool can open up a decent gap if they both win tomorrow.

[Duty281]

Tottenham slip up to Palace with a 1-1 draw. Exactly the type of result and opponent that would scupper them in previous seasons, and exactly the reason why they won't be winning the title this season. Too Spursy.

Palace were better for large swathes of the game, but they did owe quite a bit to a (mostly) inspired goalkeeping performance from Guaita.

Liverpool, despite their long injury list (getting longer with Jota's lengthy injury) and poor away form, can now open up a two point advantage by beating Fulham.

And Sheffield United lost again. Fewer points than Derby 07/08 at the same stage.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

LiVARpool at it again

[Guest]

Time running out for Arteta. Four consecutive home defeats.

Just isn’t working.

[Duty281]

Xhaka's fault today (not for the first time). Arsenal were dominating the contest until his stupid action.

But agree that time's running out for Arteta. It's relegation form at the moment, for a club that hasn't been relegated since 1913. Obviously, as far as this season goes, they don't have the squad quality to be top four contenders, but they should be doing better than just five points above the drop.

Tricky few games coming up - home to Southampton, away to Everton, home to Chelsea - so I can't see him lasting much longer.

[Guest]

Wolverhampton 2-1 Chelsea. Giroud put Chelsea ahead, touch of poor keeping by Patricio. Wolverhampton with two beautiful goals from Podence and Neto. Second half was fantastic.

[JDizzle]

Dreadful from Chelsea tonight, more like last year where they were wide open second half. Big missed opportunity with the two losses. Liverpool/Spurs tomorrow so they both can’t punish them.

[Duty281]

Chelsea have only beaten bottom half teams this season. Three draws and three losses against top half opposition. Lampard still unconvincing as manager, and doing a little worse than you'd expect him to with the resources at his disposal.

Expecting Liverpool-Tottenham tomorrow to be a dull, defensive encounter. Both teams will be happy with a point, and both Mourinho and Klopp will be terrified of leaving their defences exposed to the attacking riches of their opponents.

[JDizzle]

5 points better off from the same set off fixtures as last year to be fair to Lampard - replacing the relegated teams with the promoted ones etc.

Werner and Havertz particularly off the pace which is a concern. If they lose to Atletico, the pressure will really mount.

[Duty281]

City toss away two more points, in part to an inspired goalkeeping performance, in part due to a pedestrian tempo. Just two wins from their last six games.

Liverpool - the title's all yours if you remain steady enough.

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