04/26/24
April 21, 2003
EPL REPORT WEEK 36: Wins for Man U and Arsenal keep title race red-hot; at the other end, WBA relegated despite winning (More inside!)
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 12:24 PM - 59 comments
Not bad, squealy. My sorta-team has been sucking ass recently. I say sorta-team because I really don't have a favourite, but I've really been enjoying watching the Magpies play the last couple of years. One of my best friends is a fan and he's dragged me out to most of their games...
posted by sauril at 12:59 PM on April 21, 2003
In an Easter weekend packed with soccer goodies, perennial favorites Man United and defending champs Arsenal kept the pressure on each other with 3-1 and 2-0 wins over Blackburn and Middlesborough respectively. West Brom's 2-1 victory over bottom-placed and relegated Sunderland came to naught as survival was ripped from their grasp by Bolton, who beat third-from-bottom West Ham 1-0. Bolton's Jay-Jay Okocha scored the winner and the BBC's goal of the week. With the title contest now a two-horse race, the attention shifts to the battle for third and fourth places (and Champions League qualification), as well as the struggle to avoid joining Sunderland and West Brom in the drop to the First Division. Today's results have changed the complexion of those contests slightly. Full EPL Table TOP Rank - Team - Played - Goal Difference - Pts 1 Man Utd 35 34 74 2 Arsenal 34 35 71 3 Chelsea 35 30 63 4 Newcastle 35 13 62 5 Liverpool 35 16 61 6 Everton 35 1 56 7 Blackburn 35 4 53 BOTTOM Rank - Team - Played - Goal Difference - Pts 13 Birmingham 35 -10 44 - Look! Birmingham could finish higher than Villa! 14 Aston Villa 35 -3 42 15 Fulham 34 -10 41 16 Bolton 35 -11 39 17 Leeds 34 -3 38 18 West Ham 35 -19 35 - last relegation spot still open ... 19 West brom 35 -30 24 - relegated 20 Sunderland 35 -38 19 - relegated Tomorrow's match: Leeds v Fulham. Not much to play for. except Premiership survival. Go Fulham! Argh. I can't post anymore. I'm just going to talk about Liverpool for the rest of this thread. You guys bring links about your teams.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:04 PM on April 21, 2003
Look! Birmingham could finish higher than Villa! I'm sure BigClam will just love you for mentioning that wc2002. If by some chance we manage it we will have achieved the "treble" over Villa - i.e beaten them twice and finished top team in Brum. We will then truly be Kings of Birmingham and I will be able to die a happy man.
posted by squealy at 01:11 PM on April 21, 2003
I'm bloody chuffed at Liverpool's Easter performance. On Saturday, they won the Merseyside derby 2-1 away to Everton, with sublime strikes by Owen and Murphy. Then, they repeated the score today with a late, late comeback win over Charlton. The Reds are in fifth spot, just a point shy of fourth (watch out Newcastle), and two points shy of third (watch out Chelsea!), thanks to stumbles by Newcastle and Chelsea this weekend. Looks like the machine is moving into high gear for Champions League qualification.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:16 PM on April 21, 2003
squealy: I'm sure BigClam will just love you for mentioning that wc2002. I didn't do it to goad BigClam. I do think, however, that Villa has more pressing things to worry about than keeping up with the Blues right now. Like avoiding relegation.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:18 PM on April 21, 2003
Here you go, SF! 
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:23 PM on April 21, 2003
Liverpool! Liverpool! Liverpool! I was only hoping we could pass Chelsea for fourth but now I'm dreaming that newcastle will just fall apart in the final three, we'll keep pace with Chelsea and then, on May 11, as a special wedding present for me, Reds beat Chelsea to steal third place! Liverpool! Liverpool! Liverpool!
posted by billsaysthis at 01:35 PM on April 21, 2003
posted by StarFucker at 02:13 PM on April 21, 2003
posted by StarFucker at 02:28 PM on April 21, 2003
Squealy, old chap, it was clear, many weeks ago that we would finish above the Villa, the only question remaining is: by how many? . It's been a bosting day for the Blues but not for me, I think the fucker has easily outscored me in the fantasy league, the game is up.
posted by Fat Buddha at 03:13 PM on April 21, 2003
You had a good weekend Buddha...
posted by StarFucker at 03:39 PM on April 21, 2003
Hey, SF, did you see Soccernet's report on Houllier's player buys at Liverpool? Love it. And check out the player discipline table. Guess who are the top two on disciplinary points? Alan Smith (#1!) and former Leeds buddy (now a Hammer) Lee Bowyer. These guys are the reason I want Leeds to go down. I'm not sure, however, if that would be better than seeing Bowyer have another go at the EPL with the Hammers. I'm guessing Bowyer will walk away if the Hammers drop (and ditto Smith with Leeds).
posted by worldcup2002 at 04:00 PM on April 21, 2003
I saw the Houllier thing a couple weeks ago, i meant to tell you about it but kept forgetting... And i know all about Smith's discipline...but he is a talented player...you can't deny that... LEEDS is NOT going to be relegated, neither are West Ham.
posted by StarFucker at 04:17 PM on April 21, 2003
wc, them's a lot of millions and far too many wasted! Not that I care either way on this, mind you, but I am shocked to see Leeds even on the brink of relegation. Have they ever gone done before?
posted by billsaysthis at 04:36 PM on April 21, 2003
Leeds spent most of the 1980's out of the top-flight. Personally, I'd love it, if they went down, love it.
posted by squealy at 05:17 PM on April 21, 2003
What the hell?!? Roeder collapses after Hammers win
posted by StarFucker at 06:32 PM on April 21, 2003
Bobby Robson better be careful... I like the old man...
posted by StarFucker at 06:51 PM on April 21, 2003
squealy: I'm with you on that. Still. I think. I'm still trying to decide if that's better than the look on Bowyer's face when he's relegated. But I think he's just got a short-term contract or loan thing going, which ends at the end of the season. So, he's pretty much free and clear to do whatever he wants whatever happens to West Ham. SF: Smith and Bowyer are feckin' hooligans. I respect Houllier that he brooked no misbehavior from his players. Sure, Smith and BowTox are talented, but that doesn't warrant the crap they've done. Fowler is talented, but Houllier let him go after his drunken brawls. Anelka is talented, was well-behaved during his loan spell, but had an attitude and was let go, too. The problem is, as with Smith, as with Bowyer, as with Woodgate, letting this kind of attitude go unchecked leads to rot in the rest of the team. Houllier knew that and would not sacrifice the team for "talented" but unruly players (his purchase of and loyalty to players notwithstanding). Unfortunately, Leeds did not see that or did not have the balls to deal with it and it has lead to them going through three managers in the space of a year. Leeds are lucky to have Peter Reid (a former Evertonian), who recognizes the shit that's going on. Whether he has time to do anything about it is another question. Oh, and I hope Roeder didn't just do a Houllier. A quick recovery to him.
posted by worldcup2002 at 06:56 PM on April 21, 2003
Woah. I'm sorry I'm a bit late guys... Squealy, old chap, it was clear, many weeks ago that we would finish above the Villa, the only question remaining is: by how many? . This is true - it's looked likely that Blues would finish higher than the Villa ever since the first of March. I'm not complaining about this weekend though - we've played teams in 3rd and 4th place, and we've got 4 points out of it. At that rate, Blues might start look worryingly over their respective shoulders. --- Get well soon Glenn. Carry on surviving. You have to get ahead of Leeds!
posted by BigCalm at 05:04 AM on April 22, 2003
The point Big Calm makes is valid, which is why I was confident we would do well in the latter part of the season. We played all the big clubs, one after another, just after Christmas. Although we didn't cover ourselves in glory in terms of points nor did we get hammered, apart from Chelsea and Arsenal. Our record against middling teams has been good all season, so with our new players and also the confidence gained from having spent some time in the rarified atmosphere, our run in looked and still looks relatively easy. Villa on the other hand had to go through what we had previously. I have to admit they have come out of it better than I thought they would. Still, 6 wins from 8 games is chuffin championship form!
posted by Fat Buddha at 08:15 AM on April 22, 2003
Leeds did just fine under O'Leary...even with all the "criminals". So now do you hate all the teams that have former Leeds players worldcup? What about Kewell? Viduka? Robinson?
posted by StarFucker at 08:31 AM on April 22, 2003
Kewell and Viduka and Robinson are not part of the disciplinary problems. I have no problem with them. It's Bowyer and Woodgate and Smith that are the ones I don't think should succeed.
posted by worldcup2002 at 09:38 AM on April 22, 2003
You don't think they should succeed? What the hell does that mean? If they are good, they will succeed regardless... If they are not talented they will not succeed... I don't think they are a problem really, and do you have contacts at Leeds that have let you in on more information than the media have given us? "...but that doesn't warrant the crap they've done." What exactly have they done? Drunken brawls?! I have gotten into drunken brawls before...plenty as a matter of fact. So do you wish for me not to succeed? If i was a footballer, i would probably be a Fowler or a Smith. I think my on the pitch attitude would be similar. They are FOOTBALLERS. They get paid massive amounts of money to play football. They are young. "The problem is, as with Smith, as with Bowyer, as with Woodgate, letting this kind of attitude go unchecked leads to rot in the rest of the team." As i said earlier. Leeds was doing fine with O'Leary at the helm. They kicked some serious ass last year with Smith, Bowyer, Woodgate...they also had Kewell, Viduka and Martyn. I think you have some sort of personal problem with these players otherwise you would let it go and not wish for a whole club to go down because of 3-4 players that you dislike. Especially now that all those players aren't even playing for Leeds anymore except for Smith! Do you wish for Newcastle, Manchester City and West Ham to all be relegated now that Woodgate, Fowler and Bowyer are at those clubs?
posted by StarFucker at 10:05 AM on April 22, 2003
No, just Leeds. OK. I should let it rest. I feel a heart attack coming on.
posted by worldcup2002 at 10:44 AM on April 22, 2003
All the players you hate (except for Smith) aren't even there anymore...your reason for wanting Leeds to be relegated as you stated above was because of these "hooligans"... I don't like Murphy, Carragher and Heskey...yet i don't want Liverpool to be relegated. I have a feeling you're not telling me something...
posted by StarFucker at 10:56 AM on April 22, 2003
Personally, I hate Leeds because they are a bunch of jumped up Yorkshire twats. Starfucker, are you descended from West Yorkshire, perchance?
posted by Fat Buddha at 11:58 AM on April 22, 2003
What the hell is a Yorkshire twat?
posted by StarFucker at 12:16 PM on April 22, 2003
A Yorkshire twat.
posted by Fat Buddha at 12:22 PM on April 22, 2003
SF: I don't like Murphy, Carragher and Heskey...yet i don't want Liverpool to be relegated. Those chappies do not get into off-field shenanigans like kicking in the heads of university students (see Woodgate and Bowyer). Of course, Bowyer and Woodgate's being star footballers had nothing to do with them going unpunished. Fowler got into a few drunken brawls, but did not clean up his act when given the chance. He was out. That's the kind of discipline I like to see. As much as I love Liverpool and their players, that kind of crap should not be tolerated anywhere. btw, does Leeds doing fine with O'Leary include generating a 79 million-pound debt? One season of relative success (what did they win, btw?) does not a great team make. As FB asks, why do you love Leeds so much?
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:45 PM on April 22, 2003
btw, Leeds v Fulham live radio commentary. I really should let it go. I will. No more comments from me. Anyone want to invoke Godwin's Law?
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:51 PM on April 22, 2003
There is a brilliant article on Woodgate here, which shows him to be a bit of a git and unlikely to learn from past mistakes. This is borne out by the fact that the bar in which he is alleged to have been brawling just last week is mentioned in the article. He just can't leave his past behind him. Interestingly, Bowyer claims to have hardly been out since the night of the assault. Odious as he is, he does seem to have learned something from his experiences. Is this off topic? Is there a topic anymore?
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:29 PM on April 22, 2003
I would trade Smith, Bowyer and Woodgate for Carragher, Murphy and Heskey in a split second... And what are you getting all upset about? Can't we have a discussion?! I like Smith and Bowyer, and Woodgate doesn't bother me. We have heard only one side of the story anyway. The fact that they are famous footballers wouldn't have anything to do with some "university" student picking a fight with them would it? Your opinion is, from what i can tell...no matter how talented a player is, you won't like him if he isn't disciplined... My opinion is that if he has talent, let him run... Is Charles Barkeley a criminal? Afterall, he threw out some innocent bar patron through a window?
posted by StarFucker at 02:31 PM on April 22, 2003
Leeds 1 - 0 Fulham at the half... VidOOOKah!!
posted by StarFucker at 02:37 PM on April 22, 2003
Well Woodgate is definitely a criminal, a court ruled it so. Murphy is still ten times the player Bowyer is too. :)
posted by squealy at 02:49 PM on April 22, 2003
Well Woodgate is definitely a criminal, a court ruled it so. A court ruled O.J. Simpson not guilty of murder...
posted by StarFucker at 02:57 PM on April 22, 2003
SF: Leeds did fine under O'Leary ... O'Leary: We would have been Premiership champions if not for Bowyer and Woodgate's court case. O'Leary: Leeds would have been better off if Bowyer and Woodgate had gone to jail. SF: I would trade Smith, Bowyer and Woodgate for Carragher, Murphy and Heskey in a split second... Houllier considered Bowyer, but thought better of it. Good for him.
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:02 PM on April 22, 2003
Well Woodgate is definitely a criminal, a court ruled it so. SF: A court ruled O.J. Simpson not guilty of murder... SF, your logic escapes me. We are no longer arguing facts here. I am not trying to convince you, and you won't convince me to like those dolts. I'm done. Really. I'm sorry it's gone on this long. The other gents from England can say more, I'm sure. But I'm done, and no disrespect meant to you, SF.
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:04 PM on April 22, 2003
OK then, he's a perfect example of civilized humanity who has never been involved in gang-beating anyone despite the fact that he admitted he was involved. Viduka has scored again, it's 2-0. Leeds are now virtually assured to continue their charming combination of violence and racism for another Premiership season. Hip-hip-hurrah.
posted by squealy at 03:05 PM on April 22, 2003
Fine... I stand by my comments and opinions... From your articles: "Bowyer was cleared after a second trial in December last year, while Woodgate was found guilty of affray." Affray?! Definition of affray: afˇfray ( P ) Pronunciation Key (-fr) n. A noisy quarrel or brawl. tr.v. Archaic afˇfrayed, afˇfrayˇing, afˇfrays To frighten. If Liverpool had Smith, Bowyer and Woodgate for Carragher, Murphy and Heskey we would be in first place right now... And in those articles you submitted via urls...in both the O"Leary ones, he says that they would have been better off without those players NOT because they were hooligans or criminals, but the fact that the publicity surrounding the club did the damage...NOT the players. I AM still arguing the facts... But you are probably right, i will not convince you as your opinion of them is that they are criminals and are trash... I don't care if they are, i think they are talented players and would want them on my team right away. I can handle disciplinary problems. I can't handle lack of talent. I have a team of my own if you remember from my interview. I too have to deal with players from all kinds of backgrounds and attitudes. There are actually a couple players on my team that ARE ready to brawl at a moment's notice, do get drunk (i'm one of the drunken ones), smoke weed before games, practices...talk back to me, etc... But the ones that are talented? Well, i look past their faults off the field or even on if they can bring the team the wins we all want... So there ya have it...no need to get dramatic...
posted by StarFucker at 03:26 PM on April 22, 2003
Affray: fighting unlawfully. It is a criminal offence or AFFRAY: in law, the fighting of two or more persons in a public place to the terror (a I' ejjroi) of the lieges. The offence is a misdemeanour at English common law, punishable by fine and imprisonment. There was enough said at our Edie's wedding.
posted by Fat Buddha at 03:49 PM on April 22, 2003
Edie? Wedding? Who are you talking to?
posted by StarFucker at 03:58 PM on April 22, 2003
posted by StarFucker at 04:01 PM on April 22, 2003
That result is actually quite good for the Blues as it keeps daylight between us and Fulham. We could be heading for a top half finish. Nice to see Smith and Kewell contribute next to nothing.
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:07 PM on April 22, 2003
Nice to see Kewell get credited for an assist...
posted by StarFucker at 04:08 PM on April 22, 2003
77 mins: Kewell is denied a goal when his shot hits the post
posted by StarFucker at 04:13 PM on April 22, 2003
Top half finish ?!?!?! Have you been at the Stella Artois again FB? Sheesh
posted by BigCalm at 04:15 PM on April 22, 2003
Man look at the table, just look at it, gaze upon it, it is thing of rare beauty.
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:21 PM on April 22, 2003
Semper Porro Annus. (The unofficial Aston Villa motto. A bonus point if you can tell me what this dodgy latin phrase (constructed with the help of zero latin scholars) means).
posted by BigCalm at 04:29 PM on April 22, 2003
Always Big Ass?
posted by StarFucker at 04:30 PM on April 22, 2003
Er, always next year?
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:37 PM on April 22, 2003
Spot on FB. There's always next year.
posted by BigCalm at 04:41 PM on April 22, 2003
So i was wrong....
posted by StarFucker at 04:47 PM on April 22, 2003
There's a first time for everything SF.
posted by BigCalm at 05:00 PM on April 22, 2003
Semper Porro Annus. Always leaky asshole?
posted by worldcup2002 at 06:20 PM on April 22, 2003
So, with 3 games to go, here are the teams trying to avoid that last relegation spot Position - Team Played - GD - Pts 13 Birmingham 35 -10 44 - pretty much safe but still mathematically within reach of West Ham 14 Aston Villa 35 -3 42 15 Leeds United 35 -1 41 16 Fulham 35 -12 41 17 Bolton 35 -11 39 18 West Ham Utd 35 -19 35 - Danger, Will Robinson! Who will take it? Who do you think? What's does each team's run-in look like? *= match between relegation strugglers 13 Birmingham Sat Apr 26 2003 Birmingham v Middlesbrough 15:00 Sat May 03 2003 Newcastle v Birmingham 15:00 *Sun May 11 2003 Birmingham v West Ham Utd 15:00 - whoa ... 14 Aston Villa Sat Apr 26 2003 Everton v Aston Villa 15:00 Sat May 03 2003 Aston Villa v Sunderland 15:00 *Sun May 11 2003 Leeds United v Aston Villa 15:00 - whoa ... 15 Leeds United Sat Apr 26 2003 Leeds United v Blackburn 15:00 Sun May 04 2003 Arsenal v Leeds United 16:05 *Sun May 11 2003 Leeds United v Aston Villa 15:00 16 Fulham Sat Apr 26 2003 Chelsea v Fulham 15:00 Sat May 03 2003 Fulham v Everton 15:00 Sun May 11 2003 Charlton v Fulham 15:00 17 Bolton Sat Apr 26 2003 Bolton v Arsenal 12:30 Sat May 03 2003 Southampton v Bolton 17:30 Sun May 11 2003 Bolton v Middlesbrough 15:00 18 West Ham Utd Sun Apr 27 2003 Man City v West Ham Utd 14:00 Sat May 03 2003 West Ham Utd v Chelsea 15:00 *Sun May 11 2003 Birmingham v West Ham Utd 15:00
posted by worldcup2002 at 06:48 PM on April 22, 2003
New Ormondroyd! Woot! It can only be West Ham or Bolton for the last relegation spot now, and the bookies have the odds on West Ham going down at 1/5 and Bolton at 4/1. This means that West Ham are, barring a miracle, down. It's a sad sad day.
posted by BigCalm at 03:26 AM on April 23, 2003
btw, here's the First Division promotion outlook, with two to three games remaining: PROMOTED: Portsmouth (managed by former West Ham gaffer Henry Redknapp) Leicester (Heskey's old team) IN THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE THIRD (and last) PROMOTION PLACE: Sheffield United Wolves STILL FIGHTING FOR THE LAST TWO PLAYOFF SPOTS: Reading (almost there) Nottingham Forest Ipswich (mathematical chance only) Who do you think will make the playoffs? Who do you think will be the final promoted team? Who do you want to be promoted? I'd like to see Wolves or Forest go all the way (nostalgic reasons). Wolves also looks to be a prolific team, with a goal tally and goal difference that is second only to first-placed Portsmouth, who can sew up the First Division championship this weekend with a win.
posted by worldcup2002 at 02:31 PM on April 23, 2003
Leicester is already in? I guess i would like to see Wolves, but i think Sheffield is too strong.
posted by StarFucker at 08:49 AM on April 24, 2003
It's been a good Easter for my team, first we beat Charlton away on Saturday, and today we beat Southampton at home. If only West Ham hadn't managed to beat Boro today, we would already be completely safe from relegation. Still, even to an eternal pessimist like myself, it's looking pretty damn good.