04/26/24
April 27, 2003
EPL REPORT WEEK 37: Arsenal stumble, Man U capitalize, West Ham steal a glimmer of hope. (More inside!)
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 12:39 PM - 33 comments
Lovely effort by Chelsea, eh? With the four goals from Mr. Owen, May 11 seems certain to decide the fourth CL spot (as I predicted several weeks ago but I'm too lazy to go and find the link on this lovely Sunday morning).
posted by billsaysthis at 01:09 PM on April 27, 2003
Blues are safe. I wasn't as convinced as some people that we would manage it, but I'm happy that my doubts proved unfounded. Here's to signing Le Dug up on a permanent contract and establishing ourselves as a permanent fixture in the Premiership. Arsenal have well and truly blown it, what a bunch of wusses.
posted by squealy at 02:41 PM on April 27, 2003
With West Ham's win, and the teams above it not doing well this weekend, the relegation battle is that much closer. Any team that is more than six points clear of West Ham will be safe. Unfortunately, Aston Villa, Fulham, Leeds and Bolton (particularly the latter two) will have to sweat it for at least another week. btw, former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp has lead Portsmouth to the First Division championship.
posted by worldcup2002 at 06:45 PM on April 27, 2003
Here's the title run-in: Manchester United Sat May 03 2003 Man Utd v Charlton 12:30 Sun May 11 2003 Everton v Man Utd 15:00 Arsenal Sun May 04 2003 Arsenal v Leeds United 16:05 Wed May 07 2003 Arsenal v Southampton 19:45 Sun May 11 2003 Sunderland v Arsenal 15:00 Can Arsenal pull it off? You decide. To me, it seems unlikely. But Everton could surprise Man U. Arsenal, however, is still left with the prospect of winning all three of its remaining games, against decidedly unpredictable teams. Will Sunderland capitulate? Or will they play their one last hurrah as if it mattered?
posted by worldcup2002 at 09:51 AM on April 28, 2003
EPL Title race standings: Position - Team - Played - GD - Pts 1 Man Utd 36 36 77 2 Arsenal 35 35 72
posted by worldcup2002 at 09:55 AM on April 28, 2003
If Sunderland are going to win a game please let it be against the Villa. I can see Arsenal winning all 3 of their remaining games. Southampton were poor against us and by all accounts even worse on Saturday and the other 2 are just useless. The fat lady aint sung yet.
posted by Fat Buddha at 11:47 AM on April 28, 2003
Here's the EPL relegation run-in: Position - Team - Played - GD - Pts 14 Aston Villa 36 -4 42 15 Fulham 36 -12 42 16 Leeds United 36 -2 41 17 Bolton 36 -11 40 18 West Ham Utd 36 -18 38 *= match between relegation strugglers 14 Aston Villa Sat May 03 2003 Aston Villa v Sunderland 15:00 *Sun May 11 2003 Leeds United v Aston Villa 15:00 Note: If West Ham lose this weekend, Villa are safe. 15 Fulham Sat May 03 2003 Fulham v Everton 15:00 Sun May 11 2003 Charlton v Fulham 15:00 Note: If West Ham lose this weekend, Fulham are safe. 16 Leeds United Sun May 04 2003 Arsenal v Leeds United 16:05 *Sun May 11 2003 Leeds United v Aston Villa 15:00 17 Bolton Sat May 03 2003 Southampton v Bolton 17:30 Sun May 11 2003 Bolton v Middlesbrough 15:00 18 West Ham Utd 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 12:32 PM on April 28, 2003
Oh, and of course, Liverpool routed the Baggies 6-0, thanks to four goals from Michael Owen and two from Milan Baros. 
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:35 PM on April 28, 2003
btw, the fight for 3rd and 4th places (and Champions League qualification) is extremely tight, but Liverpool is well-poised for success, having won four games in a row, and Newcastle and Chelsea both slumping in recent weeks. EPL battle for Champions League places: Position - Team - Played - GD - Pts 3 Newcastle 36 14 65 4 Chelsea 36 30 64 5 Liverpool 36 22 64 6 Everton 36 2 59 ** = match between challengers for 3rd and 4th place 3 Newcastle 36 14 65 Sat May 03 2003 Newcastle v Birmingham 15:00 (go Blues!) Sun May 11 2003 West Brom v Newcastle 15:00 (go Baggies!) 4 Chelsea 36 30 64 Sat May 03 2003 West Ham Utd v Chelsea 15:00 (go Hammers!) **Sun May 11 2003 Chelsea v Liverpool 15:00 (Walk on, walk on ...) 5 Liverpool 36 22 64 Sat May 03 2003 Liverpool v Man City 15:00 (... with hope in your heart ...) Sun May 11 2003 Chelsea v Liverpool 15:00 (... and you'll never walk alooooooone ... you'll NEEVEERR WALK ALONE!) 6 Everton 36 2 59 Sat May 03 2003 Fulham v Everton 15:00 Sun May 11 2003 Everton v Man Utd 15:00 (Go Toffees! Break Man U's hearts!)
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:50 PM on April 28, 2003
Does this signal the end of the Heskey-Owen partnership? Diouf-Baros-Owen seems to be paying dividends. What we need is a winger and/or another Scholes-like playmaker to slot in behind the strikers and we're good to go. Maybe sell Heskey back to newly-promoted Leicester and buy Duff.
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:55 PM on April 28, 2003
wc, I think 'Pool needs someone on the backline so that Riise can play midfield with Gerrard, Murphy and Hamman more than a new midfielder. I'm a big JAR fan! More so than, say, a Jar Jar fan.
posted by billsaysthis at 01:05 PM on April 28, 2003
Liverpool need Dugarry. But they can't chuffin have him!
posted by Fat Buddha at 01:07 PM on April 28, 2003
bill: You're right. A solid left back who doesn't get lost on forays up front would be great, so that Riise can just stay forward. I'd much rather see Riise wreaking damage upfront with freekicks, crosses and just banging goals in, than saving the 'Pool's ass in the backfield. Any thoughts on who'd take that defender slot? FB: You can keep Dugarry and his walker!
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:15 PM on April 28, 2003
I've been saying that Heskey is crap since i joined this Burgh! Now if they could just drop Murphy and Carragher, i would be so chuffing happy!
posted by StarFucker at 02:15 PM on April 28, 2003
Well, nobody has stepped up and scored more goals than Heskey, so who's Gerrard to choose? Baros, altho he got two goals against the league's second-worst team missed a ton more, and has yet to come through consistently. If any player came in and tore up the charts as dependably as Owen, Gerrard would drop Heskey in a flash. We'll see if that theory holds true in the next game.
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:04 PM on April 28, 2003
I meant Gerard. Old bug-eyes.
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:05 PM on April 28, 2003
SF, why should they drop Murphy?
posted by billsaysthis at 05:38 PM on April 28, 2003
Thank God for someone else with some sense. Well said bill.
posted by squealy at 06:09 PM on April 28, 2003
Will said bell...
posted by StarFucker at 06:29 PM on April 29, 2003
SF: You will love this Times match report, a paean to the goalscoring marvel that is Michael Owen, and this:
“The club loves him,” Gérard Houllier said. “He’s a manager’s dream, so unselfish, never satisfied. There’s no limit to what he can achieve.” Or there wouldn’t be if Houllier bit the bullet and stuck with the pairing of Owen and Milan Baros, creator of two, scorer of two more and a far more suitable, gifted partner than Heskey.Based on the result, and the way it was achieved, I'm inclined to agree. Go Baros!
posted by worldcup2002 at 07:16 PM on April 29, 2003
BAROS TO PARTNER OWEN!
posted by StarFucker at 09:15 PM on April 29, 2003
OK! We've discussed this before but let's get it going again: Dudek Carragher - Henchoz - Hoopyhead Hamann Diouf - Gerard - Murphy - Riise Baros - Owen ? 3-1-4-2? 4-4-2? 3-4-3? 3-4-1-2?
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:20 AM on April 30, 2003
Will said, bell?
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:38 AM on April 30, 2003
You can't seriously be basing your team-formation/personnel planning on a result acheived against the fecking Baggies? Having said that you're right, Heskey should be dropped, preferably from a great height.
posted by squealy at 02:49 AM on April 30, 2003
NO NO NO! Anyone but Carragher and Murphy! God i hope they pick up some new players over the summer to take the place of these chuffing muppets!
posted by StarFucker at 08:46 AM on April 30, 2003
It could be: Dudek Finnan - Henchoz - Hoopyhead Hamann - Gerard - Murphy - Riise Dugarry Baros - Owen Also, Leeds is having a fire sale. If you could buy a one or two players, what's your proposed formation, SF? bill?
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:12 AM on April 30, 2003
Not that this has anything to do with the discussion currently underway, this bit of nonsense totally cracked me up! I don't mean to be picking on the Liverpool supporters here--it could apply to most teams in the league.
posted by trox at 02:30 PM on April 30, 2003
That's a good one trox. You should pull it out after Arsenal actually win something this season. Hahahahaha.
posted by worldcup2002 at 05:49 PM on April 30, 2003
Well, obviously i would pick up Kewell right away... And that would take care of the Murphy problem... Viduka would be a great buy as well...so long Heskey. As far as Carragher, Danny Mills can cover that area. And then you know what we would have? A title contender. But of course, we would have to get rid of Houllier as well and make him a talent scout. Shit, put Thompson in charge.
posted by StarFucker at 08:32 AM on May 01, 2003
That sounds intriguing. Now, how much are we going to beat Man City by this weekend? Go Reds!
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:17 AM on May 01, 2003
Dunno, but Anelka better not score. Is Riise out?
posted by StarFucker at 11:23 AM on May 01, 2003
Don't tell that fucking fucker nothing!
posted by Fat Buddha at 11:54 AM on May 01, 2003
I'm off for a lunch date. So bring your links and I'll catch up later.