May 11, 2005

Arsenal (#2) 7, Everton (#4) 0.: wtf? These are two of the top four teams in the EPL. This score is more reminiscent of a match between the top and bottom clubs, or a Cup tie between an EPL team and a lower division team. Did Everton even get off the bus? If this doesn't speak of the gulf between the top 3 and the rest of the league, or why Everton will be an embarrassment in Europe next season, I don't know what does. I know neither team had anything to play for but 7-0? The only good that came out of this was my fantasy points.

posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 04:15 PM - 22 comments

Yes, I am barely containing my laughter.

posted by worldcup2002 at 04:16 PM on May 11, 2005

We're players ensuring performance bonus $? Good thing I chose Arsenal's defence for this gameweek.

posted by garfield at 04:21 PM on May 11, 2005

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this was the worst defeat (not goals scored or conceded, just net difference in goals scored in a match) by any team in the EPL this season. I would be interested in seeing if there's been any worse scoreline in the history of the EPL (just the EPL, not the First Division of yore).

posted by worldcup2002 at 04:22 PM on May 11, 2005

whoo! i had Pires and he had two goals. but yeah, that certainly does not reflect well on Everton's chances in the CL next year. not that I could see them getting out of the qualifying round.

posted by gspm at 04:28 PM on May 11, 2005

and the posted link doesn't work for me but I found it by chopping the last bit off the URL. I saw the BBC recap before moseying over here, for those who are interested.

posted by gspm at 04:32 PM on May 11, 2005

And it could have easily been 10. I don't know what happened to the Everton with the fight and grit they've shown all season. Arsenal cut them wide open and Bergkamp had an amazing game the day after his 36th birthday. This game along with yesterday's 3-1 Chelsea win over United show not just a separation between the top 3 and the rest of the league but, in particular, the top 2. United are playing much closer to Everton's level than Arsenal's or Chelsea's. The Cup Final could be an Arsenal stroll in the park if United don't get it together in the next 10 days.

posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 04:45 PM on May 11, 2005

I would be interested in seeing if there's been any worse scoreline in the history of the EPL I'm not sure what the worst result in the "EPL" has been but Man U gave a couple of teams hammerings over the years - I distinctly remember them beating Ipswich nine-nil in 1995 (Andy Cole scored five goals in that one) and they beat Forest eight-one a few years later.

posted by dublinemma at 09:19 PM on May 11, 2005

OMG - a new user whose first comment doesn't make them look like a total twit! Welcome Emma. Useful comment, that. The BBC piece suggests that the margin was a record win for Arsene Wegner and a record defeat for Everton in the EPL. Since it didn't say it was an overall record defeat for the EPL there must be a few out there, as suggested. This must be what it is like at the Guardian office at the Knowledge news desk.

posted by gspm at 09:44 PM on May 11, 2005

FWIW, a little digging suggests [ding ding ding] we have a winner. * Biggest home win, goal difference: 9 + Manchester United 9-0 Ipswich Town (4 March 1995) * Biggest away win, goal difference: 7 + Nottingham Forest 1-8 Manchester United (6 February 1999)

posted by gspm at 09:46 PM on May 11, 2005

Wow, did I make a mistake taking Duncan Ferguson for this gameweek, third to fifth and little chance of making up the difference at the weekend. Who knew the Gunners had it in them? They sure didn't play at this level after the streak ended at Old Trafford.

posted by billsaysthis at 11:36 PM on May 11, 2005

What a night for my internet stream of the EPL to go tits up.

posted by squealy at 06:49 AM on May 12, 2005

Arsenal is playing great football, and peaking just in time for the FA Cup final. Go Gunners!

posted by scully at 07:44 AM on May 12, 2005

squealy, coolstreams is down?

posted by StarFucker at 08:37 AM on May 12, 2005

This is the biggest win in the last 4 years of the Premiership. Just embarrassing.

posted by afx237vi at 11:32 AM on May 12, 2005

It's been a bad week for merseysiders at Highbury, that's for sure. I'm just happy Arsenal seem to be hitting top form before the FA cup final, which should be a desparate game since it's the only chance either team have at silverware this year.

posted by trox at 12:50 PM on May 12, 2005

Thanks for the research, gspm. Much obliged. The Guardian match report also noted that this was the biggest win of the season. "'The touch, movement, speed and passing of Arsenal's game were scintillating, blowing away Everton in the Premiership's largest victory of the season." btw, the Pool should just buy Bergkamp, since Arsenal are still dragging their feet. We could use another good connective player between midfield and the forwards. It doesn't hurt that he can score, too. And, whoa, now Sepptic Blather, FIFA presidonkey, is backing Liverpool's claim to defend the Champions League Cup next season. Of course, Liverpool hasn't even flown to Istanbul to play the final yet. And UEFA already has clear rules that CL champions are not given auto-qualification for next season if they don't qualify via the domestic league. And the English FA have already said it's only the top 4, as it has been in the past. But hey, those are just details. Maybe Everton's performance yesterday stirred Sepptic to action. Hahahaha. Now, if Liverpool does win it, and the EPL end up with five entries: 1. Does Liverpool go directly into the first round? Or do they have to play a qualifier (like Man U and Everton)? 2. In either case, who gets to lose their seat from the other countries? Or will there be some magical new format that will play in this odd man out?

posted by worldcup2002 at 01:14 PM on May 12, 2005

Oh waitaminute, Blatter said that if Liverpool win the CL, they can take Everton's spot. Just kidding.

posted by worldcup2002 at 01:16 PM on May 12, 2005

Blatter also says that Wayne Rooney needs "a good clip round the ear" too, so he's not as idiotic as he sometimes appears.

posted by afx237vi at 02:17 PM on May 12, 2005

StarFucker, I don't know mate. All I know is that I couldn't get a watchable stream of Arsenal v Everton last night. It was on Guangdong Sports but the buffering kept screwing up.

posted by squealy at 02:47 PM on May 12, 2005

"...just kidding." Not funny...

posted by StarFucker at 03:14 PM on May 12, 2005

Sepptic Best. nickname. evah!

posted by billsaysthis at 04:42 PM on May 12, 2005

squealy, SF, what is this streaming video of which you speak?

posted by worldcup2002 at 11:55 PM on May 12, 2005

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