04/19/24
October 19, 2002
Arsenal defeated.: History. Drama. Tragedy. A latter-day David and Goliath battle. The 30-match unbeaten record of Arsenal, reigning Premier League champions, was ended today by Everton. Arsenal's first Premier League loss this year came courtesy of a last-minute goal scored by the youngest player in the League, 16-year-old Wayne Rooney. David Seaman, the Arsenal and England goalkeeper, found himself beaten yet again by a long range effort, although this one was a 30-yard crackshot that flew over him and dipped down before richoceting in off the underside of the crossbar. Most important, my team Liverpool (who are Everton's city rivals) moved to the top of the League. God bless Wayne Rooney and Everton.
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 08:27 PM - 8 comments
I am delighted that Arsenal finally got beaten. I know winners generally have a bit of arrogance, but it goes right to the core of Arsenal and their celebrity supporters, like a stick of rock. Wengers statement that Arsenal would not lose a single game this season was outrageous! Believe it or not I had Rooney in my fantasy team for a very short while, I surmised that he would hardly play and got rid of him. This has been my worst week ever for the fantasy league, I will be surprised if I got any points.
posted by Fat Buddha at 03:05 PM on October 20, 2002
worldcup2002: Shame Middlesbrough let you down, huh? It's interesting that Liverpool have climbed to the top of the Premiership almost unnoticed, given the hype that Arsenal have received this year. Arsenal are the best team in the Premiership this year, and I still expect them to retain the title fairly comfortably. Fat Buddha: By all accounts your boys were a bit fortunate to get a draw in the derby against West Brom. Did you go?
posted by salmacis at 06:53 PM on October 20, 2002
salmacis: Heh. You win some, you lose some. Neither Schwarzer or Maccarone came through today. But tomorrow's a new day. I'm banking on Ulisses de la Cruz for some assists or even the matchwinning header. C'mon now, Ulisses! Go Villa! And then, it's my Fulham boys Legwinski and Inamoto on Wednesday. Hope West Ham rolls over. ;-)
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:28 AM on October 21, 2002
Salmacis, we probably were a bit fortunate, but missed some good chances ourselves. Given the makeshift nature of our defence to start, with 2 clearly unfit players at the heart of it and the sheer surrealism of having an 18 year old midfielder, a reserve left winger and another midfielder forming 3 of the 4 at the end, I would think for us it's a point won and for you 2 points lost. I have to say I have a massive soft spot for the Baggies and would go to all their night games before I moved, but they are an unlovely lot at the moment. Moore, Johnson and Marshall were all lucky to stay on.
posted by Fat Buddha at 02:54 AM on October 21, 2002
World Cup...are you in the SpoFi Yahoo Fantasy League?
posted by StarFucker at 03:40 PM on October 24, 2002
I run it. Who do you think goes through the trouble to post the standings every week in the Locker room? Red Dragons, that would be my team. A middling bunch. Heh.
posted by worldcup2002 at 02:21 AM on October 25, 2002
I see....well you will recognize me as The BLAMMOS! Currently in first place! I am taking the title!
posted by StarFucker at 10:39 AM on October 25, 2002
And God bless Gianfranco Zola, who scored two goals today, including the winner, for Chelsea against Manchester City. My fantasy league position should be somewhat improved this week. Now all I need is a Schwarzer shutout and more Maccarone magic to make my weekend complete. :-)