Sunday 19 January 2020

Isaac Gives Chelski The Blues

This blogger's beloved (though unsellable) Magpies won for the first time in the league this year with an outrageous late winner from Isaac Hayden against Scowling Frank Lampard's Moscow Chelski FC at St James' Park on Saturday evening. A corner deep into added time looked to have provided United with a final chance to steal the points but Matt Ritchie's kick was cleared as the fourth added minute approached its conclusion. However, Allan Saint-Maximin gathered the clearance, took a touch and put over a cross for Hayden to head into the Gallowgate goal to spark scenes of wild celebration with kids gettin' sparked an' aal sorts. Referee Chris Kavanagh allowed the visitors one further attack but once that was cleared the official blew for full-time and three vital Premier League points were secured by the Black n' Whites. The second period had seen the visitors largely camped in United's half, although they had created few clear openings to worry Steve Brucie's side who had defended resolutely. Jamaal Lascelles was back at the heart of the defence and also returning were Jonjo Shelvey and Saint-Maximin, as the injury crisis which has plagued The Magpies for the past few weeks started to subside. But Jetro Willems was stretchered from the field in just the twelfth minute as what seemed to be an innocuous collision with Callum Hudson-Odoi had him immediately signalling to the bench. Brucie (nasty to see him, to see him nasty) subsequently confirmed that Willems had suffered an apparently serious knee injury. That early setback didn't curb the home side's initial enthusiasm and in the twenty second minute Federico Fernandez supplied a cross for Joelinton who guided a header against the bar. Twelve minutes later Tammy Abraham struck Martin Dubravka's crossbar, although he had been flagged offside but N'Golo Kanté should have scored when clear on the right of the box, only to be denied by the 'keeper's left leg. At the other end Fernandez got the end of a Shelvey free-kick and seemed certain to head home but his effort went high. After the break there was almost no threat from the black and whites but for all the Moscow Chelski FC possession, there were only half chances for Willian and Abraham and Dubravka had remarkably few saves to make. Then with two minutes to go, Miguel Almirón played a fine ball to the far post which was headed back to Joelinton by Saint-Maximin. But the Brazilian swung wildly and sliced his effort wide. Nevertheless, Joelinton managed to win a corner in the final minute of added time and Matt Ritchie was roared into the Strawberry Corner as he prepared to delivered it. The corner was headed clear but then came Saint-Maximin's glorious curling ball into the box and Hayden got his connection spot-on to beat Kepa Arribazalaga who could only get an ineffective hand to his header leaving Moscow Chelski FC's manager, Frank Lampard, looking his someone sucking a lemon at the final whistle. Lampard subsequently whinged that his team has 'dominated every aspect' of the game. Except for scoring the most goals, obviously. Hayden had filled in at right back, with Emile Krafth being replaced by Sean Longstaff.
Elsewhere, Sheikh Yer Man City threw away the chance of a win in a dramatic climax at Etihad Stadium, while bottom-of-the-table Norwich City battled for a much-needed victory over strugglers Bournemouth. Two goals from Sergio Aguero inside the last ten minutes looked to have helped champions City to victory over Crystal Palace, but Fernandinho's own goal just before stoppage time ensured the sides drew two-two. At the bottom of the table, Teemu Pukki's first-half penalty was enough for Norwich to claim victory over Bournemouth, who are now only one place and three points above The Canaries, as both sides finished with ten men. Wolverhampton Wanderings fought back from two goals down at half-time for a superb three-two win at Southampton, with one goal from Pedro Neto and two from Raul Jimenez moving them up into sixth place. The Arse were closing in on victory at home to Sheffield United, but The Blades fought back with a late John Fleck goal ensuring a draw. Watford missed out on the chance of a fourth straight win when Troy Deeney had a penalty saved by Stottingtot Hotshots keeper Paulo Gazzaniga, but the goalless draw means Nigel Pearson's Hornets are unbeaten in seven games. Hundreds of West Hamsters United fans protested about the running of the club in the week of the ten-year anniversary since David Sullivan and David Gold took over, while on the pitch The Hamsters were held to a draw by Everton. Brighton & Hove Albinos are still searching for their first league win of 2020 after they were held one-one by Aston Villains at The Amex Stadium. On Sunday, Ashley Westwood's stunning strike saw Burnley come from behind to beat Leicester and earn their first points in five games. And, in Sunday's late game Champions-elect Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws defeat The Scum two-nil. Which was funny.
Having failed to make their dominance count in the first meeting with Rochdale, this blogger's beloved (though unsellable) Magpies made no mistake in their FA Cup replay, coasting into the Fourth Round at St James' Park on Tuesday evening. The outcome was hardly unexpected given the strong starting line-up and bench named by Steve Brucie (nasty to see him, to see him, nasty), but there were certainly some unexpected, 'I can't believe my eyes'-type events for almost thirty thousand fans present to witness. Mister Cashley made a rare visit to Gallowgate as United avoided any additions to their lengthy sick-list - and saw record signing Joelinton finally break his scoring duck with a first competitive home goal and only his second since joining The Magpies in the summer. On a night of broadly positives, there was a successful return from injury for Jamaal Lascelles, more valuable pitch-time for Matt Ritchie, a run-out for Jonjo Shelvey and an assist on his senior debut for teenager Tom Allan. Some generous defending by the League One visitors had allowed The Magpies to rack up an unassailable early lead by the half-hour mark. An own goal and a suicidal clearance by 'Dale goalkeeper Robert Sanchez that gifted Miguel Almirón a goal sandwiched by a quality Matty Longstaff's strike. A low-key second period was illuminated when Joelinton shook off his torpor to stick the ball past replacement custodian Jay Lynch, rounding off his side's first victory since the week before Christmas. Making his first start since returning from a lengthy injury, Ritchie's cross from the left was prodded into his own net at the Leazes End by Eoghan O'Connell in the seventeenth minute. Another Ritchie cross from left three minutes later found Matty Longstaff in front of goal and he had to time to take it down, turn and dispatch it past Sanchez. Six minutes later it was game over when Sanchez passed straight to Almirón - who had shot against a post when the tie was still scoreless - and he picked his spot to open up a three goal lead - the Paraguayan's fourth goal in his last five games in all competitions. Joelinton's goal arrived eight minutes from time when a neat pass from Andy Carroll released Allan down the right and his measured low cross was touched in by the Brazilian from six yards. An evidently relieved number nine then ran to embrace Brucie and his coaching staff on the touchline before being mobbed by his team-mates. Dale's consolation arrived in the eighty sixth minute when a short corner was played back by Aaron Wilbraham for Jordan Williams to hit a low shot from the edge of the box that beat Karl Darlow via a post. A fifth home goal almost followed in the closing seconds after Joelinton gained possession in the 'Dale box and set up Carroll, whose rising effort was tipped onto the angle of post and bar. Newcastle now face another League One side, Oxford United, in the Fourth Round. Victory over The U's would see The Magpies appear in the Fifth Round of the competition for the first time since Cashley bought the club in May 2007.
A deal to show FA Cup matches via seven online betting websites is being investigated by the Gambling Commission, the industry regulator. The Football Association has been criticised after it sold the rights to the competition via a third party. The Football Association being, of course, an organisation that is keen to fine and suspend any footballer or club official found to have bet on any football-related activity. How ironic it is, therefore, that they seem to have no problem getting their collective kit off and hopping into bed with such people as these. Sanctions for bookmakers involved could include a warning, financial penalties or the revoking of licences. 'Our investigations into that matter are ongoing,' Gambling Commission chief executive Neil McArthur told BBC 5Live. 'I understand why there are concerns and, to be clear, we already require gambling operators to market, advertise or engage in sponsorship in a socially responsible way. We are in touch with all operators in the deal to find out what they did to satisfy themselves.' A Gambling Commission spokesperson added: 'We expect gambling operators to ensure, when agreeing commercial deals relevant to sport, that such arrangements are consistent with keeping gambling safe.' Since the start of last season, bookmakers have been able to show FA Cup ties on their websites and apps. The seven gambling websites - Bet365, Betfair, William Hill, Coral, Ladbrokes, Unibet and Paddy Power - acquired the rights via the agency IMG, who agreed a deal with the FA. Who, in turn, didn't ask too many questions when they saw the size of IMG's cheque. Probably. In the FA Cup third round, twenty three matches were available to watch on Bet365 - all those that did not kick off at 3:01pm on Saturday, including this blogger's beloved (though unsellable) Magpies draw at lower league Rochdale. The matches were available to anyone who had placed a bet or put a deposit in their account in the twenty four hours before kick-off. Betting companies with streaming rights for FA Cup ties say they would allow the games to be streamed on a free platform elsewhere. In July 2017, the FA announced it was cutting its ties with gambling firms, but the deal with IMG was done in January 2017.

Sunday 5 January 2020

The Sweet FA Cup

Once upon a time, dear blog reader - and not all that long ago either - the first Saturday in January was one of the three or four most important and most looked-forward-to days in the English football calendar; it was FA Cup Third Round day and - a few postponements notwithstanding - it was thirty two matches which saw the surviving lower league (and non-league) clubs joined by the Big Boys, the forty four Premiership and Championship clubs. It was the point in the season where even clubs whose league season seemed to be, effectively, a massive write-off could dream about a good cup run and, possibly, a date at Wembley in May. But that, dear blog reader, was in another time and now, the FA Cup appears to be little more than an inconvenient distraction to many clubs and their owners - something that takes time, attention and resources away from the really important stuff, making more money from league positions and the opportunity of selling more replica shirts in Malaysia. Worryingly, this lethargy and lack of too much interest appears to have also been picked up by some fans with low crowds often being recorded for even potentially exciting, winnable ties. The fact that the games are now played over three - sometimes four - days doesn't exactly help matters.
Still, dear blog reader, some things remain reliably consistent. The inevitability of this blogger's beloved - though still, tragically, unsellable - Magpies once again managing to screw up in the Cup (this being a club, remember, which hasn't got past the Fourth Round since 2006). Yes, the squad is, currently, decimated by numerous injuries and, yes, Steve Bruice (nasty to see him, to see him nasty) did something that many of his recent predecessors were reluctant to and played his strongest available side. But still, whilst some may regard a one-all draw away at Rochdale and a completely unwanted replay at St James' Park in a fortnight as a decent result compared to previous loses to the likes of Oxford United (2017), Stevenage Borough (2011), AFC Bournemouth (1992), Grimsby Town (1982), Exeter City (1981), Chester City (1980), Wrexham (1978), Walsall (1975), Hereford United (1972), Carlisle United (1968), Swansea (1965), Bedford Town (1964), Peterborough United (1962), Scunthorpe United (1958), Rotherham United (1953) and Bradford Park Avenue (1949), this blogger does not.
League One Rochdale earned a replay after they came from behind to draw one-one with Newcastle at Spotland. The Magpies took the lead through Miguel Almiron but forty-year-old substitute Aaron Wilbraham levelled with a close-range finish with eleven minutes left. Elsewhere, holders Sheikh Yer Man City claimed a comfortable win over Port Vale while Tranmere Rovers produced a brilliant fightback to draw three-three against last year's beaten finalists Watford. Goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko, Sergio Aguero, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Phil Foden gave City a four-one victory over the League Two side, who found the net through Tom Pope. League One strugglers Tranmere delivered arguably the performance of the day as they came from three-nil down at half-time to earn a replay against their Premier League opponents. Tom Dele-Bashiru, Nathaniel Chalobah and Roberto Pereyra had given The Hornets the upper hand, but the Wirral outfit battled back in the second half. Connor Jennings scored just after the hour and Manny Monthe made it three-two with twelve minutes left at Vicarage Road. Rovers then equalised with an eighty seventh-minute penalty, converted by Paul Mullin, after Mason Barrett had fouled Corey Blackett-Taylor. Premier League sides Brighton & Hove Albinos and Aston Villains were both knocked out of the competition after succumbing to Championship opposition. Adam Reach gave Sheffield Wednesday a victory over Brighton at Amex Stadium while Anthony Knockaert and Harry Arter helped Poor Bloody Fulham Haven't Got A Chance to a two-one victory over the Villains whose attitude to the inconvenience of the tie can be summed up by manager Dean Smith picking, effectively, a Villains reserve side. League Two Carlisle United secured a replay against Championship Cardiff City but may feel they should have done better after squandering a two-goal lead. Jack Bridge and Harry McKirdy put The Cumbrians ahead but second-half goals from Callum Paterson and Gavin Whyte got The Bluebirds back on level terms. Non-league Hartlepool had taken a surprise lead into the half-time interval against Oxford United thanks to Mark Kitching. However, The Yellows rallied and ran out four-one winners after Rob Hall, Shandon Baptiste, Tariqe Fosu-Henry and Matty Taylor found the net. Twelve-time winners The Scum and Wolverhampton Wanderings will need a replay after their tie ended in a goalless draw at Molineux. The Scum failed to have a single shot on target in a domestic game for the first time since January 2015. Adam Idah netted a hat-trick on his FA Cup debut for Norwich City as they were emphatic four-two winners over Preston Both Ends - managed by former City boss Alex Neil - at Deepdale. Jay Rodriguez struck twice to give Burnley a four-two win over Peterborough with Erik Pieters and Jeff Hendrick also on target for The Clarets. Southampton eased to a two-nil victory over Huddersfield thanks to goals from teenagers Will Smallbone and Jake Vokins. A brace for Philip Billing plus goals from Callum Wilson and Dominic Solanke ensured safe passage for AFC Bournemouth as they cruised to a four-nil win over Luton Town. Leicester City reached the fourth round with a two-nil win over Wigan Not Very Athletic following a Tom Pearce own goal and a strike from Harvey Barnes. Welsh side Newport County had knocked out Leeds United, Leicester City and Middlesbrough and given scares to Stottingtot Hotshots and Sheikh Yer Man City in the past couple of seasons. However, the League Two club will not get the opportunity to repeat their FA Cup giant-killing exploits this year after a three goal defeat by Millwall. A hat-trick from Tom Eaves helped Hull City come from behind to clinch a dramatic three-two win over Rotherham at New York Stadium. Jeremie Bela scored late on as ten-man Birmingham City edged a two-one win over Blackburn Vindaloos in front of the lowest ever attendance for an FA Cup tie at St Andrews, a mere seven thousand three hundred and thirty - a figure which seemed to sum up the general apathy of many supporters towards what was, once, one of the highlights of the season. Those who stayed away missed a truly calamitous cameo from substitute Ivan Šunjić who was sent off on the hour after conceding a penalty by hauling down the Vindaloos' Sam Gallagher a mere ninety seconds after coming on for Gary Gardner. Emilano Marcondes handed Brentford victory over Stoke City whilst Portsmouth survived some late jitters in a two-one success at Joey Barton's Fleetwood Town. Bristol City and Shrewsbury will require a replay after their tie finished one-all, as do Reading and Blackpool after theirs finished two-two. Blackpool striker Armand Gnanduillet missed with a 'Panenka' style penalty attempt but the League One side still secured a replay. The Frenchman created the opener for Nathan Delfouneso, and drilled The Seasiders back in front after Sam Baldock struck in the second half. Then, moments after Danny Loader had equalised for Reading, Gnanduillet was tripped in the box and handed a chance to win it. But he elaborately chipped the resulting spot-kick against the bar and Reading scrambled the ball clear.
Curtis Jones scored his first senior goal for the Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws with an astonishing long-range effort as The Reds knocked Merseyside rivals Everton out on Sunday afternoon. The eighteen-year-old academy product curled in the only goal of the game as Herr Klopp's side edged a over The Soft-Centred Toffees at Anfield. Championship side Derby County knocked Crystal Palace of the Prermiership out with a one-nil win whilst The Middlesbrough Smog Monsters forced a replay against a stuttering Spurs. Chris Martin scored The Rams' only goal with Wayne Rooney going close to doubling their lead late on against The PaLACE. Lucas Moura saved Spurs from a cup upset against The Smoggies, equalising midway through the first half to salvage a draw. Ashley Fletcher had given the hosts - who are currently sixteenth in the Championship - the lead at The Riverside Stadium. Eight-time winners Moscow Chelski FC eased into the fourth-round with a two-nil victory over Nottingham Forest. Callum Hudson-Odoi put Frank Lampard's side ahead after only six minutes before Forest - fourth in the Championship - had a penalty decision reversed by the video assistant referee. Ross Barkley added a second for The Blues just after the half-hour mark. AFC Fylde, the lowest-ranked team in the third round, fell to a two-one defeat against Premier League Sheffield United but it was a performance that defied Fylde's non-league status. The Blades took the lead inside eight minutes through Callum Robinson but it took until the hour mark for them to get a second through Leon Clarke. Jordan Williams pulled a goal back for The Coasters with a clever lob over Dean Henderson, who had replaced the injured Michael Verrips in the Sheffield goal. Queens Park Strangers thrashed Swansea five-one with Jordan Hugill scoring two first-half goals for the hosts. Bright Osayi-Samuel, Lee Wallace and Josh Scowen also scored for Mark Warburton's side with substitute George Byers bagging a consolation for The Sorry Swans. Elsewhere, Kenneth Zohore scored the only goal as West Bromwich Albinos knocked Championship rivals Charlton Not Very Athletic out while Barnsley defeated Crewe Alexandra three-one. Northampton Town beat Burton Alkbinos four-two but Bristol Rovers and Coventry City will meet again after seeing out a two-two draw, with Rovers captain Tony Craig scoring an own goal after having previously giving his side the lead. Monday's fourth-round draw will be held at 7.30pm, shortly before The Arsenal take on Dirty Leeds in the round's final tie.