Yeah it was a good game but Arsenal were very lucky to end up with a point, you would bet your house on Salah scoring a penalty and Ramsdale saved half a dozen shots in the last 10 minutes. The result makes it interesting though, the City v Arsenal game in a couple of weeks could decide it (although no doubt it won't, one of them will lose to a relegation battler)
Premier League 22/23 Thread
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I've just seen the MOTD2 Highlights. It looked like a game that totally swung on Xhaka being a ballbag (which is sooooo unlike him).
I know highlights don't give a true reflection of the game but they did make it look like Pool, should have won. Salah's fluffed pen, he had another chance, Nunez had one too and then the awkward one for Konate at the end. All it showed for Arsenal was 1 overhit pass at the death.
@lejackal play ****s to Ramsdale the save from Salah was a good one. The Nunez one if probably a 'glass half full or half empty' one. If you give Nunez time to think, he's ****. If he has to instinctively finish, he's fine. On that occasion he had time to think, which means he gave Ramsdale a chance. Tho I guess Ramsdale came out and closed him down which made it harder. My issue with Ramsdale is his habit of saving it and knocking it back in to the danger area, and being a bit pish sometimes.
Nice to see the lino elbow Andy Robertson too.
It probably was just him trying to get Robbo's arm off him, but had that been the other way round, given the FA are appealing Mitrovic's ridiculous 8 game ban as too lenient, Robbo would be looking at getting an extra long summer break. The FA can hardly ban players for touching officials and turn a blind eye to officials touching players.
It is a storm in a tea-cup, but the FA have made a rod for their own backs (by being bellends).
I know highlights don't give a true reflection of the game but they did make it look like Pool, should have won. Salah's fluffed pen, he had another chance, Nunez had one too and then the awkward one for Konate at the end. All it showed for Arsenal was 1 overhit pass at the death.
@lejackal play ****s to Ramsdale the save from Salah was a good one. The Nunez one if probably a 'glass half full or half empty' one. If you give Nunez time to think, he's ****. If he has to instinctively finish, he's fine. On that occasion he had time to think, which means he gave Ramsdale a chance. Tho I guess Ramsdale came out and closed him down which made it harder. My issue with Ramsdale is his habit of saving it and knocking it back in to the danger area, and being a bit pish sometimes.
Nice to see the lino elbow Andy Robertson too.
It probably was just him trying to get Robbo's arm off him, but had that been the other way round, given the FA are appealing Mitrovic's ridiculous 8 game ban as too lenient, Robbo would be looking at getting an extra long summer break. The FA can hardly ban players for touching officials and turn a blind eye to officials touching players.
It is a storm in a tea-cup, but the FA have made a rod for their own backs (by being bellends).
Just watched the highlights... have to disagree, Edd! Thought both handball decisions were harsh- first was above the sleeve, which is the cutoff line for handballs and the second, it was blasted straight at him and his arm was tucked in against his body. What was he supposed to do? This, plus two stonewall penalties denied... Should've been 2-5. We got away with a handball in the build-up to our goal as well. VAR is utter garbage.
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Hasn't Sala missed to penalty's in a row now? Bournemouth away and Arsenal at home? Bloody Arsenal better win the league, Man City are looking good, treble good.
Yup, (on Salah and pens).
He has never filled me with confidence taking them. I dunno why. I always had more confidence in Gerrard or even Milner/Fabinho.
Those two pen misses would give pool three more points (I know it's not that simplistic) but they have been costly. I think those are the only two pens Pool have had in the league in a calendar year too.
That City Arsenal game in a few weeks is looking like a title decider.
I know which club I would put my money on.
He has never filled me with confidence taking them. I dunno why. I always had more confidence in Gerrard or even Milner/Fabinho.
Those two pen misses would give pool three more points (I know it's not that simplistic) but they have been costly. I think those are the only two pens Pool have had in the league in a calendar year too.
That City Arsenal game in a few weeks is looking like a title decider.
I know which club I would put my money on.
lejackal
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Arsenal have got to go to the emptyhad and have a go, Man City will destroy Arsenal otherwise. I thought Arsenal were the best side for the first half an hour yesterday. As soon as they went 2 up they seemed to think it was game won, if they had kept at Liverpool it could have been different. Still a point at Anfield ain't bad.
lejackal
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Obviously we're 20 odd points ahead of pool, so in theory should have put them to bed, however at home this season they've the 3rd best record, with us and Citeh above them. If it was the league table, 1st v 3rd, no one would bay an eyelid at getting out of there with a point. That was Fergies big thing years ago, win at home and draw away and you'll be sound (against your rivals)
Oh the Brighton handballs were harsh for sure, but just like a 1cm offside, that's the rules. And I'm sure we can all think of a dozen penalties our teams should have been given, it would be nice to see some consistency but I bet Brighton have been given their fair share of soft penalties too.
I think them, and Wolves, are two sides who have been repeatedly shafted by VAR or by not getting decisions that other (ie "big") clubs would get every week.
I would like to see Brighton make the CL, but I suspect at least 2 of the 3 above them (allowing for games in hand, so Villa don't count) will have too much for them. Then their best players will be picked off in the summer
I would like to see Brighton make the CL, but I suspect at least 2 of the 3 above them (allowing for games in hand, so Villa don't count) will have too much for them. Then their best players will be picked off in the summer
lejackal
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They do seem to have a knack for selling their talent and replacing them (for **** all) again. Probably one of the best run clubs imo
Aye Saints did the same for a few years. Clubs do seem to periodically hit little patches like that. Though, as Saints are showing, when that passes they soon struggle.
City Bayern should be good tonight. Compare the calibre of those two teams with the other quarter final, Benfica Inter. Those two would barely make mid table in the PL.
City Bayern should be good tonight. Compare the calibre of those two teams with the other quarter final, Benfica Inter. Those two would barely make mid table in the PL.
it's a hell of a rebuild job for whoever they bring in next, nobody will expect Kane to stay after the summer with the mess we're in now.Agreed, Liverpool are in the same boat. I've been wanting the season over since the second game after the WC.
Good to see Pool's rebuild starts with giving up on Bellingham cos he costs too much. Cue Connor Gallagher being signed instead. Very similar players those two (rolls his eyes). Don't push the boat out to make up for a few years of underspending, stick to skin flint principles.
I get FSG have a plan to spend what you earn, but in the current PL that means stagnation. How long can u expect Klopp to work miracles for? Only so long he, or any manager/club, can take mid table players and make them world beaters before you revert to norm.
With Newcastle's new found money we could be witnessing a slight changing of the guard in terms of 'big team pecking order'. Sadly City will remain at the top, unless the FA/PL grow a set and punish them.
Good to see Pool's rebuild starts with giving up on Bellingham cos he costs too much. Cue Connor Gallagher being signed instead. Very similar players those two (rolls his eyes). Don't push the boat out to make up for a few years of underspending, stick to skin flint principles.
I get FSG have a plan to spend what you earn, but in the current PL that means stagnation. How long can u expect Klopp to work miracles for? Only so long he, or any manager/club, can take mid table players and make them world beaters before you revert to norm.
With Newcastle's new found money we could be witnessing a slight changing of the guard in terms of 'big team pecking order'. Sadly City will remain at the top, unless the FA/PL grow a set and punish them.
Thought we were going to get slaughtered today, after 10 mins. We ended up playing really well and could've won. The media has all been about how Arsenal are tired and have a lot of weight on their shoulders... did they play on Thursday? Are they in a relegation battle? I hate this immediate blaming of the big team when they don't get the expected result, rather than giving the other team their due. We really gave Arsenal a game today and to come back from two early goals down against a team on such a fantastic run is excellent. COYI!
Those consecutive draws from being 2 up have cost Arsenal the title. Before that they could afford to lose at City (they were always losing that one) now they need something from it. I don't see that happening. TBH I can see City winning all their remaining games.
On the one hand, I do feel Arsenal have bucked away a great shot at the title. And against a machine of a club (who cheat and break FFP rules) in City. On the other hand, if you had offered any Arsenal fan, 3rd at the start of the season they would have bitten your hand off. I guess it's a case of 'so close but so far, assuming City win, but **** me what an improvement' and what a season for them.
If you really really twisted my arm and begged me, I MIGHT just swap it for the season Pool have had. Maybe!
On the one hand, I do feel Arsenal have bucked away a great shot at the title. And against a machine of a club (who cheat and break FFP rules) in City. On the other hand, if you had offered any Arsenal fan, 3rd at the start of the season they would have bitten your hand off. I guess it's a case of 'so close but so far, assuming City win, but **** me what an improvement' and what a season for them.
If you really really twisted my arm and begged me, I MIGHT just swap it for the season Pool have had. Maybe!
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Man City look odds on to do the treble for me, can't see any team stopping them. The league run in is a walk in the park apart from the Arsenal game, but even if Arsenal were to win that game I can see Arsenal dropping more points. Then they have Sheffield Utd in the FA Cup where Harland will probably score a double hat trick in the first half. Only question then is Real Madrid in the UCL and I actually think City will put them to the sword. That leaves one of the Italian sides in the final and Brighton or Man Utd in the cup final. By which time they will be so close to clinching the treble it will be impossible to stop them. Money can't buy everything, except in football.
Agreed.
Though, in the unlikely event, the FA/PL actually find a set of balls and confirm that City cheated, it would be funny to see them stripped of everything and relegated.
Haaland in league two! A tenner says he doesn't score 45 goals down there. You can't score goals with a broken leg and someone else boot lodged in the back of your head. Lol.
There is also the fact that Real Re the jammiest team alive in the CL. Look at last year where they were the second best team in every knock out game they played, yet they won it. Add to that Pep's insistence of over thinking things and we could yet see Real duffing City as Pep plays the Grealish in nets and Ederson upfront
Though, in the unlikely event, the FA/PL actually find a set of balls and confirm that City cheated, it would be funny to see them stripped of everything and relegated.
Haaland in league two! A tenner says he doesn't score 45 goals down there. You can't score goals with a broken leg and someone else boot lodged in the back of your head. Lol.
There is also the fact that Real Re the jammiest team alive in the CL. Look at last year where they were the second best team in every knock out game they played, yet they won it. Add to that Pep's insistence of over thinking things and we could yet see Real duffing City as Pep plays the Grealish in nets and Ederson upfront
