(Football) Soccer thread (English Premier League, Champions League)

[Jonesy]

I missed most of the game but caught the hilites and I must say that was the most poorly reffed and played game I've seen... How costa was not sent off the pitch is beyond me... In the interest of fair football and consistency for either team (in terms of referee decisions) I saw none of that in that game, mike dean did a shocker of a job. To hear chelsea fans gloating about that win makes me so grumpy.

On to more important things, Martial is changing critics minds very quickly! Heck he's changing my mind! I did doubt him but I'm so glad he's proving himself. I must say Southampton have a great attack, Pelle is just ridiculous in the air

I also enjoyed the Swansea/Everton game this past weekend, was just good to watch.

[The Arsenal]

If anyone hasn't read these yet...

http://www.espnfc.us/barclays-premier-league/story/2625160/arsenal-win-appeal-against-gabriel-sending-off-at-chelsea

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34331311

[Jonesy]

City with a loss! Always nice to see! I was hoping Leicester would continue their unbeaten form but Arsenal proved too strong in the end.... the real treat of the weekend was watching Chelsea slump to 15th on the log

[TheGameChanger]

Yes on top of the league. Might just win this league by default.

[FairwaysToHeaven]

I'm curious, of those that are American and follow the premiere league, do you have a favorite team, and how did you decide that they were your favorite. Just curious as i root for area teams in the US, and have started getting into sat morning premiere league matches, but don't have a favorite team not that I need one, but would be nice to follow one team.

[scruffynick]

[quote name='HoosierMizuno' timestamp='1443461250' post='12378894']
I'm curious, of those that are American and follow the premiere league, do you have a favorite team, and how did you decide that they were your favorite. Just curious as i root for area teams in the US, and have started getting into sat morning premiere league matches, but don't have a favorite team not that I need one, but would be nice to follow one team.
[/quote]
Strange being a footy supporter and who you choose as a kid......most it's their local team, or it's because your dad supported a certain team but now you can watch any game anywhere in the world, some just get attached to a team and it can be any reason...........it just comes within and for 2 hours you lose any sense and become tribal! For me (even though I hate it at times that I feel like I do) I just need the nervous tension during the big games, and when United score a last grasp winner......boy, nothing compares especially in the Stretford End!

[The Arsenal]

[quote name='HoosierMizuno' timestamp='1443461250' post='12378894']
I'm curious, of those that are American and follow the premiere league, do you have a favorite team, and how did you decide that they were your favorite. Just curious as i root for area teams in the US, and have started getting into sat morning premiere league matches, but don't have a favorite team not that I need one, but would be nice to follow one team.
[/quote]
I'm from the U.S. It started off with a discussion about FIFA 2004 during a U14 practice. I was talking with my Scottish coach at the time, and I said, "That's Henry on the cover, right?" Then my coach corrected me and said, "It's pronounced Henry (ahn-ree), son." I was embarassed, obviously, but curiousity got the best of me. I started watching every Thierry Henry video I could find online, and he soon became the biggest influence regarding my growth in the sport.

At the time, the U.S. didn't have the coverage of international soccer leagues like we do now with NBC broadcasting EPL games, then FOX Soccer Channel came to my parent's Dish subcription. I started watching every game I could because I was infatuated with how much faster and better European soccer was compared to the U.S. Since I had decided Henry was my favorite player, I naturally gravitated towards Arsenal, and I've been a gooner ever since. I Wish Arsenal had a striker that was even half as good as Henry...Walcott or Girioud aren't even close.

Here is the cover of the game:

[The Chicken Connoisseur]

[quote name='HoosierMizuno' timestamp='1443461250' post='12378894']
I'm curious, of those that are American and follow the premiere league, do you have a favorite team, and how did you decide that they were your favorite. Just curious as i root for area teams in the US, and have started getting into sat morning premiere league matches, but don't have a favorite team not that I need one, but would be nice to follow one team.
[/quote]

I started liking Arsenal I guess it comes down to the managing style. They play fluid and beautiful attacking football. They try to develop their youth. They don't spend ridiculous amounts of money on players.

[hammer1]

Manchester United fan here. I got hooked when Beckham was the star. I watch the EPL every weekend. Even went to Old Trafford for a match once.

[Jonesy]

Well a midweek loss for Arsenal I doubt it will play much of a role in the upcoming game against United this Sunday... I'm very intrigued to see if Rooney even starts given his performance on Wednesday... Excited for the Liverpool v Everton game and I'm hoping Everton pull through! The Swansea v Tottenham game I'm also hoping makes for some good viewing.

[scruffynick]

[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1443777585' post='12399438']
Well a midweek loss for Arsenal I doubt it will play much of a role in the upcoming game against United this Sunday... I'm very intrigued to see if Rooney even starts given his performance on Wednesday... Excited for the Liverpool v Everton game and I'm hoping Everton pull through! The Swansea v Tottenham game I'm also hoping makes for some good viewing.
[/quote]
Rooney will start, shouldn't do but he will. But it's arsenal and rooney always scores against arsenal.........glad I'm not in work on Monday with these 2 games on!

[Jonesy]

[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1443798980' post='12400426']
[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1443777585' post='12399438']
Well a midweek loss for Arsenal I doubt it will play much of a role in the upcoming game against United this Sunday... I'm very intrigued to see if Rooney even starts given his performance on Wednesday... Excited for the Liverpool v Everton game and I'm hoping Everton pull through! The Swansea v Tottenham game I'm also hoping makes for some good viewing.
[/quote]
Rooney will start, shouldn't do but he will. But it's arsenal and rooney always scores against arsenal.........glad I'm not in work on Monday with these 2 games on!
[/quote]

Well that was embarrassing... did United even know that the game had started?

[scruffynick]

[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1444039656' post='12411532']
[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1443798980' post='12400426']
[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1443777585' post='12399438']
Well a midweek loss for Arsenal I doubt it will play much of a role in the upcoming game against United this Sunday... I'm very intrigued to see if Rooney even starts given his performance on Wednesday... Excited for the Liverpool v Everton game and I'm hoping Everton pull through! The Swansea v Tottenham game I'm also hoping makes for some good viewing.
[/quote]
Rooney will start, shouldn't do but he will. But it's arsenal and rooney always scores against arsenal.........glad I'm not in work on Monday with these 2 games on!
[/quote]

Well that was embarrassing... did United even know that the game had started?
[/quote]
Had to wait a day just to have a reply that won't get banned!!! So bad day, move on and hope van gaal learns the following......play Jones ffs, play blind at left back for crying out load, play schielderlin each game and for the love of God drop rooney as he's playing gash! 2 of those goals yesterday wouldn't have happened with the above, but to be fair arsenal are just better than United and gave us a real spanking!

[Jonesy]

[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1444064174' post='12412972']
[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1444039656' post='12411532']
[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1443798980' post='12400426']
[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1443777585' post='12399438']
Well a midweek loss for Arsenal I doubt it will play much of a role in the upcoming game against United this Sunday... I'm very intrigued to see if Rooney even starts given his performance on Wednesday... Excited for the Liverpool v Everton game and I'm hoping Everton pull through! The Swansea v Tottenham game I'm also hoping makes for some good viewing.
[/quote]
Rooney will start, shouldn't do but he will. But it's arsenal and rooney always scores against arsenal.........glad I'm not in work on Monday with these 2 games on!
[/quote]

Well that was embarrassing... did United even know that the game had started?
[/quote]
Had to wait a day just to have a reply that won't get banned!!! So bad day, move on and hope van gaal learns the following......play Jones ffs, play blind at left back for crying out load, play schielderlin each game and for the love of God drop rooney as he's playing gash! 2 of those goals yesterday wouldn't have happened with the above, but to be fair arsenal are just better than United and gave us a real spanking!
[/quote]

Agreed on all of the above, I really don't know how Rooney got the nod to start considering his current form, that was a big mistake. Our defense has been coming right lately but Arsenal just tore it apart... really poor from United and I hope van gaal has learnt something here...

[scruffynick]

Boy, international breaks are dull.......then most of your players come back injured!

[scruffynick]

Brilliant result, didn't see that coming at all. Sets up the derby next week, can't wait. But it was sad to hear about Howard Kendall, at 69 that's no ago. Top player in the 60s and a great manager through the 80s, will be sadly missed!

[Jonesy]

I didn't get to see any of the games as the rugby was on at the same time but I'm glad United came through, next weekend is going to be interesting.

[TheGameChanger]

So who is going to replace LVG next season?

Pep would be my choice.

[scruffynick]

[quote name='TheGameChanger' timestamp='1445820035' post='12505964']
So who is going to replace LVG next season?

Pep would be my choice.
[/quote]
I think pep wants London, think he'll extend his contract with bayern by a year and replace wegner at arsenal. I honesty think giggs will take over as the whole club has changed and he's part of the new direction, but van gaal will be doing another year after this anyway. On another note, the manc derby was well zzzzzzzzz, glad I went straight to pub after watching that

[Millbrook]

Great result for Middlesbrough. Spent my youth watching Man U knock us out of the FA Cup. Small revenge at last.

[Jonesy]

The Gunners got taken down a notch last night, well played Bayern.

[Jonesy]

Chelsea really putting on a good performance in defending their title, I hope they sneak into the relegation zone.

[scruffynick]

[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1447064950' post='12573300']
Chelsea really putting on a good performance in defending their title, I hope they sneak into the relegation zone.
[/quote]
Ha ha worse than moyes! And if Rodgers takes over, boy the chavs will go into meltdown! I actually tipped Chelsea for the title again.......glad I didn't put alot of money on it

[Jonesy]

[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1447194976' post='12581196']
[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1447064950' post='12573300']
Chelsea really putting on a good performance in defending their title, I hope they sneak into the relegation zone.
[/quote]
Ha ha worse than moyes! And if Rodgers takes over, boy the chavs will go into meltdown! I actually tipped Chelsea for the title again.......glad I didn't put alot of money on it
[/quote]

I believe Moyes has just been fired from his spanish team, maybe Abramovich will be considering Moyes for the position haha... Whoever has put substantial money down on Chelsea retaining the title must be an absolute wreck at the moment

[scruffynick]

[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1447237402' post='12583282']
[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1447194976' post='12581196']
[quote name='Jonesy' timestamp='1447064950' post='12573300']
Chelsea really putting on a good performance in defending their title, I hope they sneak into the relegation zone.
[/quote]
Ha ha worse than moyes! And if Rodgers takes over, boy the chavs will go into meltdown! I actually tipped Chelsea for the title again.......glad I didn't put alot of money on it
[/quote]

I believe Moyes has just been fired from his spanish team, maybe Abramovich will be considering Moyes for the position haha... Whoever has put substantial money down on Chelsea retaining the title must be an absolute wreck at the moment
[/quote]
Moyes is a good manager, just wrong time at United. I actually liked him but he was like a rabbit in the headlights and just fooked it up! But moyes at villa or Newcastle would be a great fit, as he'll do what he did at Everton which in truth was an outstanding job

[scruffynick]

What a finish that was ha ha....dross for the 2nd half but how many injuries are United getting???? But great fighting spirit considering the past week, well chuffed with that win

[Jonesy]

Will definitely take a win especially since Arsenal lost. It wasn't pretty but hey it's still 3 points, I just hope the players recover quickly from injury.

[chrisgilly09]

Van Gaal out

[The Chicken Connoisseur]

LOL @ Chelsea

[Golfingfanatic]

Liverpool-Newcastle will be a good one to watch. Also good to see my fellow Swiss Shaqiri finally doing something for Stoke. He has been terrible ever since Heynckes left Bayern.