The Soccer/Football Thread

[RedRaider]

Manchester City via a three goal hat trick to Phil Foden have beaten Brentford 3-1 this morning. The reigning Champions went behind 1 nil in the first half and Foden leveled it up in extra time after 45 minutes. In the second half they have put two more on for the win. Looking at the Stats they had 25 shots at goal of which 15 were on target. Brentford keeper Flekken had a good game but the avalanche of shots could not all be defended. Man City have a game in hand and look to be in good form with Haaland returning for this game, his first of 2024. Man City next have Everton at home on Saturday night our time and Spurs take on Brighton on Sunday morning and Liverpool meet Burnley on Sunday morning. Arsenal play West Ham and Villa play Man United on Monday morning our time.

The Premier League table after round 23 is:

1. Liverpool - 51
2. Manchester City - 49 (Still have a deferred game in hand against Brentford which will be played on 21 February)
3. Arsenal - 49
4. Aston Villa - 46
5. Tottenham Hotspur - 44
6. Manchester United - 38
7. West Ham - 36

[Lamenting Actions]

COYB

[PNGRaider37]

Nothing is ever guaranteed until it's done and Liverpool have now to overcome the shock retirement announcement of their coach. That has to have an effect on the players who will be wondering about the future.

They're professional footballers. I'm sure they'll figure it out.

[RedRaider]

Nothing is ever guaranteed until it's done and Liverpool have now to overcome the shock retirement announcement of their coach. That has to have an effect on the players who will be wondering about the future.

They're professional footballers. I'm sure they'll figure it out.

I hope they can and do, but the uncertainty created by the unexpected announcement will linger until a replacement is named.

[RedRaider]

Africa Cup of Nations semi finals are on tomorrow with Nigeria v South Africa and Ivory Coast v Democratic Republic of Congo.

With Mali knocked out of the tournament on Sunday by Ivory Coast, Spurs will have Yves Bissouma available for midfield selection this week in the Premier League. A bout of Malaria contracted in Ivory Coast restricted his appearances for Mali. Here's hoping he is well enough to be able to play.

[RedRaider]

In the Asia Cup Jordan have defeated South Korea 2 - 0 to progress to the final of the Asia Cup. The other finalist will be known following the match between Iran and Qatar tomorrow. For Spurs fans this will mean the return of Son Heung Min. Sonny looked to have a fair bit of strapping on his left knee and I hope that was largely precautionary.

[RedRaider]

Asia Cup and Qatar have beaten Iran 3-2 to go into the final against Jordan. Iran opened the scoring early after 4 minutes but Qatar had equalised in the 17th minute before taking a lead with a goal just before half time. Iran received a penalty in the 51st minute to even up the scores before Qatar took the lead again in the 82nd minutes. In extra time an Iranian player received a red card.

The final between Qatar and Jordan will take place at 2am this Sunday, Australian time. It should be a cracker, with current AFC Asia Cup holders Qatar (The Maroons) the favourite to win again imo. Afif, he of the wild hair and fan fav, has been in great form and scored the second goal for Qatar in the match against Iran. So far in the Asia Cup he has scored 5 goals and has 3 assists, only Iraq's Aymen Hussein has more goals with 6.

[RedRaider]

The final of the Africa Cup of Nations will be between Nigeria and host nation Ivory Coast. The match will be played on Monday at 7am our time.

[RedRaider]

Very mixed Managers reactions to the proposed introduction of a blue card (sin bin) into football. Sin bin works in Rugby League because there is no other 'warning' system such as the yellow card in football. I think there will be some confusion as to what constitutes a blue card and what is a yellow card offence. More pressure on Refs and debate on the option they have chosen. For what purpose?

https://www.espn.com.au/football/story/ ... -blue-card

[RedRaider]

Qatar have beaten Jordan 3-1 to retain the Asia Cup. It was 3 penalty goals to the mop top Afif who is the top goal scorer with 8 in the Asia Cup tournament. Jordan's goal to Al-Naimat would be close to the goal of the tournament and they had several other shots on goal which were either well defended by the keeper or just missed. Jordan looked the better side for much of the match but the first and third penalties were rightly called. I have to say the 2nd penalty was soft as but there it is. Congratulations to Qatar on retaining the Asia Cup.

[RedRaider]

In the Premier League it has been a night of multiple round 24 matches. Manchester City have beaten Everton 2-0 with both goals very well taken by Haaland. Liverpool have beaten Burnley 3-1 with goals to Jota, Diaz and Nunez. Tottenham Hotspur have defeated Brighton 2-1 with goals to Sarr and Johnson. Of the others at the top of the table, Arsenal play West Ham and Aston Villa play Manchester United tomorrow morning.

[PNGRaider37]

Very mixed Managers reactions to the proposed introduction of a blue card (sin bin) into football. Sin bin works in Rugby League because there is no other 'warning' system such as the yellow card in football. I think there will be some confusion as to what constitutes a blue card and what is a yellow card offence. More pressure on Refs and debate on the option they have chosen. For what purpose?

https://www.espn.com.au/football/story/ ... -blue-card

Overkill. Unecessaey overcomplication that'll make refs look more incompetent than they are.

[RedRaider]

In Premier League this morning Arsenal have absolutely smashed West Ham away 6 nil. Manchester United have beaten Aston Villa away 2-1.

The table at the end of round 24:

1. Liverpool - 54
2. Manchester City - 52 (Still with deferred game to play against Brentford on Feb 21)
3. Arsenal - 52
4. Tottenham Hotspur - 47
5. Aston Villa - 46
6. Manchester United - 41
7. Newcastle - 36
8. West Ham - 36

[RedRaider]

Africa Cup of Nations has been won by Ivory Coast who have beaten Nigeria 2-1 this morning. A fine comeback from the host nation who were down 1 nil at half time. It is the third time Ivory Coast have won AFCON. Congratulations to Ivory Coast.

[RedRaider]

Premier League front runners Liverpool have had an impressive 4-1 victory over Brentford, while Manchester City have been held to a 1 all draw against Chelsea. Arsenal have beaten Burnley 5-0, Villa have beaten Fullham 2-1, Tottenham have gone down to Wolves 2-1 which will see Spurs out of the top 4. Wolves proving a bogey team for Spurs. The Spurs v Chelsea match scheduled for next week has been postponed due to Chelsea having Carabao Cup commitments.

[RedRaider]

Premier League results from todays matches saw Brighton beat Sheffield United 5-0 and Manchester United beat Luton Town 2-1.

Premier League ladder after round 25

1. Liverpool - 57
2. Arsenal - 55
3. Manchester City - 53 (deferred game against Brentford to be played this Wednesday)
4. Aston Villa - 49
5. Tottenham Hotspur - 47
6. Manchester United - 44
7. Brighton - 38

[RedRaider]

Manchester City have played their deferred game against Brentford and were victorious 1 nil. This moves them to 56 points and one point behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

[RedRaider]

There is now a clear break between the Top 3 clubs and the rest.

After Round 26 the Premier League ladder is:

1. Liverpool - 60
2. Manchester City - 59
3. Arsenal - 58
4. Aston Villa - 52
5. Tottenham Hotspur - 47 (Spurs have a deferred game against Chelsea to be played at a date to be determined)
6. Manchester United - 44
7. Brighton - 39

[PNGRaider37]

Meanwhile.. LFC youth team beat Blue Billionaire Bottlers of Chelsea to win the League Cup

[RedRaider]

Meanwhile.. LFC youth team beat Blue Billionaire Bottlers of Chelsea to win the League Cup

Yes another success for Liverpool this year with a 1 nil victory in the Carabao Cup. Liverpool are having a fine year. Congratulations to the Reds. Virgil Van Dijk scoring the winning header in the 118th minute.

Chelsea vs Liverpool Post-Match Facts
Liverpool have won the League Cup for the 10th time – the most by any team in the history of the competition. Two of those have come under current manager Jürgen Klopp, with only Bob Paisley (3) winning it more often in charge of the Reds.
Chelsea have lost in each of their last three League Cup finals (2019, 2022 and 2024) – this after only losing two of their first seven finals in the competition between 1965 and 2015.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has only won one of his 14 games as a manager against Jürgen Klopp (D5 L8), going winless in eight matches since recording his only such victory (Spurs 4-1 Liverpool in October 2017).
Liverpool have gone to extra-time in each of their last five League Cup finals (2005, 2012, 2016, 2022 and 2024), as well as in nine of their 11 final matches in the competition played at Wembley.
Liverpool’s winner – scored by Virgil Van Dijk in the 118th minute – was the latest winning goal scored in a League Cup final since Aston Villa’s Brian Little in the 1977 final (119th minute v Everton).
Virgil Van Dijk scored in consecutive games for the first time in his Liverpool career (vs Luton and Chelsea), with today’s final being his 252nd appearance for the club.
In the form of Ryan Gravenberch (21), Conor Bradley (20), and Harvey Elliott (20), Liverpool started three players aged 21 or younger in a major final for the very first time in the club’s history.
Jayden Danns (18), Bobby Clark (19) and James McConnell (19) all featured for Liverpool in this final – the most teenagers to appear in a League Cup final for a team since Arsenal in 2007 (four – Walcott, Fabregas, Denilson and Traore).
Enzo Fernández made his 50th start for Chelsea across all competitions, the most starts by any player for the Blues since his club debut in February 2023.
Liverpool have made 217 changes to their starting XI across all competitions this season, 54 more than the Premier League team with the next most line-up changes (Manchester City, 163).

[RedRaider]

Matilda's Olympic Qualifier against Uzbeckistan was a 10 nil victory. No Kerr, no matter. Michelle Heyman at age 35 comes back with 4 goals and the Matilda's led 8 nil at half time. The goal by Fowler was a real stand out with the passing in the lead up and then the first time strike into the top right of the goal. Sensational.

[RedRaider]

Arsenal lead Sheffield United 5-0 at half time to finish the matches in Round 27. I reckon that's a win.

The Premier League ladder is:

1. Liverpool - 63
2. Manchester City - 62
3. Arsenal - 61
4. Aston Villa - 55
5. Tottenham Hotspur - 50 (They have a deferred match to play against Chelsea)
6. Manchester United - 44
7. West Ham - 42

Without any doubt the match of the round next will be Liverpool v Manchester City to be played Monday 11 March, 2024 at 2:45am AEDT. It is a home game for Liverpool and should be a cracker.

[RedRaider]

Liverpool and Manchester City have had a 1 all draw. Arsenal won 2-1 over Brentford to take the lead on goal difference in the Premier League competition. Spurs have defeated fourth placed Aston Villa 4-0. They were leading 2 nil when Villa had John McGinn, sent off.

After 28 Premier League rounds the top of the table is:

1. Arsenal - 64
2. Liverpool -64
3. Manchester City - 63
4. Aston Villa - 55
5. Tottenham Hotspur - 53 (With a deferred game to play against Chelsea)
6. Manchester United - 47
7. West Ham - 43

Six Premier League fixtures will be postposed from next weeks round due to FA Cup commitments. Top of the ladder Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City will all be affected.

[RedRaider]

Wow! Liverpool smashing Sparta Praha in the Europa League 6-1 today. They had scored 4 goals in the first 14 minutes of play. Liverpool maintaining the good form they have been in all season.

[RedRaider]

Spurs have failed to score a goal for the first time in 40 matches, going down 3-0 to Fulham. The loss of center back Van de ven to another hamstring strain was keenly felt. It was an opportunity to overtake 4th placed Aston Villa. It was announced that Tottenham will play Newcastle in Melbourne just 3 days after the Premier League season ends.

The FA Cup interrupted round has seen few of the top placed sides able to compete in Premier League. The FA Cup results were:
Man United 4 defeating Liverpool 3. Coventry 3 defeating Wolves 2. Manchester City 2 defeating Newcastle 0. Chelsea 4 defeating Leicester City 2.

[PNGRaider37]

Spurs have failed to score a goal for the first time in 40 matches, going down 3-0 to Fulham. The loss of center back Van de ven to another hamstring strain was keenly felt. It was an opportunity to overtake 4th placed Aston Villa. It was announced that Tottenham will play Newcastle in Melbourne just 3 days after the Premier League season ends.

The FA Cup interrupted round has seen few of the top placed sides able to compete in Premier League. The FA Cup results were:
Man United 4 defeating Liverpool 3. Coventry 3 defeating Wolves 2. Manchester City 2 defeating Newcastle 0. Chelsea 4 defeating Leicester City 2.

LFC found a way to lose a game they were winning. Things I mentioned before about not being clinical enough. Away at your biggest rival in the cup, that can happen if you dont take your chances. Mancuns gonna be flooding my messages all week

[RedRaider]

Australia have beaten Lebanon 2-0 in the World Cup Qualifier at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta last night. Goals to Baccus in the 5th minute and defender Kye Rowles in the 54th minute sealed the win. For both it was their first International goal. For much of the match I thought Lebanon looked the better side. Their pace and ball movement looked very good. Their finish not so good. But neither was Australia that good in front of goal.

Once again Adam Taggart, who looks good at Perth Glory, had difficulty both controlling the ball and shooting at International level. I don't know if it's nerves when playing for the Socceroos, but he doesn't give off the appearance that he belongs there. In 7 appearances for Australia since 2019 he is yet to score a goal.

If Coach Arnold is to pick the 36 year old Bruno Fornaroli why not play him? He is unlikely to improve much at his age. The alternative is to pick another forward. Someone like Apostolos Stamatelopoulos who has scored 14 goals in 20 appearances for Newcastle so far this season. Newcastle are not playing so well as a team but he is finishing well and at 24 years of age has several years to develop.

Australia plays Lebanon again on Tuesday at GIO Stadium in Canberra. Australia is leading Group I with 3 wins from 3 games and is yet to have a goal scored against them in those 3 qualifiers.

[RedRaider]

Australia has defeated Lebanon 5-0 in Canberra tonight. After leading 1 nil at half time, the Socceroos turned on the skill in the second half scoring 4 more goals and keeping a clean defensive sheet again. Youngster Yengi scored his first International goal after a cross from Craig Goodwin. Goodwin was impressive in this match scoring twice in the second half. There was a glimpse into the future when young Yazbek playing his first International put in a fine cross for Iredale in his second International game who scored his first International goal.

The youngsters brought energy and skill to the side. Conor Metcalfe was again disappointing, during the first half he was one on one with the keeper and hit a powder puff shot straight to him. Maybe the 24 year old will come good at some stage but I reckon Armie will be looking around for other mid fielders. The Australians were without Riley McGree and Jordie Bos for this game, but their left side place was taken by Goodwin who was superb all night.

[RedRaider]

Liverpool are back on top of the Premier League table following their 2-1 victory over Brighton and the Nil all score between Arsenal and Manchester City this morning. All of the top three have deferred matches to play. The current table is:

1. Liverpool - 67
2. Arsenal - 65
3. Manchester City - 64
4. Aston Villa - 59
5. Tottenham Hotspur - 56
6. Manchester United - 48
7. West Ham - 44

There are only 7 weeks left of the season which ends on 20 May. Five of the top 7 sides still have 9 matches to play in Premier League. Liverpool are still in the Europa League with quarter final matches coming up against Atalanta later this month. Arsenal have EUFA League quarter finals to play later this month. Manchester City also have EUFA quarter finals matches later this month and also the semi final of the FA Cup. Due to their heavy schedule the match between Man City and Spurs has been postponed to a date yet to be determined.

[RedRaider]

I found an interesting stat on the team which is the most fouled against in the Premier League. It is Tottenham Hotspur with 410 so far this season. Aston Villa were next on 384. Of the Top 3 sides Manchester City were on 324, Arsenal 313 and Liverpool 298.

https://www.statmuse.com/fc/ask/most-fo ... his-season

[RedRaider]

To finish this Premier League round first placed Liverpool have beaten last placed Sheffield 3-1 and then in a boil over Chelsea have beaten Manchester United 4-3 scoring two goals in extra time 10th minute, a penalty, and then extra time 11th minute both to Cole Palmer who has a hat trick. Yesterday Manchester City produced a dominant performance over 4th placed Aston Villa with a 4-1 victory which included 3 goals to Phil Foden all from his cannon left foot. The table:

1. Liverpool - 70
2. Arsenal - 68
3. Manchester City - 67
4. Aston Villa - 59
5. Tottenham Hotspur - 57
6. Manchester United - 48
7. West Ham - 45

[Thomas Roy]

Any Toon supporters here?

[-PJ-]

I don’t even know who Toon is.

[Lamenting Actions]

Any Toon supporters here?

Not that I've seen. Redraider is a Kopite I'm pretty sure. I'm a Toffee because I enjoy pain and disappointment (ty Newcastle for buying Anthony Gordon).

[RedRaider]

Any Toon supporters here?

I like Newcastle's attacking style but I'm not a supporter. I tend to follow where the Aussies are. For years we had Aussies play for Liverpool in the likes of Craig Johnston and Harry Kewell so I followed them. I grew up in Milperra not far from Liverpool in Sydney so I showed some interest in Liverpool as being a name I recognised and played soccer for 6 years as a young bloke before Rugby League. Aussie Ange Postecoglou being the first ever Aussie Manager in Premier League has me following Spurs. Speaking of Newcastle, they play Spurs this coming Saturday.