EPL 2024-25

[Rex]

City will win this but what the hell? Haaland now missing from 2 feet out

[Rex]

And then a missed penalty right after that. City could really use a year or two in the Championship to reset themselves.

[mister d]

Long day yesterday including travel and I chose to sleep through it. No regrets.

[Rex]

I swear Onana sees highlights of goalkeeper howlers and then tries to replicate them in real life

Yeah that screen was pretty cool though, 1990s NBA stuff.

[Shirley]

Tough loss for Chelsea. Maresca’s gonna catch heat for only using one sub and then blowing the game late. Coulda used some fresh legs.

[garyclark]

Seven points separating 5th from 14th. If it stays this close, hope this will lead to an active January transfer market.

Lovely win for Newcastle. Especially with the next two at Old Trafford and Spurs. It featured one of the most shocking VAR calls I've seen though. The ball was fired at Bruno from point blank range, he was turning away , but it hit his arm which was tucked into his side and bounced into goal. Was ruled handball by VAR, overruling the ref's call.

Tonali seems to have finally settled in. And when he, Bruno, and Joelinton are healthy in midfield, they will be tough to beat. Especially with an in-form Isak. They need another wing player and center-back. And maybe another striker if Callum Wilson is hurt/sold.

Morgan Rogers is so dangerous running with the ball through the midfield. So big and strong, yet also technically skilled. Shades of Vieira. Easily one of the most exciting players in the league right now. Was disappointed with his play-acting with Joelinton, then trying to make a yellow a red.

[garyclark]

Wang. Bang. Wolves.

[DaveInSeattle]

Geez...the fog at Anfield is THICK. They should have broken out the orange ball for this game.

[A_B]

I’ll say it. It’s no fun watching my team. I try. I really do. Glory glory and all that but I feel like John calipari is coaching them.

[EnochRoot]

I got into the Bournemouth thing when they reached the Premier League for the first time since the completion of Stonehenge. But otherwise I can enjoy most any EPL game. For whatever reason, I find it more easy to get into than [insert random NFL game here]. That's been one of my realizations this year. So I got that going for me.

[garyclark]

I got into the Bournemouth thing when they reached the Premier League for the first time since the completion of Stonehenge. But otherwise I can enjoy most any EPL game. For whatever reason, I find it more easy to get into than [insert random NFL game here]. That's been one of my realizations this year. So I got that going for me.

It's my favorite sport/league by a good margin at this point. And I root for a side that has been utterly cursed and hopeless, albeit entertaining for long stretches, for the majority of my fandom.

[EnochRoot]

I got into the Bournemouth thing when they reached the Premier League for the first time since the completion of Stonehenge. But otherwise I can enjoy most any EPL game. For whatever reason, I find it more easy to get into than [insert random NFL game here]. That's been one of my realizations this year. So I got that going for me.

It's my favorite sport/league by a good margin at this point. And I root for a side that has been utterly cursed and hopeless, albeit entertaining for long stretches, for the majority of my fandom.

So what you're telling is...This is the way.

[phxgators]

Still a pretty novice fan, but have been watching EPL for several years now. Hadn’t picked a team until recently, always kind of half joking that I’d be a fan for whatever home team I could watch live first.

Had a lovely evening trip down from London to Brighton last night. A whole different experience than MLS, and so much fun even for a scoreless match.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Qip ... hdFNleUhB

[govmentchedda]

That's awesome!

[DaveInSeattle]

I got into the Bournemouth thing when they reached the Premier League for the first time since the completion of Stonehenge. But otherwise I can enjoy most any EPL game. For whatever reason, I find it more easy to get into than [insert random NFL game here]. That's been one of my realizations this year. So I got that going for me.

It's my favorite sport/league by a good margin at this point. And I root for a side that has been utterly cursed and hopeless, albeit entertaining for long stretches, for the majority of my fandom.

Same here. I was thinking the other night that I'm still a sports fan, but the only things I actually watch regularly are the EPL (especially Liverpool), Gonzaga basketball, and pro cycling.

Would love to get to Anfield some day.

[DaveInSeattle]

Still a pretty novice fan, but have been watching EPL for several years now. Hadn’t picked a team until recently, always kind of half joking that I’d be a fan for whatever home team I could watch live first.

Had a lovely evening trip down from London to Brighton last night. A whole different experience than MLS, and so much fun even for a scoreless match.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Qip ... hdFNleUhB

That's so cool...

[phxgators]

We’ve crammed a lot into our trip. 5 nights in Paris then 5 in London. But this was definitely one of the bigger highlights.

It was amazing how financially approachable the game experience was. We bought a whole bag of gear (3 scarves, 2 sweatshirts, etc) at the team store for about what it would cost for one authentic MLS jersey. And dinner at the game- 2 double burgers, a sausage roll, a hand pie and 4 sodas was $43. And the tickets themselves! £34/$42 for adults, £17(!)/$21 for kids.

10/10 experience.

[sancarlos]

Sounds great! I also am a somewhat recent convert to EPL fandom, and can’t decide on a favorite team. Right now just Blackpool and Wrexham, down in League one. EPL clubs I pulled for kept getting relegated, so I guess I need to settle on a “big” club.

[garyclark]

Sounds great! I also am a somewhat recent convert to EPL fandom, and can’t decide on a favorite team. Right now just Blackpool and Wrexham, down in League one. EPL clubs I pulled for kept getting relegated, so I guess I need to settle on a “big” club.

Too bad you didn't start rooting for Nottingham Forest in recent years.

[garyclark]

Still a pretty novice fan, but have been watching EPL for several years now. Hadn’t picked a team until recently, always kind of half joking that I’d be a fan for whatever home team I could watch live first.

Had a lovely evening trip down from London to Brighton last night. A whole different experience than MLS, and so much fun even for a scoreless match.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Qip ... hdFNleUhB

Incredible.

[garyclark]

I got into the Bournemouth thing when they reached the Premier League for the first time since the completion of Stonehenge. But otherwise I can enjoy most any EPL game. For whatever reason, I find it more easy to get into than [insert random NFL game here]. That's been one of my realizations this year. So I got that going for me.

It's my favorite sport/league by a good margin at this point. And I root for a side that has been utterly cursed and hopeless, albeit entertaining for long stretches, for the majority of my fandom.

So what you're telling is...This is the way.

Absolutely.

[rass]

I’ve been watching regularly since it became available weekly on a relatively standard cable channel (was it Spike or its predecessor, definitely before the late great NBCSN) and I’ve said this before, but I’m very happy I never made myself pick a favorite club. It’s a perfectly enjoyable (if casual) viewing experience without that.

[garyclark]

I’ve been watching regularly since it became available weekly on a relatively standard cable channel (was it Spike or its predecessor, definitely before the late great NBCSN) and I’ve said this before, but I’m very happy I never made myself pick a favorite club. It’s a perfectly enjoyable (if casual) viewing experience without that.

A perfectly logical decision that will likely be a very wise one in the long term. I don't feel like I had a choice.

[rass]

I’ve been watching regularly since it became available weekly on a relatively standard cable channel (was it Spike or its predecessor, definitely before the late great NBCSN) and I’ve said this before, but I’m very happy I never made myself pick a favorite club. It’s a perfectly enjoyable (if casual) viewing experience without that.

A perfectly logical decision that will likely be a very wise one in the long term. I don't feel like I had a choice.

I do have a soft spot for Everton due to an early dalliance in the Timmy Howard days, and of more interest to you, NUFC for the benefit of cerrano and my dad. But yeah…

[Brontoburglar]

I’ve been watching regularly since it became available weekly on a relatively standard cable channel (was it Spike or its predecessor, definitely before the late great NBCSN) and I’ve said this before, but I’m very happy I never made myself pick a favorite club. It’s a perfectly enjoyable (if casual) viewing experience without that.

fox soccer channel?

I remember paying for fox soccer plus back in the day so I could watch more games when I was first getting into it

(I'm also regretting my decision of picking a poorly managed club. I feel more like a neutral at this point and have enjoyed the league itself more while also laughing at the inevitable MUFC misery)

[rass]

It wasn’t that channel that drew me in, and I definitely didn’t pay anything extra for it. Though I am to the point where I might pay for ‘cock in season if xfinity wasn’t giving it to me.

[garyclark]

The Fox Soccer highlights on Sunday night in the 90s were pretty much all we got for a spell.

[DaveInSeattle]

The move that Mo Salah just pulled to set up Liverpool's second goal was some straight up wizardry.

(and as I was writing that, he scores one of his own)

[garyclark]

Looks like City got some of that swagger back.

[Rush2112]

I do have a soft spot for Everton due to an early dalliance in the Timmy Howard days, and of more interest to you, NUFC for the benefit of cerrano and my dad. But yeah…

I almost went Everton because of our late great friend Bensell, but I decided on Tottenham mainly because I didn't want to be accused of latching on to a club because they always won, and I've been told I'm Jewish enough times I thought i should root for the "Jewish" side.

(may have told this here, but I know I told Pruitt..met a fellow Spurs fan at a Rapids match who is a supporter out of spite. He was good friends with a huge Arsenal supporter and even attended some matches. Then they had a falling out over something and he went full tilt to Spurs.)

[Baloney]

Newcastle should be 5 2 up at the half.

[rass]

The second Ipswich goal was embarrassing. Not for them.

[rass]

From the context of the other banners and the digital ads, I know what the HALOITSM banners in Ipswich’s stadium are supposed to mean, but it still sorta looks like an ad for bad breath.

[EnochRoot]

They were talking up the Ipswich RWer earlier. How he always launches balls on target no matter how small a lane he has. “Heaven Knows” how he does it.

Of course, Robert Plant is a fixture at the Ipswich home games. I know I would’ve dropped that easter egg if I were in the booth.

[rass]

I just remember him being at the Kidderminster stadium for the FA Cup match a couple of years ago when they almost beat West Ham.

And Google says he’s Wolves fan, too.

[garyclark]

Newcastle should be 5 2 up at the half.

Yep. Newcastle were amazing through the first 2 goals. But offensively they were just average for most of the rest of the match. Defensively, they were brilliant throughout.

Manchester just looked terrible. Out of sync. Like players who had never been on the pitch together. It was unbelievable how many time they just kicked the ball away to no one.

I do wonder how the game would have changed if Hojlund's shot hit target. Then again, I could say the same thing about 5 Newcastle chances that didn't go in.

[Shirley]

The second Ipswich goal was embarrassing. Not for them.

Indeed. Playing Disasi at right back is one of the few consistent mistakes Maresca has made this year. Not only does he not provide much support up the wing, but he plays one or two balls directly to the opposition like that each game. And this time, he compounded that mistake by inexplicably not closing out on the Hutchinson when it was clear he was about to shoot.

Chelsea blew that game. Dominated possession, dominated xG, lost.

[EnochRoot]

The second Ipswich goal was embarrassing. Not for them.

Indeed. Playing Disasi at right back is one of the few consistent mistakes Maresca has made this year. Not only does he not provide much support up the wing, but he plays one or two balls directly to the opposition like that each game. And this time, he compounded that mistake by inexplicably not closing out on the Hutchinson when it was clear he was about to shoot.

Chelsea blew that game. Dominated possession, dominated xG, lost.

Can I assume 'xG' means shots on goal?

Cuz Chelsea had 20 shots, and 5 were on goal. Ipswich had 9 shots, with 6 being on goal. Seems to me Chelsea's frontline didn't do a good job of getting on top of the ball, cuz they were sailing a bunch in the stands.

[Shirley]

No, xG stands for Expected Goals. It's a statistical measurement of the likelihood of any shot becoming a goal. It takes into account where the shot was taken from and some other factors. It's not perfect, but it's a better measure than just counting shots or shots on goal.

[Shirley]