Saturday football

[Coffee]

"CRYSTAL PALACE vs LIVERPOOL (1230) The Steven Gerrard slip memorial fixture. Palace are in a poor run of form and their spoiled fans may soon start losing patience with Roy Hodgson. A win will take Liverpool to the top of the table, even only for a couple of hours. Not the most enticing game with which to start the weekend, but could be entertaining nonetheless. Away win. BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION vs BURNLEY (1500) Burnley rediscovered a bit of last seasons Championship mojo in their 5-0 demolition of relegation rivals Sheffield Utd. Could that be what kindles their season? The Seagulls, meanwhile, have won two of their last six and drawn three. You’d fancy the hosts to come away victorious, but don’t write Burnley off just yet. Draw. MANCHESTER UNITED vs BOURNEMOUTH (1500) After looking like prime relegation candidates, the Cherries find themselves in a purple patch. Is this the start of a justification of their owners’ decision to switch managers? Speaking of which, Man U’s woes are perhaps not quite as profound as the media make out. They’re three points off the top four and they’re a very good side when the mood takes them. Home win. SHEFFIELD UNITED vs BRENTFORD (1500) They’re something likable about Chris Wilder and his return to the Blades is reminiscent of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. They’ll face tough opposition in Brentford, but will fancy themselves to get at least a point today. Draw. WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST (1500) Gary O’Neill has a point in his observations about the injustice of VAR, but credit to him for not quite languishing in self-pity, yet. Forest’s aversion to away games continues and they’ll find their hosts in no mood to offer respite. Home win. ASTON VILLA vs ARSENAL (1730) The game of the day sees two quality Spanish managers lock horns. This should be a cracker. Home win. *SUNDAY* EVERTON vs CHELSEA (1400) The Toffees’ climb to above the dotted line seems to have galvanised them more than anything else in recent times. Chelsea are painfully inconsistent and you just don’t know which Chelsea will turn up. Draw. FULHAM vs WEST HAM UNITED (1400) An exceptional result from an unexceptional performance in midweek should have boosted our self-belief to the point that we’ll be expecting at least to avoid defeat at Craven Cottage. But entertainment is likely to be at a premium, as it has been in so many of our recent games. Away win. LUTON TOWN vs MANCHESTER CITY (1400) David and Goliath. On paper there’s only one possible outcome, but the Hatters are sure to put in a fighting display. That should make for an interesting game, the more so the longer they can stop City from scoring. Away win. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (1630) Both sides come into this on the back of defeat. Who else is smiling? You’d expect Spurs to respond strongly. Home win. *CHAMPIONSHIP* The last week has seen two managerial casualties – Mowbray at Sunderland and Duff at Swansea. The top two remain unchanged, with Leicester hosting Plymouth and Ipswich travelling to Boro who will see this as an opportunity in their push for a play-off spot where Leeds have a tricky visit to Blackburn and Southampton go to Watford. Three points are all that separate Blackburn in 7th and Bristol City in 15th, so there’s all to play for in that middle section. At the bottom, a resurgent QPR host Hull while Rotherham take on Swansea and rock bottom Sheff Wed visit Stoke."

[RBshorty]

Well. We can leapfrog above Red Salford tomorrow with a win. But don't get too excited just yet. We all know that the Referee's Widow's and Orphans fund is hugely bankrolled by the plastic half of Manchester. We are looking at a draw at best.!

[Manuel]

"I wouldn't be shocked to see Ten Haag go once they lose to Munich next week. As has been said it's not just the results but the side have no identity or any style of play, an utter shambles from top to bottom and they have only beaten bottom half sides all season. Maybe seeing now why the B'mouth owners sacked O'Neil to bring the Spaniard in."

[cygnet]

That should have a pen at the end. The only reason the Bournemouth player touched it with his hand was Onana clipped him as he went past him and he lost his balance. Quite why VAR only focus on the handball... doesn't really need me to explain does it.

[mallard]

Disallowed!

[lowlife]

Beautiful to see.

[mallard]

0-4 - an Old Trafford Massacre

[lowlife]

Would be great if they had an on field presentation for manager and player of the month at the end of the game.

[happygilmore]

10hag manager of the month? who was the selection committee? Eerie?

[lowlife]

Watching the Manchester United vs Bournemouth game. Hilarious.

[The Fonz]

Solanke would do a job for us.

[Alwaysaniron]

Man United 0 - 3 Bournemouth ?ü§£

[Alfs]

"Jasnik 4:06 Sat Dec 9 Depends entirely which two teams are playing, and which one scores it."

[nychammer]

Burnley ahead - helps us out

[nychammer]

Burnley ahead - helps us out

[goose]

Solanke hits the post! Could have been 2-0. I’m sure the ref/VAR will fix this result soon enough.

[goose]

Bournemouth putting on a decent performance so far. Solanke looks good. Has any team ever wasted as much on shit players as Man U?

[Kaiser Zoso]

"Ayew fouled to prevent a clear attacking move from developing, Yellow all day long, shame they let Man City get away with it at our place."

[Capitol Man]

"Good goal, but hatch on Palace!"

[Manuel]

"Agree the second yellow was soft, it wasn't that bad a challenge and as we have seen in the past when it's a second yellow a ref will give the player the benefit of the doubt and give him a final warning, no consistency, but he's gone right to the letter of the law there. Still, Ayew was silly to do it."

[Sir Alf]

Premier league got the message thru to Madeley to keep with the narrative and get LiVARpool back in the game. Rich six money talks Conspiracy theorist me ? ;-)

[Come On You Irons]

"Proper harsh red card, that. Two soft bookings."

[Jasnik]

Always wonder what happens if there is a penalty but the opposition score before VAR determines it needs to be checked. Is the goal disallowed?

[lowlife]

"Definitely a penalty, but taking nearly 2 minutes to decide is an absolute farce."

[Sir Alf]

1:45 to make tge decision but based on modern standards there was contact and hence a pen for Palace

[Alwaysaniron]

Def a pen for the Hapoy Clappy Ultras