The highlight games for this weekend’s action and Monday next week are ARSENAL versus TOTTENHAM and MAN CITY versus MANCHESTER UNITED. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these as well as all game week 9 matches with his unique and insightful commentary. You can view all previous analysis from John’s regular column here: English Premier League Predictions For Saturday.
Please note all prices quoted below were correct at the time of publication
Game Week-9
Saturday 01st
ARSENAL v TOTTENHAM
12.30 in England
BT Sport
The Premier League returns following the International Break and what a great fixture to kickstart Game Week-9.
Not only is this a North London Derby but the matchup pitches the teams currently at the summit and in 3rd against each other, which surely can’t have occurred in this prestigious fixture before.
Arsenal are at the top of the Premier League table on 18 points, with Tottenham sitting 3rd, on the same 17 points as Man City but with Antonio’s Spurs having a slightly inferior goal difference to Pep’s High Flying Blues.
Arsenal’s goal difference is plus+10, Man City’s is plus+17 and Tottenham’s goal difference is plus+11.
It could probably be assumed that Arsenal, Man City and Tottenham will gain victories in the majority of the 31 fixtures remaining so goal difference could become a deciding factor come the end of the season.
That said, John Newsome does think that Man City will run away at the top with the chasing pack finding their own order in the table.
That chasing pack will eventually include Liverpool and Manchester United (if Erik The Red continues to exclude Harry, Fred and Cristiano!)
Despite the impending funeral of our beloved Queen Elizabeth, both of these teams competed over the Game Week-8 weekend with Tottenham facing Leicester on Saturday and Arsenal playing the following day away against Brentford.
With a draw predicted against a vibrant set of Bees, it was a surprise to see Mikel’s Young Guns gain a quite convincing away day victory against Thomas’s Boys by a 3-0 scoreline.
Mr Tequila (William Saliba) opened the scoring at the Community Centre after 17 minutes getting his head onto a Bukayo Saka corner.
Gabriel Jesus added a 2nd on the half-hour mark to give Arsenal a lead at the break.
The name Vieira is synonymous with Arsenal and the Gooners faithful now have another hero bearing the famous surname, him being Fabio who scored a superb goal early in the 2nd-half to seal the brilliant away day victory.
‘Vieira whoah, Vieira whoah, he comes from Portugal and scores for Arsenal!’
The excitement wasn’t over when Pep 2 threw in a curveball, sending on the youngster Ethan Nwaneri, who was born in March 2007.
One hasn’t read that incorrectly, the lad is 15 years old and became the youngest ever Premier League player surpassing Harvey Elliott’s record, who came on for Fulham aged 16 and 30 days back in 2019.
Fifteen years old, wow, the youth was born after Arsenal moved out of Highbury and into the Emirates.
A quick note regarding Gabriel Jesus.
For some unknown reason, Tite, the Brazilian manager, didn’t choose Mr Jesus in the latest Brazil squad, for the fixtures against Ghana and Tunisia.
Now not to tell the Brazil Head Coach-Tite, how to run his team and it is acceptable that Mr Tite is trying other players out before the World Cup starts in November, John Newsome does think that it would be a big mistake to leave Angel Gabriel out of the Brazil World Cup Squad.
The lad will score goals and if Neymar isn’t firing in Qatar then the Gunner will be the ideal foil.
To add to that, if Tite picks Fred, Brazil won’t win the Qatar’22 World Cup.
In the fixture against Ghana, the Samba Boys gained a great victory by a 3-0 score, Marquinhos and a Richarlison double with the goals.
Fred was on the bench and stayed there.
Just saying!
Tottenham’s Achilles heel this season could be their Defence.
Despite scoring the 2nd most goals by the 20 clubs, with only City scoring more, Antonio’s Spurs have conceded in 5 of the 7 fixtures played, with Leicester scoring 2 at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Luckily goals from Harry Kane, Eric Dier, Rodrigo Bentancur and a superb 13-minute hat-trick by Son Heung-Min gave Tottenham the brilliant victory by a 6-2 scoreline.
Antonio’s Spurs and Pep’s Blues remain the only two teams that are unbeaten in the Premier League so far.
Son Heung-Min scored 23 goals last season for Tottenham, however, the likeable South Korean hadn’t notched this term in any of the 8 previous games he had started, including the Champions League.
That prompted Antonio Conte to drop the lad from the starting eleven against Leicester.
After being introduced on the hour mark, Son proved the old statement correct that ‘form is temporary but class is permanent’ by scoring 3 goals.
Nice-One Son!
Tottenham were outdone by Sporting Lisbon in Match-Day-2 of the Champions League Group stage, with the Defence conceding 2 late goals both conceded when 90 minutes were up on the clock.
The defeat undid all the good work done in the previous week’s victory against Marseille by the same 2-0 score.
***One thing that is for certain is after the International Break, seeing Gareth’s deteriorating set of labouring Three Lions, it will be good to get the Premier League back up and running watching these two North London Giants go head to head, with the winner becoming the leader of the pack.
The Curse of the England Manager has finally taken its 1, 2, 4, umpteenth victim since Sir Alf Ramsey.
Gareth Southgate was avoiding the curse, leading the Glorious Three Lions to a Semi-Final of the World Cup and then, giving a Nation hope of glory, by taking an England team to a Major Final for the first time since 1966.
In the recent Nations League, Professor Gareth had morphed into the other Three Lions Managers, Joe Mercer, Don Revie, Ron Greenwood, Sir Robert Robson, Graham Taylor, Terry Venables, Glenn Hoddle, Kevin Keegan, Sven Goran Eriksen, Steve McClaren, Fabio Capello, Roy Hodgson, Sam Allardyce and now Gareth, that have failed to get England back to the summit of World football.
Not to mention the brief Caretaker spells by Howard Wilkinson, Peter Taylor and Stuart Pearce.
Most won’t remember Peter’s reign but in the short spell in charge after the permed one, Kevin Keegan, Mr Taylor actually handed the Captains Armband to David Beckham.
Inspirational.
After the Italy game and 70-minutes into the Germany fixture, it looked like England were in deep deep trouble, with Mr Maguire making 2 errors to gift Germany 2 goals.
The stats were as follows, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire can’t get in United’s side (for a reason!) but Gareth picks them, 5 games without a win, 3 without scoring, the first time in 22 years, plus 7 hours without a goal from open play.
Against Italy, Gareth left Ivan Toney out of the 23-man squad and when needing a goal, left Tammy Abraham on the bench, sat twiddling his Roma thumbs.
When 5 substitutes could be used, Mr Southgate sent on Luke Shaw for Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish for Bukayo Saka, both in the 70th minute.
Italy scored in the 68th.
That is Reactive management not Proactive.
No more substitutes were hurt in the failure of England v Italy last Friday.
Following the fine display that saw England put in, what can only be described as an ‘abject display’ Gareth came out with the following comments,
‘I personally felt the performance was a step in the right direction but I appreciate because of the result that won’t be the reaction.’
And
‘Relegation is a step in the right direction.’
The curse is back!
John Newsome has documented the failings of Manchester United.
For the first 12 months, no one took notice, it will be the same for England.
The failings are as follows,
John Newsome wrote this on June 15th 2022.
‘A different mindset isn’t it?
Mr Southgate is negative and Gareth’s reached his peak.
England have almost reached the top of the mountain, it’s downhill from now, the hierarchy of the Three Lions won’t get rid of GS because he’s supposedly got credit in the bank but the players he picks aren’t going to improve now.
Jordan Pickford, Kylie Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Harry Kane, all will no doubt start in the World Cup but all won’t improve, that’s the problem, so England may not even progress from the Group and at best, the Last 16, there’s no progression.
Jack Grealish got 138 minutes in 4 games, at Euro’20, Mr Southgate brought Harry Maguire on when 3-nil down against Hungary, that’s it now, that’s the peak.
A mile away from the summit of Mount Everest, there’s no going on, the snow in Qatar is too deep, it’s the descent now, mark these sad words.’
Sad words by John Newsome but true.
England are not progressing under Gareth.
All that said and true, before 70 minutes up on the clock against the Germans, England then score 3 goals and almost grabbed a sensational victory until Germany equalised and both shared the points from a draw by a 3-3 scoreline.
There was a little bit of Pride put back into the Three Lions, however, it is now 6 games without a win, the first time that’s happened in 29 years.
It’s too late to get rid of Mr Southgate before the World Cup starts in November, however, England won’t win or get anywhere near the Final.
That will please the people (idiots!) who have stated that the Three Lions have to win the Mens World Cup to equal the achievement of the Three Lionesses, as nobody wants to surpass that feat.
The commentators wouldn’t know what to say if England win the World Cup but if the miracle happened, (it won’t!) no doubt it will be down to the fact that the Women ‘inspired’ the Men.
What utter drivel!
Fortunately for all those out there who are ‘inspired’ by the Women’s game, the Men, under Gareth Southgate, won’t win the World Cup anytime soon.
Regarding the Troopers, there was a North London Derby last Saturday at the Emirates between the Arsenal Inspirations and the Tottenham Girls.
The fixture pulled in the highest ever attendance for a Womens Super League (WSL) fixture of 47,367.
Firstly, in the interest of fairness, that is a brilliant crowd to turn up at a game, no doubt about it.
However and there’s always a, however, the attendance throws up a bigger conundrum as in, the Emirates were charging £12 per ticket.
In a Mens Premier League fixture between the two, as in today’s game, the Emirates charge up to £99 for Adults and £50 for a Young Adult.
That then begs the question, would Arsenal v Tottenham, in the WSL, have seen 47,367 last Saturday, if the punters paid the same £99?
That doesn’t decry the brilliant attendance to watch the ladies and maybe offers up another problem, that being a Mens Premier League fixture is too expensive, however, those are the prices and the Emirates will have 60,000 for today’s North London Derby, all paying up to £99 as well as the good folk who pay around £2000 for a season ticket.
It sometimes appears that John Newsome is against the Women’s game but John isn’t and this EveryTip column has always been fair to everyone, however, as a 53-year-old football fanatic, it is sometimes galling to watch, listen and survey, Sports programmes, established pundits and iconic TV programmes, try and compare the Women’s game to the Mens.
John Newsome did not watch the WSL fixture between Arsenal and Tottenham on Saturday.
John chose to watch Mixed Double Snooker on ITV 4.
This is not a crime people, despite the Subconscious bias by the Media to try and make out that if one doesn’t subscribe to the un-general opinion that Womens Football is an inspiration.
If one wants to watch Women play football, crack on, go for it, buy a shirt but stop trying to push it down one’s throat that the Women are an inspiration.
If, however, the Media want to continue with this obsession, then John Newsome has a suggestion.
Replace Gareth Southgate with Sarina Wiegman and send the Inspirational Lionesses to Qatar for the Mens World Cup, if the Troopers want equality.
The Inspirations would be home quicker than the postcards.
That said, Gareth’s Three Lions will be home around the same time as the cards.
Just to add, a superb Female Boxer called Terri Harper, won the WBA World Boxing Association Super Welterweight title on Saturday night, defeating the Scottish holder of the title, Hannah Rankin,
Terri is now a 2-Time World Boxing Champion and if any of the girl youths out there want a true inspiration, follow Terri Harper.
This fixture last season took place almost 12 months ago to the day on the 26th of September 2021.
Arsenal were quite dominant with goals by Emile Smith-Rowe, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka giving the Gunners a comfortable lead at the break.
Son Heung-Min did score a consolation for Tottenham in the 2nd-half but the home team got the North London bragging rights with a victory by a 3-1 score.
If one remembers, it was Nuno Espírito Santo that was in charge of Tottenham, not Antonio Conte.
Betfred offer Arsenal at slight Odds On 19/20, the draw at 13/5 and 5/2 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer Evens 1/1 that Gabriel Jesus Scores Anytime and 7/5 that Son Heung-Min Scores Anytime
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BOURNEMOUTH v BRENTFORD
15.00 in England
Bournemouth remain unbeaten since the departure of Scott Parker and the guidance of the caretaker boss, Gary O’Neil.
Gary has quietly gone about the business of steadying the Cherry ship at the Vitality with a draw, a win and another draw before the International Break.
After a goalless 1st-half at St James Park, the travelling Cherries who had set off from Bournemouth in the early hours of Saturday morning for the 700-mile, 12-hour round trip, were rewarded with a Philip Billing strike on the hour mark.
Unfortunately, the lead didn’t last long when Newcastle scored an equaliser 5 minutes later.
With no further goals, both shared the points from a draw by a 1-1 score.
Mr O’Neil is doing a great job and despite Sean Dyche still being the favourite to land the job, Gary is putting his name forward with the display by Bournemouth at the moment.
The problem could arise for Gary in the fact that the hierarchy of the Cherries, are in advanced talks to sell the club.
After 11 years under the ownership of the Russian Businessman Maxim Demin, Bournemouth are on course for a new era.
It’s reported that Maxim has instructed an advisory firm to help sell the club.
American billionaire Bill Foley, the majority owner of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Vegas Golden Knights, is heading a consortium now in exclusive talks to buy the Cherries.
Maxim Demin is understood to be open to selling the club in a deal worth £150 Million, though talks are still at an early stage.
Should the takeover go through, it would mean that more than half of the current Premier League clubs have a majority or minority US shareholder.
Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Leeds United, Liverpool, Man City, Manchester United and West Ham, all have American investment on some scale.
The Sceptic Tanks are taking over!
The new owners may want a Stellar name, a Cherry-lactico so to speak and with no disrespect to Gary O’Neil, the lad might not fit the new owners’ requirements.
All Gary can do at the moment is keep the team going in the way they have since Four Stripes Scott was sacked and keep his name in the frame for the permanent position.
The Cherries do have Kieffer Moore, Kieffer Moore, they’ve got Kieffer Moore!
Bournemouth sit 12th in the Premier League table with 8 points from 7 fixtures played, a point adrift of today’s opponents.
It’s been a long 2 weeks for Thomas Frank and his Brentford Boys following a limp display last time out where the Bees succumbed to a home defeat against Arsenal by a 3-0 scoreline.
Brentford were unbeaten in 3 going into the early Sunday afternoon fixture at the Brentford Community Stadium and with momentum growing, it was expected that the Bees would put up a fight against the Gunners, however, that didn’t materialise.
The home team conceded 2 goals before the break and a 3rd in the 2nd-half to ultimately suffer the defeat that leaves Brentford in 9th place with 9 points from the opening 7 fixtures.
Ivan Toney has finally been called up into the England squad and saw Zero minutes in the 2 Nations League fixtures against Italy and Germany.
Thanks, Mr Southgate!
That’s it for Gareth’s Three Lions now before the start of the World Cup so all Ivan can do is keep scoring in the Premier League to try and find a place in the squad for Qatar’22.
The last time that these two met at the Vitality was in the Championship Playoff Semi-Final 1st-leg where the Cherries got the victory over the Bees by a 1-0 scoreline.
Arnaut Danjuma with the solitary winning goal.
Unfortunately, for Bournemouth under the guidance of Jonathon Woodgate, Brentford got the victory in the 2nd-leg by a 3-1 score and progressed to the Final that ultimately resulted in promotion to the Promised Land.
Betfred offer Bournemouth at 23/10, the draw at 23/10 and 11/10 for Brentford to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/5 that Ivan Toney Scores Anytime and slight Odds On 4/5 that there are Under 2.5 Goals.
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CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA
15.00 in England
It was the 3rd of September when the Crystal Palace players last muddied the boots with their Game Week-7 and 8 fixtures cancelled.
Patrick’s Palace could consider themselves lucky to gain a point from that outing to St James Park almost a month ago.
In the fixture against Newcastle, the dreaded VAR made an error by cancelling out a perfectly good goal by the home team and with neither able to find the back of the net, the travelling Eagle Ultras saw their idols get a draw by a 0-0 scoreline.
Crystal Palace sit in 16th place with 6 points from just the 6 games completed.
The term ‘a week is a long time in politics’ could easily be attributed to football and the Premier League.
On Saturday the 3rd of September, Chelsea competed in a VAR-affected fixture against West Ham but ultimately got the victory by a 2-1 score.
The following Tuesday (the 6th) Thomas’s Blue Engines headed to Croatia to take on Dinamo Zagreb in the opening Group game of the Champions League and suffered a defeat by a 1-0 scoreline.
Although a loss there weren’t any thoughts of what was about to happen.
On Wednesday morning, whilst watching Sky Sports News, the headlines suddenly appeared,
‘Chelsea sack Thomas Tuchel!’
The Blue Engines were no more and despite speculation that Zinedine Zidane or Mauricio Pochettino were heading to Stamford Bridge (Zinedine was never coming because his wife doesn’t want to live in England!), the hierarchy have opted for Graham Potter.
Thomas’s Blue Engines will now become Graham’s New Blue Wizard’s.
A week is a long time in football.
In Graham’s opening game, Chelsea hosted RB Salzburg on Match-Day-2 of the Champions League Group stage after the opening 2 Premier League fixtures for Chelsea were postponed.
Graham’s New Blue Wizards gained a point from a draw against the Austrians by a 1-1 score.
It does, however, leave Chelsea stuck at the bottom of that particular Group, as well as 7th in the Premier League with 10 points, before the International Break and this fixture against Crystal Palace.
Like Crystal Palace, Graham’s New Blue Wizards have only completed 6 fixtures, not the 7 that 14 of the 20 teams have played.
Thomas Tuchel was seen in the local Supermarket purchasing several cans of the popular Red Bull energy drink and a Bottle of Smirnoff’s finest, having Scott Parker behind him providing the Bag for Life.
The pair sat on the local park bench reminiscing about life as a Premier League Manager.
In a twist of fate, Billy Gilmore left Chelsea in the Summer to join Brighton as the Scottish Midfielder thought that it would be a better progression for his career at the Amex under Graham Potter.
Billy had previously spent last season on loan at Norwich but decided a permanent move would be better for the Scots lad’s career.
Graham is now the boss of Chelsea.
It’s wondered what Little Billy is thinking about that situation.
As the ex-Chelsea legend, Jimmy Greaves once said,
‘Football, it’s a funny old game!’
A solitary Hakim Ziyech goal in the 89th minute was the difference between Patrick’s Eagles and Thomas’s Blue Engines when these two met at Selhurst Park back in February 2022.
A quick side note, in the previous 6-fixtures, that Crystal Palace and Brighton have contested (yes one knows it’s Chelsea but bear with!) there have been 4-draws by the same 1-1 scoreline.
Betfred offer Crystal Palace at 10/3, the draw at 12/5 and slight Odds On 4/5 for Chelsea to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 3/1 that Jorginho Scores Anytime and slight Odds On 4/5 that there are Under 2.5 Goals.
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FULHAM v NEWCASTLE
15.00 in England
The Aleksandar Mitrovic Derby.
Big Mit was part of the Newcastle team that was promoted from the Championship to the Premier League under Rafa Benitez back in 2017.
The final fixture of that particular campaign was against Barnsley FC at St James Park, with this EveryTip contributor in attendance.
Although Aleksandar was at Newcastle for the return to the Premier League in August 2017, the Serbian Striker didn’t play much and was loaned out to Fulham who were in the Championship.
The Cottagers signed Alek permanently which resulted in Big Mit helping Fulham gain promotion to the Top Flight via the Playoffs at the end of the 2017/18 Championship campaign.
Two promotions in consecutive seasons.
It was a relegation though at the end of the 2018/19 season but Fulham and the Serbian were back in 2019/20, again via the Playoffs.
Another relegation and promotion followed for Fulham and Aleksandar, who amazingly is still in London and still at Craven Cottage going into his 5th year.
Fulham got a great away day victory against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground before the International Break.
Marco Silva’s Boys conceded a 1st-half goal then Tosin Aderabioyo, Joao Palhinha and Harrison Reed all scored after the break to give the away team a lead before Forest pulled a goal back.
With no further goals, Fulham held on for the victory by a 3-2 scoreline.
Unfortunately for Aleksandar Mitrovic, the lad didn’t notch in Nottingham but will be back firing pretty soon.
Fulham sit 6th in the table with 11 points from the opening 7 fixtures.
Eddie’s Newcastle gained a point from a draw by a 1-1 score, in the Game Week-8 affair against Mr Howe’s old club Bournemouth.
After a goalless 1st-half, the Magpies conceded a Cherries goal but were quickly back level when awarded a penalty that the new boy Alexander Isak converted.
The point gained gives Newcastle the same 8 points as Leeds United and Bournemouth and leaves the Black and Whites in 10th place in the table.
Newcastle last ventured down the A1 to London on the final day of the 2020/21 Premier League season.
Scott Parker’s Fulham were already relegated and didn’t put up too much of a fight against Steve Bruce’s Newcastle, with Joe Willock and Fabian Schar scoring the Magpies goals to earn an away day victory by a 2-0 scoreline.
There were only 2,000 fans in attendance, with none from Newcastle, due to the Coronavirus restrictions so the Toon Army will be in the Capital this time all astounded by the Australian bar girl and boys asking for £8 quid when the call is made in the London boozers,
‘A bottle of Newkie Broon please pet!’
‘Hoo much?’
Betfred offer Fulham at 2/1, the draw at 23/10 and 5/4 for Newcastle to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Aleksandar Mitrovic Scores First and slight Odds On 10/11 that there are Over 2.5 Goals.
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LIVERPOOL v BRIGHTON
15.00 in England
Both these teams had their Game Week-8 fixtures postponed so neither have played in the Premier League since the beginning of September.
That said Jurgen’s Reds have played in Europe and suffered an away defeat in the opening Group game of the Champions League in Italy with Napoli inflicting defeat on Liverpool by a 4-1 scoreline.
Ooof!
Following that loss, Liverpool then hosted Ajax on Match-Day-2 and gained a narrow victory by a 2-1 score against the Dutch team.
Liverpool sit 8th in the table with 9 points, a point and a place adrift of Chelsea.
Liverpool won’t get rid of Klipperty Klopp just yet but if results don’t start to improve, the Anfield Rappers are looking at the German Phrase Book for,
‘Where’s the Job Centre Thomas?’
‘Wo ist das Jobcenter Thomas?’
That is the answer.
To be fair, there isn’t much difference in the phrase and with the Scousers accent undetectable by anyone other than dogs, the Collins German Dictionary isn’t required.
It was rumoured that Uber were offering a 50% discount off a journey to a specified Job Centre if both occupants were German.
Vorsprung Durch Technik.
Vorsprung Zum Glück.
As Mr Weller would say!
Brighton are in action, for the first time since Graham Potter left the Amex to head up to the bright lights of London and become the Chelsea boss.
Andrew Crofts had been named as caretaker manager at Brighton, however, the hierarchy have now confirmed the permanent appointment of the Italian Roberto De Zerbi.
It’s fair to say that the Boy from Brescia didn’t have the most spectacular of a career as a Professional Footballer but that doesn’t equate to not being a good Manager, with the bosses at the Amex seeing something in Roberto.
Because of the unfortunate circumstances regarding our Queen, this will be the first outing for Brighton since the 4th of September, the Seagulls currently sitting 4th with 13 points in the Premier League table despite not playing in Game Week-8.
Billy Gilmore was seen sitting in the corner of the changing room, his head in hands, with the old Sweet song on the wireless,
‘Little Willy, Willy won’t go home!’
At Anfield last season, at the end of October 2021, both teams gained a point from a draw by a 2-2 score.
Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane scored for the home team to give Liverpool a comfortable lead, however, Enock Mwepu pulled a goal back just before the break to give the Seagulls a glimmer of hope.
That glimmer turned bright when Leandro Trossard equalised in the 65th minute and with no further goals, both teams shared the points from the Archbishop’s favourite scoreline.
Betfred offer Liverpool at Odds On 3/10, the draw at 4/1 and 15/2 for Brighton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Mo Salah Scores First and 6/5 that Liverpool Win To Nil.
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***Premier League Team of the Week***
GOALKEEPER- Asmir Begovic- Everton
RIGHT-BACK- John Stones- Man City
CENTRE-BACK- William Saliba- Arsenal
CENTRE-BACK- Tosin Adarabioyo- Fulham
LEFT-BACK- Ryan Sessegnon- Tottenham
MIDFIELDER- Harrison Reed- Fulham
MIDFIELDER- Fabio Vieira- Arsenal
MIDFIELDER- Jack Grealish- Man City
FORWARD- Ethan Nwaneri- Arsenal
FORWARD- Neal Maupay- Everton
FORWARD- Son Heung-Min- Tottenham
STAR MAN- Son Heung-Min- Tottenham
SOUTHAMPTON v EVERTON
15.00 in England
Southampton did play in Game Week-8, taking part in a Friday Night affair away at Villa Park.
Unfortunately for Ralph Hasenhuttl and his Set of Saints, Aston Villa inflicted a defeat by a 1-0 scoreline, with Southampton conceding the goal just before the break.
That leaves the Saints in 14th place in the Premier League table with the same 7 points as Aston Villa and Everton.
Ralph was once again in the Peaky Blunders attire on the touchline at Villa Park.
With the programme heavily Birmingham based, the lad must have been auditioning for a walk-on part on the excellent BBC series.
Frank Lampard’s Everton are unbeaten in 5 Premier League games now following the victory last time out against West Ham by a 1-0 scoreline.
Probably the drawback for Frank and the Toffees from those unbeaten 5 fixtures, is 4 of those were drawn, thus giving Everton the same 7 points as Villa and today’s opponents from the opening 7 fixtures, leaving Frank’s Blues in 13th.
The first two games ended in defeats.
New boy Neal Maupay, brought in from Brighton, scored the solitary winning goal against the Hammers early in the 2nd-half to inflict the defeat on the ex-Toffee boss, David Moyes.
More on ‘Moyesy’ later.
Stuart Armstrong and Shane Long scored the Southampton goals both after the half-time break to give Wreck-It Ralph’s Southampton the victory over Frank Lampard’s Everton when these two met at St Mary’s last season.
Betfred offer Southampton at 23/20, the draw at 23/10 and 9/4 for Everton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 3/1 that James Ward-Prowse Scores Anytime and slight Odds On 10/11 that there are Under 2.5 Goals.
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WEST HAM v WOLVES
17.30 in England
Sky Sports
David ‘Moyesy’ Moyes didn’t take kindly to a reporter calling the West Ham gaffer by the affectionate Moyesy name after the defeat against Everton last time out.
After conceding a goal just after the break, Everton inflicted the defeat on West Ham by a 1-0 scoreline.
The said reporter asked ‘Moyesy’ about the game to which David replied,
‘Moyesy, I don’t think we are that close!’
There was an expletive thrown in too by the Good Looking Scotsman.
(Keep Reading!)
That was actually an inventive reply by Big David, taking the onus away from the fact that it was another defeat for West Ham who remain in the relegation zone.
The Hammers sit in 18th place with 4 points from the opening 7 fixtures and need an upturn in fortune or Good Looking David may be down the concrete.
There is slight relief in the Europa Conference League with West Ham gaining victories in the opening 2 Group fixtures against FCSB and Silkeborg.
The Premier League’s most handsome managers have been revealed with David Moyes topping the list.
New data compiled by Gambling.com has ranked the current Top Flight managers using the popular beauty measuring app Golden Ratio Face to carry out their research.
Each manager’s portrait was processed by the app before being given a score out of 10, with the higher the score meaning the better looking they are.
John Newsome did have to check the date to see if it was April the 1st.
The Top 10 Best Looking Managers are as follows.
Top 10:
1-David Moyes – 8.9
2-Marco Silva – 8.87
3-Ralph Hasenhuttl – 8.86
4-Pep Guardiola – 8.76
5-Jurgen Klopp – 8.66
6-Steven Gerrard – 8.35
7-Eddie Howe – 8.34
8-Graham Potter – 8.28
9-Gary O’Neil – 8.23
10-Frank Lampard – 8.17
Mikel Arteta was 11th.
The was a rumour that Steve Cooper, the loveable Nottingham Forest gaffer came in at number 73 out of the Top 20.
Bit harsh!
Wolves are struggling to score goals with another blank last time out against Man City, succumbing to a defeat against Pep’s High Flying Blues by a 3-0 score.
Bruno’s Gold and Blacks have only scored 3 times in the 7 Premier League outings, the joint least in the division, coincidentally the same as today’s opponents, with West Ham only scoring 3 themselves.
That suggests that this fixture at the London Stadium will probably end in a goalless draw.
If one is attending, take some knitting needles, some Claret and Blue plus Gold and Black wool and maybe knit one of those horrendous Half and Half scarves.
As there might not be many goals on show.
That said, now it will probably finish 7-5.
Wolves sit just above West Ham in 17th with 6 points from the opening 7 fixtures.
At the London Stadium in February 2022, a solitary Tomas Soucek goal on the hour mark gave West Ham the victory over Wolves by a 1-0 scoreline.
Betfred offer West Ham at Odds On 19/20, the draw at 23/10 and 11/4 for Wolves to come away with all 3-points.
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Sunday 02nd
MAN CITY v MANCHESTER UNITED
14.00 in England
Sky Sports
Man City gained a great away day victory at Molineux before the International Break inflicting a defeat on Wolves by a 3-0 scoreline.
Jack Grealish, who has admitted that he needs to score more, got on the end of a great move by the City frontmen, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne after just 55 seconds of play.
That man Erling Haaland scored the 2nd after 16 minutes, being the Norwegians’ 11th Premier League goal of the campaign.
Following Erling’s goal, Wolves were reduced to 10 men following a horrendous challenge on Jack Grealish by Nathan Collins that Bruce Lee would have been proud of.
Phil Foden rounded off the scoring midway through the 2nd-half to give Pep’s High Flying Blues the away day victory, remaining unbeaten from the opening 7 fixtures.
The win did temporarily lift Man City to the summit of the Premier League for 24 hours, until Arsenal’s victory against Brentford on Sunday, reinstated the 1st/2nd positions for Pep 2 and Pep 1.
Pep Guardiola is better looking than Mikel Arteta though and Erik Ten Hag!
Man City are 2 from 2 in the Group stages of the Champions League so that particular competition is taking care of itself.
The following is an extract from the Game Week-7 EveryTip column, which was written before the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd.
It was also written before Manchester United took on Real Sociedad in the opening Group game of the Europa League and Sheriff Tiraspol in the Match-Day-2 fixture, referring to Manchester United’s previous fixture against Arsenal.
‘Erik Ten Hag once again resisted the urge to bring back Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo and Fred, sticking with 10 of the starting eleven that have been excellent against Liverpool, Southampton and Leicester, bringing in the new boy Antony, in place of Anthony Elanga.
Manchester United are a better team without those 3 and Erik The Red has finally realised.
John Newsome has stated the failings at United for the past 2-years so doesn’t need to go over old ground.
It’s just satisfying to finally see the problems given by John are starting to be eradicated.
Remember, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralph Rangnick had the chance to rectify the problems but refused to do so, constantly choosing Fred and Scott McTominay as their go-to Midfielders.’
In the tie against Real Sociedad that went ahead despite the loss of our beautiful Queen, Erik Ten Hag chose Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo and Fred.
United suffered a defeat against the Spaniards by a 1-0 scoreline.
John Newsome has pointed out this to Mr Ten Hag, to everyone who kindly takes time to read this brilliant column and to the non-believers, that Manchester United are a better team without Harry, Cristiano and Fred.
If a Numpty from Barnsley can see this and bearing in mind that John has been stating this for over 18 months regarding Fred and for 6 months, has stated that CR7 needs putting out to graze (along with Harry) then why hasn’t Erik The Red noticed it.
Some might say,
‘It was only the Europa League!’
That’s correct but surely, isn’t it better to continue the form that has been produced in the Premier League and continue the momentum that is growing?
A good friend of John’s and an ardent United fan said during the excellent BT Sport production who whilst showing the game, were very respectable regards the solum day.
‘Why field a weaker team to bring yourself down to the opponent’s level, get some points first.’
John Newsome couldn’t agree more.
Granted, under the circumstances of the dreadful day, one cannot be too critical of the display, however, taking away everything that happened on the 8th of September 2022, Erik Ten Hag decided to field a team that included Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo and Fred and United suffered a defeat.
Another good friend, the boy of Hope, stated,
‘CR7’s legs have gone, it’s still in the head but not transferring to the kicking items.’
Unfortunately, as those over the age of 35 knows, it happens to everyone.
All great footballers never lose their touch, their speed of thought and the desire to perform, it’s the body that lets one down, John Newsome knows.
One’s head knows what to do, knows where to go and previously Cristiano would be there in that optimum position to score one of those 100s of goals that are in the bank.
Now the legs can’t catch up with the brain, the bonce says,
‘You need to be there Ronnie!’
The legs are saying,
‘Not anymore Cristiano, these wheels are falling off!’
The sad truth in everything is, that it eventually comes to an end and unfortunately for Cristiano Ronaldo, that time is now.
CR7 won’t want to acknowledge that or even allow the brain to pass on that information and will still think that a 6th Ballon d’Or is on the horizon.
It’s not Cristiano, unfortunately, the end of a superb footballing career is nigh.
Yes, there’s the World Cup in November and a last hurrah on the Big Stage but with Portugal in the same Group as Ghana, South Korea and Uruguay, it’s quite conceivable that it will be Exit Stage Left for one of the greatest footballers ever.
There was no Rush to sign the legend in the Transfer Window and the signing of Cristiano last summer was reminiscent of a game of ‘Nim’.
Nim is typically played as a misère game, in which the player to take the last object loses.
Manchester United were the last team to take Cristiano Ronaldo.
All the others knew that Cristiano was coming to the end.
Whilst it appears harsh and some won’t want to hear or agree, it is life, it is evolution.
One is never the same in their late 30s as in their teens or 20s.
Nim!
Erik reverted back to the team that has been successful in the Premier League against Sheriff last Thursday but did include Cristiano.
United got the victory by a 2-0 scoreline.
CR7 did convert a penalty so was on the European Goal Scoring list, as was Lionel Messi, however, Lionel did send Cristiano a text saying,
‘Another Champions League notch for Young Mr Messi!’
Regards the World Cup in November, this is something to contemplate over the next couple of months.
John Newsome has advised Erik Ten Hag as to the failings at Manchester United and some are being taken on board.
Now it’s Gareth Southgate that needs advising.
Please rethink the Centre-Back partnership of Harry Maguire and AN Other, whether that is John Stones, Eric Dier, Tyrone Mings, Conor Coady or whoever.
If one looks at the last 15-England fixtures, since the EURO’20 Final, Gareth’s men haven’t really been tested in 9 of those and in the last 6, have suffered 3 defeats and 3 draws.
In the 2 defeats against Hungary, home and away, the Centre-Backs were Marc Guehi and John Stones (4-0) and Conor Coady and Harry Maguire (1-0).
Against Italy last week, it was Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker and Eric Dier, as a Back-Three which resulted in another defeat (1-0).
It would have been brilliant for Gareth and the faithful if the England team could have included a Centre-Back who has knowledge of the Italian Serie A.
Oh wait a minute, England have Fikayo Tomori, who plays in Serie A, has just won the Scudetto and to top it off, plays regularly in the San Siro for AC Milan, yet Mr Southgate knows best and left Fikayo sat twiddling his Milan thumbs on the bench.
On Monday, in the Final competitive game for England before the World Cup, Gareth chose Harry Maguire, John Stones and Eric Dier as his Centre-Back-Three.
Leaving Fikayo Tomori, Conor Coady, Tyrone Mings and added to that Trent Alexander-Arnold all with Zero-game time from the 2 Nations League fixtures.
Harry Maguire was culpable for 2 of the 3 Germany goals, luckily when it did appear that Harry had cost England, Mr Maguire’s United teammate, Luke Shaw pulled a goal back and then England scored 2 more to be on the brink of a famous victory.
Unfortunately for the Three Lions, the Germans also got a 3rd meaning a draw by a 3-3 score.
Granted, this is just John Newsome’s opinion, what does the Barnsley Boy know?
There will be more on the World Cup in this EveryTip column, come late November.
As Arnold Schwarzenegger would say,
‘I’ll be back!’
Manchester United haven’t played in the Premier League since the victory against Arsenal on the 4th of September and sit 5th in the table with 12 points from 6 games played.
In the Manchester Derby at the Etihad last season, back at the end of March 2022, it was the home team that got the easy victory by a 4-1 score.
Jadon Sancho equalised an early Kevin De Bruyne goal, however, KDB quickly re-established the lead scoring a 2nd soon after Jadon’s strike.
Riyad Mahrez then scored twice in the 2nd-half to give the Noisy Neighbours the victory over the Numpty Neighbours.
As this is the 30th-Anniversary of the Premier League John Newsome would like to revisit a few games throughout the season that were featured in this EveryTip column back on the 24th of March 2020, when the first Lockdown was issued due to the Coronavirus situation.
There were 10-games featured in that column, however, only 5 of the fixtures, feature teams that are in this season’s Top Flight.
Enjoy.
The Greatest Premier League Football Games of All Time
March 24, 2020, by Every Tip
‘Sunday, 7 November 1993
MAN CITY 2 v MANCHESTER UNITED 3
The first of 4, Manchester Derby’s that finished in a scoreline of 3-2 in favour of the Red side, in the Premier League era, however, in the interest of safety, only this game is reviewed.
The first thing that the Blue side will be thinking is ‘booo’ the second thing is unprintable in this family column.
This game was played at Maine Rd which was the home of Man City before their move to the City of Manchester Stadium for the start of the 2003/04 season.
Maine Rd was a very old-fashioned football ground situated in the Moss Side area of Manchester, which is fair to say, isn’t the most lucrative part of the suburb.
Back in the day, on visits to Maine Rd, following Barnsley FC, the local youths would often come up and offer their services in looking after the motor that the fans had crossed the Pennines in.
Usually, a couple of quid or a fiver was given to the kids in the hope that on returning to the said motor, it wasn’t stood on bricks.
There were instances where the youngsters would be told in no uncertain terms to ‘do one’, however, on returning to the car, it often had the side window smashed and the radio missing.
On one occasion, a Red fan reply when asked if they wanted the car watching for the 90-minutes,
“It’s ok youth, there’s a Rottweiler in the back”
To which the retort from the scallywag was,
“Can the dog put out fires Mister?”
A fiver was produced, quicker than a Dynamo magic trick.
City’s new home after they moved out of Maine Rd is a stadium that was built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Once the games finished, the City owners (not the Billionaire ones at the moment) took over the new stadium and converted it into a 55,000-capacity football home, still owned by the Manchester Council.
The younger fans now know the City of Manchester stadium as the Etihad, or as the mischievous United faithful, name it, the Emptyhad.
This game back in November 1993 was an original Premier League classic with Man City’s Big Number 9, Niall Quinn scoring 2, 1st-half goals to take the Blues in at the break, with a healthy 2-0 lead.
In the City team that day along with big Niall was ex-Liverpool midfielder Steve McMahon, David White and ex-Barnsley legend Mike Sheron, who is fondly remembered in Yorkshire and scored some vital goals in his spell at Oakwell.
The goalkeeper for City was Tony Coton, who had protection from a back-5 of Richard Edghill, Alan Kernaghan, Michel Vonk, Keith Curle and Terry Phelan.
Gary Flitcroft partnered Steve Macca in the midfield with Niall, Mike and David upfront.
Both of Niall’s goals were headers from crosses by Mike Sheron and Steve McMahon.
Manager Brian Horton used an unusual 5-2-3 formation to try and quell Sir Alex’s title winners.
At half-time, Brian must have been cock-a-hoop in the dressing room thinking that his innovative line-up had got the better of Mr Ferguson.
In the away dressing room, Sir Alex was giving his boys the legendary hair-dryer treatment that set his charges up for a brilliant 2nd-half revival.
If the offering of a Manchester United eleven debate was put up, arguments would ensue, ‘so-and-so is better than so-and-so’
On the 7th of November 1993, which by the way was a certain Joan Davies’s 50th Birthday, the eleven that took the field against City, are up there with the best Manchester United players ever and certainly 4, that Sir Alex chose to start against City would definitely make United’s all-star Premier League team (watch this space!)
In goal for the Red Devils was the Danish legend that is Peter Schmeichel.
Sir Alex’s formation against City was the traditional 4-4-2 with Peter’s Back-4 being Paul Parker, Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister and Dennis Irwin.
The 4 Midfielders matched up against City’s 2, were Paul Ince, Andrei Kanchelskis, Roy Keane and Lee Sharpe, with Mark Hughes and Eric Cantona up top.
The millennials who are of the FIFA ‘20 generation won’t remember United of the ‘90s.
It’s thought that Pep Guardiola’s method of playing football is innovative and new.
Not so, Sir Alex Ferguson’s style of football was the forerunner to Pepster’s style of today.
United defended stoutly, then broke quickly with Paul Ince and Roy Keane simply passing the ball to the flying wingers that were Andrei and Lee who were as rapid as Pep’s Leroy Sane or Raheem Sterling.
After the break, in which Sir Alex tweaked his tactics slightly, following a mistake from Michel Vonk, Eric Cantona pulled a goal back for United to give the away fans hope.
Ryan Giggs was introduced midway through the 2nd-half in place of Andrei and within a minute of stepping on the Manic Maine Rd pitch, produced a sublime first-time cross for Eric to equalise for the Red Devils.
With 4 minutes left on the clock, Roy Keane scored the winner for United to knock the stuffing out of the Citizens.
Liverpool’s dominance of the 2019/20 season is remarkable, no question about it, however, Manchester United’s dominance in the ‘90s is over a longer period, not just 1-season.
Prior to the victory against City back in November 1993, United had won 18 out of the previous 20 games, drew 1 and lost 1, gaining 55 points from a possible 60.
Manchester United went on to win the Premier League title again in the 1993/94 campaign following their title victory in the inaugural Premier League season, the previous year.
Rest in Peace Joan.’
Betfred offer Man City at Odds On 1/3, the draw at 4/1 and 13/2 for Manchester United to come away with all 3-points.
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LEEDS UNITED v ASTON VILLA
16.30 in England
‘Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again, Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again.’
Whilst there wasn’t a game last week for the West Yorkshire puddings, the Joy Division tune is still funny.
The American Drama Queen Jesse will be in the stands for this fixture against Aston Villa following the Red Card Mr Marsch received against Brentford.
It will be exactly 30 days since the Whites last put their boo-its on (boots but the West Yorkshire puddings pronounce it Boo-its!)
Leeds United did get a late Transfer Deadline Day Deal done (too many D’s) bringing in the Italian youngster Wilfried Gnonto from FC Zurich who plays as a Striker, with the Whites hoping that Young Wilfried hits the back of the net at Elland Rd and surrounding areas.
Leeds United sit 11th with 8 points, a point more than today’s visitors, however, have only completed 6 fixtures, not 7.
Aston Villa did play in Game Week-8, gaining a professional victory against Southampton at Villa Park on Friday the 16th of September 2021.
With the 1st-half about to come to an end, Jacob Ramsey scored the only goal of the game to give Villa the victory by a 1-0 score.
That was the Claret and Blues’ first win in 5 Premier League games and was much needed following speculation that Stevie G was under pressure.
Villa sit 15th in the table with 7 points from the opening 7 fixtures.
Aston Villa got an easy away day win against Leeds United at Elland Rd back in March 2022.
Goals from Philippe Coutinho, Matty Cash and Callum Chambers gave Stevie G’s Claret and Blues the victory over Jesse’s Whites by a 3-0 scoreline.
Betfred offer Leeds United at 6/4, the draw at 12/5 and 8/5 for Aston Villa to come away with all 3-points.
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Monday 03rd
LEICESTER v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
A Monday Night East Midlands Derby between the bottom 2 teams of the Premier League.
John Newsome offered up a scenario to his many friends (all 2 of them!) following the Game Week-9 set of fixtures, being that Brendan Rodgers is possibly sacked by the Leicester hierarchy and Steve Cooper is potentially sacked by the Forest bosses.
Brendan then takes over at the City Ground.
The replies from the two friends were as follows,
‘Forest won’t sack Steve Cooper yet!’
and
‘Not happening!’
Fair enough, however, John has saved the messages and will keep an open mind on that scenario.
It does appear that the Leicester players are in need of a new voice and the owner of Nottingham Forest, the Greek Shipping Magnate, Evangelos Marinakis, having spent a boatload (sorry!) of Greek Dollars, won’t like to see the team languish in the relegation places.
Both hierarchies won’t put up with the current situation much longer.
Granted, it is just a scenario that this EveryTip contributor has come up with but John Newsome just wants it noted.
Watch this space!
Leicester suffered another defeat last time out, away at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium, with Tottenham gaining the impressive victory by a 6-2 scoreline.
Brendan Rodgers is still in charge at the King Power, for the time being, however, the question to be asked is for how long?
Brendan has brought in Lars Knudsen, who is a Set Piece Coach, which is the Foxes’ Achilles Heel at the moment, conceding goal after goal from corners and free-kicks.
Going forward, Leicester do look threatening and goals from Youri Tielemans and James Maddison had taken the Foxes in level at the break against Spurs.
Unfortunately, as in the previous fixture against Brighton, Leicester conceded more in the 2nd-half, this time 4 goals as opposed to 3 against the Seagulls, ultimately suffering another defeat, the 6th of the campaign with a draw in the other.
Those good at Math will know that is 1 point from the opening 7 fixtures leaving Brendan’s not-so-Wonderfuls at the foot of the Premier League table.
It’s hoped for all connected at the King Power that Mr Knudsen can heal the Achilles heel.
Nottingham Forest have suffered defeats in their last 4 Premier League fixtures and sit just above Leicester in 19th, with 4 points from a win, a draw and 5 losses.
The strange anomaly in the previous 2 defeats by the same 3-2 scoreline, is Forest scored first but then conceded 3 in the 2nd-half.
In the fixture against Bournemouth, Steve Cooper’s Tricky Trees actually scored 2 before the Cherries replied.
In the game against Fulham prior to the International Break, Taiwo Awoniyi opened the scoring after 11 minutes to give Forest a lead at the break.
The away team, Fulham, as was the case in the previous fixture at the City Ground against Bournemouth, then scored 3 goals.
There must be something added to the half-time cup of tea in the away dressing room.
Lewis O’Brien did pull a goal back for Forest but with no further goals, it was another home defeat by the same 3-2 score.
As mentioned above, it’s a diverse opinion as to whether Steve Cooper is under pressure or not, however, John Newsome sticks with his that another defeat, this time against the West Yorkshire puddings, could see the Welshman tap the Uber App for a trip to the Job Centre.
It was November 2013 when Nottingham Forest travelled the short distance South to the King Power Stadium with both teams in the Championship.
The Leicester team put out by Nigel Pearson was,
Leicester-
Kasper Schmeichel, Liam Moore, Marcin Wasilewski, Wes Morgan, Paul Konchesky, Anthony Knockaert, Danny Drinkwater, Andy King, Lloyd Dyer, David Nugent and Jeffrey Schlupp.
Substitutes-
Jamie Vardy for Lloyd Dyer 61st Minute
Gary Taylor-Fletcher for Jeffrey Schlupp 68th Minute
Dean Hammond for Anthony Knockaert 68th Minute
The Forest team put out by Billy Davies was,
Nottingham Forest-
Karl Darlow, Chris Cohen, Jamaal Lascelles, Jack Hobbs, Gonzalo Jara, Jamie Paterson, Andy Reid, David Vaughan, Henri Lansbury, Simon Cox and Jamie Mackie.
Substitutes-
Greg Halford for Jamaal Lascelles 46th Minute
Darius Henderson for Jamie Paterson 62nd Minute
Eric Lichaj for Simon Cox 75th Minute
First-half goals by Simon Cox and Jamie Mackie were enough to give the Tricky Trees the victory over the Foxes and the East Midlands bragging rights by a 2-0 away day scoreline.
It’s worth adding that David Nugent missed a penalty midway through the 2nd-half.
Leicester had the last laugh laughter, going on to win the 2013/14 Championship campaign, with Nottingham Forest finishing in 11th place.
Betfred offer Leicester at slight Odds On 5/6, the draw at 14/5 and 16/5 for Nottingham Forest to come away with all 3-points.
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Game Week-9 (1997/98)
Saturday 27th September 1997
BARNSLEY v LEICESTER
Oakwell
15.00 in England
The Super Reds were back at Oakwell following 2-away trips to Goodison Park and Selhurst Park.
Both away days resulted in defeats for Danny Wilson’s men who had now lost their previous 4 fixtures against Derby, Aston Villa, Everton and Wimbledon so the Red and White Army were hoping for a big win.
As was the norm back in 1997 on a Match Day, it started with a choice of shirt, as in which year Barnsley Replica Top to wear, the jeans and trainers were part of the attire then it was a bus into Town to one of the local hostelries to partake in a pint or several.
Just to reiterate, there were no mobile phones, texting or Social Abuse sites back in 1997.
John Newsome has mentioned this on a few occasions but sometimes the youths don’t understand what life was like without a Samsung or an iPhone stuck to one’s digits.
After a few swills of the local beer, it was a gentle stroll up to Oakwell, which is situated just off the Town Centre and a stone’s throw away from the Bus and Train Station.
Danny Wilson needed more than a Mary’s Prayer and lined up the following eleven to take on Martin O’Neill’s Foxes.
Barnsley-
Lars Leese, Matty Appleby, Darren Barnard, Ales Krizan, Arjan De Zeeuw, Adie Moses, Neil Redfearn, Darren Sheridan, Eric Tinkler, Andy Liddell and Ashley Ward
Substitutes-
Martin Bullock for Eric Tinkler 64th Minute
Clint Marcelle for Andy Liddell 70th Minute
Leicester-
Kasey Keller, Matt Elliott, Pontus Kaamark, Spencer Prior, Steve Guppy, Neil Lennon, Muzzy Izzet, Robbie Savage, Graham Fenton, Emile Heskey and Ian Marshall
Substitutes-
Tony Cottee for Graham Fenton 67th Minute
Steve Claridge for Emile Heskey 78th Minute
Goals from Ian Marshall and Graham Fenton, early in the 2nd-half gave Martin’s Foxes the victory over Danny’s Reds by a 2-0 score.
Although another afternoon of watching Top Class Premier League players, up close and personal at Oakwell, it was still a defeat, that gave Barnsley a record of 2 wins and 7 losses from the opening 9 fixtures.
That left Barnsley in 19th place in the table with 6-points from the 9 fixtures and a minus-12 goal difference, the worst in the league at the time.
Probably the surprise from the league position was Southampton were at the foot of the table with 4-points from the opening 9.
The Leicester Midfield of Robbie Savage, Steve Guppy, Muzzy Izzet and Neil Lennon were simply too good for the Barnsley middle and overrun the Reds that afternoon.
Robbie Savage has gone on to work with the newly founded Macclesfield FC where the Silkmen are in the slow process of getting back up the English Pyramid, currently in Tier 8.
Mr Savage can also be heard on BT Sport doing the co-commentary.
There was an awkward moment in the recent Sheriffs Tiraspol v Manchester United game live on BT where Mr Savage was warbling and the main BT Sport commentator asked Robbie if the ex-Fox had seen Erling Haaland’s goal for Man City the night before against Borussia Dortmund.
This is the same Robbie Savage that was commentating for BT Sport at the Etihad the night before.
Obviously, old Robbie made an impression on his mate.
Bless him!
A quick story regarding Ian Marshall who scored the opener for the Foxes.
Without being unkind to Big Ian, the lad did look more like an out-of-work Docker than a Premier League footballer, with long black hair and a less than flattering physique.
Ian Marshall had been brought into Filbert St by Martin O’Neill from Ipswich at the end of the 1996 season.
Ipswich were one of the teams in the inaugural Premier League but were relegated to the Championship at the end of the 1994/95 season.
In a game at Oakwell back in March 1996, a long time before the faithful could dream of becoming a Premier League club, Ipswich along with the aforementioned Ian Marshall turned up for a mid-table clash.
Goals by Neil Redfearn, Andy Liddell and a Mr Redfearn 2nd, gave Barnsley a comfortable 3-goals to nil lead with time running out.
The Long Haired Lover From Liverpool, where Mr Marshall hails from, was having none of that and inspired Ipswich to a comeback.
With 5-minutes remaining and trailing by the 3-goals, Ian scored twice then Town’s Simon Milton headed a last-minute equaliser to gain the Tractor Boys an unexpected point from a draw by a 3-3 scoreline.
John Newsome did have a few choice words aimed at Big Ian and when the lad scored for Leicester 18 months later, it didn’t go unnoticed when the Cunning Fox gave a sly grin in the direction of this EveryTip contributor.
If Ian Marshall was playing nowadays and turned up at Oakwell, John Newsome would have one of those now obligatory signs that a youth has that says,
‘Fat Lad, can one have your shirt?’
Despite it always appearing that Ian scored against the Super Reds, the Big Fella was a great player for Everton, Oldham, Ipswich and Leicester and certainly knew where the back of the net was.
All the best Ian Marshall.
Away Win 0-2
The OzScot made it home from the good old US of A, having been laughed at by the Security Guards at Boston Logan Airport.
On arriving back in Ozland, Kylie was surprised to see that the arch Glasgow rivals, Celtic had suffered a defeat against St Mirren (who?) in the Scottish Pub League.
That was the Green and White Hoop’s first loss in 38-games over the last 364 days.
One day short of a year unbeaten.
Rangers had got a victory the day before, against Dundee United (who?) that initially reduced the gap at the summit of the Pub League to 2 points.
It was then expected that Celtic would re-establish the 5-point advantage but it was the Blue half that were celebrating on Sunday with most of the City out dancing and celebrating eating Deep Fried Mars Bars and drinking Skol Extra Strength.
The lad in Melbourne, still in the Mel Gibson regalia was out in the front yard singing and screaming out the Flower of Scotland tune.
Both of the Glasgow rivals are failing miserably in the Champions League Group stages, with the Blue half sitting at the foot of their respective group having Nil Points from the opening 2-fixtures and the Green half having a point from their opening games, reaffirming that the SPL is, in fact, a Pub League after all.
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