The highlight games for this weekend and early next week’s action are LIVERPOOL versus BURNLEY and ARSENAL versus CHELSEA. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these as well as all game-week 2 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-2
Saturday 21st
LIVERPOOL v BURNLEY
BT Sport 12.30 in England
For a moment, it appeared that Liverpool had dispensed with the services of Jurgen Klopp and employed a new boss.
John Newsome frantically searched the engine to source information as to the demise of JK, however, it was a false alarm, it turns out Jurgen has just undergone Laser Eye Surgery and no longer requires Deirdre Barlow’s spectacles. Phew, panic over!
Deirdre had the luxury of choosing Virgil Van Dijk, for the first Premier League fixture of the campaign, which will enhance the Reds and feel like a new signing. Diogo Jota opened the scoring for Liverpool, midway through the 1st-half, to take Jurgen’s Reds in at the break, leading by the solitary goal.
Jurgen then took off the goal scorer and replaced Diogo with Roberto Firmino, who promptly scored himself, to give Liverpool a 2-goal advantage.
Mo Salah got his first notch on the board scoring the Reds 3rd and with no further goals, Jurgen’s Reds got the opening day victory by a 3-0 scoreline.
The youngster, Harvey Elliott, who has just turned 18, came on for the final few minutes to gain valuable game time. Harvey was on-loan at the Championship club Blackburn last term, where the lad quickly became a cult hero.
With limited spaces in the Liverpool first team, don’t be surprised if Mr Elliott is again loaned out to the Championship or for that matter, a lower Premier League team, to continue the youngsters’ footballing education.
When James Tarkowski scored after 2-minutes against Brighton, it looked for all purpose that Sean’s Clarets would push on and get the victory.
Unfortunately for the faithful, who all were wearing Overcoats and Big Jackets, whilst the rest of the country basked in Sunshine, Brighton scored twice after the break to inflict the defeat on Burnley by a 2-1 scoreline. It’s always a coat colder in Burnley than the rest of the country.
Mr Dyche can’t really blame anything on the loss as the Clarets had a full team out with the majority of the starting eleven that played in most of the games last season. Burnley were one of the 6-teams to inflict a defeat on Liverpool at Anfield last term. A foul on Ashley Barnes in the area, late on in proceedings, resulted in a penalty.
After dusting himself down, Big Ash converted to give the cardboard Scousers misery in a home fixture for the first time in almost 4-years.
Bet 365 offer Liverpool at Odds On 1/5, the draw at 11/2 and 14/1 for Burnley to come away with all 3-points.
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There’s a saying in Barnsley, that goes, ‘He knows where t’onion is’ Referring the said ‘onion’ to the goal netting that resembles onion bags. Gerhard Muller certainly knew where the onion was. Rest in Peace Gerd, Respect!
Saturday 21st
ASTON VILLA v NEWCASTLE
15.00 in England
A Jack Grealish-less Aston Villa, whimpered to a defeat by a 3-2 scoreline at Vicarage Rd on Saturday, against newly-promoted Watford. Villa were trailing by 2-goals to nil at half-time, then conceded a 3rd, midway through the 2nd-half.
Dean Smith’s Claret and Blues, then staged some sort of a comeback, with John McGinn and the new boy, Danny Ings scoring late on to give the real travelling faithful, with not a cardboard box insight, the hope of a comeback. Unfortunately, time ran out for Villa, who succumbed to an opening day defeat.
The positives that Dean can take from the time in Watford, are that his new signing, Danny Ings scored a penalty on his Villa debut and that Danny comes in to play alongside Tyrone Mings, so it’s the Ings and Mings show at Villa Park. Really!
That’s all the positive that Mr Smith has, with the gaffer, watching the Tottenham v Man City fixture a day later, broken-hearted and wiping a tear from his eye, seeing Jack flaunting around in a City shirt. As with every team that has suffered a defeat in the opening weekend, it’s just a case of dusting one-selves down and moving on to the next game.
By the way, there were 10-Winners and 10-Losers from Game Week-1, with no Draws on the card. Seven Home-Wins and 3 Away-Wins! Newcastle played in what could be considered as the game of the weekend, however, eventually succumbed to a home defeat against West Ham by a 4-2 scoreline.
What will have irked Steve Bruce is that the Magpies took the lead twice in the 1st-half, with goals from Callum Wilson and Jacob Murphy, there was a goal in between the 2, by the Hammers, meaning Newcastle went in at the break with a 2-1 advantage.
In the 2nd-half, West Ham took control, scoring 3-times to register the away-day victory and give the Bubbles faithful a great trip back to the Capital, with most still in bewilderment knowing that a pint cost less than a fiver in Newcastle.
Big Brucey, chose Freddy Woodman as his goalkeeper, in place of the Magpies regular stopper Martin Dubravka who featured for Slovakia at this Summers Euros and picked up an injury.
Young Frederick has been at St James Park for a while now but has never started in the Premier League, having constantly been loaned out, including a spell at Swansea last season, culminating in a Play-Off Final appearance at Wembley for the Swans, eventually losing against Brentford.
Joe Willock has finally been confirmed as a Newcastle player, signed on a permanent 6-year deal for a fee of around £25 Million, after last seasons loan spell at St James. There should be a couple more coming in before the Window ‘slams’ shut at the end of August.
Last season at Villa Park, back in late January, goals from Ollie Watkins and Bertrand Traore, both in the 1st-half, gave the home side the victory against the Magpies, by a 2-0 scoreline.
Bet 365 offer Aston Villa at slight Odds On 3/4, the draw at 11/4 and 7/2 for Newcastle to come away with all 3-points.
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Saturday 21st
CRYSTAL PALACE v BRENTFORD
15.00 in England
Crystal Palace are under a new gaffer, with the legend that is Roy Hodgson being put out to pasture, watching The Food Channel, with Mrs H.
In comes Patrick Vieira to take over the reins, yet unfortunately, there wasn’t much improvement from Roy’s tenure, with Palace suffering an opening day defeat, against London rivals, Chelsea, by a 3-0 scoreline.
The travelling Eagle Ultras, witnessed their idols concede 2-goals before the break and a 3rd in the 2nd-half to register a loss in Mr Vieira’s first game in charge. Roy Keane was happy!
As with the other 9-losing managers, it’s just a matter of parking that result and moving on to this fixture against the new boys and London rivals, Brentford.
Over the years of writing this column, coming up to 4, a few friends and enemies, who at times, blend into the same, have ridiculed the predictions given. Last Friday, it was put to the friend or enemy, to give their predictions for the Game Week-1 fixtures, with everyone assuming Brentford would suffer a defeat against Arsenal.
Cut to 22.00 hours, late Friday evening and everyone who predicted an Arsenal victory, John Newsome included, all sat with their tails between their legs following the Bees brilliant introduction to the Premier League, with goals from Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard, one in each half, giving Thomas Frank’s Boys a victory against Mikel Arteta’s Gunners by a 2-0 scoreline.
There were possible mitigating circumstances in the victory, with Arsenal missing both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who have featured in pre-season but both went down, mysteriously with an illness. That won’t bother the Brentford faithful who for a short time, saw their idols at the summit of the Premier League.
As will be with most of the Brentford games, there won’t be much information about previous fixtures due to this being the inaugural venture into the Promised Land for the Bees. Come kick-off at Selhurst Park on the 21st, it will be exactly 44-years since Brentford last ventured South of the River to Crystal Palace.
The Eagles were in Division 2 at the time, the equivalent of today’s Championship, with the Bees a Division 4 outfit, now known as League 2.
As was the norm back in 1977, the League Cup, currently under the banner of the Carabao Cup, was contested over 2-legs, home and away, with the 1st-leg against Brentford at Griffin Park ending in a victory for the home team by a narrow 2-1 scoreline.
Three days later, on the 16th of August 1977, Crystal Palace gained revenge, overturning the 2-1 deficit, eventually running out winners by a 5-1 scoreline on the night and a 6-3 aggregate over the 2-legs.
Terry Venables was in his 2nd season as the Crystal Palace manager for the start of the 1977/78 campaign, with Bill Dodgin Jr, at the Brentford helm.
It has taken 44-years for the Bees to travel the 15-miles South and over the Thames, to Selhurst Park, with the Bees faithful singing the Skinner, Baddiel and Lightning Seeds tune, ‘Forty-Four years of hurt, never stopped us dreaming’
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Saturday 21st
LEEDS UNITED v EVERTON
15.00 in England
Marcelo Bielsa signed a new 1-year contract at Leeds United, then saw his Whites get hammered against the fierce rivals from along the M62.
Without any significant signings in the summer, other than Junior Firpo, who started on the bench, Mr Bielsa picked the same starting eleven that played regularly last term. Kalvin Phillips was deemed not fit enough to start, having apparently only completed half of a pre-season.
Whilst not to question the great Chilean managers’ methods, firstly, if Kalvin is fit enough for a place on the bench, then the lad is fit enough to start and B, nowadays, the summer break is not like days gone by.
In the good old days, a player would finish one particular season weighing 12-stone or 168 lbs, go to Ibiza for a month and come back 17-stone or 238 lbs. Then spend the first 2-weeks of pre-season in a bin bag, losing weight. The modern-day professional hardly increases in weight during the off-season, so Kalvin should have been fit enough to start.
However, the Three Lion hero didn’t see any game time in the loss against Manchester United, which the conspiracy theorists out there, may suggest that Mr Phillips is moving on in the next 2-weeks and quite possibly, with Old Trafford being the destination.
Leeds conceded a goal late in the 1st-half but a superb strike by Luke Ayling just after the restart put the Whites back on level terms. Unfortunately, that party didn’t last long, with Ole’s Wheels scoring 4-more to inflict a defeat on Marcelo’s Whites by a 5-1 scoreline.
Whilst it was a humiliating defeat on the opening day, in front of a near sell-out 73,000 crowd with 6,000 travelling faithful, the loss wasn’t much different from last season’s affair at Old Trafford, where Leeds United suffered a 6-2 defeat.
Marcelo Bielsa will just move on from that result to this fixture against Everton, which will see Elland Rd, full to the rafters, witness a Top Flight game for the first time in 17-years. The Whites brigade will no doubt be singing their ‘Marching On Together’ ditty, throughout the 90-minutes.
In last week’s column, it was pointed out that Everton’s star man, Richarlison, would more than likely miss this opening fixture, due to playing all summer, with the Brazilian National Team, and at the Olympics in Japan, where the Samba Boys went all the way and won the Gold medal.
Not so, a week after the Olympic Final against Spain, Richy Boy was back in a Toffees shirt, not only starting in Rafa Benitez’s first game in charge of Everton against Southampton but scoring the opener just after the break, to get back on level terms, after the Saints had taken the lead in the 1st-half.
Abdoulaye Doucoure added the 2nd, with a stunning strike, before the Sheffield Superstar 2, Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the 3rd, to give Rafa an opening day victory by a 3-1 scoreline. Fact!
It really is a credit to Richarlison, to continue playing after not stopping since the final fixture of last season, playing 15-times for Brazil and amassing a total of 1,197-minutes of game-time. No one can dispute the Toffee Brazil Nut’s professionalism and dedication to his trade and the faithful should be proud of Richy Rich.
Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice in the 1st-half at Elland Rd last December, before Raphinha pulled a goal back just after the break. With no further goals. the Toffees earned the victory by a 2-1 away-day scoreline.
For some unknown reason, Gylfi is not available for this fixture and the foreseeable future, it’s not sure why?
Bet 365 offer Leeds United at 11/10, the draw at 13/5 and 9/4 for Everton to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 5/1 that Patrick Bamford Scores First and 8/5 that Dominic Calvert-Lewin Scores Anytime.
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Saturday 21st
MAN CITY v NORWICH
15.00 in England
The current Premier League Champions, Man City lost the opening fixture of the campaign, succumbing to a defeat away at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium, against Spurs by a 1-0 scoreline.
Pep included the £100 Million Man Jack Grealish but decided to leave Kevin De Bruyne on the bench, not introducing KDB until Tottenham had taken the lead, early in the 2nd-half.
Whilst no one can ever question Pep Guardiola and it’s just the opening game, Pep 1, does sometimes make strange decisions and can at times overthink the simple beautiful game.
The stats were all in Man City’s favour, possession, shots, corners etc but the most important statistic of any football is the goals column and that showed ‘zero’ for City but ‘one’ for Tottenham, meaning Pep Guardiola once again lost a fixture against Spurs in London, the same as last season.
As everyone knows it’s early days yet but Man City won’t want to fall too far adrift of the other rivals such as the Numpty Neighbours from Old Trafford, Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester and even Tottenham who were all part of the Football 10, that registered an opening day victory.
Now that the fixture against Tottenham is over, then maybe, just maybe, the Harry Kane signing can go ahead as City definitely need someone to replace Sergio Aguero and who better than Mr Kane.
Jack Grealish has been involved in 2-games since the signing and has been part of 2-defeats, the lad must wonder why he has joined such a rubbish team. Obviously, that’s just a bit of fun, as Man City will come good, especially when Big Harry eventually wears the Blue Moon shirt of City.
Norwich succumbed to an opening day defeat by a 3-0 scoreline, against Liverpool on Saturday. The Canaries conceded midway through the 1st-half to trail by a single goal at the break, then another 2, in the 2nd-half to ultimately lose.
Daniel Farke was still excited, he always is, even following the loss and shouldn’t dwell too much on the result as most will lose against Jurgen’s Reds this term.
It’s just unfortunate that Norwich’s first 3-fixtures of this return to the Promised Land are against Liverpool, Man City and Leicester, however, the 4th is against Arsenal, so a bit of respite may be on the cards, as the Gunners are just rubbish at the moment.
James from Swinton, nowhere near Carrow Rd has been witness to 2 of his beloved teams, Sheffield United and Norwich, not registering a victory in the opening games of this new campaign, with just the Little Blunts first footballing love, Barnsley FC, yet to lose and gaining 4-points from 2-fixtures.
Sheffield United have lost-1 and drawn-1, in the 2-outings so far, the latest being a drab goalless draw against Swansea. Jimbo and the family are out camping at the moment, which is a surprise in itself as the little Canary struggles to spell Tent, never mind put one up.
The lad was out in the wilds, wearing his new Norwich City shirt, observing nature, asking his lovely girlfriend what those black and white flying things were, ‘Magpies James!’ Was the reply, which confused Jim as the lad only associated the said Magpies with Newcastle United.
Further down the lane, James stopped at the side of a field, looking all confused, scratching his head and once again commented to the weary young girl, ‘There’re big Magpies, aren’t they love?’ ‘Those are Cows, Jim, you silly Little Blunt!’
James isn’t bothered, he just laughed and carried on walking, repeatedly saying, Yellow Canary, Yellow Canary!
It was the final fixture of the pandemic hit campaign of 2019/20, that Norwich last visited the Etihad, back at the end of July 2020. Unfortunately for the wounded Canaries, the fight had gone from the already relegated club, with City inflicting a defeat on Norwich by a 5-0 scoreline.
Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne scored the first 2 before the break, with Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and KDB adding the others in the 2nd-half to run out comfortable winners.
Bet 365 offer Man City at massive Odds On 1/10, the draw at 17/2 and 18/1 for Norwich to come away with all 3-points.
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Saturday 21st
BRIGHTON v WATFORD
Sky Sports 17.30 in England
Graham Potter’s Seagulls came from a goal behind on Saturday, against Burnley, to get a great opening away-day victory by a 2-1 scoreline. The Clarets scored after 2-minutes and looked in control for the remainder of the 1st-half. Harry Potter then made an inspired substitution at half-time, bringing on Adam Lallana, for the start of the 2nd-period.
Adam immediately changed Brighton’s fortune, helping Neal Maupay to equalise, then with virtually the same passage of play, Alexis Mac Allister scored the Brighton winner, with both goals coming via crosses from the right.
If a question was asked, ‘Where does Alexis Mac Allister originate from?’ Ninety per cent of respondents would probably say Scotland, however, that’s not the case as Young Alexis is Argentinian.
Not to delve too much into the past of Mr Mac A, there were a lot of Scottish fans that never returned home, following the 1978 World Cup journey, that coincidentally took place in Argentina!
There was a famous song that preceded the infamous Scotland adventure to South America back in ‘78,
‘We’re on the march with Ally’s Army
We’re going to the Argentine,
.. and we’ll really shake them up
When we win the World Cup,
‘Cause Scotland are the greatest football team
I’ve heard it said that Beckenbauer’s the best that’s ever been, some people think that Pele is the greatest that they’ve seen. There’s Bobby Moore and Charlton, England’s famous two but Ally’s tartan army love the boys in Scotland’s blue.
We’re on the march with Ally’s Army
We’re going to the Argentine,
..and we’ll really shake them up
When we win the World Cup,
‘Cause Scotland are the greatest football team
When it comes to managers, we surely got the champ, when Docherty and Ormond left to join some other camp.
We had to get a man who could make all Scotland proud,
he’s our Muhammad Ali, he’s Alistair MacLeod,
We’re on the march with Ally’s Army
We’re going to the Argentine,
..and we’ll really shake them up
When we win the World Cup,
‘Cause Scotland are the greatest football team
When we reach the Argentine, we’re really gonna show, the world a brand of football that they could never ever know.
We’re representing Britain, we’ve got to do or die,
..for England cannae dae it ’cause they didnae qualify.
We’re on the march with Ally’s Army
We’re going to the Argentine,
..and we’ll really shake them up
When we win the World Cup,
‘Cause Scotland are the greatest football team
We’re on the march with Ally’s Army
We’re going to the Argentine,
..and we’ll really shake them up
When we win the World Cup,
‘Cause Scotland are the greatest football team
Yes, Scotland are the greatest football team!’
Scotland suffered a defeat against Peru by a 3-1 scoreline, a 1-1 draw against Iran (Iran!!) and a victory against Holland by a 3-2 scoreline, which did produce one of the greatest ever World Cup goals from Archie Gemmill.
Unfortunately, the Scottish were eliminated and home before the postcards, well some were! Deluded Scottish!
Xisco Munoz enjoyed his first game in the Premier League with the Hornets, stunning the heartbroken Dean Smith’s Claret and Blues, ‘hearts a breaking‘ due to the departure of Jack Grealish.
Whilst most might have not tipped Watford to get the opening day victory, this EveryTip column did. Emmanuel Dennis, opened the scoring after 10-minutes, with Ismaila Sarr adding a 2nd, just before half-time.
After the break, Cucho Hernandez scored the Hornets 3rd, which should have seen a comfortable final half-hour, however, Villa then scored twice to make it an edgy final few minutes for Xisco the Disco, Dennis the Menace and the rest of the Hornet faithful.
Luckily for everyone concerned, with no further goals, Watford held on for the victory by a narrow 3-2 scoreline.
Xisco Munoz may not be a familiar name with the Premier League followers but that will change in the coming weeks as the lad is already living up to his name, wearing a cool pair of dancing shoes on the sidelines and was one of the 10-winning managers to have an opening day victory glass of something over the weekend. Cheers!
Watford scored both goals in the draw by a 1-1 scoreline, in the season before last, back in February 2020 at the Amex.
Abdoulaye Doucoure opened the scoring for the away team in the 1st-half, with the unfortunate Hornet, Adrian Mariappa scoring in the wrong net, to gift the Seagulls a point.
Brighton finished with 7-points more than Watford, who were relegated at the end of the season.
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Sunday 22nd
WOLVES v TOTTENHAM
14.00 in England
The Nuno Espírito Santo Derby as it’s now referred to, sees Tottenham head North to Molineux, with an immediate return for the ex-Wolves boss to match up against Nuno’s successor and fellow Portuguese counterpart, Bruno Lage.
Bruno’s 1st-Premier League fixture ended in a defeat against Leicester by a single 1-0 scoreline. The goal came just before the break, which did allow Wolves all of the 2nd-half to get back on level terms.
Before the Foxes solitary winning goal, Adama Traore, covered in Baby Oil, apparently to prevent the opposition from grabbing him, missed a guilt-edged chance when clean through but put the ball wide of the post.
Raul Jimenez was back after missing most of the campaign due to a horrendous head injury, last November, in a game against Arsenal, that resulted in a fractured skull, ouch! Despite the defeat, there were positives to take for Bruno, who moves on to this fixture against the old boss Nuno.
Tottenham, undoubtedly got the result of the weekend, with a brilliant victory against the current Champions, Man City. Nuno Espírito Santo, left Harry Kane out of the matchday squad, despite earlier stating that Mr Kane could feature.
As a football fan and a human being, it’s sometimes annoying that these people in charge of our clubs, treat the fans with disdain. There was no way that Harry was going to play against City and Nuno should have just come out and said that, instead of pussyfooting around the subject.
Football fans of whatever club are not idiots and shouldn’t be treated that way, everyone knows that HK is off to the Etihad, just get it done Tottenham and stop messing around!
Harry’s strike partner, Son Heung-Min, stepped up to the plate once again and scored the solitary winning goal early in the 2nd-half at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium, to give Nuno the victory over Pep. Maybe Harry should rethink his plans and stay in London, instead of fighting a relegation battle with Pep’s Low Flying Blues.
This was a post-Christmas affair last season, with Jose Mourinho’s Spurs gaining a point from Nuno’s Gold and Blacks, following a draw by a 1-1 scoreline.
Tanguy Ndombele scored in the 1st-minute for Tottenham, to give Dracula’s men a lead at the break. Wolves left it late to score, with Romain Saiss, equalising in the 86th-minute to give both a share of the spoils.
Bet 365 offer Wolves at 11/4, the draw at 9/4 and 21/20 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.
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Sunday 22nd
SOUTHAMPTON v MANCHESTER UNITED
Sky Sports 14.00 in England
Southampton scored early on Saturday at Goodison Park against Everton but then conceded 3-goals to register an opening day defeat by a 3-1 scoreline.
Ex-Barnsley FC loanee, Adam Armstrong who signed for the Saints from Blackburn Rovers, a couple of days ago, was straight into Wreck-It Ralph’s starting eleven and repaid the faith shown by Mr Hasenhuttl, scoring after 22-minutes of the boy’s debut.
Unfortunately, Adam’s endeavours weren’t matched by the Southampton defence who then conceded 3-times to ultimately lose the away-day trip and made it a miserable, long journey back home for the real Saints faithful.
The defence was missing Jannik Vestergaard who has been allowed to leave St Mary’s and join Brendan’s Wonderful’s at the King Power.
Despite the defeat and the long journey North for this opener, the Saints fans and for that matter, all the faithful of every team throughout the country and surrounding areas, are just so pleased to be back in the stadiums. Football, without fans, is soulless!
Manchester United are at the summit of the Premier League after all of Game Week-1’s results, following a victory against Leeds United by a 5-1 scoreline. Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring in the 1st-half against Leeds, early on Saturday to give Ole’s Wheels a lead at half-time.
Leeds then equalised straight after the break but the goal just kick-started United into playing, with Mason Greenwood adding a 2nd, soon after the Whites equaliser.
Bruno added numbers 3 and 4, to complete a great hat-trick before Fred rounded off the scoring with the 5th to give Manchester United a brilliant start to the campaign.
Paul Pogba, whose future at Old Trafford is still in doubt, was instrumental in the victory, providing assists for 4 of the 5-goals, matching a Premier League record.
It does look as though PP will stay in Manchester for the time being but is unlikely to sign a new contract allowing for the possibility to leave for nothing at the end of the season. That’s football (unfortunately!) but it is the way of the world of the beautiful game.
For the time being, there will be an amnesty regarding the enigmatic Fred. No further comment will be passed about the Brazilian, until further notice!
Just a cautionary tale regarding the brilliant victory against Leeds United and no doubt it was, Ole’s Trollies did beat Marcelo’s Boys by a 6-2 scoreline at Old Trafford last season so there wasn’t much difference this time.
Mr Bielsa offers up a style of football that does suit Manchester United, the acid test will come in fixtures against teams that play a different way.
United struggled against the so-called Top 5 (some refer to it as the Top 6, yet Manchester United are part of that 6, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal so it’s just 5) and it’s whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can inspire success against those 5 and Leicester, who should be included in the conversation when Premier League Top Clubs are talked about.
It was brilliant to see the return of the football last week and after 18-months of the said soulless, none-atmospheric stadiums, it was great to see the return of fans in all Divisions.
John Newsome is taking time out of late, due to last years illness that resulted in leaving his job after 10-years and whilst not working, it wasn’t certain that the lad was going to be able to attend the football, obviously because of the financial situation.
Three of John’s mates, clubbed together to purchase a Barnsley FC season ticket to enable this EveryTip contributor to continue watching his beloved team.
Mr Newsome is overwhelmed by the level of generosity shown by his 3-long standing friends and for that matter, all who have been there for him during the worse year of the 52 achieved.
Thank you to Andrew, Jonny, Widdy and 2 of the 3-Amigos, Serg and Ian. Love you all guys, Respect!
Whilst checking the wardrobe, deciding what shirt to wear for the opening fixture, a story sprang to mind about days gone by, which would be remiss not to share. Levi Twister, by John Newsome.
‘Saturday is amongst us again, the best day of the week, the uniform is ironed, hung up and ready for the day’s events, which start with a pint or several (drink responsibly!) a trip to the bookies (gamble responsibly!) and a bag of chips from the local chippie.
Mums last words are,
‘Look after yourself’
The selected tracksuit top this week, is Fila, the colour Red!
The selected trainers today are Adidas Gazelle’s, colour Grey!
And the preferred Jean to complete the uniform is the brand spanking new Levi Twister. The said Twisters’ were purchased the day before, new from Levi but produced for the football fan, whether girl or boy for the trip to the Terraces all around the country and surrounding areas.
The Jean starts authentically at the top, a couple of pockets, both at the front and back, button fly fastening but as the leg descends downwards, each one begins to Twist around from front to back, or is this phenomenon back to front?
The hem of the Jean is now facing the other way, this contemporary new method of producing a Denim product, serves several purposes, the first being the fact that it’s modern, trendy and on point.
Another is the optical illusion towards the end of the day, watching football, that makes one think,
‘Are those Jeans the wrong way around?’
Eben, the Boy about Town that you heard of, leaves home and ventures to the boozer to meet his mates,
Andrew, John, Lisa, Cheryl and a few newbies that the names have been put out there but have simply been forgotten.
It’s ok, someone will say ‘hello so and so!’ and the name will return.
This was in an era before most had a mobile phone, Del Boy and the Young Urban Professionals or Yuppies had them. Mr Zuckerberg was only 15, his mates, The Winklevoss Twins were a few years away from Facebook and Jack Dorsey wasn’t Twittering at the time.
Insta wasn’t even a pipe dream of the future and Tik Tok was what the clock did. It was a simple era, without the keyboard warriors offering up abuse, just because things haven’t gone their way. On offer was just the landline that the majority used.
Texting on a Nokia 8810, was in its infancy. The home phone would ring,
‘You out?’
‘Yeah, I’m out ‘
‘See you there’
Phone down.
A time wasn’t needed, on match days, it was universally accepted that 11.00 AM, at the bar, was the place to meet.
Eben was on his way, like a peacock, proud as punch in the new Twister threads, the Fila Top, Red! was trim, like something a Corporal in a Regiment had ironed and the Gazelle’s were fluent, ready for a sprint if required.
Levi had Engineered the Twister to perfection, giving deep pockets, to trouser the coin needed for a day’s activity, the chewing gum in case the opportunity of a ‘trap off’ with an admirer was on the cards and the matchday ticket. The foresight from Levi also allowed the deep pockets to house the new mobile phone, later on in the life span of the Twisted Miracles.
Ergonomic was a futuristic word at the time and if mentioned to Eben and his mates, a fiver would have been produced as it would have been thought that this was the name of a horse in the 3.35 at Ascot, Royal of cause. However, the Twister was ergonomically designed, with the big deep pockets, the twisted cuffs, the front bigger and wider to go over the Gazelles.
Other iconic Trainers such as the Adidas Forest Hills, the Dia-Dora Borg or the Nike Cortez were taken into account when the Twister was engineered. The back cuff was shorter in design, as not to drag on the floor. Eben entered the bar, apprehensive about the way his new, futuristic Jean would be greeted by his mates.
There was no need for apprehension, Cheryl, Andrew, Lisa and John and a few of the forgotten names, that were slowly being remembered, Paul, Ian, another John, who’s referred to by a pseudonym, all had the foresight to purchase the said Twister and all smiled at each other, gave a nod of approval and enjoyed a few drinks, then ventured down to the ground to watch their beloved team.
The result is always important but the camaraderie is equally prominent in the enjoyment of the day. The afternoon turned into the evening, the pub was replaced with the nightclub.
Again, a different time, the pubs opened at 11.00 AM, Mr Weatherspoon was still in school, the pubs closed at 11.00 PM, 10.30 PM on a Sunday and Good Friday. After the pubs, it was the nightclub until 2.00 AM, no later!
The Twister was in full swing by this time, the front cuff had protected the Gazelles from drinks and other fluids, some bodily!
Come 10 to 2, the music slowed, a potential dance partner was approached but not before the Twister front pockets were reached into and the chewing gum produced, it’s only fair, if up close and personal with a future Strictly contestant. The possibility of trapping off was on the cards but for most, food was the prevalent thought.
After the dance and a little kiss, a Kay Bab was the preferred choice of supper, again the Engineered Jeans’ deep front pockets were plunged into, to reach a couple of quid for the meal and to check if there’s enough for a Taxi or if it was Shank’s Pony for the trip home.
On arriving home and successfully entering the key into the door, careful not to wake Mum, the Twisters were put on the coat hangers. Levi had incorporated two pieces of string into the waistband, in the form of hooks, so that the Jean could be placed on the hanger by the string to hang straight and not folded.
At that time of a morning, this was a task done with Military precision, however, in truth, a futile act as the Twister would only end up in the wash basket, allowing mum to sort for the following weekend.
Seven days until the Levi Engineered Jean were back on show but maybe with a different Track Top, a Sergio Tacchini next time.’ At St Mary’s last term, Jan Bednarek and James Ward-Prowse scored the Saints goals to give Wreck-It’s Boys a comfortable lead at half-time.
Unfortunately, like a bad dog walker, Southampton couldn’t hold onto the lead and following an inspired substitution at the break by Ole, introducing Edinson Cavani, Big EC, set up Bruno Fernandes for the 1st-United goal, then Edinson scored twice to secure the victory by a 3-2 scoreline, the winner coming in the 92nd-minute to knock the stuffing out of the home side and the cardboard Saints.
Bet 365 offer Southampton at 4/1 the draw at 14/5 and slight Odds On 4/6 for Manchester United to come away with all 3-points.
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Sunday 22nd
ARSENAL v CHELSEA
Sky Sports 16.30 in England
Relegation-threatened Arsenal, suffered a humiliating, opening weekend defeat, at the hands of new boys and fellow Londoners, Brentford.
Whilst there were mitigating circumstances in the defeat by a 2-0 scoreline, with Mikel Arteta unable to call upon the services of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, it shouldn’t be lost on the faithful that Arsenal were rubbish against a team that had never played a fixture in the Top Flight.
Alexandre and Pierre-Emerick are vital cogs in the wheel of Arsenal’s endeavour to become a successful club again, so when the news came through, around midday on Friday, that both were ill, then all bets were off regarding the result.
Pep 2, included the new signings of Ben White and Albert Sambi-Lokonga, plus the inexperienced Folarin Balogun and Pablo Marin, who have limited game time in an Arsenal shirt.
Ben White, who has just completed his move from Brighton, played as a Centre-Back and whilst there is no question that the lad can become established in that position, Mr White has predominantly been a Right-Back for the majority of his career, so it will take time to not only get used to his new Gunners teammates but also, the new place at the heart of the Arsenal defence.
Mikel will be hoping that Mr Lacazette and Mr Aubameyang are fit and raring to start for this back-to-back London Derby, against Thomas’s Blue Engine’s.
One nice thing that came from the fixture against Brentford was, when Mikel introduced Bukayo Saka as a 2nd-half substitute, all the ground, both Bees and Gooners, stood up to applaud the youngster, hopefully, to instil confidence into the lad after the horrendous abuse Bukayo endured because he missed a penalty. Respect, Mr Saka!
The new Champions League and European Super Cup winners, Chelsea got their campaign off to a great start with a comfortable victory against Crystal Palace by a 3-0 scoreline.
Marcos Alonso, who surprisingly started at Left-Back ahead of Ben Chilwell and Emerson, scored the Blues opener, with Christian Pulisic adding a 2nd before the break. Trevor Chalobah, the brother of ex-Chelsea player, Nathaniel Chalobah, started his 1st game in the Premier League after being at the club since an 8-year old.
Nathaniel has moved on and is currently with Watford but injured at the moment, however, will want to get fit to face young Trevor later on in the season. Trevor marked his Premier League debut for Chelsea, with a stunning goal to seal the victory and then added an outpouring of emotion to show just what it means to these superstars.
Thomas Tuchel has sealed the signing of Romelu Boomerang Lukaku who returns to Stamford Bridge and will add to an already great team that won’t be far away in most of the competitions entered with some feeling the Blues could win the Premier League this season.
At the Emirates last term, this fixture was a Boxing Day affair, that saw Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal get the victory over Frank Lampard’s Chelsea by a convincing 3-1 scoreline.
Alexandre Lacazette scored from the penalty spot, midway through the 1st-half, with Granit Xhaka adding a 2nd before the break. Bukayo Saka gave the Gunners a 3-0 advantage to ease the Boxing Day nerves of the cardboard Gooners.
Tammy Abraham (remember him?) replied for Chelsea in the 85th-minute which wasn’t the end of the post-Christmas excitement. Frank’s Blues were then awarded a late penalty and with Jorginho on the pitch, the Chelsea faithful had dreams of a comeback.
Jorginho is an assured penalty taker and seldom misses, unfortunately, the Italian must have had too much Christmas pudding and missed the spot-kick, that if converted would have made it an interesting final few minutes of added time. Jorginho didn’t miss another penalty (except in a showpiece Euro Championship Final)!
Arsenal held on for the victory, to set in motion the final few weeks of Frank Lampard’s reign at the Bridge.
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Monday 23rd
WEST HAM v LEICESTER
Sky Sports 20.00 in England
West Ham came from behind twice on Sunday to beat a stubborn Newcastle side by a 4-2 scoreline. Arron Cresswell equalised an earlier Magpies goal but West Ham still trailed at the break after Newcastle added a 2nd.
Said Benrahma, who was superb throughout the tie, scored to make the game level again early in the 2nd-half before the Hammers were awarded a penalty.
Michail Antonio had the chance to equal Paolo Di Canio’s 47-Premier League goal record but missed the spot-kick, however, luckily for the Bubbles faithful, Tomas Soucek was on hand to convert the rebound.
Michail did eventually score to match the great man’s record of 47-goals and give David Moyes Boys an away day victory.
West Ham were 1 of only 3-away teams that won on the opening weekend and sit with the other 9-sides who all achieved a victory as joint Premier League leaders. At least that’s what the fans will say, as it is really too early in the season to offer up league positions.
There is still the possibility of Jesse Lingard joining the Hammers having been omitted from the Manchester United squad for their opening fixture against Leeds United.
Gary Neville, who’s never short of an opinion or two and that’s always a positive, it’s rubbish when pundits just give lip service and sit on the fence, has advised Jesse to head back to the London Stadium as it’s unlikely the Manchester United career will be resurrected.
The Sheffield Superstar that is Jamie Vardy scored his 1st-goal of the new campaign, in the David Attenborough Derby, against Wolves.
Jimmy V got on the end of some superb work by Ricardo Pereira, with a glancing finish just before the break, to give Brendan’s Wonderful’s a great start to the season. This was Mr Vardy’s 85th-goal since turning 30, now just 8-goals behind the legendary Ian Wright, who notched 93-times, from the age of 30-onwards.
The original Sheffield Superstar turns 35 in January 2022 but still runs like a 23-year old and will feel there’s a few good years in him yet. Jamie attributes his fitness finesse to the pre-match meal of a few cans of Red Bull and a cheese and egg omelette.
The goal against Wolves was Jim’s 119th in the Premier League, now 19th on the all-time Premier League goalscorer list. Bearing in mind, the players immediately above Mr Vardy on the list are,
18-Steven Gerrard 120 Goals
17-Dwight Yorke 123 Goals
16-Nicolas Anelka 125 Goals
15-Robbie Keane 126 Goals
14-Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 127 Goals
13-Robin Van Persie 144 Goals
It’s quite conceivable that Jamie Vardy will overhaul Steven, Dwight, Nicolas, Robbie and Jimmy Floyd before the end of this 2021/22 season. However, to catch Robin would mean that Jamie needs to score another 25, this term.
Ahead of Mr Van Persie on the list, are 5-former players that have between 146 and 163 goals each, so realistically, Vards can aim to get to number 8, on the Premier League all-time goal-scoring list, by the end of next season. Seventh-place at the moment is Harry Kane, currently with 166 at the start of this 2021/22 campaign.
Harry will no doubt add to that and be setting his sights on Thierry Henry in 6th-place, with 175-goals, then it’s Frank Lampard with 177-Premier League notches. So at the moment, Jamie Vardy, with 119-Top Flight goals, is 58 behind Mr Lampard.
Father Time will no doubt catch up with the Sheffield Superstar, so it’s unlikely that Jamie will reach Frank’s tally but not necessarily out of the question.
One thing is for certain if Red Bull continues producing their famous drink and Chickens continue to lay eggs, Jamie Vardy, aka, the Sheffield Superstar, will continue to score goals in the Premier League, right up until the time that Father calls a halt to proceedings. Respect Mr Vardy!
Rod Stewart wasn’t happy at 17.00 hours on Saturday and took off the Wolves shirt with ‘Stewart’ and ‘76’ on the back and threw the top in the direction of Lennon the Puppy. Lennon, however, had seen the ice-berg and scarpered lively, getting out of the way of the upset Sir Roderick.
Mr Stewart came around 24-hours later, when his beloved Green and White Hoops, beat Hearts (who?) in the Scottish Pub Cup, the SPL had a weekend off.
The League Cup in Scotland, is basically the equivalent of the Dog and Duck Darts and Dominoes Competition, with last seasons winners, St Johnstone (who?) gaining entry into this years Europa League Qualification, however, fell at the first hurdle, losing a 2-legged affair against the legendary Turkish giants, Galatasaray.
St Johnstone (who?) now get a 2nd-opportunity to venture into Europe in the inaugural Europa Conference League (no! John Newsome still hasn’t a clue what that is all about?)
Rod’s beloved Celtic, themselves get a 2nd-opportunity in the Europa League competition, along with the Glasgow rivals Rangers, who were both unceremoniously dumped out of the early stages of the Champions League.
Lennon the pooch, edged his wet nose around the door to see if Sir Roderick was in a better mood and whether there were any treats in the offering, Rod was sat with the lovely Penny, with a bag of doggie snacks, to which Lenny Boy went bouncing in the room, humming to the tune of ‘You’re in my Heart’.
‘He’s Celtic, United but Brendan has decided that Leicester is the best place to be’ Woof Woof!
These two last met at the London Stadium, towards the end of last season in Game Week-31, with the home team getting the victory by a 3-2 scoreline. On-loan Manchester United star. Jesse Lingard scored twice for the Hammers to give West Ham a lead at the break.
Jarrod Bowen then made it 3-0 but as was the case at the time for David Moyes Boys, the Hammers kept conceding once they had 3 on the board. Kelechi Iheanacho scored twice to give the cardboard Bubbles a nervy final few minutes, however, West Ham held on to get the victory over Brendan’s Wonderful’s.
Bet 365 offer West Ham at 13/8, the draw at 12/5 and 31/20 for Leicester to come away with all 3-points.
Bet 365 offer 2/1 that there are Over 3.5 Goals and 7/4 that Jamie Vardy Scores Anytime.
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The Australian branch of this EveryTip column wanted to get involved in the Final League positions of the 2021/22 Premier League season so it would be rude not to include.
The Aussie/Scot-Andrew Hall’s Final League Positions
1-Chelsea
2-Man City
3-Manchester United
4-Liverpool
5-Leicester
6-Tottenham
7-Arsenal
8-Everton
9-Leeds United
10-West Ham
11-Aston Villa
12-Crystal Palace
13-Wolves
14-Southampton
15-Brighton
16-Newcastle
17-Norwich
18-Burnley
19-Watford
20-Brentford
CSI Jonny Saunders-Final League Positions
1-Man City
2-Chelsea
3-Liverpool
4-Manchester United
5-Leicester
6-Arsenal
7-Tottenham
8-Everton
9-Leeds United
10-West Ham
11-Aston Villa
12-Wolves
13-Newcastle
14-Southampton
15-Brentford
16-Crystal Palace
17-Brighton
18-Burnley
19-Norwich
20-Watford
The Widster’s-Final League Positions
1-Chelsea
2-Man City
3-Manchester United
4-Liverpool
5-Arsenal
6-Leicester
7-Tottenham
8-Everton
9-West Ham
10-Burnley
11-Brighton
12-Norwich
13-Wolves
14-Leeds United
15-Aston Villa
16-Southampton
17-Newcastle
18-Crystal Palace
19-Brentford
20-Watford
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