Premier League — Week 5

Absolutely the right decision to give a penalty there to Brentford. The rugby game in the area for their corners is ridiculous. Great penalty take too.

Agreed Michael, good decision for the handball too.

Yea, VAR working as it should... whoda thought it?

What a simple but well crafted goal. Fun game!

Wolves. The darlings of the media and fans alike of recent seasons. An example apparently.

Poor attempt at sarcasm. Like with Villa, I have relatives who are life-long Wolves fans. More than Villa, a total yo-yo club so I watched the hype around them over the past few years with interest.

Form is temporary, class is permanent as they say.

Wolves are dull. Only interesting when Traore is on the ball, but they are reminiscent of Martinez's 2nd and 3rd seasons, slow and ponderous sideways passing.

Toney is a heck of a talent. If we could have him alongside DCL that'd be one heck of a strike partnership.

Brentford bright and good to watch, early days but I think they’ll stay up.

Wolves natives are restless. Solid from Brentford.

I always think Traore is better as an impact sub at best. I don't see the hype around him to be honest.

VAR used correctly is almost undeniable. I bit like CCTV outside the kebab shop on a Friday night. It's there and plain to see. Okay, still open to interpretation and a decision still has to be made, so it will never be 100%. But it will get us closer to that than relying on incompetent officials making harebrained decisions on what they think they saw from 50 yards away.

Like many forms of new technology in other walks of life, I can only think the suspicion of it is fuelled by pundits who see it as a threat to their job. Micha Richards last season was shockingly dismissive of it.

Brentford look like a competent club. Dealing Benrahma and still playing like this on the road says a lot for Thomas Frank. Wolves need a ball carrier Traore has improved his control but he’s always looking forward and it’s too predictable.

And with all the other crap going on I’m soooooo grateful for English football.

I hate the phrase, but as the closest club to where I live geographicallt Jeff, Brentford has been an interesting project.

Sparkling new stadium close to Kew Bridge on the River Thames and a Danish theme (manager and several players).

Now there's a market with could tap into.

As long as we don't get another Per Kroldrup!

Bees also innovative in the time wasting methods, change keepers glove to halt momentum. Brilliant.

A lot of empty seats. I hope Norwich give up their Upper Bullens section for Norwich.

Brentford have sold some decent players too,Watkins,& Benrahma,
Toney looks class.

Footballers can be really really stupid!!!

Baptiste you numpty.

Nice rugby tackle!

Ajer looks an excellent defender also

Fran, he does. They got him for not too much money. (I bought him for my fantasy world FM Manager game 2 seasons ago... not that that matters).

Hopefully we stay clear of Traore. Zero end product 99% of the time. And Wolves bring on Fabio Silva. Sure he cost them £35M. Crazy football these days

Wolves are suffering the post-Europa League curse. They may have to turn over that roster.

No end product for Wolves.

Brentford players are very comfortable with the ball when they have possession.

I mentioned him in the summer when speculating about the Everton job. Keep an eye on that Brentford manager. Arsenal next?

Well, I like Arteta but, given the behavior of Arse fans during their struggles, I'd rather see him at another club.

C'mon Burnley... Suck it, Kroenke!

Strange no penalty decision in the City v Southampton game

Doubt if City will play as bad against us as they are against Southampton

Quelle surprise – two referees are instructed to watch VAR due to "clear and obvious errors" and both decide to alter their original decisions: the red card for Walker should have been reduced to a yellow but the penalty should have been awarded, and in Burnley's case, if the same incident had happened on the half-way line, the foul would have been given – ergo, the correct call should have been a penalty to Burnley.

Strange how two of the big six got the call in their favour, or perhaps it isn't is it?

I’m sure I can get you a ticket because everyone is going to the Joshua fight Danny. Leave it with me and I’ll have an answer for you tomorrow, but I’m sure there is one that will take you back down memory lane.

That would be great Tony.

dannyefc26@gmail.com or 0796 600 7546

Much appreciated.

Sad news about Jimmy Greaves.

I never saw the player, but fondly remember those Saturday Saint & Greavsie shows and their predecessors. Even though we "hate St John", they were a great pair. Dare I say, the original ex-footballer pundits. Only they knew what they were talking about and brought a light-hearted view to it that fans could relate to and enjoy regardless of who you supported.

Much more intense over-analysis now.

Danny #27] your comment on Greavsie reminded me that I’ve met all 3 of the ex-reds mentioned in the song - Shankly, St John & Yeats. All extremely pleasant people in my experience- particularly “Big Ron” (and all very complementary about Everton the club - though happy to engage in banter).

Danny

Just heard about Jimmy Greaves while out driving, I saw Jimmy loads of times playing for Chelsea, Turin, Spurs and finishing at West Ham. Jimmy was the greatest goalscorer I have ever seen, 44 goals in 57 games for England and 266 goals for Spurs in 379 games. Had Jimmy not got injured he would have been a starter for England in 1966, but he always said that Alf Ramsey was right not to bring him back and replace Geoff Hurst although Geoff Hurst has said on many occasions Jimmy was an absolute legend.

Jimmy was quick off the mark and just drifted past players and usually stroked the ball into the net. When you see how many goals Jimmy scored at all his clubs he has a better goals per seconds game than Shearer, Rooney or Bobby Charlton that tells you he was without doubt the best of them all RIP Jimmy.

Mike @28
I'm not surprised that the players you mention were respectful of Everton FC and it wasn't until the late 70s that the respect by players of that club for Everton began to wane. As for Jimmy Greaves, similar to Danny, I never saw him play in his pomp, I may have seen him turn out for the hammers once or twice but I really can't remember, but everybody of a certain age thinks he was one of the most natural goalscorers ever to grace the English game. RIP Jimmy.

Brian @29, your comment about him drifting spiked my interest. If my interpretation is correct, that would mean he had a knack to find space right? For me, one of the most important aspects of football, on or off the ball: find space. Maybe that is why so many of his goals were, as you describe, stroked into the net. Tap-ins, passes but goals.

I heard many people last season saying we shouldn't get overly complimentary to players as it was "just a tap-in". But the hard work, anticipation and intelligence is done before that to make it a simple tap-in.

I'll need the '60s generation to comment, but he's always struck me as a footballer who didn't quite get the recognition and status he seems to deserve? Those who know absolutely rate him, but he's never really spoken about in the same way as others of his generation. Thoughts?

RIP to Jimmy Greaves, as others have said, I can't remember seeing him play other than in documentaries but I most probably seen him play as I was born in 1940 and was watching Everton from the mid-50s.

Bill @32

Apparently, Jimmy Greaves scored 11 league goals for Chelsea and Spurs against Everton. He made 11 appearances for Chelsea and Spurs at Goodison Park, scoring for Chelsea in a 1-1 draw in February 1961, Roy Vernon netted for the Blues. His final Goodison goal came in a 2-goal victory for Spurs in August 1968; Martin Chivers scored the other goal.

Don't wager any money on the above, as it may not be a definitive record of events, but it's probably why you might not remember seeing him play, particularly at Goodison.

I was about to say that Zouma and Vlasic were doing well against them Red Devils... then guess what.

CR7 – That's what.

Thought West Ham started really well. But then done a Moyes and sat on the lead to protect it rather than be brave and keep doing what you're doing, which invited United on. Not a good thing when you're facing a team of that quality.

Great advice from Keane there. Cresswell has to do better. Against Ronaldo! So simple.

Cresswell is a Halewood boy right?

Another popular character has sadly died today as the Only Fools And Horses star John Challis has died after a "long battle" with cancer. The actor, who was best known for his role as Terrance 'Boycie' Boyce in the sitcom, died peacefully in his sleep, aged 79.

John began his TV career starring in the likes of the Newcomers and Z-Cars in 1967. Only posted this because I was surprised to see he had appeared in Z-Cars but I suppose many young actors started their career in shows such as that.

Danny, Cresswell is from Halewood, and played for my mates Sunday league just before he signed up for Tranmere. Although the team has since packed in, a lot of the lads still keep in touch with Cresswell.

I remember watching Saint & Greavsie as a kid, and my Dad saying 'Jesus, look at the state of Jimmy Greaves'. but he hung in there til his 80s so had a good run.

Never saw him play, except old footage where he did to be fair look like a different person to his later TV presence.

The amazing thing it seemed to me was his dislike of fame, praise and adulation. He didn't seem to get much pleasure at all from reminiscing on how great he was, seemed like he'd rather talk about anything else but that.

It's only now when you look back you realise how good him and St John were on presenting footy, light-hearted and fun.

Turning into a classic Moyes encounter.

Will he nick one or get done for sitting back and protecting the point?

I think that should have been a penalty for Man Utd.

Danny,

I think you know the answer to that one.

Hi Barry @33,

I will have seen the 11 games that Jimmy Greaves played at Goodison, but my lasting impression was of him being wrestled to the ground by Jimmy Gabriel, and both of them rising to their feet laughing – an obvious red card in today's game.

Jimmy Greaves was the greatest goalscorer I have ever seen, and anyone watching First Division football in that era was indeed fortunate. RIP Jimmy.

I agree, Rob @40.

The defender stuck his leg out and Ronaldo did what the Top 6 players are supposed to do, went over when he felt contact. Atkinson is such a bad referee, he booked Pogba when the player was trying to pull out of the challenge, but on Monday didn't even give a foul when Richarlison was pole-axed.

Seen them given, Rob.

Wicked strike from Lingard.

Barry, he's not called Twatkinson for nothing. As much as we criticise some players, Ronaldo included, for diving, that was a clear penalty to me. Ronaldo knocked the ball past Coufal who stuck a leg out and there was clear contact on Ronaldo. Deffo penalty for me. Had it been given, who would have took it, Fernandes or Ronaldo?

As we speak, Lingard scores a belter!

Well

That one was a clear penalty!

VAR... pffft!

Ironic that the goal came from an unnecessary headed clearance from Zouma who should have allowed the ball to run back to his keeper, unless of course, Fabianski didn't give him the call.

And the next one...

is...

West Ham penalty.

... a penalty for The Hammers!

That's a penalty, but so was the foul on Ronaldo just before it.

Great last-minute drama! Hammers fail. Noble denied.

Interesting decision by Moyes.

What the fuck was Moyes thinking with that?

Justice was done in relation to the call and no calls of the penalties, with De Gea saving the penalty. United looked bereft of ideas for large parts of the game but a stunning goal from Lingard got them the victory.

Trying to be too clever Rob.

West Ham and Leicester lose. Outside of what I would predict a top 3, it is all up for grabs this season.

The second penalty on Ronaldo was not as clear cut as the first, but still a penalty. Zouma just dived in, but was Ronaldo already on his way down before contact?

As for the West Ham penalty, why did Twatkinson need the help of VAR? Another clear penalty all day long, and Twatkinson was not that far away from it to not have seen it.

Overall, another poor performance from probably the second-worst premier league referee, after Jon Moss.

Blimey, just seen the Spurs bench, and I thought Pierluigi Collini had signed for them, but it's Pierluigi Gollini!!

Not sure if that was a poor decision by Moyes to send Noble on to take a penalty with his first kick of the game, certainly brave of Noble to take it.

Jimmy Greaves was the best and calmest striker I ever saw in the English league, scoring was just another day at the office for Jimmy,no fuss, hit the net, little wave of his hand to signify he had scored then getting ready to score again, good all round footballer as well, good control, great passer and dribbler, it just seemed like a lot fun to Jimmy playing football, I know he was great to watch even if he scored quite a few against the Blue. He’ll never be forgotten by fans who saw him, neutrals as well as fans he played for.

Sad to note the passing of Jimmy Greaves. In just a few weeks we’ve lost the two best goal scorers I’ve ever seen play: Greaves and Gerd Müller. What they had in common, apart from their supreme goal scoring ability of course, was their reaction after putting the ball into the net. A brief celebration and then total focus on getting another goal.

Like Dave A says, Jimmy was great to watch. Even when he scored against us I could not bring myself to dislike him. There were a few players around that time like Greaves and George Best and Charlie Cooke at Chelsea whom you you just had to admire no matter they played for the opposition.

I thought Jimmy was exceedingly gracious in never criticising Ramsey for selecting Hurst ahead of him for the World Cup Final in 1966. All credit to Hurst for taking his chance though. The bigger travesty was the fact that Tony Kay was robbed of the chance to play in games like that. If he had no one would ever have heard of Nobby Stiles.

Get paid Gerard.

Good post

Ditto what Dave, Gérard and Darren have said.

A very humble man and the most natural and the most clinical in the box English striker of the modern game.

RIP Jimmy Greaves.

I only saw Greavsie towards the end of his career but what a player he was. Like others have said, a natural goal scorer and a gent to boot. Brilliant, but humble footballers like Jimmy, Labone, Mullery, Moore, Osgood etc belong to a bygone age and will not be seen again.

Hi Colin [65],

Jimmy Greaves was a 'Cheerful Chappie'' in the days when footballers were nearer to the fans. Long before the histrionic goal celebrations of today, Jimmy, like all the other goal scorers, just trotted back to the centre circle satisfied with a job well done.

I read somewhere years ago that Dennis Law said, "As far as I'm concerned Jimmy Greaves is the greatest marksman around." A great tribute from someone who wasn't too bad himself. RIP Jimmy.

Good post, Ged. Jimmy Greaves was all that is good about football. Why do we, as grown men, make it such a part of our lives? Because we could have been him, but not quite.

Back in the 60's we were blessed to see, live, some truly great players from various teams. As a lad I used to try to emulate some of the outrageous skills I'd seen, as we all did. I once saw Greavsie chase a ball hoofed up to him, with a covering defender advancing towards him at speed to deal with it/him but Greavsie, instead of bringing the ball down as expected, bent forward and made his own back "a plank", the ball bouncing off it over the onrushing defender's head, Greaves streaking past him, ball coolly slid into the net. Genius!

PS; It's not a good idea to practice that on a street with a solid wall, trust me.

Good stuff, Don. Jimmy Greaves wasn't fast, he didn't track back. He didn't run his arse off, he didn't do much actually. Just was a genius with, guile,smart as paint,balance and the ability to " get it", scored goals,too,by all accounts.
Had the coolest haircut in the world. Great train robber chic.
Closest thing I have seen in a blue shirt to him is James. Cool hair.

Greavsie played in an era were almost every team had at least one great player. It was more of a level playing field where every season you felt anyone could win the league. There was no sky top 4 or 6. No endless analysis of every incident on the pitch. No mindless punditry by biased ex-players etc… A simpler time.

For those who can't make it to the games here are the revised dates for live TV coverage in November. I assume the Spurs match isn't being televised and has been moved due to the London club's involvement in Europe?

Sunday 7 November: Everton v Tottenham Hotspur, 2pm.

Sunday 21 November: Manchester City v Everton, 2pm, Sky Sports.

Sunday 28 November: Brentford v Everton, 2pm, Sky Sports.

Barkley playing for Chelsea, came on as a sub.

That last ball drawn out must have been red hot!!

Musta stunk as well, Rob.