Premier League — Week 20

I wonder if Newcastle will appeal for the game to be postponed, given they've lost both of their best attackers last night?

If so, that's 3 games we need to rearrange. Could turn out in our favour if it allows Calvert-Lewin and Mina to return. Or, could be a disaster if we have to play 3 games in 6/7 days and we simply don't have the squad.

Alternatively, that could mean Rafa is forced to play the youth again like against Chelsea.

Watching Saints v Spurs. Spurs must be the worst team in the Premier for feigning injury. Disgraceful shower.

Well I don't think you needed VAR for that Spurs penalty.

Close call wasn't it? 😁

Watford v WHU is a good old fashioned blood and thunder end to end game. Looked like 3-1 but disallowed then Watford almost scored.

That Spurs second goal looked onside to me. Kane looked at least to be level.

Goalie just rugby tackled Bowen for a pen

How bad are Norwich?

I'd take Gilmour if we could get him. Totally wasted watching the ball flying over his head every game.

Looked like a really nice goal from that Harry Kane bloke, but you just knew VAR would tell you he was 'gaining an advantage' by being half a toenail ahead of some guy on the other side of the field... what a total crock this offside business has become. It is sickening. What happened to 'level with the last defender'???

Am I the only one who cannot stand Harry (endless penalties) Kane?

Think we need a review of the whole VAR system as regards close offsides, Michael. To me Kane didn't even look offside.

Don't even think that was a foul for another disallowed Spurs goal. Keeper just seemed to drop the ball after colliding with Doherty.

David #8. There is a chance that Gilmour gets crowded out at Chelsea because they have such a lot of good midfielders. So he may look to move on. Hudson-Odoi too. Both very talented. I'd really love to get Gilmour but probably unlikely.

The VAR system is working as intended, Rob. The rules may need tweaking.

There's a few at Chelsea that are worth looking Robert yep.

They should use VAR to show that there is clear separation (clear air) between the attacker and the last defender – that would be real offside. Any overlap and they should be deemed level, as was the (apparently despised) Harry Kane in this instance.

Yes, VAR decisions would still be marginal but at least the attacker would have to actually be gaining a meaningful advantage by being obviously ahead of the back line. If he's level, there is no advantage gained.

Michael, that would still make it a judgement call by the VAR official.

I think they will eventually go with foot position. Never mind where the head or shoulder or hip is... they'll go with whether you've stepped past the last defender. VAR can show that clearly. No judgement involved, just a simple yes or no.

Rob (12) how or why was that goal disallowed, it was pure and simple own goal by the Southampton goalkeeper, did VAR look at it ?

Another take on that Tottenham "goal". In the 1984 Cup final, the keeper came for it, messed up and it was given.

Today for me that was a goalkeeper mistake and a goal.

They didn't, Dave, at least I don't think so? Didn't the referee blow for a foul before the ball went into the net, and therefore VAR can't intervene, or have I got that wrong?

Mike (14)I don't think the rules need tweaking, it's the referees, in the studio, whose balls need tweaking with very large plyers.

Rob (20), not sure if the ref. blew for a foul, if he did he made a rick along with the ‘keeper.

No blowtorch, Dave?

Mike (23), only on Mr. Moss.

Use the size of the ball to dictate offsides, i.e. if the forward player is more than the width of a ball offside disallow the goal, if the forward player is less than a ball's width offside allow the goal to stand, none of this toenail malarky.

What was wrong with the old offside rule. If you're level, you're onside.

Also, if you stand in offside position, you're offside end of story.

The current system lacks skill, it's just a lottery.

Rob(20), Mark Clattenburg, remember him, says the same as yourself, it was a good goal but with the referee, Anthony Taylor, another useless specimen, blowing for a foul on the ‘keeper VAR couldn't look at the incident.

Dave 28, I don't get why VAR can't look at it as a clear and obvious mistake by the referee, which it clearly was, mind you, if you had to check all of Taylor's clear and obvious mistakes, the game would last 180 minutes.

Leicester Players in the tunnel already ingratiating themselves with Oliver the ref, gamesmanship starts before they even get on the pitch.

Amazon already lost the commentary.

A Liverpool player broke a Leicester players leg last week Jeff, so I wonder if the commentators will go on about that, considering they're still going on about injuries from last season.

I think the Gamesmanship begins in the television studios, but maybe I'm just paranoid.

Salad misses a pen and a sitter, yessss

Klopp silent on the leg break by his young lad .

Soumare needs to be careful

Tony, I didn't know a Leicester player had his leg broken in that cup game? I've seen a still picture of the scissor kick assault on him by the RS player, but that's all. Who was the Leicester player, and who was the RS assassin?

What happened to the rule about shin pads?! “Trent” seems to have half length socks only.

Our game off

So now if you have a few injuries you can get your games postponed? Interesting.

Geordies are being clever here, really fucking hope they go down

Think it was Perriera, Rob, right back, been unlucky with injuries last 2 years.

Young lad for R/S did him,Tyler Morton.

I've no problem with TAA having no shinies on.

FFS all games should have been cancelled for 2 weeks. We certainly don't have a squad that can play 4 games in 10 days.

If this keeps up, the Prem is gonna start looking like the NBA. Three games in four days.

Much as I hate to agree with Klippity on anything, his impassioned speech yesterday on Sky about bringing back the 5-subs rule was spot on.

Better this than to play without fans. That was just too sterile an atmosphere.

I'm not advocating total long ball but Leicester repeatedly playing out from the back is playing right into Liverpool's aggressive press.

When Leicester play it long and fight for 2nd balls they get some joy.

Like most over-hyped defenders VVD and company aren't that good if you make them defend under pressure.

Sky Sports saying Newcastle are almost at the point where they don't have enough players which I guess means they actually still do.

The game is postponed.

Fuck it, I guess I'll go to work on Thursday.

Brighton v Chelsea is still on, so BHA will be on two days' rest for next Sunday.

At this rate, we won't see Calvert-Lewin play again for Everton, Richie?

Mike (40), I think the five sub rule benefits the clubs with the strongest squads.

Let's be honest here, if Callum Wilson and Saint-Maximim had not got injured last night, no way would Newcastle have wanted the game postponed.

To me, that team last night looked pretty much like their strongest team, Wilson and Saint-Maximim are their only real goal threat. It just means we will have a stronger team to play them as most, if not all of our missing players will be back by the time the re-arranged game comes round.

Newcastle will have possibly £100 million of new talent playing though, Rob.

Buy whoever they want, Jeff. They will still be shite and will still get relegated.

Dave, that's the conventional wisdom, but Potter and Frank have come out for it as well, and they have smaller squads than we do. I think it benefits everybody. I bet Rafa will be for it.

Jeff, if they spend that much in the January window, it'll be panic buying to keep them up, and I just don't think the Saudis can pull that off. Agree with Rob, they're toast either way.

What Jeff said @38, Rob.

Everton and Newcastle can't field a team and Liverpool and Chelsea are screaming for five subs? That's life!

Mola yessss

I still don't know why we let Ade go.

Nice pass from the Stately Home guy

Cited immediately by Arlo White on NBC as "THE FORMER EVERTON MAN!!!!!!!!!"

Great goal!

Dewsbury-Hall, Jeff. Is that in Dewsbury?

I called for him off the bench every game, Colin, but he really did have a crap attitude. Which he subsequently displayed at Leipzig and Fulham. The penny finally dropped, as you lot would say, when he got to Leicester. And good for him. Maturity comes late for some.

Of course Rob, just past Chipeh, on't left.

Well in Mola!

Correct Mike, I was always full of anticipation when he came on, then……. Nothing!

Lookman and Demarai Gray appear to have taken the same path in their careers. Both came into the Premier League from lower league clubs, neither appeared to be able to settle at their respective clubs and ended up going to Germany, before returning to England to join the club the other left.

Question is, who would you have: Demarai Gray or Lookman?

Gray deffo

Obviously 🙄

Pretty obvious question, Rob!

Jeff, that was a cracking run Lookman just made on his goal. That's the kind of high-effort run he wouldn't make a couple years ago.

Do you mean pretty obvious answer, Mike?

Obviously, Rob. Are you questioning my answer or answering my question?

Fuck knows, Mike! 🤪🤪🤪

Mike, he just never seemed happy at Goodison, didn't want to be here after about 6 months, and it showed on the pitch.

Well, both Vlasic and Lookman on the scoresheet today. Maybe they weren't given enough game time, like Moise Kean. Our squad would be a lot better with them all still here, and we would be higher up the table, I'm sure.

Get where your coming from Joe, but not one of them are starting for their current teams, just like when they were here, says more about them than us.

Exactly Joe,

We scout and then buy Vlasic Lookman, Kean and then close the door on any opportunity. Why buy young players, sell them and keep the crap we've had to watch over the last 6 years???

Well done Leicester and Mola.

Great result for Leicester despite a dubious penalty and 5 minutes biased added time.

Well done, Ademola.

Might as well give the trophy to Man City now.

Congratulations to Ademola Lookman on finally starting to fulfil that potential and scoring the winner against them tonight!

Well in kid!

Never watched any football tonight, terrified to look at anything once I heard Lookman had scored, but I can go to bed with a smile now, thanks to little Ademola!

Don't say things like that Rob, just hope they keep dropping points, and put all your energy into Everton winning the cup🤞

Thought Lookman was excellent when he came on, as he was against Man City. As Joe alludes to, we have bought some quality young players and given them almost zero opportunities.

Instead, we have continued to play some really dreadful senior pros. Compare our approach to Leicester.

We can't complain about today's results.
In fact, we're better off not having played - how Everton is that?
Always love it when the shite lose.
Just love it.
Glass about to be re-filled.

Long drive back from Leicester.

Faces like slapped arses.

Hopefully lots of road cones out there tonight.

I think its true what Joe and Steve are saying, and also think a couple of other young players who have been at Everton since they were kids, would have all probably done a lot better, if we hadn't been changing our manager every 18 months, and the club could have been more stable.

Mike, how far is it from Leicester to Peterborough? 😀😀

Tony (81)guess who had a tenner on Lookman to score the first goal as soon as he came on at 20-1, yes your son Goldenballs, Sonny !!

Rob - but Basingstoke is a bit further. Their heartland.

About 250 years, Rob.

Rob - sorry, I'm a bit slow tonight. Peterborough. Elaine on R5L. Get it!

Sure a Leicester player had a toenail in the area as the pen was taken
Ref should have let them take it again, and again, and again, and again until they finally scored.
Klippety to complain, and quite rightly

I think Lookman,s improvement is from the manager who has finally got him to believe he is not the only player on the pitch when he gets the ball.
Watching some of the game I wondered how Liverpools player,s jumping up behind another player for a headed ball are always allowed to push the other player in the back just before they jump.

Mike, must be those glass refills you continuously pour!!

I think the likes of Lookman, Vlasic, Delefeou are the types of players who need to realise for themselves that they have good skill sets but also need to apply themselves and work hard to make themselves undroppable, unfortunately, it usually takes these types of players a couple of moves before they start to think, maybe 'it's my fault' why I didn't get in x or y team on a regular basis. Despite a few goals, in recent times, I think the jury is still out on all of those players.

What great news to end the year. Ex-Blue Lookman pisses off Klopp. Salad misses a pen.and Everton have a little extra time to get players a little fitter. Can this be the turning point of the season.

Mike Gaynes @ 14: You emperor; VAR,* new clothes.
They have tweaked it, well the said they did/would.
Its been a dogs breakfast since day 1.

* Do they use the '2mm toenail' in 100 metre photo finishes?
No.
The Offside Rule is...well was...to prevent 'unfair advantage' (that whole concept is another thread,)

Level - or any contentious variation thereof, the attacker gets the benifit of the doubt to promote attacking play

It doesn't need 1,2,3. Referees (Premier League thought police, in all but name) in a studio second guessing the on field one, all it needs is a technician to 'roll' the picture back and forth from different angles.

Thus, the Referee, who actually controls the game, asks the tech guy, 'did I see what I thought I saw...or didn't see.'

Looks, reviews, adjusts decision accordingly.

Its the future, you said, get with the programme, you said 3(?)yrs ago, they'll tweak it and fine tune it, you said, they'll iron out the bugs - how's that working for you so far?

VAR can be a good servant, but right now we're stuck in poor master mode.

So for that reason - I'm out.

*Insert video clip of Moriarty saying - "Its a piece of junk !" here*
(and, before you think on, I won't be swayed by counter quotes about 'thinking positive 'kin waves' either)

Anyway, (sings - don't worry, be happy to self) just me on a end of year mini rant, I hope you and everybody on here have a happy and more importantly, a healthy New Year.

Regarding the Spurs disallowed goal when the ‘keeper made an own goal mistake, Clattenburg ex referee said once Taylor the ref had made his decision VAR couldn't intervene and change that decision, well when the ref. in the Spurs v Everton game at Goodison gave Everton the penalty VAR stepped in and reversed it, am I getting this wrong somewhere or have they changed the rules once again while nobody was looking?

Barry @90. You could apply that to Barkley as well. I think the word is consistency; that's what those players lack and yes, it comes through attitude and hard work.

I never saw Ross Barkley ever play more than two above average games on the spin Danny, which is appalling for someone with so much natural talent, and this is an obvious indication of why he's never really kicked on, imo.

Some of this VAR, stuff does seem to be getting made up as they go along, and yet I honestly don't think I've ever heard a referee being asked to speak about anything contentious or otherwise in my entire life.

These refs, are actually being protected like they are an endangered species, especially now they have got all this technology, and yet still can't bring any collective consistency into their decision making.

Tony @95, bang on. It seems to work in Cricket and Tennis. Too much of football VAR I'd open interpretation and yes favoritism.

RE Barkley I just feel he's another example (one of many) who are happy to to the minimum and just collect the huge salary and al the perks.

Some are still driven at least Rooney, Arteta and Gerrard imparticulur could just do the Keown, Carragher easy life of punditary, but no they want to continue and carry on being winners.

A 9-point lead would do for me. The Premier League may have to review penalty protocol and other various ways to appease the Klopp fury that is surely coming.

Brighton giving it a go.

Love Rüdiger. What I'd give for a rampaging centre back who drives the team forward. But he shouldn't be on the pitch in my opinion.

Talking about right backs, the little Brighton lad anyone??

Cucarella, Danny? Good left-back.

Lukaku looking very dangerous.

Foden class touch from De Bruyne… City 1-0.

Lampety Brent. Small and tricky.

Outstanding ball from De Bruyne as you would expect, but what a calm, cool finish from Foden.

Fernandino has eyes like Lee Van Cleef.

Ah RB, Danny. Yes even better.

Man City's high line on that previous free-kick blew my mind. Oh the luxury of speed in the back four!

They have the confidence and the players to do it, Dale.

But yes, jealous. By doing it, they're keeping the opposition away from the danger area, and they're confident they can cover if one goes in behind.

Brighton by far the better team, should've gone ahead.

Once in a while, you see a player have a moment that you know will haunt him. Hudson-Odoi just had one.

Toney giving it back to Fernandino.

Brillant from Cucurella and Welbeck there. Well earned BHA.

Weren't Brighton an absolute pleasure to watch?

Chelsea should be grateful for the point.

I know there is a lot of 'lurve' for Lamptey amongst some here on TW, but personally on tonight's showing I'd have the left back Cucurella at Everton now, if I could.

Outstanding, defensively and offensively.

Ironically, the potential of the young Cucurella was one of the reasons Barcelona were willing to sell us Digne. But he never broke through into Barca's first team and was eventually sold also, to Getafe. Good buy for Brighton last summer at $20 million.

We really need Man City not to blow this lead and let the shiesters off the hook. Dominating but no good until the second goal goes in.

Brian @112,

Don't depend on Man City – they're still the biggest chokers in a street fight.

Yes, Brian, I was thinking Man City really needed to convert that dominance into a goal when they let off a bit at the 55-minute mark.

Yep. Man City 2-0: Laporte header from a free-kick earned by Foden.

Ruled out. Damnit!

Barry.

Man City, Chelsea, Accrington Stanley! I don't really care as long as we can avoid a Queens Drive toothy parade. That nightmare was avoided because of Covid two seasons ago, as you know.

Freudian slip: I meant trophy parade… but there again (Klopp's gob).

Ugly but a nervy 3 points. Klopp will need to order some deluxe choppers for those future rants at pressers.

It's patently stupid to say this when we're still in December, but I'm gonna say it anyway.

Shine up the trophy. It's Man City's.

Brighton deserved at least that point. Great performance. Chelsea having a wobble?

Good weekend for Man City.

Foden and his teammates so clever and confident they can play as a false nine. Surely they won't take that chance though for the rest of the season and not buy a striker?

Man City played without a typical striker spearhead last season and most of the season before. Their style and culture of football is light-years ahead of the rest of the Premier League, in my view.

They have a few off-days per season, which teams don't? Their professionalism and team spirit is always evident, in most games. They take every game serious..

To think once upon a time Everton would regularly beat them home and away. Credit where it's due. But hope eternal for Everton. I think the currents will turn, but a long way to go for the tide to turn, but looking good in late 2022, next season.

The Premier League has a long way to go, but the results tell the truth. Based on the Chelsea game, I'd say the Brighton game will go ahead, but that's blind hope. They will fancy their chances and never gave up the ghost tonight, a good performance.

But Everton done better and what is needed is a replay of that team spirit at Chelsea in the next game up.

All the Best TWrs, and Evertonians around the world for 2022.

Also watched Chelsea - Brighton yesterday.. oh, what a difference in approach to our match against them. Yes, I know we had a very young team, but then again, if we would have had our first starting eleven all fit, I doubt it we would've approached the game any different... It's the setup with FSW at the helm... He's just so past it.

Brighton's approach with grit and energy, but not without class and quality, were on level terms with Chelsea who've tucked so much money into their squad... see what you can achieve with a good game-plan and a positive mentality. Far away from the negativity that we are served up with...

Cucurella was really good, I thought Lamptey was good as well, but for me, the pick of the bunch was Bissouma. He was immense, making that midfield tick, shielding the defence but yet very positive going forward and tidy in possession. God, I wish we had both of them at our club...

FSW Out!

Brighton always are very dangerous on the break. Their fullbacks are very fast and they all give 100%.

However Chelski are having a poor spell especially on defence. Only Reece James is worthy of mention these days and of course they lost him early. Hudson -Odoi should have scored the goal to see off the Seagulls but proved he is just another runner. RS will clobber them.

Everton will have to be up to the task 100% if they are to beat Brighton

Lukaku's best, most productive, time so far in his career has been with Everton. He fitted in here better than he's fitted in anywhere else. I'd have him back in a flash provided he didn't have one eye on going somewhere else.

I have been able to watch Chelsea"s last few games and I don't think Lukaku has "improved" from when he played for Everton. I still find him somewhat clumsy and very poor with the ball at his feet. I know he can score goals but I think there are far better strikers in the Premier and even in the present Chelsea team. Havertz, Werner and Pulisic just to name three.

Obviously just my opinion and many may beg to differ.

Bobby brown shoes still spouting shite I see, on the panel for Amazon for the Man Utd game tonight. Philosophies, concepts... drivel.

Lennon notches for Burnley...now if only we had kept him.

John (127) - Lukaku is in the press today unhappy with Tuchel and saying how much he misses Milan.

That was quick.

Could have been called a pen without question but I obviously like the no call

Pen all day long for me.

Never a pen, clearly keeper got the ball..

1-0 arsenal

Decent finsh. Nice scren from Laca to clear Saka for the shot. Arsenal 1-0