FFL Blog

Some key mistakes in last week’s introduction. Wednesday night delivery achieved this week due to no football attending and there were only 13 games last week (not 14) as we held over the Monday night FA cup match to make things slightly easier.

The Games

Matchday 42 - FA Cup

Man City 1 West Ham 2
And so City went out losing the battle of the teams who rested their stars. What a silly time to have the q-finals. I’m not really complaining as there was football on every night on the box. Dean Ashton proved to be the winner although a fine volley from Musampa gave them some of the hope they lost when Sun Jihai was harshly and needlessly sent off.

Goals: Musampa. Ashton 2

Assists: Croft. Reo-Coker, Benayoun

YC: Riera. Reo-Coker
RC: Jihai
MoM: Ashton

Birmingham 0 Liverpool 7 (seven)
Quite simply the most pathetic, insipid performance ever witnessed in the FA Cup as Birmingham submitted, rolled over and died. Everything Liverpool touched turned to goal thanks to some non-existent marking, awful defending, an own goal and atrocious goalkeeping. The worst night of Brucey’s footballing career and perhaps the same for Crouchy who having scored 2 was withdrawn to rest for the forthcoming derby with 35 minutes to go, gutted he was. Aside from the big man, there were goals from Hyypia, Morientes, Cisse, Riise and an own goal from the man brought on at half time to shore up the defence, Olivier Tebily. That summed up what was a farce of Mel Brooks proportions.

Goals: Crouch 2, Hyypia, Morientes, Riise, Cisse, O.G

Assists: Gerrard 3, Garcia, Kewell, Finnan, Sissoko
YC: Clemence, Johnson, Bruce

RC:

MoM: Crouch

Chelsea 1 Newcastle 0
When Chelsea struggle against a stuffy defence or even Newcastle’s porous defence, they can always rely on a John Terry header from a corner to help them out. This time it was enough for a win and vengeance for an FA Cup exit at Newcastle’s hands last year. Some more disgraceful diving from Drogba soured the win. I refer the honrourable ladies and gentleman to my two pence on Drogba from last year. Finally the world wakes up to him.

Goals: Terry

Assists: Duff
YC: Geremi, Drogba. Moore, Ameobi, Shearer

RC: Elliott

MoM: Terry

Charlton 0 Middlesbrough 0
The worst thing about this result is that they have to do it again. Nothing to see here and my hopes are not high about the entertainment value in the replay.

Goals:

Assists:
YC: Queudrue

RC:

MoM: Holland

Matchday 43

Aston Villa 0 Fulham 0
Villa fans are not fickle, they just don’t like O’Leary, so said the banner at this match. Dismissed as the work of one or two fans, the booing audible at the end of this match was not restricted to one or two. Fulham picked up another valuable point and look safe unless there is a startling run of form from those below them.

Goals:

Assists:
YC:

RC:

MoM: Malbranque

Chelsea 2 Man City 0
Not satisfied with his play-acting, Drogba has continued his diversification into the handball arena. His post-match agreement that the goal should not have stood was not so much honest as arrogant. Looking forward to the day that some big defender really does stiffen him. Even the Chelsea fans were booing him despite his double - exit stage left?

Goals: Drogba 2

Assists: Del Horno, Carvalho, Gudjohnsen
YC: Cole. Musampa, D Mills

RC: Distin

MoM: James

Charlton 3 Newcastle 1
The wheels seem to have come off the Newcastle revival following the Roeder patch up job. Injuries continue to hamper them and the recent disclosure that Scott Parker, their best player this season, has glandular fever will do them no good (just what have you been up to Mr Parker?). He scored a beauty in this one against his old side but Lee Bowyer got in the way of a clearance to score for his old side which added to goals from Darren Bent and Bothroyd and gave the score an emphatic air.

Goals: D Bent, Bothroyd, o.g. Parker

Assists: Rommedahl, Thomas
YC: Perry. Carr

RC:

MoM: Young

Liverpool 3 Everton 1
As Liverpool (the city) prepares to be the European City of Culture in 2008, this harem scarem match was not one for the artisans or connoisseurs among you. Gerrard showed indisputable foolishness to notch up 2 yellow cards in quick succession to secure first use of the soap, and this act of stupidity was matched only by Andy Van der Meyde’s later sending off only 8 minutes after his introduction from the bench. The goals flowed with Phil Neville making every Liverpool fan’s dream come true with an own goal, a delicate piece of skill from Garcia and a rasper from Kewell were countered only by Tim Cahill. A further nine yellow cards paid testament to the severity of the referee or the aggression of the players. Perhaps somewhere in between.

Goals: Garcia, Kewell, O.G. Cahill

Assists: Alonso, Crouch. Osman
YC: Alonso, Kewell. Cahill, Neville, Ferguson, Kilbane, Stubbs, Weir, Hibbert

RC: Gerrard, Van der Meyde

MoM: Alonso

Man Utd 3 Birmingham 0
Birmingham should try defending for the first 15 minutes and see where it gets them. Not defending got them 2 down within minutes with a Giggs free kick harshly been given as a Taylor og (for it bounced off the post onto the keeper and in), Giggs then added another before Rooney rounded it off. A better scoreline certainly than midweek but this was only due to Utd scorning numerous chances. It should have been 7 again.

Goals: Giggs, Rooney, O.G

Assists: Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs
YC: Pennant, Jarosik, Latka

RC:

MoM: Giggs

Middlesbrough 4 Bolton 3
A real thriller when it was most certainly not expected. I cant vouch for the quality of football though as I didn’t see any of it which is typical when it’s a seven goal thriller. Boro pinched it in the last minute with a goal from Parnaby, with the rest of the goals coming from Jimmy Floyd at the double, Viduka, Jaidi, Giannokopolous and Okocha. JJ had missed a penalty but bagged a rebound and pays the penalty with a -5.

Goals: Hasselbaink 2, Viduka, Parnaby. Giannokopolous, Okocha, Jaidi

Assists: Hasselbaink, Viduka, Rochemback, Yakubu, Queudrue. Gardner
YC: Hasselbaink, Pogatetz. Giannokopolous, Jaaskelainen

RC:

MoM: Viduka

Sunderland 0 Blackburn 1
Someone is going to slip up here says Mark Hughes and Blackburn didn’t want to be the ones. It was never going to happen and while Blackburn lacked their recent edge they had enough to overcome Sunderland. Stephen Reid was the main man, both goal and man of the match.

Goals: Reid

Assists:
YC: Whitehead, Arca, Hoyte. Gray

RC:

MoM: Reid

Tottenham 2 West Brom 1
The champions league out of jail free card was used by Spurs, Martin Jol and Robbie Keane. A beautifully executed lob was followed by a penalty awarded after some madcap keeping from Kuzczak. A red card was also expected for the keeper but the penalty ended up being penalty enough.

Goals: Keane 2

Assists: Defoe, Carrick. Greening
YC: Greening, Kuczszak

RC:

MoM: Greening

Wigan 1 West Ham 2
In contrast to Sunderland, two promoted sides who can be proud of their efforts this season and are a welcome addition to the top league. Lee McCulloch is on a bit of form at the moment and scored the opener which looked to be enough against a tired looking West Ham side. Some red bull at half time (or an inspiring team talk from assistant manager Peter Grant) worked wonders and they came out and nicked the points, Reo-Coker and Harewood with the ones that mattered.

Goals: McCulloch. Reo-Coker, Harewood

Assists: Sheringham
YC: McCulloch, Kavanagh, Thompson

RC:

MoM: McCulloch

Postponed match: Portsmouth v Arsenal

The Points

Matchday 42
16 Terry, Crouch, Ashton

11 Riise, Hyypia

10 Gerrard

9 Finnan

7 Musampa

Matchday 43

GK

6 Crossley, Cech, Friedel, Schwarzer

DEF

9 Del Horno, Carvalho

6 Terry, Young, Fulham, Villa, Blackburn defenders

MID

14 Giggs

12 Reid

8 Greening, Alonso

7 Parker, Malbranque, Garcia, Reo-Coker

STR

15 Viduka

12 Hasselbaink, Keane, Drogba

10 McCulloch, Rooney

7 D Bent, Harewood

The Table

A four way fight now with Dynamo Flummery the cat amongst Jack Bauer and Ramitin’s pigeons, and Sarah’s Stars very much in the hunt. A lady winner of FFL? Don’t bet against it.

Big score in matchday 42 for Liverpool dominated Reyes is Easy on the Eye with. Matchday 43 saw Lee Utd bringing home the bacon with 57 and Super Black & Gold on 56.

Also moving up, are Creanzo City Wiz, Lyalls Part Timers, Real Larkhall Again.

The Second Half
Subbuteo Allstars have been usurped by the advancing Flummerys and also by Sarah’s Stars although they remain firmly in contention.

The Cash

Finally got my finger out and a reminder has gone to the remaining 30, please remit when you can so we can pay out the cash to the various winners.

Cheers
Simon

Yes its true all the eagle-eyed watchers out there, I did in fact miss a week. But I have a cast-iron excuse, “I didnae huv the time”. Seriously, I didn’t last week with Daniel’s arrival putting paid to my spare time last week and writing it at the weekend seemed a little late, so we’ll call it quits and forget about it.

I do of course have to get my act together now I have an heir to pass this onto….

The Games

Birmingham 1 West Brom 1
Profligacy was the name of the game here and possibly the theme of the week as West Brom uncharacteristically created a myriad of chances but characteristically failed to finish them. Prime culprit was Kamara (with a K) who missed a few sitters and could have put the game beyond doubt. It was Forsell who opened the scoring from the spot before the Duke mozied from the bench to equalise and preserve West Brom’s gap over their relegation rivals.

Goals: Forsell. Ellington
Assists: Kanu, Kamara
YC: Butt, Melchiot. Robinson, Wallwork, Clement
RC:
MoM: Watson

Bolton 4 West Ham 1
No profligacy here but a good performance from Bolton and a poor performance from a much-changed West Ham side. Alan Pardew offered to take the blame for the team selection and those mystified by him opting for Anton Ferdinand in midfield would not have been surprised by 4 goals going past him. Note that the other Ferdinand brother had also featured in Man U’s midfield, and you guessed it, they let in 4. Hardly classic midfield performances from the most over-hyped footballing brothers since the Kemps were in Roy of the Rovers. The goals flowed at the Reebok with a double from Stelios (one nicked from Nolan), a Gary Speed effort and a first of the season for Henrik Pedersen. Sheringham scored for the Hammers as they failed their FA cup replay dress rehearsal.

Goals: Giannokopolous 2, Speed, Pedersem. Sheringham
Assists: Nolan, Okocha, Gardner, Vaz Te. Etherington, Benayoun
YC: Vaz Te. Konchesky, Scaloni, Ferdinand, Dailly, Sheringham
RC:
MoM: Okocha

Blackburn 2 Aston Villa 0
Baros was the main chance-misser and Villa were unlucky to lose this one. They did however and thanks to Blackburn’s better finishing (Todd and Bellamy) it was another safe 3 points and Blackburn threatening to get into Europe.

Goals: Todd, Bellamy
Assists: Reid, Pedersen, Pongolle, Bellamy
YC: McCann
RC:
MoM: Nelsen
Chelsea 2 Tottenham 1
A wonder strike from Gallas gave Chelsea an undeserved win (I would say that!), Michael Essien had earlier scored his first Chelsea goal and Jenas thought he had secured a deserved precious point for Spurs. He hadn’t, and it’s only a matter of time before the title is sealed.

Goals: Essien, Gallas. Jenas
Assists: Wright-Phillips. Carrick, Dawson
YC: Drogba, Duff
RC:
MoM: Makelele
Everton 3 Fulham 1
Everton and James Beattie in particular continue their resurgence - Beattie with 2 and the other from McFadden. But to be fair, East Stirling could beat Fulham if the Cottagers were away. Collins John scored a late penalty consolation and Fulham are anything but safe yet.

Goals: Beattie 2, McFadden. John
Assists: Cahill
YC: Neville, Stubbs, Rosenior, Bocanegra
RC:
MoM: Beattie

Portsmouth 2 Man City 1
Two great strikes from the boot of Pedro Mendes and two statue impressions from David James and it was three points for Pompey, and how they celebrated. Richard Dunne had equalised for City and although Portsmouth’s survival hope is a long shot, it still remains a hope.

Goals: Mendes 2. Dunne
Assists: Richards, Samaras
YC:
RC:
MoM: Mendes
Sunderland 0 Wigan 1
This game was actually so bad that the Telegraph didn’t bother picking a man of the match. You would have thought given that Camara (with a C) scored such a terrific goal, or was it a fluke?, they would have given it to him. But they didn’t, so neither can I.

Goals: Camara
Assists:
YC: Kyle
RC:
MoM: no-one

Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
They say that you wouldn’t expect such a mistake from Gerrard as he passed back blindly for Henry to score his second. Correct me if I’m wrong (and I know you will), but didn’t the same thing happen in Euro 2004 but in France v England. Therefore while not expecting, it shouldn’t be a surprise. Henry had also bagged the first with his usual panache. Garcia had equalised while his compatriot, Alonso ended up with a red card.

Goals: Henry 2. Garcia
Assists: Fabregas. Gerrard
YC: Garcia
RC: Alonso
MoM: Fabregas

Charlton 2 Middlesbrough 1
Finally goals on the menu for Charlton and no surprise that Darren Bent got both. As bigger clubs such as Liverpool circle, one wonders whether Charlton could survive without his goals. They could sign Mark Viduka to replace him but he would only try when he’s looking for a new contract. He needs one at the moment, so this was his second goal in consecutive games.

Goals: Bent 2. Viduka
Assists: Young, Powell, Kishishev
YC: Young, Hughes. Parlour
RC:
MoM: Bent

Man Utd 2 Newcastle 0
2 going on 8 as Newcastle withdrew completely into their shell. I can barely recall a Newcastle attack never mind shots on goal. Rooney was given the freedom of Old Trafford and bagged a double which could and should have been a hat-trick at least. RVN was brought on as a late sub, and you suspect that his boss is making a point to him, as is his want.

Goals: Rooney 2
Assists: O’Shea
YC: Ramage
RC:
MoM: Rooney, of course
The Points

GK
6 Friedel, Van der Sar, Filan

DEF
11 Todd, Nelsen
9 O’Shea
6 Brown, Scharner, G Neville, De Zeeuw, Baines, Chimbonda, Neill, R Ferdinand, Watson, Gallas

MID
17 Mendes
11 Giannokopolous
10 Fabregas
9 Okocha
7 Jenas, Speed, Makelele

STR
17 Rooney, D Bent, Beattie
12 Henry
10 Bellamy
7 Viduka

The Table

Last week
Top point scorers were part time mystics A Team Less Ordinary with 56, just pipping the top ‘producer’ of the weekend Billy Oceans Eleven with 55.

This week
Top points scorers and back with a vengeance are Ramitin with a hefty 74 propelling right into Jack Bauers slipstream, only 4 points behind. Others doing well include RUSKobie Juniors, Glazier the Saviour, Lee United and Off Cider Rule (all in the 60s).

Elsewhere on the rise are Chopra’s Choice into the top 30, GK Wonderers, The Boys in Black & Gold, Norfolk an Way and Pandoras Boaks
The Second Half
Subbuteo Allstars continue to set the pace and continue to have a 30 point gap over the chasing ladies, Dynamo Flummery, Sarah’s Stars, BBQ Spare Ribs and The New Slimline Hartsonal. With so many ladies on Michael’s tail, it must feel almost like a Benny Hill end sequence…..

The Manager of the Month

For February - shows just how late this really is.

5th - Hamilton Allstars 181
4th - I hope he is Left Back 187
3rd - Dobbers FC 188
2nd - Dynamo Flummery 189

But we have a clear winner with a remarkable 201, Ridiculous Names (+ Frank Lampard) who have undergone a real renaissance and are February’s champs. So congratulations to Kate Daft, your voucher is on the way, as is the January manager of the month (promise).

The Cup and Plate
Quarter final stage and you can see the Cup results here and Plate results here

So a replay between Battered Lard and Sarah’s Stars which will be played this weekend and the semi-final fixtures are…

Cup
Battered Lard or Sarah’s Stars v Papa Dave’s Hairy XI
Jane’s Buddies v Ginger Wizards

Plate
Thierry French Fondant Fancies v Katsu Baby
Dynamo Flummery v I hope he is Left Back

The replay this weekend will include the full Premiership card but will exclude the FA Cup matches played at the beginning of the week.

That’s all from me then -