Going to Extremes: Liverpool 3 - Fulham 2

photo by Grant Neufeld	via PhotoRee

In which another last gasp goal secures three more points for Scott's team....: 

"Polar Opposites" is the only way to describe Liverpool's last two games. At one extreme, we have the 5-1 thrashing of Arsenal last Sunday at Anfield. While at the other we have the nail-biting, sofa pounding, face-in-hands frustration that was only relieved by an incredibly fortuitous penalty, converted with aplomb by the timeless Steven Gerrard.  Many are already asking if such a win away at lowly Fulham is a sign that the Reds are finally ready to start winning the close ones instead of drawing against the likes of West Brom. For me, it is too early for such speculation, out loud at least. But there is something to the question.

Yet another howler by poor Kolo Toure, slicing an unpressured clearance into his own goal, gifted the home side the lead within 10 minutes and it wasn't until Gerrard's sublime through ball was bounced off the post and in by Daniel Sturridge that Liverpool leveled.  Unfortunately, a second half lack of communication among Simon Mignolet, Jon Flanagan and Martin Skrtl, resulting in a hapless clearance attempt by the Slovak, gifted yet another lead via a Darren Bent tap in.

That's when determination, skill and Lady Luck sided with the Reds. With the ball almost continuously in the home side's half from then on, Philippe Coutinho cut in from the right and found the cure for his erratic shooting - a deflection.   Then, when nearly all hope was lost in the 90th minute, a defensive blunder by Fulham sent Gerrard to the spot and he did well to beat the diving Stockdale who had guessed correctly. A hard-earned, lucky 3 points.

Meanwhile, back at Anfield a few days earlier, Liverpool looked a different team against a high-pressing Arsenal side that conceded 4 times in the opening 20 minutes. Boy I hope everybody continues to try the high defensive line...

Martin Skrtl and Raheem Sterling each bagged a brace while Sturridge continued to add to his tally also before a woeful tackle attempt by Gerrard led to a consolation penalty.

This was complete domination due to the skill, intensity and tempo that Liverpool relentlessly thrust upon the discombobulated Arsenal squad. Such was the disruption in their midfield ranks that Ozil was literally spun around and sat down by the lively Jordan Henderson before the notching his assist.  The former Sunderland player has come of age, forcing me to retract my disparaging remarks from last year.

On Blackpool and My Other Favorite Charlie

Columnist Ed, on Blackpool, and two of his favorite Charlies:


It appears that few other than us here at farlieonfootie believe that Charlie Adam is worth more than £ 3.5 million, and so as each day passes it becomes more likely that he will remain a Tangerine.  This is obviously good news for Blackpool fans, and, I think, for Charlie Adam.  The Tangerine story is compelling and not yet finished; it would be a shame for him to depart before his work is done.

Last week, the Tangerines were beaten by a bottom-of-the-barrel West Bromwich Albion side.  While the game drew some positive reviews in the press, it was actually the worst game Blackpool has put together in quite some time.  Perhaps this was the result of the emotional game against Liverpool on Tuesday – the lack of depth of the team is always a concern.  Regardless, other than Vaughan, who scored a top flight goal and played extremely well at midfield, Blackpool’s typical rapid and sharp passing was off, and Neil Eardley was once again exposed repeatedly at the right defensive position.  



In fact, Coach Holloway had to pull Eardley in the second half because his play had become such a problem.  It pains me to say this, but while Eardley plays hard, his lack of pace and physical skill are continually a problem.  Expect the opposition to work his side more and more every week until he either raises his play (surprisingly, he’s only 22) or a change is made.

This week Blackpool is at home against Sunderland, whose head was recently removed when Darren Bent was sold for an astounding £18 million to Aston Villa.  I say astounding because that seems a lot for a team like Villa to pay in light of their recent fire sale of their squad.  In spite of this transfer, I expect Sunderland to come out charging in an attempt to prove that Bent is not needed.   However, if Blackpool is able to withstand this initial charge, the confidence of Sunderland should start to wane.  Blackpool will also need DJ Campbell to step up again; his missed opportunities at West Brom were painful.  Prediction?  I expect a Blackpool victory in this one, by a score of 2 to 1.

By the way, what’s up with that Sky Sports News transfer touch screen?  They have their commentators touch the team and then they click the player at issue.  The player does this bit where he turns takes a step and crosses his arms.  I have yet to see them fail to have footage of a player doing this.  Weird.  Kind of makes me want to do it and send it in to them....

More interestingly, a Charlie other than Charlie Adam has caught my attention at the network, and I’m speaking here of Charlie Webster.  The other evening she was commentating in a red cocktail dress and it definitely left me flaring my nostrils a bit (I find the ladies love that move). 


Yeah, this is what I'm talking about.

Kind of crazy, really, here in the US of A we’ve got Chris Berman and Linda Kohn, and in dreary old Britain they’ve got ladies like Charlie winking at me and talking all British like about "Leicester this" or "Newcastle that," or whatever really, doesn’t matter much.  Time to step it up ESPN . . . . .


This is farlieonfootie for January 22.

Me Neither

photo by Nesster	via PhotoRee

Not much to say tonight, as I made the mistake of visiting a city where the wind chill is measured in the single digits, ice and snow cover the ground, and my fingers are basically too numb to type.  I'm not entirely sure why people, some of whom I even respect, would choose to live here....  But enough complaining, and to each his own.  Now, on with the show:

Pienaar to Spurs: It was a busy day in the transfer market, with Steven Pienaar shunning Chelsea to join cross-town rivals Tottenham Hotspur.  A year or two this story would have been unthinkable: who would dare join Spurs in the face of interest from Chelsea?  The fact that Pienaar did so tells the tale of how much things have changed between the two London sides in the past eighteen months.  Uncle Harry now holds the whip hand in London town, and there's nothing the Dapper Don can do about it.  Frankly, I can't figure out why Spurs want Pienaar -- a decent player, mind you, but aren't they already covered in midfield, and shouldn't they be more focused on bolstering their defense?  In any event, it'll make Correspondent Ed laugh, so we'll go with it and move onto the next piece of news, which also comes from the transfer market.