A Complete Game: Liverpool 4 - Fulham 0

Photo by Stevesworldofphotos on Flickr

Which made Correspondent Scott a happy man for the International Break:

While they didn't score as many goals in the second half as they did in the first, Liverpool's 4-0 drubbing of Fulham at Anfield on Saturday was their most complete game yet this season.  With Liverpool boy Austin Powers (nay, Mike Myers) in attendance, the Reds positively exploded with offensive firepower after the first 20 minutes and kept the Cottagers pinned back for the rest of the game.  It's really a wonder they didn't score more in the second half after leading 3-0 at the interval.

The own goal that opened the flood gates was a direct result of the quality of Steven Gerrard's delivery of the free kick.  The captain may have his detractors (even I have risked blasphemy to point out his shortcomings when necessary) but he has resurged as an experienced force each week, now with a lengthy run of healthy play.

Soon after, despite all the pressing, Liverpool's second goal came from another set piece - this time a corner.  How about that Martin Skrtl?  Emphatically powering home his header, the Slovak has found new life after his previous relegation to the bench.

The all-out siege on Fulham's goal continued until the halftime whistle and produced another fine goal when Jordan Henderson deftly weighted  his pass for the indomitable Luis Suarez to slip past the onrushing 'keeper.  Such was the euphoria and momentum that the Reds barely protested when the referee waved off the tepid appeals for a penalty when Kieran Richardson clearly handled the ball.

Game Day Beer Review: Russian River Supplication American Wild Ale

The Location: Napa, California, in the heart of the American wine country.

The Date: Saturday, November 9th, after a tough day of touring vineyards on a bike.

The Time: 4:00pm, Pacific Daylight Time

The Weather: 66 degrees, sun just beginning to lower in the perfectly blue California sky, trace humidity.  Best described as "the absence of weather."

The Scene: Feet on table, the University of Miami and Virginia Tech playing college football on a nearby television, with a small group of people relaxing near the hotel bar.

The Music: I Drive Your Truck, Lee Brice

The Beer: Supplication, Russian River Brewing

The Taste: Tart cherries and a mild funky taste, but not nearly as sour as one might expect -- the sourness being just about perfectly offset by a brown sugary sweetness.  The pinot noir barrels that the beer was aged in make themselves readily apparrent.  There's a saying in the wine business that it "takes a lot of great beer to make a great wine," and there's no better example of that than this beer from the ultra-talented Vinny Cilurzo and crew.

The Feel: Life doesn't get much better than this.

 

Game Day Beer Review: Anchor Brewing Anchor Steam California Common Ale

No trip to Northern California would be complete without sampling one of the state's best known and oldest beers, Anchor Brewing's Anchor Steam California Common Ale. The granddaddy of the craft beer movement, this beer was one of the first that truly opened our eyes to what American beer could be -- and we're happy to see that approximately 25 years after we first tasted it, Anchor Steam is still holding its  head up proudly. 

The beer poured a crystal clear copper color with a bright white head that left behind considerable lacing, even on the plastic airline cup from which this beer was drunk. Anchor Steam smelled primarily of caramel malt, with the mildest touch of hops just barely noticeable. 

Smooth malty goodness dominated the flavor profile; floral and hop notes also shone through. Anchor Steam could be the perfectly balanced beer: it was medium-bodied and tingly on the tongue. An American classic: A-

Flat Track Bullies Exposed? Manchester United 1 - Arsenal 0 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

Photo by Boom Boom! Revolution on Flickr

Robin Van Persie's 28th minute header provided Manchester United with all the margin it needed as the home side rode the crowd's energy to a crucial 1-0 victory over league-leading Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.  Prior to the game the team's Captain, central defender Nemanja Vidic, had asked his teammates to produce a 'statement' victory, one that testified to the Club's title credentials in a season that has seen its share of ups and downs in the early going. Although he was badly shaken up in a collision with his own goalkeeper at the end of the first half, Vidic evidently received the performance he was looking for, as Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones in particular turned in inspired shifts on their way to victory. 

Although Arsenal looked lively and controlled much of the game's second half, the Red Devils successfully dulled the visitors' cutting edge, holding the Gunners scoreless for the first time this season.  Herewith, our ratings on the individual performances from a victory that saw the Reds gain ground on virtually all of their title rivals: 

De Gea: Nothing to do in the first half bar a punch or two. Busier in the second half but never truly threatened. 7.0

Smalling: Displaying good hustle and intensity on the right, the Englishman worked hard to stretch the Arsenal defense. Had a real chance to put Van Persie's free kick in the net but finished like the center half he is. 6.5

Evans: Read the game well and used his body to make a number of key blocks. 7.0

Vidic: Knocked nearly unconscious upon colliding with his own 'keeper after overseeing a very quiet first half. Departed at the interval. 7.0

Evra: Game plan involved lots of crossing from the left flank but the Frenchman needed to hustle back more on defense. 6.0

Valencia: Looked strong and committed in the air.  Worked his socks off but still lacks the ability to produce a consistently reliable cross. 6.0

Jones: Gritty performance in midfield but tried to do too much on the dribble. Clash of heads with Sczcesny produced an inexplicable yellow from the referee. Broke up play exceptionally well, and was badly missed in midfield when switched to center back. Beginning to come into his own? 8.5

Carrick: A calming presence in the middle, but was unable to dictate the game when Jones was moved back to defense. 6.0

No Touching (and Other Thoughts)

Correspondent Ed writes this one from the no-touching "safe zone":

It seems for Spurs these days that good touches into the net are hard to find.  They certainly are tough in the back – beasts in the back – and opponents other than West Ham can’t seem to break them down.  However, they also seem very predictable and, well, boring in the middle and up front.  They are able to possess, but unable to do much with that possession. 

 

Part of this is the lack of form of Roberto Soldado.  I am still trying to figure out what he’s good at.  He certainly isn’t dangerous in possession – he lacks any ability to beat someone with the ball or even threaten to beat someone.  He also seems to struggle just to find an open shot.  Robert Lewandowski – a tough comparison I know – is very nimble in traffic and is able to manufacture shots which he accurately installs in the back of the net with his quick release.  Again, Soldado doesn’t have the ability.  I’ve heard that the ability Soldado does have is to finish crosses.  Hmmm.  Haven’t seen much of that either, though to be fair, Townsend likes to shoot lots more than he likes to distribute.

 

It’s been asked on the talk shows whether it is preferable to win or to play pretty football.  My answer to that is “yes.”  Pretty football is currently being played by Arsenal AND they are winning if no one noticed.  Why can’t Spurs do the same?  Is it really that the team just needs to learn each other and gel?  Not so sure I believe that.  AVB is a very young manager after all, and I suspect he’s the one that has to do more adjusting and learning than the team.  Though to be sure, he’s doing pretty well right now even if it is pretty boring. 

 

#             #             #

 

All it takes is just a bit of touch to wake the sleeping giant known as Manchester United – was it from this very blog?  One can only wonder.... But some how, some way, they remembered they have Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie and a heck of a lot of other good players.  Their run is beginning and unfortunately will likely last for some time. 

 

Game Day Beer Review: 21st Amendment Back in Black American Black Ale

Somehow at 35,000 feet over Texas on a recent flight out to the American west coast it seemed fitting to drink a California beer, so we had previously asked the crack farlieonfootie aviation staff to make certain the corporate jet was stocked full of a brew that would slake the considerable thirst worked up during our 5 hour trip from Florida.....

Which is not exactly how we came to be drinking Back in Black, an American Black Ale produced by San Francisco-based 21st Amendment Brewery. For those of you not hip enough or old enough, the 21st Amendment was the very fine piece of legislation in the United States that repealed the nasty little brutish lapse in American social mores known as Prohibition. 

Back in Black was poured from a 12 ounce can into a plastic cup -- the G5 somehow being found absent of the Riedel crystal beer glasses more typically used (Note to self: remember to ask Correspondent Scott who else was on that last flight he took).  Indeed, however, even in plastic the beer appeared as a darn black (or brown, at the very least) color, topped by a extra thickish mocha-brown colored head -- who knew a plastic cup could retain such considerable lacing?

The scent of sweet malt rose immediately  from the cup, followed by a tiny, bitter-ish hop note. Roast coffee was the flavor we recognized first and foremost, with the taste gradually becoming a bit metallic in the middle before the swallow ended with a large dose of hops. We don't know nor do we care to delve into the subtleties of the somewhat opaque style often referred to as a "Black IPA"  (Is it an IPA?  Don't think so....  Or an American Black Ale?). What we do know, however,  is that this beer wasn't half bad, and that if the flight had lasted much longer we would have been hard pressed to turn down another. B

Regret: Manchester United 0 - Real Sociedad 0 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

David Moyes and his side will likely rue the two points dropped rather than celebrate the single point gained, as Manchester United and Real Sociedad played to a goalless draw in a Champions League Group Stage match played at the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian, Spain on Tuesday night. After enduring a largely uneventful opening 45 minutes, fans of both sides were treated to a more open and entertaining game after the break, with United missing on three separate golden opportunities to secure the victory. Javier Hernandez and Robin Van Persie will both be disappointed for misfiring, the Mexican from directly in front of goal and the Dutchman from both open play and the penalty spot. 

A late Marouanne Fellaini foul saw the Belgian shown an early exit for his second yellow card of the evening, although happening as it did in the last minute of regulation the visitors went largely unpunished for their midfielder's excessive fouling. 

Herewith, the individual player ratings for a draw that extends the current unbeaten streak to seven before League leaders Arsenal visit Old Trafford at the weekend.

De Gea: Not much to do before half time.  Busier after the break but never really tested. 7.0

Smalling: Still struggled to convince at right back, and strangely for his size, was beaten in the air a number of times. 6.5

Ferdinand: Never under real pressure. 7.0

Vidic: Good distribution from the back today and showed that his recovery pace is still there. 7.5

Evra: Saw lots of the ball in the offensive end of the pitch but found little joy. 6.0

Valencia: Carried the ball forward, but was unable to translate the possession into opportunity. 6.0

Fellaini: More involved this game and showed some prowess the the air. Broke up play with his physicality but got caught in possession a number of times. Played in constant danger of being shown a second yellow for accumulated fouls; thankfully he lasted until the 90th minute before being shown the door. 6.0

Game Day Beer Review: Staatliches Hofbraühaus Hofbraü Original Munich Helles Lager

The Location: Lockhart Stadium Parking Lot, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Date: Saturday, November 2nd, the final game of the NASL Fall season.

The Time: 6:45pm, prior to a 7:30pm Ft. Lauderdale Strikers' kickoff

The Weather: 78 degrees, heavy cumulus clouds lingering overhead and partially blocking the sunset. Moderate breeze blowing through the parking lot.

The Scene: Children throwing and kicking balls, cars looking for open spots, adults gathered around a charcoal grill, and the smell of grilled meat and smoke mingling delightfully in the nearby air.

The Music: Small Town USA, Justin Moore

The Beer: Hofbraü Original, Hofbrahaus Munich

The Taste: In a word, refreshing. Aromatic hops and malt in almost the perfect balance. Caramel, bread and biscuit were all present and accounted for. This is how a good German lager should taste.

The Feel: Perfection.

Foot Off Pedal: Manchester United 3 - Fulham 1 -- Game Recap and Player Ratings

An early first half bombardment from the visitors led to a 3-1 victory for Manchester United over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.  Although the Red Devils appeared good value for their lead during a blistering first half performance, three substitutions at the interval changed the side's chemistry as David Moyes' team took its collective foot off the gas pedal on the their way to a second consecutive victory in the League this season - another first under the new United manager.  The result was a victory that came with some of its sheen taken off, as Fulham fought their way back into the contest and could have scored on multiple occasions in the second half to cast doubt on the result.

The game was a tale of two halves, as Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie all scored before the break.  Injuries and a desire to rest certain players before a tough mid-week trip to Spain altered the side's momentum, and Moyes will be pleased to have escaped with a two goal victory after a second half that saw his team outhustled and outplayed.  

Herewith the verdict on the individual player performances in a crucial victory that allowed the team to pick up some points on its rivals:   

De Gea: Tested and passed: did enough to deny Berbatov on two separate occasions. Beaten only by an own goal off the Rooney deflection. 7.0

Rafael: Good final touch to deny Berbatov when the score was 1-0 and the result was still in the balance. His injury could be a concern. 6.5

Evans: Rarely bothered before coming off at the half. 6.5

Vidic: At his imperious best today, and never afraid to lead with his head. 7.0

Evra: Made some nice runs, but didn't appear familiar with Januzaj playing in front of him. 6.5

Valencia: Side-footed tap in to start the game, the Ecuadorian looked in full beast mode early on. Dropped back to fill in for Rafael in the second half. 7.0

Jones: Skied his first shot, but worked diligently in the middle. Still looks a bit 'fish out of water' in midfield. 6.0

Cleverley: Sprung RVP to begin the play that led to the visitors' third of the afternoon before coming off at the break. 6.0

Januzaj: Beautiful pass to unleash RVP for the Red Devils' second, but didn't nearly impact the game in the same manner as past weeks. 6.0

Game Day Beer Review: New Belgium Lips of Faith Yuzu Imperial Berliner Weissbier

This beer was drunk several weeks ago and reviewed largely via memory, so don't be too literal in your interpretation -- it's more an impression of what we remember about the beer than anything else.  And there are some times in which our memory serves us better than others....

That being said, the first time we drank New Belgium's Lips of Faith Yuzu Imperial Berliner Weiss it was poured into a snifter from a 22 ounce bottle during a recent gathering at Correspondent Ed's -- obviously, the beer was drunk prior to the police shutting down the affair, a rather common experience from our observation (in fact, Ed didn't so much as flinch when the handcuffs were placed on his wrists, and he has the stone-faced "perp walk" expression down cold).

 

The beer was a pale yellow/gold color, and whatever white head it initially expressed itself with quickly disappeared.  Yuzu struck us as clearer than some other Berliner Weisses we've drunk -- if clarity is your thing, this might be your sour.....

 

If you judge a beer by how it smells and tastes, however -- as most people tend to  -- maybe it's not your beer.  We smelled a wheaty citrus scent, and by and large the taste followed the nose.  The beer wasn't nearly as sour as we would have liked -- especially coming as a Lips of Faith offering.  Overall, we had kind of a "meh" reaction to Yuzu -- hoping for more of everything: more citrus, more sour, more tartness.  In fact, we wanted more of everything except this beer. 

 

Don't get us wrong: it's not a diaster by any means, it's just not something we'd seek out on a regular basis.  And not because of it's taste, but because it could have been so much more.  Yuzu is the victim of high expectations and low follow through:  C+