While there were several on-paper contenders for the EPL crowd as the 14-15 season kicked off, one thing which was not in doubt was that Chelsea had had the absolute best recruiting out of any of them, somehow picking up Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas with minimal trouble. And it really didn't take that long for that narrative to morph into that of the indomitable club, ready to conquer all with their irascible coach once more. Two weeks ago they went up 8pts on their closest "real" rival, City, and to hear some analyst there was risk of this turning into Bayern Munich-type triumph. But the Premier League is nothing if not fickle, and after the Blues got a not unlucky draw at Sunderland, the lead now stands at a more manageable 6 pts. Sure, if you look at Chelsea's 3-0 thumping of Spurs on Wednesday then the club barely flinched, but City meanwhile enjoyed their own juggernaut effort, their second in a row. One which coincidentally came against the same plucky Sunderland side which caused Chelsea so much trouble. This weekend's slate shouldn't change matters too much (though both teams, with Newcastle and Everton, will have to contend with a decent foe), but we might yet have us a title race. What that says about the league when a two-team race between two of the richest clubs in the world is cause for rejoice, is something to ponder at another point. West Ham and Swansea meet to see who can consolidate a top-5 place, Southampton get another big one as they host United, and Arsenal will travel to Stoke, where they have often mightily struggled.

Spain: after a week marred by the senseless death of a Depor fan, here's hoping the focus this week will be on more joyful events, like the Barcelona derby, which the Blaugrana will need to win if they are to keep pace with Real Madrid and their historic run of 16 straight wins.

Italy: they narrowly escaped with a victory against valiant Torino last week, thanks to some Pirlo magic, and this week get another rivalry game with lots of angst, as they go to Fiorentina, site of the thrilling 4-2 win by the boys in purple last year.

Germany: the Dortmund situation is getting uglier by the week, as they are now dead last in the league. Sure, that's only 10 pts below 4th place, but Klopp's gonna need his team to start accruing points quite soon if they want to start taking control of their tailspin.

France: PSG failed to take over the lead from Marseille this week when they drew at Lille, and remain 1pt back of their rivals from down south.


EPL
Saturday 6 December 2014
7:45a Newcastle v Chelsea
10:00a Hull v West Brom
10:00a Liverpool v Sunderland
10:00a QPR v Burnley
10:00a Stoke v Arsenal
10:00a Spurs v Crystal Palace
12:30p Man City v Everton

Sunday 7 December 2014
8:30a West Ham v Swansea
11:00a Aston Villa v Leicester
Monday 8 December 2014
3:00p Southampton v Man Utd

>Monday 8 December 2014
>3:00p Southampton v Man Utd

LA Galaxy are trying to be "the first to five" so they can be the first team with big star over the crest next year. The other sales line is the "Hollywood Ending" for Landon (and I have to be honest, I was channel-flipping around on that Seattle v. LA game last weekend because I was so nervous it was going to go wrong and we'd miss the storybook ending (and I'd have to hear it from my Seattle friends as they hosted), so relieved we get this last coda). New England are no slouches, either, with Jermaine Jones being the catalyst for a major winning run and Lee Ngyuen looking increasingly like he'll have a strong case for the USMNT in 2018. So anyway, I'm looking forward to it -- should be competitive and full of drama, although my preference was to have Thierry Henry there, too, for the proper send-off.

although yes I'm a little bitter because I was out on Lee Nguyen early on (thought he was okay, but not elite), but he's proven me completely wrong...

>although yes I'm a little bitter because I was out on Lee
>Nguyen early on (thought he was okay, but not elite), but he's
>proven me completely wrong...

i actually hope he stays in the mls (instead of answering the rumored calls to southampton or fulham) and gets a shot at that Attacking midfielder role for your boy klinsy.

(following a good stint as a US youth player) and like dating Vietnamese pop stars and playing with lots of flair, and I thought, "huh, he's nice, but he seems like another guy with more tricks than results."

But credit to Jay Heaps, he stuck by Nguyen from day 1 in New England, had Nguyen as an every day player in the lineup and never yanked the leash on him for trying things, and now with the reps and Jermaine Jones behind Him, Lee Nguyen is perfectly poised to fill a much-needed role on the US roster. So great for Nguyen, another example of how MLS can give a player a needed opportunity they wouldn't get in other leagues, but I'd be lying if I said I was in his corner from early on.

Was hoping for a good clear trajectory into the senior national team but things didnt turn out that way.

Seems like he basically lost hope and took the $$ to go play in Vietnam. Probably a good financial decision but that was US team death.

When Jurgen became coach he said he thought hed give it another run - so he gave up the salary and superstar status in Vietnam for the 40k MLS salary.

He had that tryout with vancouver but got cut. He ended up in a good place though since Sunil Gulati is boys with Kraft and his son is a Revs fan.

Anyway, hope he sticks. I dont see him going to EPL and getting playing time. I cant see him having the same Playmaking AMC role in Southampton regardless of what they promise. Most likely will end up on the bench again.

he looked good if you can say that in his 12 minutes vs Colombia. I think his flair is what the USMNT has needed for awhile from the midfield. Just the ability and balls to take those chances you talked about.



>(following a good stint as a US youth player) and like dating
>Vietnamese pop stars and playing with lots of flair, and I
>thought, "huh, he's nice, but he seems like another guy with
>more tricks than results."
>
>But credit to Jay Heaps, he stuck by Nguyen from day 1 in New
>England, had Nguyen as an every day player in the lineup and
>never yanked the leash on him for trying things, and now with
>the reps and Jermaine Jones behind Him, Lee Nguyen is
>perfectly poised to fill a much-needed role on the US roster.
>So great for Nguyen, another example of how MLS can give a
>player a needed opportunity they wouldn't get in other
>leagues, but I'd be lying if I said I was in his corner from
>early on.

Then again, I'm just sad that my Metros Metroed again.

if you're being honest with yourself, you know Clint's "finishing" against LA warrants it.

no.

Especially if you buy into the "Pochettino isn't an ENGLISH MANAGER" narrative.

poch managed us out of that one. still, four games in 9-10 days is pretty tough. we'll bounce back.

and, please, give us our RBs back.

>poch managed us out of that one.

Kinda agree, especially after Lamela got taken off. Poche's subs were pretty ineffective.

still, four games in 9-10
>days is pretty tough. we'll bounce back.

You could definitely tell the team was tired as fuck, the Chelsea game was alright even with the loss. This game was just frustrating looking at the legs of the players. On a good note, Vert and Fazio are turning out to be a pretty amazing CB combo, no matter what Sherwood says.


>and, please, give us our RBs back.

BASED YEDLIN GOT HIS WORK PERMIT!!!!

I knew he was a great footballer but an astute historian too?

I kid of course , but gotdamn that was some pent up anger

“France is hypocritical and cowardly. Sometimes I think that if we’d been overrun by the Germans, we’d be better run.”


"I have great difficulty with the French, I have never seen such arrogant, smug, lying and hypocritical people.”

Is this self hate coming out of nowhere or did this cat go rogue a while back. I always liked him, shit still do, but if I was French I might take offense to him airing that dirty laundry

he did catch some flack for what he said, but not that much really since self-hate is pretty hot right now in France. I liked what he said about Henry though, fuck that dude

Basically the French don't show him enough love

so fuck Manu Petit too then I guess, but then again every time one of the members of the legendary 98-00 French team makes public comments they sound like the sourest of grapes.

>"I have great difficulty with the French, I have never seen
>such arrogant, smug, lying and hypocritical people.”
>

my people are by and large arrogant and smug, there's no denying that. there's a widely shared sense of cultural superiority that can get really annoying...and don't get me wrong, there is a lot of greatness about France, it's just that it doesn't mean we should be looking down on everything else as a result. the lying and hypocritical part on the other hand is not really a French thing per se.

as for the comment about Germans...that's just pure bitchedassness on his part. fuck him for that.

Henry is a bitchass dude too, btw. Was always jealous of the God, that's the exact why some people don't like him as much as he thinks they should. God was always (much) better, though...maybe one day he'll come to terms with that.

get punched in the mouth early and then just fold, to the surprise of no one.

Same ole shit, just a different day. At least the 100th time I've repeated that and no change in sight. Smh.

Bojan lives! I wondered what happened to him

He takes so many risks which end up in bad challenges. He's gonna be really good but his judgement currently is so shaky.

gotta be some ligament damage

always hate to see that. Haven't seen the injury yet though so I can't comment on possible severity.

They should be down to 9 for two kicks and they got the softest penaltt I've seen in a minute

http://soccergods.com/2014/12/06/zlatan-ibrahimovic-doesnt-have-to-wait-to-score-before-celebrating/

what....zeee....fuck

https://vine.co/v/Or7gnrIFvbJ

Fuck La Liga

you pretty much have to go into the bernabeu these days ready to score 3 just to get a result

""We wanted to play more football but it was not possible because a few things I thought didn't belong any more to top-level football but still belongs -- the ball disappeared, the ball doesn't come, another ball comes, the ball boys run away -- these kind of situations that unfortunately are still part of the game. But no complaints," he said.

OK so he didn't exactly say that, but I love how much bad faith he always has after losses. Truly the worthy successor to Fergie in that department. Oh and he's never won at St James apparently, weird stat

Dude didn't even acknowledge they opened the door to an actual premier League race. I didn't even think of it till i saw they only had a 3 point lead. Could have sworn they were leading by 16.

> Could have sworn they were leading by 16.

fortunately, got to see Messi's equalizer. SICK shot. but wtf...espanyol scored first? uggh. tired of it.

-----------
Y'all stupid...should've tanked for Lebron/Wiggins in 2014 -Rex LongFellow

Its 2014...there are computers in glasses and people stunt after hitting the ball far. Get over it. -Cenario

It's only funny till someone gets mad. Then it's hilariou

http://gfycat.com/AgonizingSeriousEuropeanpolecat

Helluva game from both sides

thought it was going to PK's

that just does not work. idc who is injured. just play 442. it will be better than a full strength 352.