Manchester City could be hit by UEFA’s tougher financial stance, with 23 clubs already having their prize money withheld by Europe’s football governing body. Metro reports.
City, bankrolled by Sheikh Mansour, will have to keep tighter tabs on their spending as European heavyweights; Atletico Madrid, Fenerbahce and Sporting Lisbon are all currently under investigation for failing to state any overdue payments by the end of June.
These clubs have until the end of this month to provide an update on these overdue payments, but will no longer be under investigation once payments have been made in full or a decision is made by the UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB).
Malaga are the only Champions League club to be affected so far, but City will be worried, with their heavy annual losses likely to cost them when the Financial Fair Play regulations come into force.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The regulations begin as of next season and clubs are allowed a £36million loss over the first two-season period- a figure which City are set to rapidly exceed with a stated loss of £197million in 2011.
This week saw the return of the Capital One Cup and the third round to be more precise. We have decided to look back at the greatest comebacks since the competition began in 1961.
1961 Final: Aston Villa 3-2 Rotherham United
Lowly Rotherham United made the inaugural League Cup Final in 1961 against all the odds and face high flying Aston Villa over two legs for the trophy.
The Millers secured an unlikely 2-0 victory on their own patch and so the Division Two side just had to hold on at Villa Park to make remarkable history. But it wasn’t to be.
Villa were on their home ground and were a tough team to beat in those days and thanks to a battling performance were able to win 2-0 and take the game to extra time, where Peter McParland scored a dramatic late winner to destroy minnows Rotherham and give Aston Villa the first ever League Cup trophy.
Third Round, 2009 – Stoke City 4-3 Blackpool
Ian Holloway’s Blackpool were a team on the up, battling for promotion to the Premier League and hoping to follow in the footsteps on Stoke City who had achieved that, but this night in the cup saw very little between the sides.
Blackpool goals from David Vaughan and Billy Clarke looked enough to send the visitors through to the last 16 but with 15 minutes go Danny Higginbotham grabbed a lifeline for Stoke.
A quick-fire double from Matty Etherington and Ricardo Fuller turned the tie on its head and it was now Stoke who looked set for the next round. An 82nd minute equaliser from Ben Burgess looked to be enough to send the game to extra time but Andy Griffin’s 96th minute winner stunned the Seasiders and sent the Potters through despite being 2-0 down with 15 minutes left.
1988 Final: Arsenal 2-3 Luton
The one and only time Luton Town have ever won the League Cup was possibly one of the most memorable games in the competitions history.
Town were massive underdogs going up against the mighty Arsenal at Wembley but took a surprising lead through Brian Stein early on in the game, shocking the Gunners fans. However, from then on it was all Arsenal and the favourites bagged two quick goals to put them firmly in control of the final through Martin Hayes and Alan Smith.
George Graham’s men seemed even more likely to go on and lift the trophy in the second half as the Gunners were awarded a penalty to put the tie beyond doubt. But, Hatters legend Andy Dibble pulled off a great save to deny Nigel Winterburn and the momentum well and truly swung Luton’s way.
Danny Wilson soon equalised for the underdogs and a dramatic late winner from Stein completed a surging second half comeback from Luton to win the League Cup.
Third Round, 2001: Liverpool 1 Grimsby Town 2
As far as quick-fire turnarounds go Grimsby Town have got to be the appreciated after holding Liverpool to a goalless draw at Anfield the game was in to extra time and the division two side were looking tired after giving it their all for 90 minutes.
Liverpool seemed to have finally put the game to bed when Gary McAllister smashed home a penalty in front of the Kop to break the hearts of the travelling Town fans, but Grimsby didn’t give up there.
A stunning second half of extra time saw the minnows snatch an unlikely equaliser through Marlon Broomes and just as the game looked to be heading to penalties, Phil Jevons popped up to win it for the visitors and knock out the holders Liverpool.
1967 Final: QPR 3-2 West Brom
In 1967 the League Cup was held at the national stadium Wembley for the first time after the scrapping of the two legged final and this year saw one of the greatest comebacks and shocks in the history of the competition.
Third division Queens Park Rangers from Loftus Road had the mighty task of overcoming current holders of the League Cup, West Bromwich Albion in a classic game in London.
The major underdogs seemed out of the game at half time thanks to two goals from Clive Clark giving Albion a 2-0 lead going into the break. But like most underdogs, QPR didn’t know when they were beaten and came out for one of the most incredible 45 minutes of their history.
The battling performance paid off and goals from Roger Morgan and Rodney Marsh somehow brought the minnows level going into the final ten minutes, where a superb striker from Mark Lazarus gave Rangers a shock win after a stunning comeback.
Second Round, 2009 – Newcastle United 4-3 Huddersfield Town
Despite having a rough time of it in the league, Newcastle were still hot favourites to overcome League One side Huddersfield Town at St James Park in the second round.
Things seemed to be going to plan with Danny Guthrie putting the hosts in front and with an experienced side being fielded by manager Chris Hughton the third round was almost in sight. However, brave Huddersfield kicked into life at the end of the first half and a brace from youngster Theo Robinson turned the tie on its head just before half time.
The visitors quickly added a third through Jordan Rhodes after the break and it seemed Newcastle’s form was going from bad to worst.
With the favourites seemingly dead and buried at 3-1 down a marvellous Geremi goal sparked them back into life and a late Shola Ameobi penalty followed by a Kevin Nolan header at the death somehow gave Newcastle the vital victory.
First Round, 2010 – Shrewsbury Town 4-3 Charlton Athletic
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Recently relegated Charlton Athletic were still a whole division about their counterparts on this cold evening in September 2010, but the action was more Premier League than Football League as the hosts came from 3-0 down to snatch a 4-3 win.
Three goals in the first half hour from the Addicks looked to have the game in the bag but a sterling come back began just before half time as Jake Robinson smashed home from close range to spark the hosts into life.
An O.G. and an O’Donnell strike somehow pulled the Shrews level with 25 minutes left and cup specialist Matt Harrold headed home a dramatic winner with just over ten minutes left to eliminate Charlton and complete the comeback.
Round Two, 2012 – Derby County 5-5 Scunthorpe United (P)
Possibly the greatest comeback ever, let alone in the League Cup as League One strugglers Scunthorpe came from 3-0 and 4-1 down to defeat Championship Derby on penalties earlier this season.
A comfortable opening 50 minutes for the fancied hosts saw goals from Richard Keogh, Jake Buxton and Theo Robinson have them 3-0 up and in the hat for Round Three. Maybe not.
Andy Barcham grabbed a conciliation goal for The Iron with 35 minutes to play, only for that to be cancelled out a minute later by Buxton’s second putting the Rams 4-1 up.
The real drama then unfolded with Mike Grella and Bobby Grant dragging Scunny back into the tie only for Derby to once again break away and steal another goal through Nathan Tyson, 5-3 with six minutes to go.
The game looked to be over as the fourth official raised his board for time added on, but simultaneously the visitors were awarded a penalty for handball and Grant smashed home his second to set up a nervy end for Derby. The script was ripped up once again as Connor Jennings snatched an unbelievable stoppage time equaliser to take the game to extra time.
A quiet 30 minutes resulted in a penalty shoot-out and having made that incredible comeback, there was no way Scunthorpe were going to let it go now and Tom Naylor missed the crucial penalty for Derby to send Scunthorpe through.
The first real feeling of victory for the Daggers this season did not actually come from the collection of three points. Going away from home and showing spirit to pick up something from the (often) long journeys up and down the country epitomises the minimum requirement to put a successful League Two campaign together.
The feeling of one point gained rather than two lost was certainly in abundance after goals from Michael Spillane and Sam Williams ensured the Daggers with a 2-2 draw from a team playing in League One last season-Rochdale. A slight weight had undoubtedly been lifted off the shoulders of the players. To fully realise the potential of increasingly good performances, the players needed to take the three points from the next game at home to Gareth Ainsworth’s Wycombe, and take three points they did. A convincing 3-0 win was long overdue and put some minds expecting the Daggers to have another season of struggle to rest.
Whatever ‘glamour’ teams can amass in League Two comes from a victory in front of a welcoming home crowd. Far from this glamour is a hundreds of miles round trip on a Tuesday night for fans and players alike when you’re expected to lose to one of the form teams in the league. However, in the last away match against Port Vale the young fought valiantly to a 1-1 draw at Vale Park, brilliant away point. There was some luck in the goal from Luke Howell which I’m sure everyone that has seen it will agree with, but in football we know luck does come into play on both sides, good and bad.
The most recent pilgrimage to Victoria Road was one of the best games I have personally seen, not just in Dagenham terms but all games I’ve witnessed. Ironically it was the first time my friend had come to see a Daggers game with me, good omen perhaps? The 4-3 victory over Bradford was a thrilling game that more importantly the Daggers came out with the points from. Whilst the team showed naivety in the second half, the quality of goals was something you’d pay to see at any level of the beautiful game. Beating a club like Bradford is always a good victory regardless of circumstances in the match. I write this article as a very optimistic fan, and long may the optimism continue.
Follow me on twitter @scottycrowe92
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
As England prepare to play two more World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland in the coming week, former Arsenal and France legend Patrick Vieira has argued that young English players no longer dream of playing for their country, according to the Daily Mail.
Vieira has argued that he is often staggered by the number of 16 to 21 year olds who pull out of the England junior and senior sides due to minor injuries and then appear for their clubs the following weekend. He says that as a youngster he couldn’t get enough of playing for France and although he loved Arsenal, France was always his priority.
So is there any substance in what Vieira is saying? This is not the first time someone in the game has remarked about the lack of ambition shown by young English players to play for their country. In February 2011, Phil Neville branded some of the England under-21’s ‘disgraceful’ following 12 withdrawals in a friendly against Italy under-21. To this extent I believe both Vieira and Neville have a point. I think there has become a culture within the English game where players are too easily withdrawing from England squads so that they’re match fit for their club. This simply shouldn’t happen. Call me old-fashioned, but whether it’s a friendly against Georgia or a qualifier against Armenia, surely the pinnacle for your country?
I believe that the ongoing problem regarding international withdrawals in the under-21 game has come as a result of emulating the senior squads. This doesn’t always apply to all players who have picked up genuine injuries whilst training with England. However, in conducting my own research on this, I looked at the last five England squads that have been called up dating back to England’s 3-2 defeat to Holland in February and through to their recent qualifiers at Moldova and Ukraine last month. I found that in the past five squads, an England player has pulled out on 14 occasions. Several of these withdrawals have occurred from the younger generation i.e. Kyle Walker (Holland), Tom Cleverley (Holland), Theo Walcott (Italy), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Italy), and Daniel Sturridge (Italy). It just appears convenient to me that the withdrawals by the youngsters have come in friendlies, but should that matter?
I also think there are other possibilities as to why the younger generation are not as keen to play for England. The relationship between the England supporters and the fans has been poor now for as long as I can remember, perhaps to such an extent, that the job of playing for England has become a bit of a poisoned chalice. Whilst the media must take some responsibility for this unfortunate state of affairs, so must the current crop of players. In the past ten years, England has had some of the most disliked personnel representing the country in the history of the game. Often embroiled in scandals, the likes of Ashley Cole, John Terry and Wayne Rooney have made the national team hard to warm to. As a result, youngsters growing up in this era are perhaps keen to shy away from the unprecedented negative media attention that these players attract. The recent mention of a code of conduct exemplifies the point I am trying to make.
By the same token, premature international retirements have also set a bad example for youngsters. This has been happening for the past decade now. From Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes through to Ben Foster and Jamie Carragher, these players have made their statements that they don’t value playing for England as much as they should. As a result, they have diminished the respectability of wearing the England shirt.
I also wonder whether the modern day football is sometimes restricted by the changing dynamics of the game. Such is the intensity and the obsession with the Premier Leauge in recent years that perhaps means the national game has been pushed into the background as a consequence. Every time England are knocked out of a major tournament either Alan Hansen or Gareth Southgate will pop up and say something like ‘If you’re going to have a great national team you need to start sacrificing the quality of the Premier League’. But I don’t think this is particularly an issue. La Liga and Spain are the perfect example of being able to have a great domestic league and a great national team.
I think that more of a problem in the Premier League is the club’s manager’s distain for international football, in other words, the club versus country row. One of the great culprits of this is Arsene Wenger who seems to have a problem with every single player that plays for their country like the national set-up have committed an act of treason for fielding one of his players. I believe that this sort of over protectionism at club level has deterred young players from aspiring for their countires. So, in this sense, an argument may be that it isn’t so much that they don’t want to play for England, but they can’t play for England.
This has been a pretty negative article but I do believe there is light at the end of the tunnel, coincidentally with the opening of England’s new base in Burton, St. George’s Park. I think we now have a centre which will instil a bit more closeness and continuity in the England set-up and hopefully it will make the young players coming through a bit more attracted to playing for their country.
Also I believe it is important not to generalise all young players who do have genuine ambitions of being successful at international level. For example, James Milner is a great example of dedication to the cause at under-21 and international level.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
So do you agree with what Patrick Vieira’s view that youngsters don’t love playing for England? Or do you think that they are given a bad press?
Don’t forget to follow Matt’s articles @Matt_of_the_day
Former Arsenal defender Frank McLintock has revealed that the club are drifting at present and that having to wait two more years for success is not good enough, talkSPORT report.
McLintock was commenting after Arsenal’s AGM yesterday, where Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis claimed that success was not around the corner and that the club knew this when they moved to the Emirates Stadium.
“I think they’re drifting,
“They didn’t tell us [when they built the Emirates] it would take between seven and 12 years to start to achieve success.”
“We keep on selling our best players and bring in other players that are not quite up to the same standard and you have to be extremely lucky to continue to do that season after season. You might get away with it once or twice but you won’t get away with it four or five times.
“There is a lack of transparency. It would be nice if [Arsene] Wenger or the board came out and said this is the situation we’re in, these are our plans, it might take another year or two but this is where we’re going to go. But we don’t know. It’s always promises, promises and then in the end it’s disappointing.”
McLintock went on to discuss Arsenal’s on the field worries that can’t continue for much longer.
“The top four is essential, it really is, because you get so much money if you stay in there. But for a club like Arsenal that’s not enough,
“We have the most expensive tickets, the most expensive food and drink, but we don’t put top quality players on the pitch, so why are we playing so much for so little for so long?
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“Getting in the top four [every season] is a great record, but he needs a cup and how are we going to compete with these top teams and when is it going to happen?”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that his side’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Schalke was a “fair” result for both teams.
The Gunners were two goals up after 30 minutes, but let their advantage slip coming away with a single point.
Although they occupied a commanding position, the Frenchman believes that there were many positives to take from the encounter:
“With all the stick we got after Saturday’s game, it was important to show a good response and I think we did that.” He told SkySports.
“It was a difficult game – a good one as well, both teams played very well.
“It was unfortunate that we conceded that goal before half-time, and in the last minute we had the chance for 3-2, but overall I think a draw was fair.
“At 2-0 you have not won the game in the Champions League.
“German teams have physical quality and technical quality and they never give up, so I never felt the game was over.”
Theo Walcott missed a good chance late on which midfielder Mikel Arteta admitted was a big moment in the game:
“Considering we were 2-0 up, it can’t be good for us. We had the last chance too with Theo.
“We were unlucky to concede just before half-time. It was a completely different game, but that happened. But this is not an easy place to come. We’ll take the point.”
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Arsenal took the lead through Walcott after quarter-of-an-hour before Oliver Giroud doubled the advantage with a fine header on the 26 minute mark.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s clinical strike made it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time and Peruvian winger Jefferson Farfan completed the comeback with a deflected effort after 67 minutes.
Everton support striker Marouane Fellaini has flourished at Goodison Park during the last two seasons in a more advanced role than we have usually become accustomed to seeing him in since he first arrived in England four years ago. The Belgium ace looks every inch the game-changer as he was against Fulham at the weekend, but how far in the game can he really go?
Part of the increasingly talented Belgian contingent currently operating in the top flight, Fellaini has reportedly attracted interest from the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United in the past, but would he merit a place in their teams on his current form or would he have to revert to a deeper-lying, more reserved role to force his way into the starting eleven?
After scoring eight goals in his debut season in the Premier League back in 2008-9, the 24-year-old then went on to score just six goals over the course of the next three seasons and 11 across all competitions. However, since it became clear that Tim Cahill’s time at the club was winding down, Fellaini has been pushed forward to support Nikica Jelavic to truly superb effect and ensured that David Moyes’ not only haven’t skipped a beat, they’ve become a more threatening and consistent attacking force.
With five goals and two assists in his first nine league games so far this season, including the winner during the team’s 1-0 season opener against Manchester United at home were he bullied a makeshift defence and the brace this weekend against Fulham, his sheer physical presence marks him out as a special talent.
Often when players are lauded as ‘having a good touch for a big man’, it’s about as back-handed a compliment as you can get, as if being tall simply isn’t conducive to having good technique, but Fellaini is able to combine his physique with no end of finesse and he’s capable of scoring all kinds of goals, as displayed by his double at Craven Cottage.
The first goal was a lesson in movement and he completely left Chris Baird for dead before latching on to Kevin Mirallas’ cut-back before lashing home, while his second displayed what he’s capable of doing with more direct service, brilliantly bringing down Phil Jagielka’s long punt forward onto his chest, out-muscling Aaron Hughes before finishing with aplomb into the bottom near post.
That Fellaini has been able to make the move from a central midfield holding man to a deadly support striker is well worthy of admiration and it’s hardly as if the two position are transferable, but ever since his arrival in England, the player has spoken of how he sees playing further forward as best suiting his skill set and only now are we truly seeing that on a consistent enough basis.
While Everton would obviously love to keep hold of them and should they achieve Champions League football this season, a feat not entirely out of the realms of possibility given the respective struggles of top four rivals Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham so far, then they may be able to hold on to him for at least another season. Nevertheless, you sense that there’s an expiry date on his time at Goodison Park and that he’s destined for more than the club can offer him.
He certainly wouldn’t look out of his depth playing for someone like Real Madrid, Chelsea or Manchester United on current form and while the £25m fee that it would probably take for him to part Merseyside may be seen as a bit on the steep side by some, international team-mate Axel Witsel recently transferred to Russian club Zenit St Petersburg for €40 million and Fellaini is arguably a more effective and versatile performer than him, already familiar with the top flight, albeit with limited European experience, so it’s about right if you ask me.
There’s an argument to be made that Fellaini may be slightly too cumbersome and slow to play an attacking role in Jose Mourinho’s side, while Manchester United and Chelsea are less prone to supplying the sort of direct service he thrives on, even if at Old Trafford he would have an ample supply of crosses to get his head onto.
Moreover, cast your eye around Europe at the moment and the lack of quality, recognised holding midfielders on show is scarce and there appears to be a real dearth of talent in that role at the moment. At Barcelona, Javier Mascherano has been converted into a sweeper to make up for the injury-prone nature of the ageing Carles Puyol.
Elsewhere, the likes of John Obi Mikel and Darren Fletcher both have their flaws, with really only Javi Martinez, Sergio Busquets and Sami Khedira to write home about. There’s nothing to stop Fellaini being held in such esteemed company in the future, but he may have to forgo his fondness for an attacking role to achieve it.
He is an hugely intelligent, adaptable and tactically aware player who uses the ball well in tight spaces, not to mention his aerial dominance and robustness in the tackle. At the true pinnacle of European football, though, there will always be quicker, trickier players capable of ‘breaking lines’ in the opponents final third and Fellaini may come to resemble a limited throwback to a forgotten generation of stylistic stagnation.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
There’s no doubting his talent and the fact that he has something to offer the truly best teams in the world at the moment, but there are legitimate concerns over whether he is the right fit for the slick, fluid forward play that has become the fashionable in-vogue style on the continent. He has all the tools, but where he uses them will dictate how successful his career will eventually turn out to be.
If the yearly panto season of novelty charity matches have taught us anything, it’s that menfolk can never let go of the idea they could be professional footballers, no matter how successful they’ve been in other walks of life. There seem to be a never-ending slew of politicians, musicians, disgraced television presenters and former Eastenders actors unsure of their place in the world since they ended the Bill, more than willing to be annually celebrated in their delusion for our amusement. Of late the phenomena has even ensnared some notable Hollywood A-listers. Who can forget Woody Harrelson triumphantly slotting a penalty past Jamie Theakston with all the grace and poise of a drunk man trying to kick a pigeon, disproving once and for all that White Men Can’t Punt. Or imagine the sight of Sam Allardyce crying hearty tears of joy into his Bovril as Mike Myers hoofed a ball downfield with little or no aim or specific purpose.
But while the world of film is filled with cameos and misguided star vehicles for American sports stars, there remains a paltry selection of footballers who’ve crossed the hollowed line into film. You may remind me of the indomitable Goal film trilogy, and Alan Shearer’s immortal delivery of the classic line “you done with that son?” Or indeed that Vinnie Jones technically qualifies as a footballer, but I would laugh heartily in your face. The fact remains that the world’s most popular sport is still woefully represented in the realms of it’s most popular procrastinatory pass time.
And in that spirit, the noble elves at Football Fancast have bravely procrastinated like no other to help you pass the time, and imagine what a world of footballers in films would look like. And it’s a horrible, scary world of puns and bad photoshopping.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
[divider]
Click on the Big Sam Theory to unveil the TV/Film posters
Alan Pardew believes Sir Alex Ferguson should be banned for his remonstrations at the officials during Newcastle’s 4-3 defeat to Manchester United on Boxing Day.
United’s boss was left enraged by referee Mike Dean’s decision to overrule linesman Jake Collin’s offside call and allow Jonny Evan’s own goal to stand, giving the Magpies a 2-1 lead at half-time.
Dean chose not to send the Scot to the stands and has left his altercations with the manager out of his post-match report, but Pardew feels the Football Association should take retrospective action.
“I think Mike Dean might feel slightly disappointed he didn’t do something about it,” Pardew told The Guardian.
“I think the pressure that was on him was tough for a referee to take. Sometimes when you reflect on a game you think you might have acted differently. You do that as a manager and I think he might have done that as a referee.
“But it’s an emotional game and apparently they had a cordial discussion. I’ve had a few of those myself and sometimes I’ve ended up in the stands as a result of that cordial discussion.”
Pardew was also angered that the FA missed Toon defender Fabricio Coloccini allegedly receive a blow to the face from Reds striker Robin van Persie.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
He added: “I think there were a lot of things the FA could look at. But it seems they are looking at none.”
The defeat at Old Trafford has left the Magpies in 15th place, five points above the relegation zone.
Liverpool will be extremely eager to make amends for their last outing at Anfield when they suffered a shock 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
Prior to the visit of the West Midlanders Brendan Rodgers had made optimistic noises of try to chase the top two in the Premier League.
Last weekend may burst the Northern Irishman’s bubble slightly, but they are only 7 points off the top four and all is far from lost.
The Reds may have had a “bad day at the office” in the words of the manager last time out but will be hoping from a routine home win to bring some festive joy around Merseyside. There was bright news for them this weekend already as Raheem Sterling looked close to committing to a new long term deal which would be an early Christmas present for Liverpool fans.
Fulham fans will be hoping for a lot better this weekend than what they had to see in their last viewing of the Cottagers against QPR at Loftus Road. They were the team that finally helped QPR end the League’s most barren run without a win.
This weekend’s away fixture is significantly longer to Liverpool and they don’t travel particularly well with their last three points on the road coming against Wigan at the DW Stadium in September.
The Cottagers have won once in their last 9 games and will be hoping that they don’t creep closer to the drop zone this weekend.
Jose Enrique is available for selection again after a hamstring injury. Nuri Sahin is back too having finally recovered from his broken nose suffered against Udinese earlier this month.
Despite starting the last three games Lucas is struggling for fitness. Suso is expected to step in for Sterling.
Steve Sidwell is suspended having reached his fifth booking last time out. Sascha Riether is available after recovering from a knee problem. Mahamadou Diarra and Bryan Ruiz can’t make this one with knee and hamstring issues respectively.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Fulham have hit the target with 53% of their shots this season in the Premier League; a higher proportion than any other side, and will be hoping they can strike lucky with one of these chances in the 5.30 kick off on Saturday.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Fulham
Check the odds ahead of the game at Anfield with William Hill here
You can also Get a Free £25 Bet on the game by clicking here