22 December MW 17 OFF, OFF, OFF, OFF, OFF In a season littered with red cards even last weekend’s flurry of dismissals was quite something. Only once before in Matchweek 2 have there been as many as five. The Brentford Villa match was the third this season to feature two sending-offs, but the first toContinue reading “2023/24 Premier League Nuggets”
Category Archives: Manchester United
2023/24 Premier League Nuggets
15 December MW 16 VILLA HOME COMFORTS By beating Arsenal and Manchester City in quick succession at Villa Park, Aston Villa secured their 14th and 15th successive Premier League home wins. A run that stretches back to February when they lost 4-2 to Arsenal. Over those 15 matches they have scored 39 goals and concededContinue reading “2023/24 Premier League Nuggets”
Premier League Nuggets 2023/24
24 November MW12 During the international break attention shifted towards off the pitch issues. MANAGERIAL MERRY-GO-ROUND STUCK As we near the end of November there is yet to be a managerial departure during the season (Julien Lopetegui left Wolves in the week prior to the beginning of the season). This is a rarity in theContinue reading “Premier League Nuggets 2023/24”
A brief history of top-flight points deductions
Everton’s 10-point deduction is the heaviest punishment in the history of the English top flight, but they are not the first club to have been docked points. Sunderland were the first club to be docked two points in the 1890-91 season when they fielded an unregistered player, Ned Doig. The Scottish goalkeeper went on toContinue reading “A brief history of top-flight points deductions”
Premier League Nuggets 2023/24 – MW 5
22 September Week 5 TO THE BITTER END Both Tottenham and Aston Villa scored twice after the 96th minute of their matches, the latest in an increasingly long line of goals scored in 2nd half added time. There have been 18 goals scored this season after 90 minutes, 12% of overall total. Tottenham’s second goalContinue reading “Premier League Nuggets 2023/24 – MW 5”
Premier League Nuggets 2023/24
September 1st The one remaining 100% record in the Premier League rests on the familiar shoulders of Manchester City while Everton and the three promoted clubs are already nine points adrift of the champions. Plus ça change at the top and the bottom. BRENTFORD DRAW COMFORT Brentford’s draw with Palace on Saturday broke the Bees’ recordContinue reading “Premier League Nuggets 2023/24”
Premier League Nuggets
As the thirtieth Premier League season is over, it is high time for some Nuggets, all 30 of them firstly club-by-club, and then some generic ones. 1. Starting with Arsenal who lost more games (13) than Brighton (11) & Palace (12) but won more (22) than Chelsea (21). 2. Next up it’s Aston Villa –Continue reading “Premier League Nuggets”
Palace’s FA Cup semi-final : a chance to celebrate
As a Palace supporter I find it difficult to contain the thrill of going to Wembley this weekend for the club’s fifth appearance in an FA Cup semi-final. While for the fans of our opponents Chelsea and the other semi-finalists, Liverpool and Manchester City, this is much more routine. It is all part and parcelContinue reading “Palace’s FA Cup semi-final : a chance to celebrate”
O captain, my captain: does it matter who wears the armband?
There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth around Old Trafford on Tuesday night after the home side were knocked out of the Champions League by Atlético Madrid. The contrasting fortunes of the two clubs was encapsulated in a few minutes towards the end of the second half. With ten minutes remaining Atlético’s captain JorgeContinue reading “O captain, my captain: does it matter who wears the armband?”
Boxing Day 1963 and how fortunes switched dramatically two days later
As the frenetic Christmas calendar swings into action English players are very much in the minority amongst major European leagues in readying themselves for the customary glut of games squeezed into the tightest of holiday schedules. While the Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 are embarking on at least a fortnight’s winter break, Premier LeagueContinue reading “Boxing Day 1963 and how fortunes switched dramatically two days later”