Issue 57 - Leaving It Late

FIFA succumb to fan pressure. Arsenal withstand the pressure in dramatic fashion. No drama at Anfield as Salah maybe has his last hurrah. Hurrah it is nearly Christmas, fancy a bit more football chat while we’re here? Issue 57. Go.

Some Common Sense

After the furore that was attached to the 2026 World Cup ticket prices, it seems as FIFA have stumbled across a modicum of sense.

Sense that comes in the shape of £45 ($60 tickets) being made available in each of the tournament’s 104 matches. These tickets will only be offer to supporters of the 48 nations that have eventually qualified.

For each of those nations, 10% of their respective allocation will be priced at £45. This means that England’s 10% will be somewhat bigger than that of Uzbekistan’s or Jordan’s due to the size of initial allocations.

However, there will certainly be a huge rush for the tickets at that price point but rush or not, £45 is far more palatable than the sums that were being quoted at the end of last week.

Fan power wins this time around in a rare admitted own goal for FIFA and when you consider how many own goals were scored in the Premier League last weekend, that in itself is rather apt.

No Contract Please

If there is one important piece of business that Crystal Palace need to nail down in the January window it is the signing of Oliver Glasner’s new contract. Supporters would love to see the Austrian commit his future at Selhurst Park, he may be having cold feet.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there are reports that a new contract is actually of no interest to the man who oversaw FA Cup success just a few months ago and if this is to be the last few months of his South London tenure, then the Palace board are already looking ahead.

A look that takes Steve Parish to La Liga and Getafe’s José Bordalás. Bordalás’ brand of football is labelled as ‘anti-football’ to the max and would be quite a different style compared to the current Eagles’ boss.

Rough And Tough

However, the man who is managing one of Madrid’s smaller clubs (a Madrid equivalent of Brentford in the capital) has placed himself on the radar of many potential employers and because his football is so jarring, it seems to be having a relatively positive effect on the pitch.

Getafe currently sit 10th in La Liga before another round of action this weekend. Palace will be doing their best to try and have another round of contract talks with Glasner as soon as possible.

Does the Austrian have his eyes on Old Trafford? He may do if Ruben Amorim cannot find the required consistency at the Theatre of Dreams. It may all hinge on the European chances of both Palace and United.

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Ten Takeaways

A look at the main stories from last weekend’s Premier League action. Get yourself some Tuesday night takeaway.

Chelsea vs Everton

Chelsea back to winning ways, manager Enzo Maresca with a coded message saying that he had the worst 48 hours in the build up to Saturday’s visit of Everton. He would however be pleased across 90 minutes as Cole Palmer not only returned to fitness but also got the opener against the Toffees.

David Moyes’ men hampered by the injury to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the former Chelsea midfielder taking any wind that Everton were trying to get into their sails. While the Merseyside men may have to go into the January sales to find more firepower. They are not playing bad this season - a point the manager often reinforces but they lack bite from one week to the next.

Liverpool vs Brighton

All that fuss and Mo Salah comes on as a substitute in the win against Brighton. Discussion regarding his involvement taking place the day before, his involvement sped up by the injury to Joe Gomez. Towards the end the game had an air of testimonial for the Egyptian star. If that is to be his last apperance, at least he went out with a home win.

Something that Brighton may have to rely on to get back to winning ways as they were second best at Anfield. That is not to say they did not have chances on Saturday but they are another side that are lacking a real snap in attack - or at least one you can rely on week in week out.

Burnley vs Fulham

Burnley’s run of successive league defeats is now extended to seven, it may have once again been fine margins in terms of their loss but on the evidence they served up at Turf Moor on Saturday, their report card would say something along the lines of “defensively, must do a lot better” Basic errors against Fulham, basically leading to their own demise.

As for Fulham, the 3-2 scoreline does not quite reflect how easy they had things on Saturday. A sense of foot off the pedal once their two-goal lead had been registered by Harry Wilson before the hour. Calvin Bassey scoring the Cottagers second and nearly evoking the spirit of Franz Beckenbauer with a mazy run, before remembering he is actually Calvin Bassey.

Arsenal vs Wolves

I have seen less jam in a Tesco doughnut then I have Arsenal’s manner of victory against Wolves on Saturday night. If you were giving the Gunners pluadits, you would say their 2-1 victory is a sign of a winning team. You were being critical, you would say that they have only achieved a performance against Wolves - up to you to decide your framing of the result.

As for Wolves, their search for a Premier League is now extended to 20 consecutive matches. They have been even at the break in each of their last six before succumbing to defeat. Does this suggest their opponents know they have a second gear after the interval whereas Rob Edwards’ men do not. I think it probably does.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester City

With Arsenal temporarily extending their gap at the top, all eyes were on Selhusrt Park the following day. Could Crystal Palace become a voice in this season’s title race? Could they act as spoiler for another entrant if nothing else? The answer to both those questions was no. The Eagles caught in the Thursday/Sunday cycle, welcome to what ambition looks like.

Manchester City’s ambition to win the Premier League in May was far from dampened in the South London Sunday sun. Two for Haaland, one for Foden. This duo have scored 21 league goals this season between them. The club as a whole have managed 38. Attacker and attacking midfielder responsible for 63% of their attacking output thus far.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham

A big win for Nottingham Forest in both magnitude and margin as Sean Dyche’s men made incredibly light work of Tottenham. The City Ground rocking after a 3-0 win, three more points bridging the gap between themselves and the bottom three. Did Callum Hudson Odoi mean his second of the afternoon. Of course he did not. That though says more about….

Guglielmo Vicario. Part or fully culpable for Forest’s first of the afternoon. Caught unawares by the time the hosts’ lead was doubled. The Italian has certainly been in the firing line these past few weeks. No doubt that a new goalkeeper should be top of Thomas Frank’s Christmas list, the Dane has to decide whether to change personnel at the weekend.

Sunderland vs Newcastle

You wait all that time for a Tyne Wear derby and then it is settled by a Nick Woltemade own goal. Far from a classic encounter between Sunderland and Newcastle but the Black Cats will not care about finesse or style, they will be delighted that their unbeaten run over their nearest rivals is extended to 10 - along with a four-point gap between the two.

As for Newcastle, a sense of after the horse has bolted when it came to Eddie Howe’s comments after the game. He promised to make it right in midweek but a home win over Fulham as holders of the League Cup should be almost a given. Damage done in terms of local bragging rights. Damage also done as far as Bruno Guimaraes’ own comments.

West Ham vs Aston Villa

Two points from the last 15 on offer, West Ham look like they could be relegation fodder once more. A very bright start at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, their star burnt out by the time they had given a way an advantage for the second time in the afternoon. Jarrod Bowen might have to do this all on his own when it comes to survival, will the task be too big?

As for Aston Villa, their trip to the London Stadium was always going to be an indicator of just what this team has about them. No good beating Arsenal the week before, if you cannot show title potential the week after. Morgan Rogers could potentially be playing number 10 for England in the summer, in this form it is hard to argue against it.

Brentford vs Leeds

Many people moaned as to why Brentford and Leeds had the 16:30 slot on Sunday. The simple reason is that SKY have to share about across the season. That and Arsenal simply cannot play Manchester City every other week. A score draw at the GTech arguably two points dropped by the Bees considering their home form.

Which by the same token makes it a point gained for Leeds when you consider their form on the road. Regardless of venue, that is five points from the last nine on offer for the Elland Road outfit. Daniel Farke riding the crest of a wave after almost looking like he had capsized, Dominic Calvert-Lewin making it four in four. Can he get in the England mix? He needs to stay fit more than anything else.

Manchester United vs Bournemouth

Certainly the best until last as Manchester United and Bournemouth played out an absolutely bonkers eight-goal thriller at Old Trafford. The perfect punch and counterpunch from two featherweights who were prepared to leave it all in the ring (on the pitch). Gary Neville liked what he saw when the hosts were losing, I see what he means.

Even when 3-2 down, United had more of a swagger about them than in recent weeks/months/years, there were more positives to take - especially after earning a point. Both sides with defensive defects on show, the Cherries have not won in any of their last seven. They are probably good enough to stay up, but I don’t think they can relax just yet.

The Filter Five

Five sprints up the touchline to keep you warm

Get The Chequebook

A huge upset in the Scottish League Cup final on Sunday as St Mirren beat Celtic by three goals to one. A victory celebrated heavily in Paisley but also just as much as in Edinburgh because if you are a Hearts fan watching that, you would be thinking another star has alligned.

If Tony Bloom was watching, he would be thinking a couple of new faces at Tynecastle and they really could turn the screw on Wilfried Nancy at Celtic Park. No more Martin O’Neill who had the Hoops clicking, now the new boss has his players jumping through hoops to much confusion.

Former Celtic Boss

After his exit from Celtic Park, Brendan Rodgers was never going to be out of work for long. Did anyone have Saudi Arabia as his next port of call? The Ulsterman now employed by Al-Qadsiah. I am sure he has supported them since he was a wee boy.

Mbappe Wins Big

Heard the one about the former PSG forward taking his former employers to court? Kylian Mbappe did so and is now going to be 60m Euro better off. Not six, SIXTY.

Not that the French forward needs such money but a French court has awarded the now Real Madrid star this figure in unpaid salary and bonuses. There’s no doubt that the club’s Qatari-owners will be able to stump up but I wonder if it dents any January spend hopes.

Luis Enrique’s men are currently a point behind Lens in the race for the Ligue 1 title, they may need reinforcements if they are to be the kings of France once again.

Oh Good Evans

Steve Evans is back in the EFL managerial circus. A manager that you cannot stand when you are up against but a man who you cannot help but love when he is in charge.

Now pitching up at Bristol Rovers, his task is to keep the club in League Two. If he does so, he may end up completing the task at the expense of one of his former employers Crawley. Stranger things have happened at the foot of the Football League, stranger things that have included Evans himself.

The Dembele Double

Ousmane Dembele adds to his Ballon d’or success by also picking up the men's player of the year at the Fifa Best awards. Just like everything else FIFA do, its so tacky. No prestige but still, good for a photo opportunity or two I guess.

Admin

Right, that’s the end of issue 57 as word continues to spread around the football world.

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