Chelsea will be looking to kick their season off with a second straight victory, as will Newcastle, when the two English Premier League forces square off at Stamford Bridge in today's marquee match-up.
The Blues opened the season with a victory against Reading, while the Magpies toppled Tottenham to get their new campaign off on the right foot. With the race for the Top Four in the Premier League expected to be a tight one yet again, this match will carry extra importance for both sides.
Elsewhere in England, Manchester United will be playing their home opener at Old Trafford against a confident Fulham side that opened the season with a resounding victory. At Villa Park, Aston Villa takes on an Everton side that will be looking to build on its season-opening upset of Manchester United.
If you will be watching today's action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today's TV schedule is after the jump):
TODAY'S SOCCER ON TV
10 a.m. - Fox Soccer Channel - Manchester United vs. Fulham
10 a.m. - Fox Soccer Plus/FoxSoccer2Go - Tottenham vs. West Brom
10 a.m. - FoxSoccer2Go - Aston Villa vs. Everton
10 a.m. - FoxSoccer2Go - Norwich City vs. Queens Park Rangers
10 a.m. - FoxSoccer2Go - Sunderland vs. Reading
10 a.m. - FoxSoccer2Go - Southampton vs. Wigan Athletic
10 a.m. - beIN Sport - Blackburn vs. Leicester City
12 p.m. - beIN Sport - Fiorentina vs. Udinese
12:30 p.m. - Fox Soccer Channel - Chelsea vs. Newcastle
12:30 p.m. - GOLTV - Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Bayer Leverkusen
2:40 p.m. - beIN Sport - Juventus vs. Parma
2:45 p.m. - GOLTV - Stuttgart vs. Wolfsburg
3 p.m. - Univision Deportes - Valenciennes vs. Ajaccio
4 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick - Montreal Impact vs. D.C. United
4:45 p.m. - GOLTV - Defensor Sporting vs. Nacional
5 p.m. - beIN Sport - Malaga vs. Mallorca
5:30 p.m. - Univision – America vs. Tijuana
5:30 p.m. - Telefutura - Pachuca vs. Santos Laguna
5:30 p.m. - Univision Deportes - Tigres UANL vs. Toluca
5:30 p.m. - ESPN3.com – Vasco de Gama vs. Fluminense
7 p.m. - ESPN3.com – North Carolina vs. Gardner-Webb
7:30 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick - Columbus Crew vs. New England Revolution
8:30 p.m. – MLS Live/Direct Kick - Houston Dynamo vs. Toronto FC
10:30 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick - San Jose Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids
10:30 p.m. – MLS Live/Direct Kick - Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
10:30 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick – Chivas USA vs. Seattle Sounders
I agree
what he said was something to the extent of he doesn’t want to get injured playing and endanger a transfer. you’re right, but the way dempsey’s handling this has not been professional ie not showing up for the preseason. honestly, both sides are trying to do whats right for them. As an everton fan, i for one say the entirety of the blame belongs with liverpool. just sayin
Jol has even said Clint hasn’t refused to play. Fulham have stated that they’re just keeping him away from the team until this is sorted out one way or another.
The only sensible thing at this point is for Fulham to make sure they sell Dempsey before the window ends.
Otherwise, they have an already devalued asset sitting around. Even if they get him back and playing, it seems unlikely now that he will approach last year’s heights and be a hot item in January. And of course they lose him at the end of the season.
It seems as if both sides have mishandled this thing from day one and it now looks like both sides will pay. If I were the owner ( and he may be a huge part of the problem ) I’d consider firing everyone involved in allowing this fiasco to get to this point.
Very unprofessional behavior from both sides.
I disagree with how you’re interpreting this.
Yes, Dimidri, I do have to keep repeating myself in support of Clint Dempsey. You don’t like it, then don’t read it. I am totally pi$$ed off at the way Martin “Darth Vader” Jol and Fulham management have treated him and the lies that have been perpetrated. It was a complete hatchet job on America’s best player who also is one of the most popular members of the USNMT and I am not going to stand by idly and allow them to get away with it.
We definitely have to be highly skeptical of any words that come out of Darth’s mouth. In his initial vicious bullying attack on Clint the day before the Norwich match, he said Clint refused to play and then Darth proceeded to do all he could to ruin Clint’s reputation. And, man, did he succeed, with the fans chanting against Clint the next day during the match and ripping him to shreds non-stop on the Fulham message boards. But then, lo and behold, Darth’s story starts to change in proceeding days, with such gag-me-with-a-spoon comments about Clint like: ”I told him I almost love him as a son last year…” Oh yeahhhh, Darth?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19298824
And, now, in a fresh news story Darth Vader has the gall to claim: ”I never said he’s gone on strike.” Oh yeah? And then Darth goes on to advise Clint to be more like Robin van Persie. “There are always players in football like Van Persie who want to move, but they keep quiet.” Give me a break, Darth?
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/2/8012127/fulham-complain-over-dempsey-pursuit
With all due DIS-respect to Jol, the guy is a complete mean-spirited jerk and I, personally, do not believe a word that comes out of his mouth. If you look at Jol’s comments on Clint, he always says that Fulham has not received a “firm offer” or an “official offer.” The question that reporters should be asking Jol is how many teams expressed interest in Clint and what Fulham’s reply was to those teams. If Jol said we ain’t gonna sell Clint no way no how or if he slapped a hugely inflated transfer fee on Clint, then those interested teams would say thanks but no thanks and would not make a “firm” offer and would move on. This story here claims Liverpool offered 5 million and fulham declined.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4502080/Fulham-last-night-took-Liverpool-to-a-Premier-League-tribunal-for-allegedly-tapping-up-Clint-Dempsey.html
I think what has happened for months and months behind the scenes is that Clint was being bullied by Darth Vader and Fulham management to try to force him to sign the contract extension and he stood firm and did not back down and he did not sign and Jol decided in one last attempt before the Norwich match to play really, really dirty–the hatchet job.
Unforgivable, as Clint was denied a dignified exit by a team he played for with all his heart and soul for over five years. And make no mistake, Fulham is going to pay a heavy price in plunging support in the US and I imagine it will be many years before another American player joins the club.
I don’t know that Fulham have placed a value on Clint for the market, nor have we heard of any bids.
We heard/saw Liverpool announce that Clint was their player, before a deal was done.
Isn’t this part of the problem, no one knows what Fulham want for the Deuce
You are behind the times. MB90 plays for Roma and has nothing to with Villa.
This is new management now.
Guzan took the new contract knowing that Given would get first shot and was probably betting on exactly this sort of outcome. It won’t be long before he gets hits turn. The only problem is he now has a bad team in front of him.
Lichaj may or may not start but he probably isn’t the answer. If he was he would have been starting by now.
At this point Lichaj is sort of drifting into Jonny Spector,Mr. Utility man land; good enough to be a fill in when the starter turns to crap or gets hurt but not good enough to earn a spot full time.
That versatility appears to be what is keeping Lichaj around. Hopefully he can build on it.
a belated +1 for you tyler
as well they should. I’ve got no problem with saying I want out. Its part of football; its part of every sport. If he wants to play at a higher level, Fulham should acknowledge it. Yet, simply refusing to play is unprofessional. You signed a contract, and, until you are released from that contract, you damn well honor it.
Guzan will probably start but Villa have bigger problems than the insertion of Guzn or even Lichaj, who they clearly don’t view as starter material, will solve.
This is not a very good team right now.
Liverpool just signed a Turkish midfielder on loan from Real Madrid. So now what does Deuce do?
Why doesn’t Clint just play out the year and leave on a free?
Macca and the old guy really tore into clint at halftime of the ESPN game this morning.
Fergie should sign Dembele before he heads to the bus.
Moussa Dembele is a fricking beast. That performance today against Man U was outstanding and no doubt going to ignite some big offers from some big teams in the next few days. Like Clint Dempsey, Dembele certainly won’t be signing a contract extension and don’t see how Fulham can pass up a 10-million Plus transfer fee just to keep him until June and lose him for free.
Buh bye Rooney!
Late to the party? Yes.
Except (so far) Deuce has been frozen out of the first team so the benefit of playing him (and boosting the transfer fee for the mid-season window) won’t (assuming no change in the standoff) materialize.
The biggest reason for his hype is the dribbling displays. But, he is also very efficient with the ball and puts in a lot of work defensively. He has absolutely tore through United’s midfield this game.
Sure, but my point is it is there right to risk losing money. the majority of the ‘ you have to sell’ camp assume they’re being financial stupid, but think about it , if they do what I say, best case scenario they get deuce for a year( production+poss their record comvinces him to stay a la Kobe in the gasol trade year) and a higher fee than what they are currently being offered. worst case, they get maybe a slightly lower offer but get deuce production for half a yeR
All he needs is the pornstar mustache now
Sweet. Fwiw, Parkhurst got n assist too and now has a couple of goals and assists so far as his club (which I can’t spell) is at the top of the table in Denmark.
Great to see YA contributing offensively at a decent clip early in the European leagues season.
IDK if anyone else was paying attention last night, but RSL has a guy named Johnny Steele.
Awesome? Yes.
Lichaj come in and gets an assist!
Guzan has to start next week. AV in deep trouble. They could use Lichje as well.
In other right back news, Spector starts again for Birmingham. Packwood not in the 18.
With respect, the one push back to your view (which I think is fair) is that a player’s valuation in the market is not solely a function of the seller’s price point. I have no idea what bids, if any, Fulham has received and what fee amounts the prospective buyers are offering. However, it *may* be that Fulham has not or will not accurately assess market value.
As a result, it’s likely that If Fulham intends to sell, they are losing money by dragging this out.
Cheers
Oh tim, no. thats bad
Swanselona!
Don’t worry guys, Given is better because he’s European. They know what they’re doing over there.
50 million for Andy Carroll? Don’t mind if I do.
Spurs could start by playing their best players. There’s no reason Siggurdson should be on the bench.
Do you really need to repeat yourself on every post?
Here’s my question-if Fulham said “clint had asked to leave, and while we respect his wishes, his are not the only ones at stake here. we feel the offers we’ve received so not meet our valuation, thus we would like to have his production for half a hear and reevaluate in January” would you call that bullying because they won’t acquiesce to Clint every whim?
Its easy to pick on the silly stuff that’s said, but Clint is under contract, and Fulham have every right to get the best deal. and come on, is it really bullying when he can leave in a year anyway, with way more teams being able to afford him.
Jelavic draws a foul on a brilliant pass from Gibson. Red card. Villa’s getting torched.
Me either. This is likely be the only time I root for ManU this year or for the foreseeable future.
Why do EPL match announcers drool over Dembele? For all his slick ball skills, where is the production and link up with teammates. For every nifty dribbling display, how many of his forays set up quality or dangerous attacks?
Serious question. Fulham supporters care to chime in….
and the silence rings out around villa park
Ha-Ha. My feeling exactly. I never pull for Man. U, but am doing so today. Clint gave his heart and soul to Fulham for over five years and has been repaid by being treated like $hi+ by Martin “Darth Vader” Jol and Fulham billionaire owner Mohamed Al-Fayedd. Clint is guilty of declining to sign a contract extension. He should have been given the dignified exit that he earned and deserved. Jol and Fulham should think long and hard about finally coming clean with the truth and offering a sincere publicly apology for their mistreatment of Clint. Two sides to every story. The truth will come out.
Seb Hines with the start in the center of defense for Boro, and hes also grabbed his first goal of the year!
agreed. why go to liverpool when you can win with fulham. sure they might not beat United but would liverpool (exception of the league cup)
Given was the weak link for Eire (Ireland) in the Euros this summer…painfully obvious he has lost a step so to speak…thus his retirement from international football to try and hold on to his club #1 job…performaces like this and he will be on the bench real soon…Guzan has earned the opportunity and its time to let him take charge.
Also this was the same club that would not play Bradley at all when he was on loan…go figure…
Spurs’ play crying out to Deuce insertion…..or stay at FFC…get forgiveness of fans and go on to legendary status.
Villa are crap. Get some Yanks in before you get relegated.
Everton off to their customary slow start, fulham come crashing down, villa defense sans guzan and lichaj a shambles.
This team is fun to watch
Another brilliant goal for Everton. Jelavic steps back out of the 6yard box to loads of space and one touches it in. no idea where the heck the centerbacks went.
ManPoo up 3-1 on a Raffael header. Here’s hoping they get the obligatory dubious penalty in the box call so they can rout Fulham (yes, biased because of the Deuce situation as normally root for them to lose)
Naismith’s fitting in well.
Biggest winner so far in toffees-villa is probably brad guzan. had a chance at the first one and should have had the second
Fellaini scores but Given could have definitely done better. Good news for Guzan.
Ohhhh and another goal for Everton as everyone goes forward. Fellaini’s gonna get a goal a game this year!
Dominant performance from Swansea in the early game.
fantastic strike from Pienaar to start. they’ve got one heck of a midfield at everton.