Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By JUSTIN FERGUSON
After a busy international break, the top leagues from all around the world are back in action on a jam-packed Soccer Saturday.
The English Premier League’s spotlight match Saturday will be Everton vs. Chelsea, which will be televised on NBC here in the United States. Chelsea ended their winless run at Goodison Park last season, and the Blues will be eyeing to start a streak against Everton in Saturday’s match. With only four goals through its first three league matches, the Chelsea attack will have to step it up against an Everton squad that has posted back-to-back scoreless draws.
Elsewhere in England, Arsenal fans will get their first look at superstar signing Mesut Özil as the Gunners hit the road to take on winless Sunderland. Manchester United will most likely debut their newest signing Saturday when former Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini enters Old Trafford for the first time as a Red Devil.
In Germany, second-place Bayern Munich will look for all three points against third-place Hannover 96 at the Allianz Arena. The defending champions steamrolled Hannover in both of their matches last season, but their opponents on Saturday have won back-to-back matches heading into this big Bundesliga matchup.
The Derby d’Italia will resume Saturday as Inter Milan heads to Turin to take on traditional rivals Juventus. Carlos Tevez has scored three goals in three matches for his new club, and the former Manchester City forward will go toe-to-toe with an Inter defense that has not surrendered a goal in their first two Serie A matches.
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):
7:45am – NBC Sports Network – Manchester United vs Crystal Palace
9:30am – GolTV – Bayern Munich vs Hannover 96
10am – NBC Sports Live Extra – Aston Villa vs Newcastle United
10am – NBC Sports Live Extra – Fulham vs West Bromwich Albion
10am – NBC Sports Live Extra – Hull City vs Cardiff City
10am – NBC Sports Live Extra – Stoke City vs Manchester City
10am – NBC Sports Live Extra – Tottenham Hotspur vs Norwich City
10am – NBC Sports Network – Sunderland vs Arsenal
10am – beIN Sport en Español – Atlético Madrid vs AlmerÃa
12pm – beIN Sport – Inter Milan vs Juventus
12pm – beIN Sport en Español – Levante vs Real Sociedad
12:30pm – NBC – Everton vs Chelsea
2pm – MLS Direct Kick – Montreal Impact vs Columbus Crew
2pm – Univision Deportes – Ajaccio vs Evian TG
2pm – beIN Sport – Barcelona vs Sevilla
4pm – UniMás – DC United vs Los Angeles Galaxy
4pm – beIN Sport – Villarreal vs Real Madrid
6pm – Univision Deportes – Veracruz vs León
6pm – Univision – Cruz Azul vs Tigres UANL
7pm – MLS Direct Kick – New York Red Bulls vs Toronto FC
7:30pm – MLS Direct Kick – Philadelphia Union vs Houston Dynamo
8pm – Univision Deportes – Monterrey vs Pachuca
8:30pm – MLS Direct Kick –  Chicago Fire vs New England Revolution
9pm – MLS Direct Kick – Colorado Rapids vs Dallas FC
10pm – Univision Deportes – Chiapas vs Atlas
10:30pm – MLS Direct Kick – Chivas USA vs Portland Timbers
10:30pm – MLS Direct Kick – San Jose Earthquakes vs Vancouver Whitecaps
Loving these Western Conference results tonight!
Schellas Hyndman is in his 6th season, and FC Dallas have not made the playoffs in 3, maybe 4 of those seasons. In the 6 seasons before that, Dallas only missed twice. Now that the Hunts have sold the Crew, I hope they will put some thought into Dallas. They need to fire Schellas, and dump Benitez, Hassli, and Cooper. Ferriera needs to be a sub as well. Time to rebuild.
The Red Bulls are in first place in the East.
Despite the dropped points and AJ’s dislocated elbow, I enjoyed seeing Robbie sit 2 DC guys on their ass. And, I absolutely loved Mikey’s goal.
LA lacks that 3rd attacking option. Seattle has 4-5 guys that can create offense.
I think Clint Mathis mentioned it and I agree that we need to get something better out of free kicks than sending the ball over the bar.
Montreal proves why they are pretenders in the East.
DC, please start building the new stadium.
Best comment of the day was from a commentator talking about Gareth Bale when he refused to use his right foot: “You would think 100 million pounds would buy you a right foot.”
I am bored hearing us voice our outrage at unjust refereeing decisions. You call yourself a soccer fan? Great. Me too. Then realize that there is basically no appeals process for anything that could affect a competitive result. Sure there are retroactive disciplinary actions, etc… but it changes nothing.
Why does this matter? Because the rubbish Joel Campbell pulled the other day only occurs BECAUSE WE MAKE OURSELVES VULNERABLE TO IT! Be serious– can you imagine him trying that bs against another Central American team? Of course not– they are wise to that. For that matter, I’d bet my whole net worth it never happens to Besler again. Now he knows.
You think these guys regard this as some sort of ethical quandry? Get serious. These are third-world countries with real problems. Soccer is a needed diversion. They think it’s hilarious when the spokesman makes an excuse about the positioning of the USSF cameras. Hell, even Argentina has a good laugh every time the Hand of God goal comes up.
We love our excuses. We’re more ethical. That’s good. Admirable. Buy yourself a beer. Just don’t wait around for the International Court of Imaginary Appeals to hand you a trophy,
And yes, I realize I twisted the topic a little bit there.
Why do people keep saying Besler should have been ready for it…..
Besler is supposed to cover him… not run away from forwards…. It was a crap call thats it.
Your argument is somewhat confused… Because of course Campbell would try that on Honduras for example. And of course Argentina thinks the Hand of God was funny.. It helped them…. it didn’t harm them…..
Ok. Go ahead. Scour Youtube for six hours. Find me a single clip of Joel Campbell, or any Costa Rica player now or ever, trying that on a team that isn’t us.
Ironically, my guess is you come back with an answer like “well the cameras weren’t positioned for it”. Mr Pinto would be proud.
So… you are saying Costa Rican players never dive or fake injury. Just this one time…. It will never happen again.
Campbell is like a 21 year old that’s on loan in Greece…. So I have to find Greek football highlights to have an text based argument with you about an event we do have video of….
Also I am not clear about what we are arguing about at all. Just that I think that kind of dive is unavoidable and you think that dive could be avoided? I think that’s it…. but its just opinion either way….
Meh yeah you’re right. It isn’t worth arguing about. Just a rant, Let’s leave it at that.
Besler is an international novice and Campbell knows this.
It is less likely he would have tried that. with Boca.
If we are so ethical then why does Dempsey dive so much ?
Nothing wrong with that point. Word.
We are not ethical, we forced CR to play in snow, but we would never try that against a CA team and every time the snow game is brought up… Well I just laugh
To your point about “forcing” Costa Rica to play in the snow, isn’t that the ref’s call? Also wasn’t the venue chosen way before any weather forecast would have even predicted snow?
Of course, I would have no problems if either case were true (because it was not against any rule, and helped us win), but I just think it was up to circumstance.
For the MILLIONTH time, we did not have anything to do with the decision to play in the snow! It was a CONCACAF decision, and CR also agreed to continue when consulted. Their objections all came post match and are nothing my false recriminations.
Rudy,
Dempsey played in a league that valued results above all else.
Do you think he got to where he is by playing it straight with the rule book for six seasons? If you do then you are not paying attention.
I have yet to see a USMNT veteran that played by the rules 100% of the time.
Dempsey is no better or worse than the average EPL player in terms of his ethics.
Do you think he got to where he is by playing it straight with the rule book for six seasons?
Dempsey plays in MLS. It’s not that hard to play in MLS
I am outraged at the outrage!
We know some teams will exploit the subjective aspect of the game, but what’s wrong with keeping the high ground in play? You can win without faking. You can win with gamesmanship. History remembers the dubious.
I believe in our lifetime we will have a 5th official in a booth above the pitch monitoring video of the game in real time. But the only way to achieve this is to make sure they know it matters to the fans.
Proud to be a Toffee today.
Support your local club
DC United, b*tch. You can root for two.
Shout out to Timmy! Great action Everton v Chelsea. Haven’t seen Everton this year… really impressed by their midfield play today.
I said it once and I’ll say it again: Boyd > Altidore.
How many goals scored by Boyd this season? And how many goals scored by Altigol?
Watch more soccer.
I watched how my Arsenal tore apart Sunderland pu$$y cats
Ah, he is troll then. Not just Stupid.
yet still needed help from Martin Atkinson. Wenger would have cried bloody murder if those roles had been reversed there
I’m a big Arsenal supporter, but Jozy absolutely beasted Sagna. Not sure how ref did not play advantage for they amazing goal.
Agreed. Advantage should’ve been given and Jozy’s goal should have counted.
3 goals in 4 matches I think.
4 goals in 5 league matches > 0 goals in 5 league matches
USMNT needs Boyd in the next qualifiers.
Austrian league is on level with MLS or slightly lower
He’s been kinda BAD for the NT but should get more chances considering he’s young and bound for better things
You league comparing euros are so ridiculous
Doesn’t Jozy have 4 goals in the past 5 USMNT matches?
“USMNT needs Boyd in the next qualifiers.”
You’re a tad behind on the qualifying news, if you think the US needs anyone or anything in that regard.
You need to learn how to count if you think Jozy’s played in 5 league matches.
No.
I would advise you to keep saying it. You are obviously a fan of looking ridiculous.
4 goals in 5 league matches > 0 goals in 5 league matches
USMNT needs Boyd in the next qualifiers.
Facts don’t lie!
Hey I like Boyd. One for the future– exceptional talent but way raw— even more than Jozy was at his age. If all that matters to you is league goals, why not Wondolowski?
I’d call up Marco DiVaio right now if he was American and I was the coach.
Jozy is one year and nine months older than Boyd.
But you sure can look stupid misinterpreting them. Anyway, its Eddie Johnson and Iceman keeping him off, not Jozy.
Sunderland has had 4 league matches. Jozy missed one, so he’s played in 3.
Apparently, your facts lie.
Oh my, Boyd is like Altidore of 2 years ago. I have only seen Boyd in the US games but hes always super nervous on the ball.
It’s tough to judge a guy like Boyd who doesn’t have much top-flight experience. Klinsmann gave him a taste of the international game early on and I think people let themselves believe it was because he was actually ready for the next level. He’s got a way to go yet.
I think in a few years Boyd and AJ could be a pairing we see on a regular basis.
Yes, because the Austrian Bundesliga is on the same level as the BPL. Good call! I hope you take over when Klinsmann is done.
You should be on his side as a fellow Germarican!
Obvious troll is obvious.
George Baldwin says:
“I said it once and I’ll say it again: Boyd > Altidore”
Say it as often as you like, it does not make it true.
I watched the Arsenal/Sunderland game and I thought Jozy was back to his lazy ways. Yes, he did totally beast Sagna and that was a great goal that should have been given. He also had a laser shot in the first half on frame.
However! He reverted to not pressuring the defense and backing away from any 50/50 challenges. The commentator actually said, “I can’t understand why Altidore didn’t attack that ball…”
Even the last play of the game, where Altidore was ruled offside, he totally wussed out and didn’t challenge the keeper.
Why is a guy who is so big, so afraid to go in for a challenge? It’s very frustrating!
I wish both players the best, but altidore seems to have more football intelligence, in that he makes better decisions. He’s also got one hell of a shot. But football scouts have a better opinion than you and I both, so there’s a reason altidores playing in the premiere league and Boyd isn’t. The grass is just always greener on the other side I suppose.
Chelsea are playing pretty dirt right now…. I mean professional fouls I understand but 3 cards in 10 minutes? Chelsea is gunna earn a red at this rate. The one just now could have been a second yellow.
Best game of day so far is Dortmond v Hamburg.
What happened there? it was 2-2 last time I looked wow.
Somebody called it somewhere in the comments today, and here it is. ESPN FC title for Arsenal… the hardon for another young UK player is INSANE. Ozil was the best player on the field by a long shot.
I mean seriously? “Decent”? Fugging ridiculous.
“Ramsey shines as Ozil makes a decent debut”
Nice save by Howard, but yeah, that spectacular blunder is what will stick in people’s minds.
It should. The game should have ended 1-1.
They pay him to make good saves. they don’t pay him to make elementary errors.
That is why SAF dumped him.
Tim Howard just clowned himself awfully. Somehow Gareth Barry bailed him out. Worried for him.
Good save.
Indeed
What.
In.
The.
F.
Did Tim Howard just do. Holy gawd.
Late to the party, but I have to say, I haven’t felt this much loathing for a ref since the Slovenia game in South Africa. Jozy desperately needed that goal to make himself comfortable with his return to the EPL. Atkins not only ruined the game, he also set Jozy back dramatically.
Its a rough call but now he knows he can do it
Oh relax. If crap like that sets Jozy back dramatically, then he is a bitch and shouldn’t be somebody we rely on anyway. He’s past that, and the fact is everybody including his dimwit manager saw the value of his contribution today. He’ll be fine.
Well said. Bad calls are part of the game. Ask Matt Besl
er.
Yeah, well said. “Bitch”… tee hee
Perhaps you forget the last time Jozy was stuck on an EPL team with a lousy midfield. The goals were always going to be few and far between for this Sunderland team, and Jozy just missed out.
Yes, it is important he get on the scoresheet as quickly as possible for the confidence of a striker and, indeed, for his continued form for the national team. If you don’t believe it’s important, then that’s your problem. Bad calls will happen, but this one was particularly unfortunate, as Sunderland have showed a tendency to play down to even poor opposition.
Bad, call notwithstanding, everyone knows he scored. He’ll take confidence from it either way.
So what exactly do you want us to do about it?
It’s a soccer blog. I made a statement, defended it. WTF are you talking about.
Rabble rabble rabble
I don’t forget at all. That’s why I said “he’s past that”.
dude,
You must not watch a lot of games.
If this incident does “set Jozy back dramatically” then such a weak minded wussy does not deserve to be on the USMNT. F==+ him.
I really wish Everton made a bid for Altidore. The way the play is perfect for him. I know they got Lukaku, but I feel as if buying Altidore would’ve been good for both him and Everton.
Dead right. Surprises me he wasn’t on their radar, given they have experience with USMNT players. I think the price would’ve been right for them, as well.
I honestly think Moyes would’ve bought him. Overall, their build-up play is great, while Sunderland don’t have any..
they’ll get him cheaper when Sunderland is relegated and Di Canio sacked.
Exactly what I was thinking. After the WC though :/
Di Canio won’t make it past Christmas
You are generous.
I am still furious.
Watching the replays make me even more angry. If it was a foul, it’s a red card. Period.
Denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity? I assume that is your logic? Boy that would be generous. It should have been advantage, but no case for a red card.
What?
Given that Sagna was the las defender and that Jozy went past him and immediately scored… kind of defeats your argument.
How exactly was it not denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity when Jozy immediately scored after going past him with no other defenders in front?
The ref probably should have given himself a red card. He was the one that stopped the goal scoring opportunity.
Calm down bud. The point is that you rarely see that outside of a breakaway down the center channel…. The fact that he scored proves nothing– by your logic, every goal ever scored was a clear-goal scoring opportunity. I could show you a thousand Youtube videos that might change your mind.
That was a clear goal-scoring opportunity because had he just gotten by Sagna, he would have a clear shot on goal with just the goalie to worry about. The ref missed it. However, coming from a former ref, player and coach, ref are generally reluctant to give the red. I would have let them play-on and explained it my write up as “advantage awarded”.
Bad calls always happen.
There are three criteria for determining a DGSO.
1. Distance from the goal, he was clearly close enough so you are correct here.
2. Number of defenders around him, again, Sagna was clearly the only defender so again, you are correct.
3. Direction of play. Here, however the case isn’t as clear. You can say, as you did, that he made a goal so therefore the direction was goalward, but this case can only be made in hindsight. While play was going on, the direction of play was towards the touch line.
That said, Atkins should drown in a sea of whistles all blown in his ear. What a terrible call, makes me scream. I was jumping up and down in front of the TV. I hope Jozy feels our collective indignation on his part.
no case for a red? disagree. the rules are clear on that. last defender, clear path to goal…red card
Ah the rulebook. So useful.
Boyd with a goal today,
Kljestan with a goal
He got rid of the stache too
Is Sacha still wearing the ear guard/helmet? He reminds me of Lobot from Star Wars with that thing on.
haha no I guess the ear is better
He has really started scoring with regularity. He should be called into the national team in October, IMO.
With so many US players now in Europe， it’s hard following them all. Looks from the comments most were following the Sunderland game; I was switching back and forth between that and Stoke. Stoke really outplayed Man City and Cameron looked pretty good. He made a great cross right across the front of goal and two teammates couldn’t reach it. One looked like he could have.
For those who missed it: http://i.minus.com/ibk2VV14JXfW6w.gif
Jozy went straight beast mode on Sagna. It was a goal and I can’t believe Sagna didn’t even get a red for stopping a clear chance on goal. The ref changed the match. Sunderland where picking up steam and that would have tied it and after that who knows because they where actually playing good up to that point. It’s a demoralizing call.
bam! just posted something similar below
wow!
Jozy punished for not going down and putting in a fight equal to the defenders. That was horse$hit.
Americans don’t dive….
…well…
…except for Dempsey. Dempsey does occasionally dives….but everyone else…
Argentine Franco Di Santo playing for Bremen saw red after a horrible Kung Fu kick in the face of Bastian Oczipka.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7X3Yga4U20
But he was going for the Ball! Just like Nani! It’s not a red!
Urg, thats a nasty kick. He needs a good suspension for that.
Jozy has to start taking free kicks for Sunderland. Gardner didn’t impress.
Yeah, it’s not like he scored a goal off a free kick or anything. Oh, wait…
It was inside the penalty box, big whoop.
I was half-joking, but the fact is that Gardner did score on a free kick, and it’s not as if Jozy has a spectacular history as a free kick specialist.
Bosnia
Altidore has made some good plays, but as mentioned earlier, he doesn’t quite seem to be on the same page as Fletcher and sometimes the midfield (i.e. duplicating others’ runs, not quite timing runs rights, etc.). Of course, that’s not all on him. I liked that guy Gardner (sp?) when he came on, but the rest of their midfield was not good.
While it’s still early, Sunderland have to start worrying a little about relegation. It’s not really a problem losing to Arsenal, but they’ve dropped points against other likely bottom-of-the-table teams and have a tough schedule coming up. I could see Di Canio going crazy, getting canned, and Sunderland having to start over midway through the season.
i don’t see Di Canio getting canned until it’s clear they will be relegated. The quality of the team has improved and given the Sunderland faithful hope. That’s still worth $$ to Sunderland’s owners.
I don’t know why I keep waking up early to watch these games.. Absolutely horrible.
I say that every time I get up for the 5 AM game and it is just horrendous
I was in the process of writing the same thing. I don’t know if you’re on the west coast as well but getting up at 4:45 to hate watch Man united and Arsenal teams that I despise really isn’t worth it.
Paolo Di Canio is a comical joke. Just look at his tie. The thin part is literally hanging down to his junk, about 6 inches below the front part. Looks like he was dressed by his blindfolded mom. But at least he got Borini on the field. That guy is not a joke. Not at all. Seriously.
Borini had no interest in ever passing in the final third. He was going to shoot no matter what. Pretty comical.
Sunderland have nobody to blame for this but themselves. While they have every right to be mad about the Altidore call they were beyond awful for most of the game, especially in the first half. Arsenal were clearly the better team overall and if not for Walcott’s finishing would have been three up at half. Sunderland needs to take a serious look at whatever they are doing because it isn’t working. It is hard to say that Sunderland deserved anything from that match.
They at least deserved the goal that they scored. I mean, isn’t that part of the game?
Where did I say they didn’t deserve it? It was clearly a goal but people here need to be more upset with the team Sunderland is putting out there. They are getting run over
I disagree. I think they outplayed the Gunners in the second half. This is an encouraging sign for a team with so many new players. Once Ki, Fletcher, Giaccherinni, and Jozy get some time on the field together, we will see what the Cats are really made of.
You think they completely outplayed Arsenal in the second half? They were dominant for the first 10-15 minutes then Arsenal controlled it for about 20 and then Sunderland took back over again from what I saw. They couldn’t have been too dominant when po$$e$$ion ended 70/30
Where in my comment did I say completely?
Sunderland played well enough to tie that game.
hm comment stuck in moderation for no reason. arsenal had 70/30 advantage on ball, its hard to argue that sunderland was dominant at all. they were better for stretches of the second half especially at the start but to say they dominated it is a massive stretch.
They outplayed Arsenal for maybe 10 minutes, get a hold of yourself.
well, we’ll never know how Jozy’s goal might have energized that team and stolen belief from Arsenal. Instead, Wenger’s boys were gifted by Martin Atkinson
10 minutes is plenty of time to tie up a game.
They deserved a much better officiated match for sure.
Clearly they did but I would argue he was poor all around, obviously the biggest call was against Sunderland but he made poor ones throughout.
Sunderland aren’t a club that are going to get many points from a top 4 team even when at their best. Sunderland isn’t good and will be in a relegation battle, but Arsenal was the main reason they looked bad today (plus Jozy being robbed after beasting Sagna).
Di Canio is losing it. Ha…just got sent off. Wow!
Yes, Arsenal are the better team here, but did the ref really need to help them out?
it’s either a goal, or Sagna gets sent off for being the last defender, right? Instead it was neither
Here’s what pisses me off the most about THAT call: we all complain about Jozy going to ground a little too easily and needing to fight thru challenges more, use his strength to his advantage, etc. Then he does just that, does the honest thing and fights through the challenge to score a legitimate goal.
Now part of me wonders if he resumes falling to ground again because, “What’s the point of stating on my feet? Refs gonna call me back anyway!”
Martin Atkinson…yeah, whatever
Ramsey’s having a heck of a match. I always thought he and Wilshere were a bit overrated, but maybe he’s finally putting it together.
For those that missed it….Jozy received a ball and turned on Sagna, who was the last defender between Jozy and goal. Once Jozy had a step on him he used his superhuman Jozy strength to hold him off, and Sagna blatantly grabbed Jozy in and effort to hold him back. Jozy kept pushing and eventually escaped Sagna’s grasp and went into the box 1v1 against the keeper. Jozy shot, and scored. But WAIT. The ref had blown the whistle just outside the box for a foul on Sagna. No goal. Had the ref played advantage, and given Jozy a chance to escape Sagna, then it’s a goal and the game is tied 2-2. Instead, it’s a free kick outside the box, which gets wasted over the bar, and Arsenal goes on to make it 3-1 a few minutes later.
Jozy got robbed.
how about a red card for Sagna?
Not even that. Disappointing.
The crazy thing is that he didnt seem to blow the whistle until after Jozy had shrugged off Sagna and was about to score. The ref swallowed his whistle during the 3 seconds where Sagna was clinging to Jozy’s back like a crazed howler monkey. Very, very, very shady officiating.
yep…revealing
Just watched a replay, ref did not call the foul until the ball was in the net. Jozy cleared Sagna, took several more touches, and hit a slow roller…ref stood and watched. Very very suspect.
I am not a conspiracy theorists, but I swear there is an overt bias against Americans (especially in the BPL). Let it go Brits, the revolution was 237 years ago.
I would agree that an american player appears to have to overcome a bias or preconception about his talent and or ability . . and that effects calls on the field, playing time under a new coach, and transfer fees.
one of Arsenal’s famous scouts even confirms this on the Jay DeMerit movie.
Borrini is like the SBI filter. Pa$$ is a dirty word to him.
Oh snap.
Lol +1
🙂
Word!
True!!!
Who else heard that fixture list for Sunderland. They’re gonna have a tought one of it.
Spot-on cross from Jozy to Wickham. Altaidore’s done everything today but score. Oh wait, he did score.
He sure did.
Jozy has been one of Sunderland’s better players if not the best player for them. His hold up play has created the majority of their chances today. He creates lots of chances for other players (they seem to sky the shot typically) but they don’t seem to create very many for him. He deserves a goal today.
“He deserves a goal today.”
-____-
I turn on the Sunderland game and it’s tied 1-1. Within 5 minutes, they concede 2 goals. Yikes!
Bro, do us all a favor and dont watch any more of their games. You watching is clearly jynxing them.
This argument holds water, I’ve done the logics
Wiltshire is SUCH a baby, man. And he should have been carded for that tackle.
Wilshere. Stupid autocorrect.
Great header by Jozy. Just missed. Followed up with a wonderful cross to Wickham.
So very close for Altidore. He’s played well today in a very bad situation.
altidore is clearly sunderland’s best player today
Johnson has something to say to that
Well Westwood for the first half.
Jeez, can Borrini touch the ball WITHOUT shooting it once.
Apparently not. And maybe he should try shooting when he’s *not* got a defender all tight on him.
Surprised he’s not yellow carded for that??? For what?? These announcers are so pro Gooner it’s sickening.
The refereeing too seems completely one sided. Sunderland deserves better, I think.
So you’ve never heard of star players and big teams getting better treament from the officials?
Machester United never got the benefit of Fergie time?
Ever hear of the Jordan rules? Never heard of refs protecting the big boys?
If he wasn’t going to play the advantage then that has to be a red card for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity. So Sunderland was robbed twice on that decision.
But there’s no real evidence that was a “clear goal scoring opportunity” …. oh wait.
No that rule only applies if you’re playing for Manchester United.