Newcastle and Fulham play out dreadful goalless draw that could not end soon enough
This was the football equivalent of two wrestlers wearing blindfolds, trying to fight each other with hands tied behind backs and feet chained together.
It was a non-event, Newcastle becoming the first team this season to fail to score against Fulham in the Premier League. The fact they did not even manage a shot on target sums up how dire it was, although a draw was not actually a terrible result for either side.
That was the problem. Fulham were happy to keep a clean sheet, Newcastle were relieved not to lose another home match. It sucked the ambition out of both sides.
“I said to my players we have to win these sorts of games,” said Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez. “But equally, we must not lose. We made too many mistakes, we were in control but didn’t create many chances and might have given them a goal at the end. But we have taken four points from two games and we keep Fulham where they are.”
You know it has been a bad game of football when the only highlight in the first half is a player being accidentally punched in the face by a team-mate, Fulham goalkeeper Sergio Rico catching Alfie Mawson clean on the chin when trying to clear a high ball.
There has not been a worse game in the top flight this season. Neither side deserved a goal, preferring to pass the ball sideways or backwards, a safety-first policy that drained enthusiasm like water going down the plug hole.
The closest Newcastle came to a goal was a header from Jamaal Lascelles which was not on target, but which Denis Odoi decided to hook clear anyway. As for Fulham, there was a free-kick from Jean Michael Seri, after a bright run by Joe Bryan was halted by a foul from Fabian Schar, which Martin Dubravka was able to pluck out of the air with a small step to his right.
As the afternoon grew colder, the only comforting thought was things could not be as bad in the second half. That hope soon evaporated as the home side continued to resemble someone trying to open a tin of beans with a spoon. That was to Fulham’s credit. Given they had conceded 42 goals in 17 games since promotion, this was a sign manager Claudio Ranieri has found a way to is solidify his defence.
After Schar headed a Matt Ritchie corner over the bar, the visitors might even have snatched a win late on when Aleksandar Mitrovic saw a shot blocked by Lascelles on the line.
“In this moment, it is important to get a point and it is important to get a clean sheet,” said Ranieri. “We created more on the counter attack, but the most important thing is we didn’t lose.”
Full-time scores
Bournemouth 2 Brighton 0
Chelsea 0 Leicester 1
Huddersfield 1 Southampton 3
Man City 2 Crystal Palace 3
Newcastle 0 Fulham 0
West Ham 0 Watford 2
90+4 min - Man City 2 Crystal Palace 3
One final late chance sees Sane's weak shot saved after fine work from De Bruyne on the wing.
90+2 min - Man City 2 Crystal Palace 3
There are four minutes of added time to play at the Etihad... and De Bruyne has just stuck his header over the crossbar when unmarked at the far post.
90+1 min - Chelsea 0 Leicester 1
Chelsea are throwing everything they have at Leicester and now Alonso sees his effort come back off the post and across the goalmouth to safety. Are Leicester going to hold on?
GOAL! West Ham 0 Watford 2 (Deulofeu)
A one-two between Pereyra and Deulofeu carves a route through the West Ham defence before Deulofeu applies the finish.
88 min - Man City 2 Crystal Palace 3
Relentless pressure coming from City now. Wave after wave after wave of attack. Can Palace hold on?
87 min - West Ham 0 Watford 1
How have Watford not taken the lead? Foster pushes Snodgrass' effort away and Antonio somehow puts the ball onto the bar with the entire goal at his mercy.
86 min - Newcastle 0 Fulham 0
I've watched some bad games of football in my time, but this is one of the worst I can remember. Like two wrestlers fighting with both hands tied behind their backs and feet tied together #nufc#FulhamFC
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) December 22, 2018
GOAL! Man City 2 Crystal Palace 3 (De Bruyne)
It's a freak goal. De Bruyne attempts to whip a cross in... but he miscues it over the keeper and into the net off the far post. Game on?
80 min - Man City 1 Crystal Palace 3
This happened a couple of minutes ago, but I should tell you that Sane crashed a free-kick from 25 yards against the Palace upright.
79 min - Newcastle 0 Fulham 0
Benitez is furious that the referee hasn't pointed to the spot with Kennedy hauled down inside the Fulham penalty area. The home side are starting to pile on the pressure and they should have been given a chance from the spot there.
GOAL! Bournemouth 2 Brighton 0 (Brooks)
Brooks gets on the end of a Fraser floated cross to nod the ball over the keeper and extend Bournemouth's lead against the 10-men of Brighton.
All-out attack
Can’t tell you which formation @ManCity are playing now because they have 3 defenders and the rest of the players are all attacking minded. #PremierLeague
— fabrice muamba (@fmuamba) December 22, 2018
73 min - Man City 1 Crystal Palace 3
City have made all three of their substitutions with Otamendi, Delph and Sterling off for Aguero, De Bruyne and Mahrez... but the hosts are struggling to break Palace down.
RED CARD! Bournemouth 1 Brighton 0
Dunk is shown a second yellow card and given his marching orders.
GOAL! Huddersfield 1 Southampton 3 (Obafemi)
A defensive error from Huddersfield costs them dear as Redmond robs the ball deep inside opposition territory and lays off to Obafemi, who surely gives Southampton victory.
18y 169d - At 18 years and 169 days, Southampton striker Michael Obafemi has become the youngest player from the Republic of Ireland to score a Premier League goal. Talented. #HUDSOU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2018
67 min - West Ham 0 Watford 1
Missed chances at both ends of the London Stadium where Deeney fails to get on the end of Fabianski palming Pereyra's low cross and Hernandez then air-shoots after some fine work by Felipe Anderson.
65 min - Chelsea 0 Leicester 1
Almost a second for Leicester and almost a second for Vardy, who backheels and has Kepa beaten only for Azpilicueta to slide in and halt its progress.
61 min - Huddersfield 1 Southampton 2
The home side are flying now, forcing McCarthy into two fine saves in succession.
59 min - Chelsea 0 Leicester 1
Giroud and Loftus-Cheek are on for Kovacic and Willian at Stamford Bridge. Can the hosts find a route back?
GOAL! Huddersfield 1 Southampton 2 (Billing)
Huddersfield are back in it and McCarthy - moments after making a great reflex save - is at fault. Billing's low drive from range moves a fair amount but it's not in the corner and the Southampton keeper really should do better.
56 min - Man City 1 Crystal Palace 3
It might just be their day...
4 shots for Palace today.
1 hit the post.
The other 3 went in. pic.twitter.com/Z7rQfsDpPa— City Watch (@City_Watch) December 22, 2018
GOAL! Man City 1 Crystal Palace 3 (Milivojevic)
Would you believe it????? Walker is penalised for sliding in on Meyer. Is it a penalty? That depends what your perspective is, but the referee says yes. Milivojevic will take it... AND HE SCORES! Crystal Palace are 3-1 up at the Etihad!
52: LUKA SLOTS IT!!!!!!
[1-3] #MCICRYpic.twitter.com/O5TPdUR87b— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 22, 2018
GOAL! Chelsea 0 Leicester 1 (Vardy)
Maddison opts not to shoot and instead plays a smart ball into Vardy as the England striker drives into the box and his shot gives Kepa no chance. His first goal in open play since September.
48 min - Newcastle 0 Fulham 0
Newcastle have started brightly after their poor performance in the first half.
46 min - Man City 1 Crystal Palace 2
It's absolutely sheeting it down with rain in Manchester, where the hosts are still odds-on to win this match.
Back under way
Here we go again.
First-half round-up
So the big news is Crystal Palace's 2-1 lead at the Etihad. Few people saw that coming and few could have foreseen Townsend's absolute beauty of a volley. City do have Aguero, De Bruyne and Mahrez on the bench though. Expect to see them shortly. Chelsea have dominated at Stamford Bridge but could easily have been behind, Huddersfield are all over the place, while Fulham are on top against Newcastle. Back soon.
Half-time scores
Bournemouth 1 Brighton 0
Chelsea 0 Leicester 0
Huddersfield 0 Southampton 2
Man City 1 Crystal Palace 2
Newcastle 0 Fulham 0
West Ham 0 Watford 1
44 min - Chelsea 0 Leicester 0
Close to a Leicester opener as Ndidi lets fly from range but Kepa produces a brilliant save, tipping over the crossbar.
Long-range specialist
Just make sure you watch his goal today however you can.
10 - 10 of Andros Townsend's 17 Premier League goals have been scored from outside the box. Spectacular. #MCICRYpic.twitter.com/zEhPEJz16Z
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2018
GOAL! Huddersfield 0 Southampton 2 (Ings)
Jorgensen takes a heavy touch and follows up with a rash slide on Ings when looking to make amends. Ings gets up, puts the ball on the penalty spot and strokes Southampton's second.
GOAL! Man City 1 Crystal Palace 2 (Townsend)
Merse reckons this is the goal of the season and, my word, it is some strike. The ball is bouncing around the edge of the City box before being half cleared to Townsend, who volleys an absolute screamer from 25 yards. That. Is. A. Hit. Left peg: PING. Top of the net and no chance of any keeper saving that.
Blimey. @andros_townsend has just given @CPFC the lead at @ManCity with the most unbelievable volley. Goal of the season contender folks. See it on @BBCMOTD tonight. ����
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 22, 2018
35 min - West Ham 0 Watford 1
Not a great few minutes for Balbuena.
Balbuena was injured in that penalty incident. Ogbonna comes on to replace him. #WHUWAT 0-1 (34) pic.twitter.com/caI8HTAxEF
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) December 22, 2018
GOAL! Man City 1 Crystal Palace 1 (Schlupp)
Palace have equalised on on the break! Schlupp picks the ball up on the left flank, fires his shot through Walker's legs and it flies inside the far post. Game on.
33 min - Chelsea 0 Leicester 0
Chelsea should have taken the lead after Hazard is played in but thunders his effort onto the crossbar.
GOAL! West Ham 0 Watford 1 (Deeney)
Watford have a penalty after Deulofeu is brought down by Balbuena. Few doubts about that but Fabianski has saved his last three Premier League penalties. No keeper has ever saved four consecutive spotkicks in the top flight. Can he make history against Deeney? No. The Watford man scores.
GOAL! Man City 1 Crystal Palace 0 (Gundogan)
City have dominated this and Gundogan finally gives the home side the lead. He times his run to perfection, gets on the end of Delph's cross and heads into the net.
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!! @IlkayGuendogan!!
�� 1-0 �� #MCICRY#mancitypic.twitter.com/RHKnJL4scR— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 22, 2018
26 min - Chelsea 0 Leicester 0
�� on the ⚽️
Still 0-0 after 25 minutes.#CheLeipic.twitter.com/mdGTxrgZSQ— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 22, 2018
If at first you don't succeed...
28 - Nathan Redmond has scored his first Premier League goal of the season with his 28th shot. Persistence. #HUDSOUpic.twitter.com/no0V8teC4V
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2018
22 min - West Ham 0 Watford 0
Probably due an update from the London Stadium. No huge chances, where Antonio has come closest to scoring with a powerful long-range effort.
GOAL! Bournemouth 1 Brighton 0 (Brooks)
A (Christmas) cracker from Brooks, who has plenty of work to do but jinks this way and that before leathering his left-footed drive inside the far post in a flash.
17 min - Bournemouth 0 Brighton 0
An even start to this one, but Wilson fluffs his chance to give Bournemouth the lead as he nods his header just wide of the post.
GOAL! Huddersfield 0 Southampton 1 (Redmond)
He had only scored once in 58 games prior to this match but now Redmond has broken the deadlock at the John Smith's Stadium. Hojbjerg picks out Redmond with a smart throughball and he makes no mistake when presented with the one-on-one.
13 min - Newcastle 0 Fulham 0
A quiet start to the Premier League 3pm kick-offs today. Fulham have enjoyed a fine start at St James' Park, where Newcastle have been on the back foot so far.
10 min - Man City 0 Crystal Palace 0
A lovely ball from Bernardo Silva picks Sane out in the middle. He should square to a team-mate but attempts a shot instead and cracks his effort against the side-netting.
8 min - Chelsea 0 Leicester 0
It's attack versus defence at Stamford Bridge where Chelsea are very much on the offensive. Willian has missed an early chance for the hosts.
4 min - Man City 0 Crystal Palace 0
It's started as you would expect at the Etihad with Guaita forced into a fine save to tip Delph's long-range effort over.
2 min - Newcastle 0 Fulham 0
An early chance for Mitrovic against his former club, but his low drive is saved by Dubravka.
Ready for action
The players are out around the grounds and it's time for football to commence.
More pre-match reading
You know that bloke Jamie Carragher? Well, he's written this mildly controversial column, which has generated close to 500 comments: Manchester United will always be bigger than Tottenham - Mauricio Pochettino has to quit Spurs for Old Trafford
Here's a taster:
If Mauricio Pochettino is offered the Manchester United job, he has to take it. That is a hard for Tottenham Hotspur supporters to accept. Sadly for them, it is inevitable that they are prey to a more powerful Premier League rival.
Hearing some arguments against Pochettino moving to Manchester United, I cannot help but think a reality check is needed. I do not write this to be disrespectful to Spurs. It goes without saying I am no United fan. I am obliged to assess as a neutral, trying to explain why – as the No 1 target – it will be tough for Pochettino to reject Old Trafford.
It does not matter how great Spurs’ new stadium is and how many supporters fill it. It does not even matter what they win this season or over the next few years. Spurs are not Manchester United. They will never be a big as Manchester United.
There is a footballing pyramid based on finance, history, status and global following. Manchester United will always be one of those at the top. Do not make the mistake of being distracted by what has happened at Old Trafford in the last five years. The United job will always be one of the world’s most attractive.
Stats
12 - @ChelseaFC are unbeaten in 12 Premier League home games, keeping a clean sheet in each of the last three games at Stamford Bridge in the competition (W7 D5 L0). Stronghold. #CHELEI
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2018
36 - @ManCity are currently on the longest ever Premier League unbeaten run in games kicking off at 3pm local time on a Saturday (W32 D4 L0), winning their last 15 such games by an aggregate score of 57-7. Standard. #MCICRY
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2018
Back in town
This man Aleksandar Mitrovic returns to St James' Park with Fulham to face Newcastle today. Expect FIREWORKS (or more likely just a quiet goalless appearance).
Pre-match reading
Our in-the-know football man Matt Law sent a story a couple of hours ago about Chelsea holding talks with AC Milan and Barcelona over a move for Gonzalo Higuain. If I had a pound for every time I wrote/read something about Higuain being linked with a move to the Premier League...
But this does appear to be a goer. Here's a snippet and you can read the whole thing here.
Chelsea are looking at a range of options to strengthen their attack in January, including Gonzalo Higuain and Nabil Fekir, as Alvaro Morata’s Stamford Bridge future looks increasingly bleak.
The club want a new striker and have held talks with AC Milan and Juventus about the possibility of taking over Higuain’s season-long loan from the Turin club, with Morata moving to the San Siro for the rest of the season.
Milan remain interested in midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who is also a target of Monaco, although the Italian club’s Financial Fair Play problems complicate matters.
Allowing Chelsea to take over Higuain’s loan would save Milan money, as Chelsea would have to pay the remaining £8million fee to Juve. Higuain also earns more than Morata’s £140,000-a-week Chelsea wages.
Arsenal on the up
Feel free to head on over to the Arsenal vs Burnley live blog where the hosts are 3-1 up in injury time. Just make sure you return here after.
Team news
Here are your teams for Manchester City vs Crystal Palace:
Man City: Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Laporte, Delph, Bernardo Silva, Stones, Gundogan, Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Sane. Subs: Danilo, Aguero, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Zinchenko, Foden, Muric.
Crystal Palace: Guaita, Wan Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt, McArthur, Milivojevic, Meyer, Schlupp, Townsend, Zaha. Subs: Speroni, Ward, Dann, Sorloth, Ayew, Puncheon, Riedewald.
Our Champions ��#MCICRY ⚽️ #mancitypic.twitter.com/4aswt8FcMq
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 22, 2018
And here's Chelsea vs Leicester:
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Pedro, Hazard, Willian. Subs: Fabregas, Barkley, Loftus-Cheek, Caballero, Giroud, Zappacosta, Cahill.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo Pereira, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell, Choudhury, Mendy, Ndidi, Albrighton, Vardy, Maddison. Subs: Evans, Gray, Iheanacho, Ward, Okazaki, Iborra, Fuchs.
�� Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have arrived for #CHELEI! pic.twitter.com/SStbzXSeHB— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 22, 2018
Good afternoon
Hello and welcome to this final Saturday afternoon before Christmas. The festive fixture pile-up means a feast of Saturday 3pm action back like it used to be in the glory/olden days before money turned football into a corporate machine/brought about more varied kick-off times.
There are six 3pm matches today:
Bournemouth vs Brighton
Chelsea vs Leicester
Huddersfield vs Southampton
Man City vs Crystal Palace
Newcastle vs Fulham
West Ham vs Watford
Manchester City go into today's match in the unusual position of knowing that not even victory will see them top the table at Christmas, with Liverpool's win against Wolves ensuring top spot for the Merseysiders, who have a four-point lead.
Jurgen Klopp this week said City have "no sign of weakness", adding that "only City can stop City" from retaining their title. Pep Guardiola disagrees:
Any team has strong points and weak points. Of course we have weaknesses and we are working on it.
Of course we have (weaknesses), but that's normal. These kind of comments have to be put in the perspective they must be.
City host Crystal Palace today in the first of five games over 16 days that could test the depth of Guardiola's squad and prompt the manager into further squad rotation. Here's what the City manager says:
In the last game against Leicester, John Stones played the holding midfield position for Fernandinho and was incredible in the way he played. That's important, to see the players in different positions so when we have problems we can give time.
We needed to do that. If not, then in February we will die. Until the end of January, it's incredible the amount of games we have.
Elsewhere, Claude Puel could well be done for if his Leicester side do not come away from Stamford Bridge with victory over Chelsea. At the bottom of the table, Huddersfield vs Southampton and Newcastle vs Fulham have a whiff of relegation six-pointers about them.
Plenty to get your teeth stuck into.