TRIP! AH!
There may still somehow be more than three months to go until the end of the Premier League season, but this felt like a big weekend for the relegation battle (or lack thereof). Frank Lampard got one over on old adversaries Leeds with his new club, Frank Lampard’s Everton, while the scrappy, last-on-Match-of-the-Day stalemate between Brentford and Crystal Palace allowed pundits to quickly mutter that both sides will be fine before Gary Lineker wrapped up.
For the current bottom three, results were not so encouraging. Norwich started well enough before their game with Manchester City turned into a long, gruelling chapter of Raheem Sterling’s Soccer Skills. Despite 82 years of management experience between them, neither Roy Hodgson nor Claudio Ranieri can get Watford to defend properly. Burnley, with one win in 21, still have those games in hand.
Above them, in 17th place and rising, are Newcastle United. After one league victory all season, Eddie Howe’s team have now won three in a row, restoring a feelgood factor not seen at St James’ Park since about 2005. Newcastle made four January signings, but it is the first recruit that has stood out the most – far from simply whipping the ball in the direction of Chris Wood, Kieran Trippier has brought necessary set-piece skills and helped tighten the defence.
The only player to score against Newcastle in those three wins was Jamaal Lascelles, replaced by Dan Burn against Aston Villa, with Trippier taking the captain’s armband as the Saudi-backed revolution began in earnest. This being Newcastle, however, no sooner had Trippier’s deflected free-kick winner moved them four points clear of the drop zone than their new leader was limping off the field. The club confirmed on Monday that K-Trips has broken a bone in his foot, and faces several weeks out. Given his immediate impact on Tyneside, this could become the most closely-monitored metatarsal since David Beckham.
Oh, Newcastle! Just when they thought they were out, and all that. On the other hand, an upcoming fixture list of West Ham (A), Brentford (A), Brighton (H), Chelsea (A) and Palace (H) offers chances for hard-earned points (the best of all points). Howe has also had the common sense to improve the players he already had, adding purpose to Alain Saint-Maximin’s freestyle shapes and even retrieving Jonjo Shelvey from his cryogenic chamber. We can’t believe we’re saying this, but maybe Newcastle ... will be fine?
QUOTE OF THE DAY
It’s been a while since I wrote a rhyme,
I’m not sure this one will stand the test of time.
But there are certain words, which I’d like to say,
About the love of my life, around me every day.
You’re always there in my time of need,
Since the first day, when you planted the seed.
That smile said it all, that’s why you’re my girl,
The look with those eyes sent my head in a whirl.
I love you more than ever, that’s for sure,
We’re a perfect match; I know there’s no cure.
I’m so in love with you, at times I could cry,
I find myself looking at you, and boy, do I sigh.
You’re so lucky today if you find the right wife,
We’re a match made in heaven, it’s lasting for life.
Two wonderful children: our Amy and Will,
[If] my father could see them, he’d [be called] Grandpa Bill.
I know he’d be proud of what we’ve been through,
Almost joined at the hip since, stuck with glue.
I never want you to be bored when I say: ‘I love you’
The simple fact is, I just do!
Neil Warnock takes a breather from touchline ranting to deliver a touching Valentine’s Day tribute to his beloved wife, Sharon.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING
No Barry? No problem! Football Weekly cracks on regardless. Listen to Monday’s edition here.
FIVER LETTERS
“A rival rocker recently described the Rolling Stones as a mediocre pub band with a great front man. Man Utd are a mediocre football team with a great keeper” – Williams.
“I am constantly amazed by how often we are told in various football reports and commentaries that Ralf Rangnick is 63. Is there any significance attached to this?” – Carol Stewart.
“Perhaps somebody should explain to Ian Copestake, who won prizeless letter of the day for not knowing that The Fiver was available in South Korea, what the initials www stand for?” – Brian Ross.
Send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. And you can always tweet The Fiver via @guardian_sport. Today’s winner of our prizeless letter o’ the day is … Williams.
NEWS, BITS AND BOBS
Ralf Rangnick has enlisted sports psychologist Sascha Lense to try and rebuild Manchester United’s confidence, with the Reds suffering a serious case of the yips recently, blowing narrow leads in each of their last three games. “They are human beings, not robots,” parped Ralf.
On the blue side of Manchester, Pep Guardiola wants Raheem Sterling to sign a new deal. “The club decides,” sniffed Pep. “I give my opinion but of course the club takes the decision all the time.”
Uefa are the finally the nice guys: free tickets for all!
Christian Eriksen marked his 30th birthday by playing 60 minutes in a friendly against Southend for new club Brentford, registering an assist. Course he did.
STILL WANT MORE?
It’s total romance in Fiver Towers, and we’re ‘celebrating’ Wetters Day by doing Big Website’s Valentine’s Day quiz.
Ten (count them!) Premier League talking points for your reading pleasure.
Aaaaaaaand, here’s some more on the WSL action, courtesy of Suzy Wrack, Maryam Naz and Renuka Odedra.
Bochum beat Bayern 4-2 on Saturday, don’t you know. Here’s our man, Andy Brassell, to explain how, and why it might be regarded as the new “game of the century”.
Nicky Bandini on the adorable Lorenzo Insigne, the Serie A title race and the returning Kalidou Koulibaly.
Paul Doyle on Kurt Zouma’s West Ham absence and a wobbly afternoon in Leicester for defenders.
Eric Devin on the latest in Ligue Urrrrrrnnnnnnnnnnn, with Lyon and Marseille continuing their quest for Big Cup qualification.
The most prominent gay manager in English men’s football, Leatherhead’s Luke Tuffs, talks to Paul MacInnes about dressing-room banter and the people at the top of the game.
And if it’s your thing … you can follow Big Website on Big Social FaceSpace. And INSTACHAT, TOO!
