English Premier League 2020-2021

#56      
I know it's been said before but it really feels like Everton has a chance to win today's Merseyside derby at Anfield with how the Toffees and how Liverpool has struggled, especially at home. If they can do it, it'll be their first win in the derby since October 17, 2010 and their first win at Anfield since September 27, 1999.
 
#57      
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#58      
0:2 Everton. First time Liverpool has lost 4 straight Premier League matches since 2002. First time Liverpool have lost 4 straight League matches at home since the 1923-24 season when they were playing in the First Division of what was then called The Football League (precursor to today's EFL).

For perspective, this is how long it had been for Everton to win in the Merseyside derby (apologies for the 2010 one as it is the best quality I could find):


 
#62      
If Everton ends up outside of a European spot for next season, their recent home form is going to be to blame. Drawing at home with Crystal Palace today to go along with recent losses at home to Burnley, Fulham, and Newcastle United doesn't give you a great chance to even get in Europa League play.
 
#63      
Was looking at the standings for how things are going in the EFL Championship and League One were heading into this weekend and here's what I found.

In the EFL Championship, Norwich City clinched at least a playoff spot following their 7:0 home win over Huddersfield Town on Tuesday. The Canaries currently sit atop the table at 87 points, 8 points ahead of 2nd place Watford. Brentford (70 points), Swansea City (69 points), Barnsley (68 points), and Reading (66 points) are currently in the 4 playoff spots. Bournemouth is the next closest team in the standings at 65 points though they do have a match in hand on both Barnsley and Reading. Rotherham United, Sheffield Wednesday, and Wycombe Wanderers currently occupy the 3 relegation spots.

In League One, Hull City is atop the table at 76 points with Peterborough United in the 2nd promotion spot at 73 points. Sunderland, Portsmouth, Blackpool, and Lincoln City are in the 4 playoff spots.
 
#64      
Sheffield United could become the first relegated team this season and it could happen as soon as this Saturday. If Newcastle United get at least a draw at home vs. West Ham United and Sheffield United lose at Wolves, then the Blades will officially be relegated back to the EFL Championship.
 
#65      
Norwich City have officially clinched promotion to the Premier League following Brentford's 0:0 draw with Millwall and Swansea City's 2:2 draw with Wycombe Wanderers. Norwich City was just relegated last season. The Canaries have now also matched Crystal Palace with a record 5 promotions into the Premier League.
 
#66      
Sheffield United was officially relegated following yesterday's 1:0 defeat to Wolves. For the Blades, it ends a two-season run in the Premier League, their longest run in the top flight of English football since they were in the Premier League for the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons.
 
#67      

It looks like this is totally gonna be a thing that's happening now: https://www.espn.com/soccer/uefa-ch...6-billion-european-super-league-talks-sources

Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs are among 11 teams that have signed on to the plan that has $6 billion backing by JP Morgan and is set to begin in the 2023-24 season.

In response, it appears UEFA is set to announce on Monday a new 36-team format for the Champions League to also begin in 2024 that is designed to stave off attempts by the top clubs to break away. The new Champions League format would have the teams playing 10 group games rather than six.

It sounds like the European Super League will have 20 teams total, 15 of which can never be relegated. Of those 15, 6 will be from the Premier League, 3 from La Liga, three from Serie A, two from the Bundesliga, and one from Ligue 1.
 
#70      
Was listening to some of the guys from ESPN FC and one of them said they thought Mourinho is done as a club manager, unless one of the top jobs in Portugal opens up. Either that or he eventually becomes the Portugal national team manager.
 
#71      

wettsten

Chicago
all six premier league clubs back out of super league. that didn't last long
 
#72      
Everton-Arsenal on Friday afternoon becomes a big match for Everton's European football chances for next season as it looks like, at the moment anyway, top 7 in Premier League will be playing in Europe in some form with Manchester City and Spurs playing in the EFL Cup final this weekend and Chelsea and Leicester City playing in the FA Cup final in a few weeks and all 4 of those teams are currently in the top 6 in the table.
 
#73      
all six premier league clubs back out of super league. that didn't last long
That was a colossal wreck. I thought it only happened to American leagues. I guess Europa is not immune.


Big One Sport GIF by NASCAR
 
#74      
Everton win at Arsenal 0:1. First win for Everton at Arsenal since 1996, which means it's the Toffees' first win at the Emirates Stadium. 7th home defeat in league play for Arsenal, most since the 1992-93 season. I think the broadcast mentioned something about that this was Arsenal's 9th home defeat in all competitions, their most since I think the 1929-30 season.