Scott Murray's Blog

The Fiver Christmas Awards 2019 Football transfer rumours: Manchester...

Newcastle 1-0 Palace, Villa 1-3 Saints and more – as it happened

Miguel Almiron finally found the net for Newcastle, while Southampton pushed Aston Villa into the relegation zone.

5.38pm GMT

So that, my good friends, is your lot. Thanks for reading Clockwatch. Simon Burnton is currently MBMing Liverpool’s Club World Cup final against Flamengo, while Will Unwin is on Manchester City v Leicester City duty. Enjoy, enjoy ... and happy holidays to one and all!

5.32pm GMT

Glamour round-up.

5.31pm GMT

Paul MacInnes was on the south coast this afternoon to witness Burnley snatch a late win. Here’s his report.

5.30pm GMT

Celtic reestablished their five-point lead over Rangers by beating Aberdeen. Here’s our report.

5.28pm GMT

Wolves moved into sixth place today with a gritty win at Norwich. Here’s Tumaini Carayol’s take.

5.26pm GMT

More on Peters. Remembering the man described by his boss Alf Ramsey as being “ten years ahead of his time”.

5.20pm GMT

Martin Peters RIP. A genuine legend has passed away today. Martin Peters has died at the age of 76 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Peters won the Cup Winners’ Cup with West Ham, and the Uefa Cup with Spurs, but of course will be best remembered as part of England’s 1966 World Cup winning team. Peters scored the second goal in the 4-2 victory over West Germany in the final. He also wore the shirts of Norwich City and Sheffield United with distinction.

5.14pm GMT

Paul Doyle was at the Amex to see the upwardly mobile Blades rise to fifth in the Premier League table. This is his report.

5.12pm GMT

Louise Taylor was there to witness the end of Miguel Almiron’s long goal drought. Here’s her report on a day of Christmas cheer at St James’ Park.

5.09pm GMT

We’ve already flagged up Paul Wilson’s report of the Everton-Arsenal lunchtime kick-off. Nick Ames was at Goodison too, and here’s his take.

5.07pm GMT

The last merry missive from Simon McMahon before the holidays. “4-0 Dundee United! Merry Christmas one and all!!!”

5.03pm GMT

Ben Fisher was at Villa Park to witness the home side’s capitulation. Here’s his report on a great day for the Saints.

5.02pm GMT

Football League loose ends. Aforementioned matches ahoy! In the Championship, Fulham have hung on for a 2-1 win over Leeds. West Brom have been held 1-1 at home by Brentford. And Derby have lost their sixth away match on the bounce, going down 3-0 at Reading. Meanwhile in League Two, Forest Green have fought back to draw 2-2 with Swindon, while Exeter couldn’t find a winner against Walsall, that to-and-fro fixture ending 3-3.

4.56pm GMT

FULL TIME: Bournemouth 0-1 Burnley. It’s six defeats in seven for the Cherries, who are going to be dragged into a relegation battle unless they get their gamefaces on soon. Last week’s unlikely win against Chelsea will given them some succour. Burnley meanwhile are comfy in mid-table.

4.55pm GMT

FULL TIME: Aston Villa 1-3 Southampton. What a huge result for Saints, who leapfrog out of the relegation places, pushing Villa into the bottom three. Villa need to sort their defence out, and fast.

4.54pm GMT

FULL TIME: Norwich City 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers. The same old story for City, who let another lead slip through their fingers and are now six points from safetly.

4.53pm GMT

FULL TIME: Brighton & Hove Albion 0-1 Sheffield United. It’s 18 away matches unbeaten for the Blades, a club record! They move into fifth spot, just one place and point behind Chelsea in the Champions League spots. Meanwhile Scottish champs Celtic have beaten Aberdeen 2-1, restoring their five-point lead over Rangers at the top of the league.

4.51pm GMT

FULL TIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Crystal Palace. Miguel Almiron the goalscoring hero at last! It’s eight home matches without defeat for the Toon, their best run since 2012.

4.49pm GMT

GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Burnley (Jay Rodriguez 89). VAR insisted on checking it for offside and handball. But Rodriguez was on, while the hand was attached to the arm of a Bournemouth player. Burnley appear to have snatched all three points!

4.45pm GMT

Glamour news. It’s 4-1 to Barcelona against Alaves now, Luis Suarez winning and then scoring a penalty. Meanwhile the teams are in for the big 5.30pm kick-off between Manchester City and Leicester. Will Unwin is in the hotseat for that one, and has all the details - including the return of Sergio Aguero!

4.43pm GMT

Almiron is booked for taking off his shirt in wild celebration. It’s the rules, you can’t blame the ref, but imagine being the person who wrote that particular law. Imagine your worldview. Shame shame shame.

4.41pm GMT

MIGUEL ALMIRON GOAL!!! Newcastle United 1-0 Crystal Palace (Miguel Almiron 83). Almiron puts an end to his 28-match wait for his first Newcastle goal, rifling in from 12 yards! Andy Carroll hoists his team-mate into the air as St James’ Park erupts!

4.38pm GMT

GOAL! Norwich City 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Raul Jimenez 81). The Canaries will rue those missed Teemu Pukki chances, as it’s the same old story, another defeat snatched from the jaws of victory.

4.37pm GMT

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-3 Southampton (Jack Grealish 75). A dipping Grealish volley that can best be described as Le Tissieresque. Saints fans will appreciate the artistry, if nothing else.

4.35pm GMT

Fulham have retaken the lead against Leeds. Josh Onomah whacks one in on 69 minutes. With Leeds losing and leaders West Brom currently being held at home by Brentford, it looks like being a good day for the chasing pack.

4.33pm GMT

Glamour news. Lionel Messi has just made it 3-1 for Barcelona, who should now be home and hosed against Alaves. In Germany, Leipzig have sealed a 3-1 comeback win over Augsburg. Bayern Munich meanwhile left it late against Wolfsburg, but two goals in the last five minutes from Joshua Zirkzee and Serge Gnabry have secured the win for the reigning champions, currently in third place and trailing the leaders by four points.

4.30pm GMT

The jig looks up for the Dons at Parkhead. Their goalscorer Sam Cosgrove has just been sent off. They trail 2-1 and will have to play the last 20 minutes with ten men.

4.28pm GMT

Some good news for Liverpool fans: Virgil van Dijk has recovered from illness and is in the team to face Flamengo in the final of that shebang over in Qatar. Simon Burnton is on point.

4.26pm GMT

Exeter have completed their three-goal comeback against Walsall. Lee Martin has equalised on 64 minutes. Meanwhile Celtic have reclaimed the lead against Aberdeen, Odsonne Edouard the home hero at Parkhead on 66 minutes. It’s 2-1.

4.24pm GMT

Over an hour in, and there have been no shots on target between Bournemouth and Burnley. What a business. Meanwhile a third for Leipzig: Yussuf Poulsen puts them 3-1 up against Augsburg with a minute to go, and they’ll surely be top for Christmas. Glühwein all round!

4.20pm GMT

Glamour news. Leipzig have taken the lead late on against Augsburg, Partik Schick making it 2-1. As things stand, they’ll be the winter champions of the Bundesliga. Meanwhile Pere Pons has pulled a goal back for Alaves against Barcelona; it’s 2-1 in that one too.

4.18pm GMT

GOAL! Norwich City 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Romain Saiss 60). Saiss slams in a header, and Norwich have let yet another lead slip, despite having dominated proceedings at Carrow Road. Regrets, they’ve had a few.

4.17pm GMT

An equaliser for promotion-chasing Leeds at Fulham. Patrick Bamford with a tap-in at Craven Cottage. It’s 1-1.

4.13pm GMT

Jack O’Connell finds the net at Brighton for Sheffield United. But VAR rules it out for offside. That’s the second time today that Albion have been rescued by the video ref. Can they take advantage and find an equaliser?

4.11pm GMT

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-3 Southampton (Danny Ings 51). Ings rounds Tom Heaton. Villa are a rabble, and they’ll be in the relegation places come 5pm.

4.11pm GMT

“Ayr United are entering into the Christmas spirit at Tannadice as they gifted hosts and Scottish Championship leaders Dundee United a half-time lead they scarcely deserve,” reports Simon McMahon, our old pal from Tayside. “United for most of the first 45 looked like they had been on the sauce last night, and could well have been stuffed before they took a half time lead after a defensive error. Here’s hoping we have a cracker of a second half in store.”

4.09pm GMT

David McGoldrick still hasn’t scored a Premier League goal for Sheffield United. He should have broken his duck at the Amex, having rounded Brighton keeper Mathew Ryan. But faced with an empty net, he could only slap the ball into the side netting. Oh David. His first goal, when it eventually comes, is bound to be a screamer, best look at it that way.

4.05pm GMT

Glamour news. It’s half-time at Camp Nou, where Barcelona are now 2-0 up on Alaves, Arturo Vidal scoring the second just before the break. Meanwhile Bundesliga leaders Leipzig have just equalised against Augsburg, midway through the second half. Can they find the winner that would ensure they’re crowned winter champions?

3.59pm GMT

And the League Two scores at the break. The match of the day is at Exeter, where Walsall were three up. But the hosts are coming right back at them. It promises to be a hell of a second half at the other (sort of) St James Park.

HT!

Plenty of goals about again today!#EFL | #SkyBetLeagueTwo pic.twitter.com/EslihSrUw4

3.57pm GMT

The League One half-times. For your leisure and pleasure.

HT!

How are your side getting on?#EFL | #SkyBetLeagueOne pic.twitter.com/fLkbK3fueJ

3.56pm GMT

Anyway, you’ll be wanting some half-time scores, won’t you. Here’s what’s going on in the Championship.

HT in the 3PMs...#EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/4xRk6hlLd0

3.55pm GMT

Some good news for at least one Aston Villa fan today. Live pictures on Sky Sports show a chap, draped in a claret and blue scarf, being handed a chocolate treat in an orange wrapper. That’s a Double Decker, I’ll be bound, and there are few better bars in your Clocko correspondent’s book. Its delightful mix of chocolate, nougat and cereal never fails to hit the spot.

3.49pm GMT

At the Hawthorns, Championship leaders West Brom and fellow promotion chasers Brentford have just traded goals from corners in short order. Henrik Dalsgaard gave the Bees the lead on 43 minutes, but Darnell Furlong has levelled up in first-half injury time. Meanwhile in Scotland, the leaders Celtic and Aberdeen go in level at 1-1.

3.47pm GMT

The Premier League half-times.

3.45pm GMT

Norwich are still leading Wolves at Carrow Road. But Teemu Pukki has missed a couple of decent chances, and they’ll be worried about shipping another lead. As things stand, they’ll be level on 15 points with plummeting Aston Villa, three shy of 17th-placed Saints and safety. Long time to go, though.

3.42pm GMT

Eoin Doyle has scored twice for League Two leaders Swindon Town at Forest Green. He’s now found the net in ten consecutive games, and scored 21 times already this season. Swindon are 2-0 up and will end the day six clear of second-placed Exeter if they keep this up.

3.37pm GMT

A shock brewing in Scotland? Sam Cosgrove has equalised for Aberdeen at Celtic Park. A 35th-minute header very much against the run of play. Rangers, who saw off Hibs easily last night, will have all fingers crossed.

3.35pm GMT

Glamour news. In La Liga, Barcelona are leading Alaves by Antoine Griezmann’s 14th-minute goal, while Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig are trailing at half-time, Florian Niederlechner with an early goal for Augsburg.

3.33pm GMT

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-2 Southampton (Jack Stephens 31). A much-deserved second for Saints. And another deadly dead-ball delivery by James Ward-Prowse, Jack Stephens flicking home from his corner. Villa are in all sorts of bother now. If only Saints sent out a team of 16-year-olds.

3.29pm GMT

Danny Ings and Shane Long continue to cause Aston Villa all sorts of bother. Southampton are well on top, but they’ve only got the one goal to show for it. They’ll not want to spurn another win there for the taking, just like they did at Arsenal a few weeks back. Still, Saints haven’t been playing like a relegation team of late. That second-half comeback against Watford seems to have sparked a fire.

3.24pm GMT

GOAL! Brighton & Hove Albion 0-1 Sheffield United (Oli McBurnie 23). Scotland’s super-sharp shooter puts the Blades in front at the Amex, in the no-nonsense style, a long ball causing all sorts of confusion in the home defence. United will go fifth if they hold on for the win.

3.23pm GMT

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Southampton (Danny Ings 21). What a striker Ings is. He’s on a one-man mission to save Saints from the drop. He’s also on hand to convert after Shane Long’s shot is parried by Tom Heaton. If it ends like this, Saints will leapfrog Aston Villa, pushing them into the relegation zone in the process.

3.19pm GMT

GOAL! Norwich City 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Todd Cantwell 17). City’s young star scores his fifth goal of the season from 12 yards. Carrow Road erupts. Norwich haven’t been too expert in holding onto leads this season. How they could do with keeping this one.

3.15pm GMT

Miguel Almirón still hasn’t scored for Newcastle United. But he’s just gone very close against Crystal Palace. A curler sent goalwards, but without the necessary power to beat Vicente Guaita. Like the Leeds promotion, it’s just a matter of time, surely. Surely.

3.13pm GMT

An early goal for the Scottish champions Celtic. Christopher Jullien with the opener against their bunnies Aberdeen. Meanwhile ever-entertaining Leeds - who have to return to the Premier League soon, they just have to - fall behind at Fulham, a result of Aleksandar Mitrovic’s seventh-minute penalty.

3.10pm GMT

It looked as though Sheffield United had taken the lead at Brighton. John Egan had the ball in the net. But there was a handball as he bundled it in, and VAR chalked it off.

3.09pm GMT

Things already not looking good for Derby. Scott Malone has been sent packing for bringing down Yakou Méïté. Charlie Adam knocks in the resulting penalty. Derby have lost their last five without scoring, so good luck to them.

3.06pm GMT

No early goals in the Premier League. So there’s time to report a couple of results down the divisions. In League Two, Scunthorpe have won their local stramash with Grimsby 1-0, thanks to Kevin can Veen’s second-half goal. Meanwhile in League One, Gillingham have beaten Buckinghamshire Franchise 3-1, leaving the men from Milton Keynes in the relegation zone.

2.58pm GMT

The teams are out at Villa Park, Dean Court, the Amex, St James’ Park and Carrow Road. We’ll be off in a minute. But while we wait, here’s Paul Wilson’s take on the early kick-off, the non-event at Goodison that leaves Carlo Ancelotti and Mikel Arteta with plenty to think about.

2.56pm GMT

The Arsenal representative of the Observer’s fan network isn’t totally convinced about the appointment of Mikel Arteta. Though it’s safe to say that, with the sum total of zero matches played under his yoke so far, the jury is very much still out. “It has been strange, in the context of Arteta’s appointment, to again hear many people talk of the appointment of untested young ex-players as managers, as if this was unusual,” notes David Reynolds. “It seems to me this has always been standard practice. To take three rather notable examples, Brain Clough got the Derby job at 32, Bill Nicholson got the Spurs job at 39, and Alf Ramsay the Ipswich job at 34. All were league champions at these clubs within a few years.”

2.39pm GMT

Here’s a bit more on this morning’s confirmation that Carlo Ancelotti will follow in the wake of genuine legends such as Harry Catterick, Howard Kendall and

Mike Walker
Joe Royle. The latter remains the last man to bring silverware to Goodison Park, the FA Cup in 1995. Should Ancelotti manage to snap Everton’s potless quarter-century streak, he’ll take his place on the list of Goodison greats with immediate effect.

2.30pm GMT

On the subject of fun ... Everton and Arsenal served up none of it. The lunchtime Premier League fixture ended up goalless, though that hasn’t stopped the denizens of Goodison cheering outgoing caretaker Big Dunc™ to the rafters. He shifts down the bench to make way for Carlo Ancelotti, who has plenty in his in-box. Also with much to do on today’s evidence: Mikel Arteta. God speed, lads. Anyway, Arsenal rise to ninth, Everton 15th. For now. Simon Burnton was your eyes and ears.

2.25pm GMT

And finally the team news from Carrow Road, where Norwich make one change to the team that deservedly drew at Leicester. Ben Godfrey is replaced by Grant Hanley.

No changes for Wolves in the wake of their unlucky defeat at home to Spurs last Sunday. Wolves have scored a goal in each of their last 16 matches, while Norwich score and ship them like nobody’s business, so this one could be fun.

2.22pm GMT

To the Toon, who can go eight unbeaten at home for the first time in seven years if they avoid defeat today. Steve Bruce makes three changes in pursuit of this goal. Sean Longstaff, Jetro Willems and Christian Atsu make way for Jonjo Shelvey, Miguel Almiron and Florian Lejeune.

Two changes for Crystal Palace after that draw with Brighton. Patrick van Aanholt and James McCarthy replace Scott Dann and Jairo Riedewald, the latter unsurprisingly given he was hooked at half-time on Monday evening.

2.17pm GMT

Brighton make one change to the side that should have won easily at rivals Crystal Palace on Monday evening. Dale Stephens has served his suspension and takes the place of Yves Bissouma, who played well at Selhurst Park if memory serves.

Two changes for Sheffield United after their win against Aston Villa. Luke Freeman replaces the suspended John Fleck, while Oli McBurnie leads the line instead of Lys Mousset.

2.13pm GMT

Bournemouth name the same side sent out to beat Chelsea last weekend. That means Joshua King has recovered from the knock he picked up at Stamford Bridge.

Burnley make one change to the side that beat Newcastle last week. Charlie Taylor comes in for Erik Pieters.

2.10pm GMT

Two changes to the Aston Villa side that went down at Sheffield United. Conor Hourihane and Douglas Luiz come in for Marvelous Nakamba and Henri Lansbury.

Southampton make one adjustment to the team that lost at home to West Ham. The injured Moussa Djenepo is replaced by Stuart Armstrong.

2.06pm GMT

Aston Villa: Heaton, Guilbert, Engels, Hause, Targett, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Hourihane, El Ghazi, Wesley, Grealish.
Subs: Lansbury, Nakamba, Konsa, Trezeguet, Nyland, Kodjia, Elmohamady.
Southampton: McCarthy, Cedric, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand, Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Redmond, Long, Ings.
Subs: Yoshida, Vestergaard, Adams, Romeu, Boufal, Obafemi, Gunn.

Bournemouth: Ramsdale, Stacey, Francis, Mepham, Rico, Billing, Lewis Cook, Gosling, Lerma, Fraser, King.
Subs: Boruc, Surman, Solanke, Callum Wilson, Stanislas, Simpson, Kilkenny.
Burnley: Pope, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Hendrick, Westwood, Cork, McNeil, Barnes, Wood.
Subs: Drinkwater, Brady, Rodriguez, Hart, Pieters, Lennon, Long.

1.50pm GMT

The official teamsheets will be dropping in a few minutes. In the meantime, our match previews should whet the appetite.

1.42pm GMT

The first meaningful action in today’s Premier League has just come at Goodison Park. It’s a shot on target! But it’s still goalless between Everton and Arsenal, who are serving up poor Simon Burnton some thin gruel.

12.35pm GMT

Good afternoon, girls and boys, and welcome to Christmas Clocko. You’ve all been averagely behaved at best this year, so the traditional Saturday 3pm card has nothing whatsoever to do with the title race, and isn’t particularly concerned with the tussle for the Champions League spots either. But there is a plum relegation six-pointer at Villa Park, so you do get a little treat. Santa is good to you. Never unkind.

View more on Scott Murray's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on December 21, 2019 09:38

No comments have been added yet.

Scott Murray's profile
3 followers

Scott Murray isn't a Goodreads Author (yet), but they do have a blog, so here are some recent posts imported from their feed.

delete edit this post