General Premier League Thread 2023-24 Mod Note in op 27/6/23 And 21/05/24

Just saw the two Kovacic tackles.... Fvxk me, what a joke!

When do we get to hear the audio from these ones - both were worse tackles than the Jones one last week, but result in one a free (no card) and a yellow (not upgraded to red by VAR.).

There comes a stage when simple incompetence does not explain this.

Did they though? It was a game of f*chalk chances (even the Arsenal goal is heavily influenced by a fortunate deflection) for either team and in the end it’s naturally the victor who takes the plaudits.

Thank you. I think this sums up how difficult Liverpool have it when being awarded a clear and obvious penalty is considered "getting the rub of the green."

VAR & on field refs have refused a very similar situation this season for a penalty - today they did not.

Staggering how he wasn't sent off the 2nd time already being on a yellow - like I just can't understand what rules they think they are implementing

Any analysis claiming Arteta got the better of Pep is insane.

Unless the plan was to be crap, and hope City's level would also be low. If that was the plan, he nailed it.

Didn't watch it live so only seeing Kovacic's tackles now. The first one was bad I'm not sure it was a red. I don't think it was like Curtis Jones tackle last week. The real crime is how he escaped a clear second yellow afterwards.

I may be wrong here but from what I remember Kovacic caught Odegaard on the back of the calf/ankle while he slid in and his foot was almost pointing upwards at the point of contact. Jones slid over the ball and made contact on the bone downwards. Big difference in the damage that can do.

For what it's worth I watched Jones' tackle at the time and thought that's a harsh red as it was clearly accidental but I can see why it was given. I wouldn't even be bringing it up now but I read this entire thread before seeing the highlights and I feel like there's more Liverpool fans annoyed with the Kovacic decision today than Arsenal fans.

Two best team in the league cancelling each other out, but we couldn't expect you to see that now could we.

Some cracking games between City and Liverpool in 2017 and 18 IIRC. Then Pep battened down the hatches for the Liverpool games, played it very safe from then on.

Oh relax, they're still the two best teams in the league, regardless of yesterday. No Rodri, KDB, Saka or a full game of Martinelli probably explains it.

Them being the two best teams doesn't automatically mean a game between them produces great performances.

Of course we couldn't expect you to see that, now could we?

Totally.

They’ve stopped giving predicted dates for when they confirm them. Instead they’ve committed to giving them 6 weeks in advance so with the fixtures not even confirmed yet for weekend November 25th yet, that would mean they have to be out by this weekend (assuming they follow through on their commitment that is)

Eden Hazard has retired from the game aged just 32.

His last game for Chelsea was the 2019 Europa League final where he single-handedly won the game. It was one of the best individual performances I've seen ever seen. He was at his peak and was unstoppable that season.

It's been sad to see his decline at Madrid. I just don't understand how it didn't work out at all.

It’s one of those things that they say happens to some players who start playing top level professional football so young, that their body slows down on them earlier than others.

Obviously there are plenty of other players who this didn’t happen to, so I guess it depends on varying degrees on the position, and the individual body type.

I don't think Hazard believed in going to the gym a whole lot either. All the nature talent in the world, and just wanted to play for fun really. Once the injuries hit at 30, his body wasn't prepared for them.

According to former Lille captain Rio Mavuba,

In a way he was probably just a bit too normal and well balanced for a top level footballer. He was always quite clear that football was just one aspect of his life - that football was primarily a game (rather than a job) for him that he loved playing, but had loads of other interests as well. For longevity I think you really need to have that almost psychopathic level of commitment and drive, tailoring every aspect of your life towards their health and fitness.

He's a guy whose immense natural talent made up for a lot, but I'd say that really has diminishing returns as you age. And even at his peak, there weren't too many seasons where he was flying for all of it. Usually started seasons strong, slacked off a bit, and then finished strong.

I'd say he's a fella who's well happy with what he achieved, and will go on to continue having a great life without too many regrets.

There is a thread dedicated for replica jerseys 👍🏻

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2057635672/online-jersey-stores-continued#latest

Just thread catching up here, I'm not sure you watched the game did you?

Or have an idea of the injury list?

Or the formation that was played?