‘Well done Liverpool’; you handed ‘new Spurs’ a Champions League place

Let’s not sugarcoat it—Liverpool’s decision to essentially roll over and hand Chelsea three points is baffling. Worse yet, it’s self-sabotage.

Do they not realize that a Chelsea side with Champions League football next season will be competing for the same top-tier signings? The very players Liverpool themselves will be chasing in the transfer market. Congratulations, Liverpool—you’ve just strengthened a direct rival.

Speaking of Chelsea, have they officially become the new Tottenham? Let’s run through the checklist:

• Desperate to please home fans by beating the champions? Check.
• Consistently underwhelming away from home all season? Check.
• A revolving door of subpar goalkeepers while their best shot-stopper warms the bench on loan? Check.
• A star player who clearly belongs at a bigger club? Check.
• The inevitable summer saga where financial rules force them to cash in on said player? Check.
• A fanbase still clinging to “big club” delusions? Check.
• A manager who acts like he’s outsmarted Pep Guardiola after a single big win? Check.
• An average winger cupping his ears at away fans despite contributing little all season? Check.

Well done to those who guessed it—Chelsea have officially inherited Spurs’ mantle. And for those who thought this was about Arsenal? Second prize for you.

Now, let’s talk about Newcastle vs. Chelsea. At what point does a “six-pointer” transform into a £50 million showdown with a manager’s job on the line? Because that’s exactly what next Sunday’s clash has become.

Lose, and Enzo Maresca might be polishing his résumé by Monday morning. Bring it on. Howay the lads.

Elite vs. Good: The Unforgiving Divide

While stirring a particularly fine cheese dip (priorities, right?), I found myself contemplating what separates elite teams from the merely good.

Elite teams don’t crumble when a major fixture looms. They rotate squads seamlessly and still grind out results. They’re led by multiple leaders, not just one talisman. They don’t rely on emotional theatrics to rally fans—their focus is innate. They don’t drop points in 44% of their home games.

But the most glaring difference? Elite teams win trophies. They evolve without needing to trumpet their progress. They let their silverware do the talking while good teams line up to give them guard of honors.

Arsenal’s Woes: Performance vs. Officiating

Yes, Arsenal were poor. Their league form has been shaky for weeks, with attention clearly diverted elsewhere. But let’s separate performance from officiating, because Bournemouth’s winner was a textbook handball.

The ball’s trajectory changed abruptly after hitting a Bournemouth player’s elbow—basic physics confirms it. Yet, VAR, in its infinite wisdom, deemed it inconclusive.

This season has been littered with baffling decisions, but this one feels particularly egregious. Worse still, Arsenal seem to be on the wrong end of every 50/50 call. Name one game-changing decision that’s gone their way this campaign. Go on, I’ll wait.

Credit to Mikel Arteta for not using the officiating as an excuse, but the frustration among fans is justified. When every marginal call goes against you, it’s hard not to feel targeted.

Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United Experiment: A Disaster in Motion

If Ruben Amorim had taken over Manchester United earlier, they might be staring at relegation. His stubborn adherence to a five-at-the-back low block has yielded nothing but defensive chaos.

Teams with a fraction of United’s budget are humiliating them weekly, yet the British media remains oddly silent. Maybe it’s the coach’s pearly-white smile distracting them.

Since Amorim’s arrival, United have been a mess. The formation is outdated, the tactics are predictable, and the results are dire. Yet, somehow, the criticism has been muted. Crazy times indeed.

The State of Football Broadcasting: A Transatlantic Perspective

As an American football fan, my viewing experience is a patchwork of networks, subscriptions, and occasional bewilderment.

NBC handles Premier League coverage, offering a mix of cable broadcasts and Peacock-exclusive matches. Rebecca Lowe anchors with a blend of charm and authority, flanked by Tim Howard and the “Robbie” duo—Earle and Mustoe—who bring insight without the Sky Sports bombast. Gary Neville’s occasional appearances, however, remain unwelcome.

Champions League duty falls to CBS/Paramount+, where Micah Richards’ over-the-top antics grate against Thierry Henry’s composed analysis.

Fox’s coverage, led by the insufferable Alexei Lalas, is a masterclass in how not to present football. Their glossing over Qatar’s human rights abuses during the World Cup was particularly shameful.

ESPN+ delivers FA Cup and European league action, with Craig Burley and Shaka Hislop offering sharp takes.

Meanwhile, Spanish-language broadcasts via Telemundo provide a refreshing alternative, with Andres Cantor’s iconic commentary elevating even the dullest fixtures.

The rise of streaming has been a game-changer. Gone are the days of scrambling for grainy feeds—now, every league, from Australia’s A-League to South Africa’s PSL, is accessible at the click of a button.

VAR: Solving Problems or Creating New Ones?

Craig Pawson’s performance in Newcastle’s draw with Brighton was a case study in refereeing incompetence. Two penalties awarded, two overturned by VAR. Yet when a blatant handball finally warranted a spot-kick, the delay was inexplicable. What exactly were they reviewing? The decision was obvious in real time.

VAR was supposed to eliminate errors, but it’s only magnified them. Officials now second-guess every call, leading to interminable stoppages.

Nine minutes of added time? That’s not justice—it’s self-justification. Newcastle didn’t lose because of refereeing, but VAR’s inconsistency remains a blight on the game.

Football thrives on passion, but it’s also a mirror of broader absurdities—whether it’s Liverpool’s baffling generosity, Chelsea’s identity crisis, or VAR’s Sisyphean struggle to get decisions right. One thing’s certain: the drama never stops.