The Full English: Setting Fourth

By Shane Evans

It appears that things will be going back to normal. No more of this midweek stuff to confuse us all as going forward the majority of the matches are where they should be: at the weekend.

With all the in-season cup tournaments going on during the week (try to explain that to a non-soccer fan, I dare ya. Impossible) our efforts can be concentrated to those games that take place when we can actually watch.

We’re in for a solid set of fixtures over the next couple days, with the Battle For Fourth In The North, Everton-Manchester United and a classic mid-table tussle between Fulham and Birmingham.

In the quiet words of Harry Dunne, “According to the map we've only gone 4 inches.” Let’s get moving...I get 70 miles to the gallon on this hog, you know.

The Bacon (as in Bringing it Home)

Manchester City vs. Liverpool (City of Manchester Stadium, February 21^st, 10:00 a.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel)

Potential. Tons of it. This match has it. Could be a 4-3 thriller with the winning side securing fourth place until the next round of matches. I would love to say that it’ll happen. Somewhat unsurprisingly, I’m not that optimistic.

The last match in November was largely controlled by Liverpool and they probably should have won if it weren’t for a quick-fire City double with about 20 minutes left in the match. 

Until recently Liverpool were enjoying a fine vein of form having only lost to Arsenal over their last eight league fixtures. Not a bad run considering how terrible they’ve been at times this season.

Manchester City have been held to a 1-1 scoreline by an impressive Stoke side, not once but twice and don’t really have time to be stumbling against lesser sides. Following Liverpool, the Baby Blues go to London for a little league double against Chelsea and then Tottenham. Make or break time, Roberto.

As for this match, I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed for an exciting match, but I get the feeling both are going to sit back and play the cautious card as they are fully aware of what’s at stake. A point wouldn’t be a bad result for either and it might take a late winner to separate the two.

With it becoming increasingly likely that the title race is between three teams and three teams alone, the battle comes down to that all-important fourth spot. It’s funny that the league was considering a playoff system to determine who makes the Champions League as this season would be a better time than any to do so. Four teams are vying for fourth. Four teams would be in the playoff. Having said that, I think it’s a silly idea and the teams should play to win every match and their prize would be the spot if they get it.

In this one, I’m partial to a draw, but I never like to do that with the highlight match as it seems like a giant cop out. I don’t do cop outs, my name isn’t Tracy Morgan.

TFE Prediction: I think Stevie G and co. are in a better place mentally and have been playing more convincingly of late. Going with the Reds, 2-1.

Everton vs. Manchester United (Goodison Park, February 20^th, 7:45 a.m. ET, ESPN2)

Speaking of Merseyside, we have the Toffees to talk on. I always enjoy this fixture because then I can fantasize about where Everton would be if they’d never sold Wayne Rooney to the Red Devils. Well, not fantasize, more speculate. I’d say Champions League...if they didn’t go bankrupt.

Anyway, this should be another quality match. Looking back at the previous meeting between the two, which was coincidentally the same day as the last Man City-Liverpool meeting (getting lazy, schedule gods?) we saw a dominating performance by Sir Alex’s boys and a candidate for goal of the season by Darren “Fletch” Fletcher. 

Is there a more polarizing figure in the English Premier League right now? Loved by many, hated by even more, Fletcher just gets under his opponent’s skin, not to mention their support. He’s one of those guys that you scream at and hate...but would love to have him wearing your colors. Arsenal fans would never admit it, but he’s everything they hope Alex Song continues to become. Oh no he didn’t!

I really like how Everton have been playing lately. Beating Sporting CP in the Europa League and even sticking it to Carlo Ancelotti and Chelsea in the league last week, you have to figure that the Toffees are back and for good. They’re playing with guile and determination and should see themselves having every chance of taking this match.

Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s in the cards. United has one of those voodoo like grips on the Merseyside club, having not lost in the last nine meetings between the two. No Tim Cahill is also a vital blow, even if Landy Cakes remains. 

David Moyes and Everton would be hard-pressed to take anything more than a draw from the match, and with the top spot in the league within grasp, don’t expect Sir Alex to go easy on his Scotch pal. A need tae practice ma Scots.

TFE Prediction: I’ve got United bagging three to Everton’s ane. That’s 3-1 Red Devils. Screive it doun!

Fulham vs. Birmingham (Craven Cottage, February 21^st, 10:00 a.m. ET)

Thankfully back down south where the people speak English and not that drivel I was spurting out up there, we have Fulham and Birmingham. A match between two of those middle-range clubs who have everything to fight for and could easily wind up in Europe (again) next season.

Fulham are fresh off a huge win in the Europa League against last year’s winners Shakhtar Dontesk. Clap clap clap. Don’t get ahead yourselves, Fulham fans. Back to the league we focus and a tricky foe is in town.

One of the stories of the season, it appears as though Alex McLeish has his boys well-adapted to the life in the Premier League, and by the looks of things it’s where they plan on staying for a few years to come.

This match should be pretty low-scoring. Fulham have only allowed eight home goals on the year, which is tied for first among the lowest in the league. Granted, five other teams hold the same record, but it’s still a quality stat. Birmingham have only netted 12 on the road, a quite unimpressive number in itself.

I like Fulham’s chances in this one, if for no other reason than the fact that they are still on a mental high from taking down Shakhtar earlier this week. Confidence can do a lot for a club, and the Cottagers have it right now, not unlike how Birmingham were playing before their recent rough spell (one win in five).

TFE Prediction: Is 1-0 too boring? Yeah, let’s say 2-1 to the home side.

The Toast (as in Of The EPL): The ‘Breakfast of Champions’ Edition

Lukasz Fabianski, Arsenal: Skill isn’t everything. Sometimes you’ve just got to be smart. I’m not saying that Fabianski is like my friend Lloyd Christmas, because we all know that’s pretty dumb, but his mistakes against Porto were quite amateur. Cesc said it himself, “schoolboy errors cost Arsenal.” In the same situation, I probably would have given the ball to the referee as well, but then again, I’m not a professional athlete who should know better, am I? Understand the surroundings that you are in. The ref looked pretty silly, too, but honestly, it’s in the rulebook. Quick free kicks are allowed. Better luck in the next leg, Gunners. Crazy Lens, anyone?

 Sol Campbell, Arsenal: I had Sol’s back in this one. I wanted to see the former England man succeed at the Champions League level. I screamed when he scored, that’s for sure. I did however chuckle after his little back pass. With no Billy Gallas on the field to cause a fuss, someone at Arsenal had to. I must say though, on a few occasions I was impressed with Campbell’s defensive ability. Apparently he hasn’t lost it after all...at least not yet.

Wayne Rooney, Manchester United: I hate being right all the time. Seriously, I do. With Ronaldo and Real Madrid getting shut the heck down by a determined squad of Frenchies, Wayne Rooney was up to his old tricks beating down AC Milan. Where do you think CR9 would rather be now? I mean the guy drops enough hints that he made a mistake in leaving. His loss is United’s gain though as in the Portuguese winger’s stead has risen Rooney like some kind of furious goalscoring angel of death. Yeah, that’s right. Two against Milan, at Milan are proof of how far the lad has come.

Leicester Update

Well, they scored five goals against Scunthorpe in a 5-1 win. Last time that happened? Ten years ago. A beautiful hat-trick by Paul Gallagher capped off by one of the most ridiculous headed goals you’ll ever see (view it here…0:47 second mark). Following the Scunny thrashing, we were up against it on an away day to Bristol City. All hope was seemingly lost when the Robins scored in early in extra time, but with the unwavering effort we’ve come to expect from a Nigel Pearson side, the Foxes didn’t back down and immediately hit back thanks to a lovely Lloyd Dyer goal. Currently sitting in 6^th place in the Championship table, it’s two matches until FOREST.

Philadelphia Union Update

With a little over a month remaining until their first ever league match, the Union have been hard at pre-season training. Recently down in North Carolina getting the team together, Peter Nowak’s boys knocked off UNC by an impressive 5-0 scoreline. Following in Gally’s footsteps was Sebastien Le Toux who also got three on the board. Props to all the Sons of Ben who made the trip down. See you all in Seattle!

And Finally...The Black Pudding of the Week

Sepp Blatter, FIFA: Well, Sepp’s done it again. First, the cooky Swiss practically said that nothing was wrong with John Terry’s recent ‘behavior.’ Now he’s back to considering video technology in the game. Video, no video, video. Make up your mind, man! Is it just me or has the old boy lost the plot? What’s that you say? He never had it? Probably right. I just like hearing the guy speak. Hardly ever makes sense, but it’s always good for a laugh. Also, I bet he loves the Soup Du Jour...

Shane Evans is an Associate Editor of Goal.com. His feature, "The Full English" appears every Friday morning. Contact Shane at shane.evans@goal.com with questions, comments and concerns, follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/shanEvans or join the TFE/FCS Facebook fan page!

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