Their form is exceptional. They are going to give ManU a run for second in the league.

As it stands now, they are virtually equal on points. Liverpool is 6 behind ManU but they have 2 games in hand. I still think that one of those teams will make it moderately interesting for Chelsea. Heck, Fulham almost took points off of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge no less. Probably would have had John Terry not gotten away with his Peter Cech impersonation. Graham Poll was starting right at him and still didn't award a penalty. I don't care if he had awarded a penalty to Fulham earlier in the game, that was blatant and should have been awarded.

Well, if Liverpool can take one, Arsenal somehow takes one and ManU can hold form and beat them (that one won't happen) then the EPL could get interesting.

Arsenal's already played two against Chelsea, both losses.

Realistically, I think the best we can do is to squeak into fourth. Barring a total brain cramp along the way, it will be Chelsea, Liverpool, and ManU in the top 3 at the end of the year. The only question is in what order.

quote:

---

As it stands now, they are virtually equal on points. Liverpool is 6 behind ManU but they have 2 games in hand. I still think that one of those teams will make it moderately interesting for Chelsea. Heck, Fulham almost took points off of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge no less. Probably would have had John Terry not gotten away with his Peter Cech impersonation. Graham Poll was starting right at him and still didn't award a penalty. I don't care if he had awarded a penalty to Fulham earlier in the game, that was blatant and should have been awarded.

---

Very true, but if you're going to point out Terry's incident, you also have to point out the hand ball in the box where the Fulham defender basically grabbed the ball in midair as it was going out of bounds. Chelsea was screwed on that one.

Also, Brian McBride looked great all game. Is he playing better or am I just biased?

I didn't see the Fulham hand ball in the highlight show on FSC...they may have had it, I just missed it.

And McBride is playing a lot better it seems. I think the key is consistent playing time. Last year it seemed he'd have a good game and then find himself replaced by Collins John for a couple games. The fact that Fulham are using a 4-4-2 more often doesn't hurt either.

At the 43' mark, Fulham leads Aston Villa 2-1 with McBride scoring again. That gives him 7 in the EPL and should put him close to the top 10 in the league...he was 12th before that goal.

A quick HT update for today's games for the some of the more relevant teams...

Arsenal 4 Portsmouth 0 (!) I know Pompey suck but wow! It's not like Arsenal were playing particularly well either.

Brum 1 ManU 1 OK, if ManU drop points here...

ManCity 0 Chelsea 0 ...a draw here wouldn't mean nearly as much. Lampard is ill and his string of consecutive games played comes to an end.

Everton 0 Liverpool 2 Liverpool is continuing their top form. Crouch and Gerrard for 'pool. Moyes will be gone in the next week.


[This message has been edited by Dre_00 (edited 12/28/2005 2:49p).]

Wow, a hint of hope from the Chelsea game. Of course they are going to come back in the 2nd half and murder them.

Rooney is a witch. If England wins the World Cup this year it will be because of him.

ManCity took 4 points from their meetings with Chelsea last year. I wouldn't put a 0-0 draw past them.

McBride scores a 2nd to put Fulham up 3-2. That has to put him in the top 10 in the EPL.

Well, ManUis officially out. Joe Cole is a witch.

Man, the 78th minute wasn't kind to ManU. Pandiani equalizes for Birmingham and back home in Manchester, Joe Cole scores for Chelsea.

11 points is going to take a miracle. I don't think Chelsea will lose 4 games this year.

See this is what happens when you're ****ing Chelsea...

quote:

---

Agonising for Manchester City against Chelsea as Barton's shot hits the inside of the post, rolls along the line but stays out.

---

Man, I hate them now. Is it too much to see a freaking title race past January? It was bad enough when there were only two, now there's only one.

Yeah, but can you really fault what they are doing. It really is luck. If the guy had done the same type of deal Glazer did then ManU would be top of the heap right now.

I now can can the EPL and concentrate on World Cup.

McBride now has 8 goals which ties him for 6th place with three others if the three others didn't score today.

*softly whistling One Man Went to Mow*

-------------------------------------------------------------------


"When I look to this lion it looks arrogant, it is aggressive, it is powerful. He is proud of being a Chelsea lion." -- José Mourinho

another day...another win by Liverpool... just 1-0
but enough to guarantee 3 pts to keep in touch with MU and Chelsea who both won today.... Crouchinho with another goal...he's tearing it up !!


[This message has been edited by JTQ (edited 12/31/2005 9:41p).]