The English Football Thread

[Vesper 29,225]

Spuds epic 2004 choke

In 2004, both Tottenham and Manchester City were the flakiest of outfits. In this fourth round replay, Spurs charged into a 3-0 half-time lead and City's bad boy midfielder Joey Barton was dismissed at the interval for behaving like... well, Joey Barton. Hordes of City fans headed for the exits.

But in the second half, 10-man City launched an epic comeback. Sylvain Distin reduced the arrears on 48 minutes, then Paul Bosvelt struck No.2 with a deflected effort 20 minutes later.

With 10 left, a marauding Shaun Wright-Phillips pulled City level at 3-3, before substitute John Macken headed home a dramatic winner for Kevin Keegan's men seconds from time.

As the jubilant City team celebrated with the supporters who'd stuck around, Tottenham fans disappeared sharpish into the north London night. "I'm speechless," admitted Kevin Keegan, possibly for the first time ever.

[Vesper 29,225]

Manchester United set for bidding war as Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS launch takeover attempt

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1722530/Manchester-United-takeover-Jim-Ratcliffe-INEOS-attempt

Manchester United are set for a bidding war after Sir Jim Ratcliffe confirmed his Ineos group have entered the running to buy the club. The British billionaire is the first to publically confirm his intentions to make an offer for the club as the Glazers look to sell up after 18 years of ownership. 

United were first put on the market in November after the Glazer family announced that it was 'commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives' for the club. Options ranging from bringing 'new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the company' were to be considered with interested parties invited to come forward. However, it is thought that a full sale is the most likely outcome. 

Bids are expected from the Middle East, the United States and Asia but British businessman Ratcliffe is the first to officially confirm his interest. A spokesperson confirmed to the Times that “we have formally put ourselves into the process” in a statement on Tuesday. 

Interested parties currently have to sign up in order to see confidential financial documents and complete their due diligence before a takeover. This process is expected to be on going over the coming weeks before formal bids start next month with the club potentially changing hands before the end of the season. 

A bidding war for the club is likely to ensue with the Glazers said to be holding out for at least £5billion. The figure is almost certain to dwarf the £4.25bn Todd Boehly and his Clearlake Capital Group spent to buy Chelsea last year in what would be a record for a British sports team. 

Ratcliffe was among the interested parties to buy the Blues last year but left it too late before he was able to launch a bid. He also owns Ligue 1 Nice but it is United who are believed to be the apple of his eye, with the 70-year-old said to be a long-term supporter of the club. 

Ineos are already investors in a host of sports teams including Mercedes F1, New Zealand Rugby and the Team Sky cycling team (later rebranded to become Team Ineos). 

[Vesper 29,225]

2022-23 English Premier League

Crystal Palace
Manchester United

https://www.mysports.to/sports/2023/premier-league-crystal-palace-vs-manchester-united-s1/

https://www.vipleague.st/crystal-palace-vs-manchester-united-1-live-streaming

[Vesper 29,225]

[nyikolajevics 2,603]

Gnonto scored great two goals for Leeds.

I like the kid. I think eventually will end up at some big club.

[Fulham Broadway 16,977]

Palace are dire. Dreadful defending and zero press. 

[TheHulk 1,963]

Least Scum didn't win and lost Casemiro against Arsenal.

Edited January 18, 2023 by TheHulk

[Laylabelle 9,409]

One loss in 20 games for them. Even with dropped points have turned things round...we have hope lol

[Fulham Broadway 16,977]

Have a feeling Citeh will rip Sp*rs a new one tonight

[guddy69 174]

48 minutes ago, Fulham Broadway said:

Have a feeling Citeh will rip Sp*rs a new one tonight

I hope so...🙂 

[Fulham Broadway 16,977]

49 minutes ago, guddy69 said:

I hope so...🙂 

City could be two points behind the gooners before they face United

[Pizy 18,537]

Imagine saying before the season started that Arsenal would walk the league. Good lord, what a nightmare.

[Fulham Broadway 16,977]

Fucking hell i jinxed it

 

[Fulham Broadway 16,977]

Edersons neck tattoo leaking into his brain

[Stats 7,065]

I am not surprised. The team Pep picked is astonishing. Cancelo, Walker, Silva, KDB, Foden all on bench. Almost like he wants to Arteta a favour.

[Pizy 18,537]

City as a team look like they’ve given up and know they won’t win the title now. Body language is shit for the whole team.

All about finally winning the Champions League for them this season now.

[Gundalf 804]

City is shit this season. Maybe Haaland really made them worse despite scoring so many goals. 

[NikkiCFC 8,089]

Nothing gives me more pleasure than Pep failures. So I'm enjoying this. Not one single player from Arsenal would walk into starting 11 for City. And manager was your assistant. Embarrassing.