Forum | Non-Football Related

Pardew was incensed with the decision to give a penalty to Benteke in the CP/Pooh gave the other day, and despite his rambling interview post match where he didn't cover himself in glory was honest enough that his substitutions had zero effect on the game.
Despite his protestations about the timing of the penalty, doesn't matter if it's 1st or 91st, I personally thought Benteke dived. If the player had missed him, I reckon he still would have hit the deck looking for it, but despite the minimal contact (I know, the payer is entitled to go down from the contact), to me it really showed poor sportsmanship yet again. Must be a Scouse thing, cheating, after Besic' s dive in the WH match. So I guess after that I have 2 questions
1, Did he dive?
2, Is minimal contact sufficient to award a pen?

Not sure if I'm seeing this through C&B tinted specs, but I seem to have a different take from every pundit and report I'm reading on it.
'Long ball punted up field, headed down back of the net', seems to be the view on it but for me it was a beautifully executed move.
Now Cresswell's cross field ball was inch perfect and the pass you look for if you have a big target man. He looked up, and put it on his head. Feck, if that had been Beckham a few years back, the commentators would all be blowing their wads and patting each other on the back as if the messiah had parted the red sea. But it's West Ham and Cresswell's not an England international for some unknown reason, so it's a hopeful punt up field right off page 1 of BFS's football tactics. (That's a 1 pg book btw)

The knockdown from Carroll is outstanding, beating 2 defender's to the ball, a lovely flick from Sakho, that again, if Messi had done, you'd think they'd been a stag party in the commentary box judging by the wads of kleenex. Payet is right on hand as all top quality players are and slots it beyond the keeper.
I sat and watched the goal about 50 times last night (kept rewinding it) and fail to see how it's a route 1, hopeful punt. Looks wonderfully crafted to me.
Anyone else?

Goal of the Month for February ... vote Mark Noble v Norwich on BBC Sport Website , voting closes just after 11pm tonight (UK time) cheers guys.

Well with 50+ others we set off from Glasgow.... yes indeed The Glasgow Hammers along with some of my very own Anglo-Scottish crew were on our merry way to a stadium where we have had little joy over the years, we were off to face Everton (our genuine bogey team). We arrived about 1pm and my mate Ian and I made our way around to the Wilmslow Hotel (nearest pub to the ground) in order to partake in a thirst quenching liquid refreshment after our long journey. As we enjoyed our beverage we chatted to some of the local fans while watching \Tottenham drop yet more points (this time to ten man Arsenal) it became apparent to us that Everton fans don't like Spuds much either but had a soft spot for us! The locals were not overly confident which surprised us as we don't have a good record against them in recent years. Ian and I both purchased and Everton badge (£2) as it was for Muscular Dystrophy and I duly attached it to my Claret and Blue Bar Scarf. Well after being refreshed with 20 mins to go before kick off we made our way to the Bullens away section and took our places.
The game was not so much a slow starter and most play taking place in the middle of the pitch , young Reece Oxford looking assured until Lukaku managed to use all his guile and indeed strength to get goal side of the young star and finished in a way few others could. Everton on the up saw Mirrales booked for a dive with Anthony Taylor in a good viewing position (10/10 for Taylor here as this sort of thing must be cut out) as time progressed Mirrales made a lunge on Cresswell and he had to go, Noble making his views clear and McCarthy trying to be the big shot. There after Noble was constantly booed by the Everton fans to our left and good on our skipper who rose above it , we all know a good leader looks after and out for his troops. The half ended and we were lucky to only be a goal down as Adrian had made a couple of super stops to keep us in it. The second half and it was the Toffees who were quickest out the blocks (the Irons a defender short as Slav put on Carroll which to us showed attacking intent). Sadly our defence (what was left of it) switched off and Lennon was able to make it 2-0, we really did think it was going to be one of those days as our rival fans chanted "We've only got ten men"! Next up enter Sakho and Song into the fray but it was not long before Everton were awarded a penalty that (although was a free outside the box) should have sealed our fate and the usually reliable Lukaku had his kick saved. Upbeat and louder than ever the magnificent fans got even more behind the Irons and with less than thirteen minutes to go first Antonio, then Sakho and of course it had to Payet and the game was within our grasp .. I have not seen our fans this elated for a long time Noble and Kouyate played their parts and when the whistle went it was clear the mutual adulation between fans and players was in full swing. The journey home was loud and proud, so many talking points and another monkey off our backs. What pleased me most we were two down and and Slav threw caution to the wind and went for it, it could have gone wrong but didn't and it was a brave decision, having got a goal back we felt we could get another and when we did we all believed we could get a winner and we did. Probably our last away trip (due to logistics) this season and if it is to be then what a way to end our tour. COYI's!