premier league
Everything you need to know about the English professional league; who's on top, who's been traded, and what teams are dropping the ball.
The Chides of March
Those of you preoccupied by the larger-scale questions of the world - the meaning of life, the validity of deities, how the universe began and how it may end - I invite you to keep a close eye on Tottenham Hotspur for your answers. For the last few weeks we have been living vicariously in the bubble universe of Cristian Stellini's implausibly triumphant Tottenham. This week, visits to Sheffield and Wolverhampton have seen that universe come to an end. That bubble has burst, and with it, might come the end of another.
Matthew CurtisPublished about a year ago in CleatsFOOTBALL
SFootball, also known as soccer, is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is a team sport that involves two teams of eleven players each, with the objective of scoring goals by kicking the ball into the opposing team's net. Football can be played on a variety of surfaces, including grass, artificial turf, and indoor arenas.
Engin Can AYHANPublished about a year ago in CleatsAll you want to know about FIFA
The FIFA World Cup is the most prestigious international soccer tournament. Held every four years, it brings together the best national teams from around the globe to compete for the title of world champion. The World Cup is the pinnacle of the sport and captures the attention of millions of fans worldwide.
Eran yeagerPublished about a year ago in CleatsLiverpool vs Wolves
Liverpool and Wolves are two of the most well-known football clubs in England. As of March 2nd, 2023, both teams are actively participating in the English Premier League, with Liverpool holding a higher position in the league table than Wolves.
Harisuriya ShankarPublished about a year ago in CleatsDrowning in Shallow Waters
First thing's first, floating to the heights of back-to-back London derby victories before the titanic sink to the depths of elimination from the FA Cup to lower league opposition is nothing unfamiliar. It is a whiplash every Spurs fan has experienced. Its the same pendulum that never ceases to swing. Good to bad, great to terrible, ecstasy to dismay. Last season's rendition was a well-fought win at 1st place Manchester City followed up by a 1-0 drubbing at the hands of a Burnley side sitting 20th in the table. As a club, we shamble from disaster to disaster, sprinkling memorable performances and victories over the ashes, flashes of brilliance in amidst the settling dusts of a storm. What could have been, what should have been.
Matthew CurtisPublished about a year ago in CleatsAnd the Flag was Up!
Before a ball was kicked that Sunday, the Carabao Cup Final had all the makings of a classic. After all both teams featured in the match were considered the only two sides capable of challenging Man City for silverware and the EPL title. Chelsea were the essence of Tuchelball. A free-flowing brand of soccer that combines and blends defensive resilience into a mosaic of efficiency. After all, Chelsea boasted the second-best defense in the EPL conceding a miserly 18 goals. On the flip side of the coin, there were the high-flying Reds. Liverpool had been awe-inspiring as of late. Using and implementing Jürgen Klopp’s brand of ‘Heavy Metal Football’ or as it’s known in the German manager's homeland ‘Gegenpress’. So the stage was set. Two iconic brands of English football once again locked in an all-important match that could set the tone for the remainder of each season. And with a historic venue like Wembley Stadium, a classic was sure on the cards.
Sam HazelwoodPublished about a year ago in CleatsMission: Improbable
Play it at Wembley. Play it at the old White Hart Lane. Play it at Stamford Bridge. On a normal day, the venue doesn't matter. Tottenham don't beat Chelsea. Put aside the context that we are two awkward teams (one with a little more luck than the other) wrestling with our imperfections. The context never seems to matter. Form goes out the window in a derby game some try to tell me. Maybe for some. But for Spurs, our best teams, our worst teams, our new ones and our old ones all lose to the Blues. It was a Chelsea team on its knees that ended our title hopes in 2016.
Matthew CurtisPublished about a year ago in CleatsFrom Di Stefano to Benzema: A Century of Excellence at Real Madrid
Real Madrid: The Galacticos' Legacy Continues Real Madrid is one of the most iconic and successful football clubs in the world. With 13 UEFA Champions League titles, 34 La Liga titles, and a host of other domestic and international honors, Real Madrid has cemented its place in football history. The club's style of play, star-studded squads, and passionate fan base have made it a global brand that transcends the sport itself.
The Power of the Bench
Another week, another exciting fixture awaiting Tottenham Hotspur. Its a local derby, a team in the bottom three, a chance to move into the top 4 and the opportunity to condemn our rivals to another week spent in the relegation zone. Yet, on our part, I didn't sense much in the way of enthusiasm before the match. Recent hammerings have sucked some of the fun out of our game and with West Ham coming to town, the first team not just to breach our defence, but beat us outright at our new stadium, the same West Ham that stole a draw here 3-0 down with 10 minutes to play, the negative headlines had begun to write themselves. On our part, I detected only antipathy leading up to the game. That was until 3.30 in the afternoon.
Matthew CurtisPublished about a year ago in CleatsIndia Vs Australia Test Series
. Introduction Australia suffered a heavy defeat in the first Test against India in Nagpur. Despite the hype surrounding the series, India's spinners dominated the match, with Nathan Lyon struggling to make an impact. However, Todd Murphy's performance provided some consolation for the visitors. The next Test will take place in Delhi in six days' time.
The Greatness of Messi - And why he's the Best of a Generation
While the so-called ‘Greatest of All Time’ (GOAT) debate is not exclusive to football (tennis fans perpetually argue about which of the Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic triumvirate are superior, for example), it seems to be particularly controversial and impassioned in the global soccer realm.
Lewis HumphriesPublished about a year ago in CleatsBlue Valentine
If you are one to watch sitcoms and films on the regular, you might be forgiven for concluding slapstick, as a genre, had been somewhat on the way out since the days of Laurel and Hardy. But football fans know better. Especially those who support Tottenham Hotspur; a club who's own brand of defensive haplessness is its own sub-genre of comedy. One keeping visual gags and physical farce well and truly alive in the roaring 2020s.
Matthew CurtisPublished about a year ago in Cleats