Arsenal gaining viewers in the US, Southgate at war with WAGS, while Liverpool face leaking Man United. Gary Lemke highlights a few talking points ahead of the weekend’s football.
WHY THE JOKE IS ON TOTTENHAM
You are likely to have come across the YouTube clip of six years ago when Chinese football fan Michael Lee played along with a scripted joke. “What football clubs do you know?” he was asked. “Man United, Chelsea, uh, West Ham, uh Liverpool, Man City.”
“You know quite a few of them then. Do you know Tottenham? Tottenham Hotspur?” the interviewer asked. “Topspur? What’s that?” Tottenham don’t do themselves any favours, and the north London club irked their own fans this week when chairman Daniel Levy awarded himself a pay rise from £3.3m to £3.6m. He also gave himself a £3m bonus. This came on the day that the club’s financial records were released, and Tottenham recorded a loss of £86.3m.
The points are shared in East London ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/rhYiLjNO5I
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 2, 2024
MY OPINION? NO WAY WAS GALLAGHER RACIST
Admittedly, I did not see the “incident” live. Admittedly, I’m a Chelsea fan. However, I did follow the backlash and allegations of racism against Conor Gallagher, who “ignored” a black mascot’s handshake in the tunnel ahead of the 2-2 draw with Burnley.
Later, I watched the entire “incident” in its fullest context and agree whole-heartedly with the official Chelsea statement that the social media videos that went viral were manipulated and full of agenda. I will go further as to say: that I have seen a lot of racism amongst fans at EPL matches over the years, including at Chelsea. I lived in London for seven years. Racism is a scourge of society and racists need to be dealt with harshly. However, to accuse Gallagher of racism over the mascot “incident”, to me is a bridge too far.
We're all behind you, Connor Gallagher.
— 𝐉𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 (@badboy_jerry) April 3, 2024
Let them run their agendas but real Chelsea fans stand with you pic.twitter.com/M1vb0kr5P5
ARSENAL DRAWING VIEWERS IN THE US
There have been few goalless draws in what has been a record goal-scoring EPL season, so when one comes along it’s like watching the eclipse of the sun. But, like a London bus, you wait for ages for one and then two come along at the same time. Brentford’s 0-0 draw with Brentford came just days after Arsenal held Man City to a 0-0 at the Etihad. It was rather two points dropped for City and one point won for the Gunners in the context of the season.
However, the City vs Arsenal draw drew the biggest TV audience ever in the United States for an EPL game. Previously, 1.96 million people had watched Liverpool and Arsenal last December, but a total of 2.59m tuned in for last Sunday’s game. Interestingly, the third-most watched game in US history was in January 2023 when Man United played Arsenal. The Gunners have therefore featured in all three most-viewed TV games across the pond
The skills on show last night 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/2rZUGMUtYP
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 4, 2024
ENGLAND AT WAR WITH THE WAGS
With Euro 2024 approaching, your social media is certain to be filled with memes featuring WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends) of players from the different countries. Spoiler alert: England never come out well here. It is amazing though how much publicity is given to the WAGs and this week was no different.
Reports suggest that the England WAGs have angered manager Gareth Southgate by taking their own private security to Germany, at a cost of £100k-plus (car guard money to most players), ahead of the official security afforded to them by the England Football Association.
Gareth Southgate says he doesn’t like the term ‘WAG’s’. ❌ pic.twitter.com/k4DC7rXteD
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) June 13, 2022
UNITED OR LIVERPOOL? WHERE’S YOUR MONEY?
This week’s big match in the EPL is at Old Trafford where the encounter between Man United and Liverpool could have a significant impact on the destiny of this season’s trophy. Both teams were in action on Thursday – United against Chelsea and Liverpool beating Sheffield United – but both will have enough adrenaline to account for tired legs.
The rivalry started in 1894 when United were still called Newton Heath, and since then they have beaten Liverpool 91 times, Liverpool have won 81 times and there have been 69 draws. Liverpool however, have won more trophies (68-67). The record victory is still fresh in the heads of fans: in March this year, Liverpool won 7-0. United’s biggest win was 6-1 in 1928. Game on! I’m going for a 2-2 draw, which is at 10/1 with Hollywoodbets.
Erik shares his reaction to Thursday's game.#MUFC || #PL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 4, 2024
ANOTHER TEAM JOINS THE BIG 4-OH CLUB
Here’s one for the stattos. Only four teams from Europe’s “big five league” – the EPL, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 – have put together a 40-plus unbeaten run across all competitions since 2000. Name them. Clue: no team from England has achieved the feat.
Two from Serie A have, one from La Liga and one from the Bundesliga. OK, so that makes it easy then? Except, the quartet are Juventus (43), Internazionale, Real Madrid and now Bayer Leverkusen, all with an unbeaten streak of 40.
📸 Neuer Header. 👀 Gefällt's euch?
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04fussball) April 4, 2024
🔙 #B04F95 | #ForOurDream | #DFBPokal pic.twitter.com/gtEmp2HEp5
