Huge result for Arsenal and City this morning. St. Totteringham's Day will come.

Okay, I'll leave the vitriol behind. I'll even grant that Pardew probably deserves Manager of the Year, he hasn't taken a false step.

Newcastle war champion. Tough match for Mackem, what happen'd in 2nd?

Blackburn v Liverpool

Is anyone watching this game? Liverpool’s John Flanagan was given a yellow, should have had a second, but the ref showed leniency in light of his age, gave him a talking to. Alexander Doni, Liverpool’s goalkeeper, took David Hoilett down in the penalty area, denying a clear goal scoring opportunity. Flanagan was substituted for Brad Jones, who saved an incredibly weak penalty kick from Yakubu. Later, Brad Jones takes down Yakubu in the penalty area, though Yakubu had headed it away from goal, so it wasn’t a clear goal scoring opportunity, just a foul. Had the ref not shown leniency to Flanagan, and that ball gone differently, Liverpool could have seen an outfield player, and two keepers sent off with red cards. The really amazing thing is that the ref’s probably gotten every major decision right.

The ref even gave a card for simulation that video proved correct.

glad to see my reds sneak a last minute win, its been a terrible past few games

Wigan upset United 1-0! City win 4-0! Title race is back on with City and United 5 points apart, 5 games remaining and the derby on the 30th!

Brenton said: Fascinating stuff in the Championship and League One.

Nice to see Charlton making their way back up to the Championship. And one of the Sheffield teams (United and Wednesday) will be up for sure as well. On the downside, MK Dons might get promoted.

There's quite a race on for the promotion play-off spots in the Championship, with four teams all trying for that last spot. Great to have Blackpool back in the mix, with good ol' Kevin Phillips banging them in for them, and the chance that we could have two Welsh clubs in the Premiership next season is fun. Not so fun is having to read and listen to Sam Allardyce if West Ham get promoted. Sad to see Portsmouth relegated again, though.

Pompy's problems are financial again. Their in danger because they lost 10 points due to administration. Always hate that when it happens.

The playoffs are looking very good. Would like to see Ian Holloway back in the premiership again, at the very least back at Wembley. It would be fun a Blackpool/West Ham final between Ian and Big Sam.

Nice to see a traditional power like Southampton find their way to the top.

Still fingers crossed that Newcastle can make it to Champions League and that Plymouth can stay in the league or in existance for that matter.

Sad times for Northwich Victoria, founding members of the Football League Division Two (now known as the Championship) in 1892.

In January, supporters learned that their chairman's promise that he'd purchase the stadium wasn't fulfilled, and that THOR Chemicals (located next door to the stadium) had actually bought the stadium, with the intent to knock it down to extend their factories.

The club had recently competed in the Conference North, but were relegated due to financial issues, and now are in the Northern Premier League (seventh tier). Things were looking good for this season, as they are second-top and in a playoff spot; however, they have been found to again be in breach of financial rules, and have had their league membership revoked. This means no promotion playoffs, and possible demotion to level 9 of the English football pyramid (they were recently in level 6).

Holy shit burgers. City bags 10 goals in the last two matches. They are lighting it up, but it still might be too late to claim the title. Sure makes for an entertaining stretch.

Christopher said: I can't say I'm happy to hear this, but it does bode well for FC United of Manchester. They lost today, Hednesford Town won, which meant that they dropped to 6th, and just out of the playoffs. There are two games left for them to make up the 3 point gap, but if Northwich Victoria aren't going to be in the playoffs, that means they could qualify for it with a 6th place showing.

The Northern Premier League is a fantastic league (and not to be confused with the Northern League, which is the second oldest football league in the world). If FCUM go up, that would be two supporter-owned clubs promoted to the Conference North. It doesn't look like Marine (which incidentally is the club that's top of my list to visit in Liverpool) will be able to catch you.

Promotion playoffs will be tricky. Bradford Park Avenue (a top-flight club back in the early 1900s) get some excellent crowds.

Christopher said: I can't say I'm happy to hear this, but it does bode well for FC United of Manchester. They lost today, Hednesford Town won, which meant that they dropped to 6th, and just out of the playoffs. There are two games left for them to make up the 3 point gap, but if Northwich Victoria aren't going to be in the playoffs, that means they could qualify for it with a 6th place showing.

The FA has reduced the penalty to a ban from this season's promotion playoffs, and relegation one step (down to Northern Premier League Division One North/South) instead of two steps.

bili said: Thought this was a hilarious read:

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7754283/is-peter-crouch-criminally-underrated

For a good laugh, google "peter crouch meme".

Plainly we should make him our 3rd DP :P

Good to see Cardiff fight back against Palace. Watching it on an Arabic stream, in Arabic!

Means Barry Robson will get that we bit extra rest.

Yeah that was an awful feed they had today and the match was being shown by the BBC in England, so makes no sense.

That's a tough one for me as I like both those sides, where they've come from and what they've achieved.

It would be great to have the Bradford PA name back in the football league though.

The match should be streamed live. Last year's FCUM was, which they unfortunately lost. Was a cracking match and atmosphere though.

Hi I'd like to see the man city vs man united game on Monday do you know what time and where? Thanks.

Thanks rodderzzz

Christopher said:

OldFan said:

Christopher said: FC United advance to the final of the Northern Premier League Premier Division Playoffs. If they can overcome Bradford Park Avenue, they'll be in Conference North next year (level 6 on the pyramid) and only two promotions from being in League Two!

If they make League Two in the next few years that would be an amazing achievement.

I'm looking forward to the day when FC United of Manchester play Manchester United FC. I won't know who to cheer for!

I have no personal interest in either; but that would be an amazing achievement for this club. Something that others can take an example from.

Driveforfiver said: Papiss Cisse! Scores perhaps not only the Premiership goal of the year but two stunning strikes in one game. Going to be a great game on Sunday!

Wasn't that second one something? I still can't believe it went in.

VanCityVilla said:

Driveforfiver said: Papiss Cisse! Scores perhaps not only the Premiership goal of the year but two stunning strikes in one game. Going to be a great game on Sunday!

Crouch's was better in my opinion. Cisse while amazing took a wild shot which found the back of the net.

Wild shot? Looked to me that he knew what he was doing. Crouch's goal is pretty awesome but Cisse takes goal of the year in my opinion.

Cisse's goal was fuckin fantastic and was not a 'wild shot' any more than any other effort outside the box is.

mwilliam said: Any suggestions (for a pub to watch the FA Cup final)? Even though I can't really stand either team.

Do their goalies still throw games?

Keep The Blues Fucking...?

Boxing_Day_Massacre said:

My Great Grand parents are both from the Bristol area so there isn't even a club in EPL very close...is there even anywhere you can watch lower division games?

Do it.

Speaking as someone who has followed Sheff Wed for almost 50 years (the last 20 of those from Canada) I can tell you that following a non-Premier League club is a world of hurt and agony but it can also be so much more rewarding. The rewards are directly proportional to the suffering you endure in following the Club. If you can just turn on your TV and constantly see the best players in the world bringing championships and cups it might be nice but not a big deal. When you spend rainy winter nights travelling to places like Tranmere and Wrexham to stand on deserted figid terraces to watch your chosen bunch of journeymen and donkies grind out a 0-0 draw then success comes in a different form : - avoiding relegation - a promotion playoff victory - a victory over hated local rivals - maybe once in 50 years a victory over Man U in the League Cup final - financial solvency and it will be so unspeakably glorious - there is really nothing like it in the world.

(If I'm looking for consolation in this crappy season for the Caps its that this suffering will make us stronger. The fans and players that return next season and have suffered though this season will share this - success will be sweeter when it comes)

Regarding the difficulty of following lower league teams. Most teams have at least an internet-only subscription audio feed of games e.g. http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/player/BuyNow?WT.mc_id=1112NS_HPTO_PS

Regarding team names - if you're using this method to choose a club also consider Accrington Stanley, Rushden & Diamonds (now non-league - even more cache) Leyton Orient...

The last thing this world needs is another fairweather fan of any colour (especially Man U / Arsenal / Chelsea etc).

Good Luck

WHAT A SEASON!

Posting this minutes after Sheffield Wednesday clinched automatic promotion to Championship. In 10 years time they'll make a movie about this season in Sheffield football. This season has been the best and most dramatic for years and years. Rescued from the brink of bankrupcy Wednesday battled hated cross-city rivals (managed by an ex-Wedneday player) for promotion throughout the season. It seemed towards the end of the season that the last automatic promotion spot was owned by Sheff Utd then we beat them in the local derby game and our manager was fired. New manager came in and hasn't lost a game. Sheff Utd star striker was convicted of rape (5 year sentence) and it all fell apart for them, we took the promotion spot from them last week with everything to play for in the last game of the season (2-0 win)

THAT is why promotion and relegation is the best system.

So, our rivals, Sheff Utd now go into the playoffs. Any time prior to this season I would have said that I would have wanted them to fail, but after the drama of this season I'd love to see them in the Championship also so that we can do this all again next season. (And ultimately in the Premiership - if you thought the Manchester derby was intense you've got another thing coming)

Going to be smiling all day today.

Well, FC United lost in the playoff promotion final to Bradford Park Avenue. The match's only goal was scored in the 119th minute (1 minute from penalties).