by BLUE ORDER
While the preparation and energy that Everton fans put into protesting perceived corruption in the Premier League over the weekend was commendable, some people are finding it difficult to understand what exactly they are unhappy about. Everton is a founding member of the Premier League. Everton broke the rules of the Premier League. Everton admitted to breaking Premier League rules. Everton were punished for breaking Premier League rules. So while Everton and their fans have every right to feel aggrieved by what they consider an overly punitive sanction, it seems a little strange that they have decided that the body that imposed it is “corrupt”. If anything, one could argue that the decision to slap one of its most established members with a 10-point deduction is evidence that the Premier League is demonstrably impartial and fair. For now, Football Daily is reserving judgment until we see what happens if Manchester City are found guilty of any or all of the 115 charges of rule breaking they are currently facing.
Older and more jaded readers will remember that City claim to be in possession of incontrovertible evidence proving their innocence but, for reasons best known to themselves and their lawyers, seem strangely reluctant to make it public. On Saturday and Sunday, Sky Sports demonstrated similar reticence, going to great lengths to avoid broadcasting images of Everton fans’ protest banners on the Etihad or in the stands at Goodison Park. They even went so far as to reduce and sometimes replace angry crowd noises at Goodison Park, to spare viewers the trauma of hearing disgruntled fans shouting rude words. Fan fury, it seems, is all very well, unless it risks damaging the Premier League’s carefully polished brand.
Related: ‘Abuse of process’: Andy Burnham punishes Everton penalty in Premier League
Few Premier League crowds feel as much fury as Everton’s and with everyone seemingly behind them, their festering sense of resentment was expected to filter down to the players representing them on the pitch. With an in-form but out-of-sorts Manchester United in town, many had predicted an Everton victory. What no one had exactly predicted was a possible goal from goal of the season candidate Alejandro Garnacho, whose surprising acrobatic howitzer three minutes into the start sparked scenes of frank delirium on the field and in the visiting field, as well as comparisons, such as expectedly tedious with similar efforts scored by other players, the kind of idiots who apparently can’t appreciate a good thing unless it’s obviously better than whatever good thing has happened before. “I can’t believe it, to be honest,” Garnacho said. “I didn’t see how I scored, I just turned around and said ‘Oh my God.’ But yes, for me, one of the best goals I have scored, of course, and I am very happy.”
Despite this early setback, Everton rallied and should have been level or even ahead when Ashley Young put the game beyond his own team by launching a lazy leg in front of Anthony Martial inside his own penalty area and bringing down the Frenchman. “The way the game is going seems strange to me,” growled Sean Dyche, in his long post-match lament about the perfectly legitimate penalty awarded for a flagrant foul by a player on his team. When club officials are happy to air such misguided and illegitimate grievances, is it any wonder fans are willing to do the same?
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Join Daniel Harris at 8pm GMT for minute-by-minute updates on Fulham 0-0 Wolves.
RIP TERRY VENABLES
Football mourned the death of Terry Venables this weekend, but across the country fans, pundits and players celebrated his life. Paul Hayward credits El Tel with saving English football from insularity, while Jonathan Liew remembers him as a football romantic who made every player feel like a star. Richard Williams’ obituary brands Venables as one of the sharpest brains of his generation, while this wonderful image gallery and video obituary offers insight into the player, coach and personality who captured the hearts of the nation. And the Football Weekly podcast pays its own tribute to Venables here. RIP Terry, we will miss you.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It always hurts to lose, but more so if it is like this and with an unfortunate action that has limited the team’s options. Football does not forgive, but it does offer new opportunities. Ours is Wednesday… let’s go for it!” – Sergio Ramos tries to quickly put the 29th red card of his career behind him by focusing on Sevilla’s upcoming Grand Cup match against PSV. He is so good at receiving red cards that he was even sent off twice. Well, something like that. His two yellow cards that led to a first red card were replaced by a direct red card after a VAR intervention. He really is the dean of taking an early bath. Take a look at all of his posts here. How wonderful, Sergio!
LETTERS FROM THE FOOTBALL DIARY
For some reason I heard the subtitle of this article from the great website in Alan Partridge’s voice. Anyway, for the formation of the Christmas tree, for Euro 96, for being an expert and laughing and joking with Des on the day of the Cup final, for winning La Liga with Barcelona when they had only won it once in the previous 24 seasons, for sticking to football heritage and being the last Spurs manager to win the FA Cup when the year ends in one and for managing Gazza, as much as anyone can do that, thanks for the memories. RIP Terry Venables” – Noble Francis.
Pep Guardiola would do well to fear a trip to Sincil Bank (Friday’s News, Bits and Bobs) given that City have lost on their last two visits, including this one in 1997. To make matters worse, we also won the second leg at Maine Road. . Ah, happy days. But nowadays you try to tell this to young people and they won’t believe you” – Dr. Peter Storch.
I saw this on Big Website’s TV picks (sounds like a good idea, maybe FD could do a football one!). If I don’t see Jonathan Wilson face to face, I will be very disappointed” – Mark Bennett.
Send any letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s card of the day winner is… Noble Francis, who gets a copy of Woman Up by Carrie Dunn. We have more to give away, so he starts writing.
NEWS, BITS AND BOBS
Several former Afghan players have accused the country’s FA president of match-fixing.
PSG coach Luis Enrique has warned Newcastle to prepare for a feverish atmosphere at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday. “We really need the fans, we need a warmer and more exciting stadium than normal. We will play this match like a final,” he roared.
Pep Guardiola has upset anyone interested in a Premier League title race in the next decade by revealing he could extend his tenure as Manchester City manager when his contract ends in the summer of 2025. “I have energy,” he cheered.
Yannick on the streets of Mumbles? Former Crystal Palace and Everton winger Bolasie has joined Swansea on a short-term loan.
A big day for League Two managerial news: Grimsby appointed former Crewe boss David Artell while Ged Brannan slotted into the Morecambe dugout.
And with just one win all season and Granada languishing in 19th place, Paco López has appeared through the door marked Has One. Please re-appoint Tony Adams as interim manager!
FUN AND GAMES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOUTH AMERICA
Godoy Cruz fans launched a volley of fireworks just before injury time to try to stop the full-time whistle in their 2-1 home defeat to Boca Juniors. The game was delayed two minutes and rockets were launched onto the field and past fans’ ears in a display that suggests the stewards take their bag-searching duties as seriously as Dimitar Berbatov used to take his tracking responsibility. So Godoy Cruz issued a statement condemning the lack of health and safety on display, right? No. “THANK YOU FOR THIS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE,” wrote a post from his official TwiXer social media account, accompanied by a video of the fireworks show.
DO YOU STILL WANT MORE?
Pep Guardiola craves control and it is missing at Manchester City for now, writes Jonathan Wilson.
Urs Fischer worked miracles and created dreams at Union Berlin. He couldn’t save him from dismissal, but the fans showed him that for them he will always be a FußballGott, says Andy Brassell.
Will they once again be the powerful contenders for the Juventus title? Senza dubbio says Nicky Bandini after Sunday’s draw against Inter in the Italian Derby.
Ten Premier League Talking Points! Ten Premier League Talking Points! Ten Premier League talking points!
WSL Review! WSL Review! WSL Review!
Ed Aarons believes England Under-17 star Joel Ndala can follow in Stokport Iniesta’s footsteps to become Manchester Foden after a tortuous journey through France, Port Vale and Indonesia.
Everton’s anger can be harnessed to save Sean Dyche’s side despite their 10-point penalty, writes Jonathan Wilson.
And Tom Jenkins was at Goodison Park on Sunday to capture the fans’ fury on camera.
MEMORY LANE
April 2006: Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech poses for a photograph in what appears to be a cemetery in Surrey. We don’t know why this location was chosen, but he made us think twice when we tracked down the files earlier.
VIOLIONIST FERRY!
