England Had All the Feels this Weekend | OneFootball

FA Cup Magic Feels

I’m a Crystal Palace fan, so this weekend was especially poignant as my team finally overcame the stigma of two prior FA Cup finals played against Manchester-based teams. There’s no need to belabor how the Eagles won that match, but let’s unpack the magnitude of that victory. There were more Palace fans at Wembley Saturday than Selhurst Park can legally seat. Every one of them had tears in their eyes as their club won their first ever major trophy. Watching Joel Ward raise the jug after thirteen years of loyal service to the club speaks volumes of the culture that Crystal Palace engenders. Eberechi Eye could walk the streets of Croydon wearing a suit of £100 notes and still wouldn’t have to buy a pint in any pub. I can’t wait to see how this club handles Europe next year!

The Last of the 19th Century Homes Feels

Goodison Park has been home to Everton since 1892, one of the longest stadium tenures in the Premier League. Every home fixture this season has seen generations of Toffees supporters pack every inch of this grand old dame to cheer on their team. Happily, the arrival of David Moyes and subsequent resurrection of what started out as a dismal season have given Everton fans much to be happy about, even as they shed a tear of farewell. Oh, and Everton won 2 – 0 over Southampton.

200/500

Those are the incredible numbers Jamie Vardy reached on a single afternoon in the King Power on Sunday. He scored his 200th goal in his 500th (and final) appearance for Leicester on a sunny afternoon, capping one of the most storied and unusual spells in Premier League history. Vardy’s story often seems like a made-for-Hollywood tale (and rumors are a motion picture is in development), but even this script seemed unlikely. I call him proper geezer Jamie Vardy, and will miss typing that next season. Then again, Hollywood loves a sequel, no?

Comeback Town

Sung to the tune of Lipps, Inc. “Funky Town,” this song was on the lips of Fulham and Brighton. Fulham rallied from a two goal deficit to shock host Brentford (who are probably relieved to be on the road for the final match, given that home form). Tom Cairney, venerable Scots midfielder and former captain of the team, slotted one of the three goals, putting a fitting end to his decade plus with the Cottagers.

All the Young Dudes

Brighton stunned the champions Liverpool when late substitute and homegrown academy prospect Jack Hinselwood scored in the 85th minute. He’s been with the Seagulls since he was seven. He just turned 20 a month ago. His cousin Harry Howell (all of 17 years old) was also subbed onto the pitch alongside him. You can’t make this up. If only Mott the Hoople were from Brighton.

The Ick

I cannot see any arguments that Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are not the club embodiments of “The Ick”. If you’re familiar with the Panic Shack song then you’ll get the reference. Otherwise, sod off. Both teams lost their respective Friday fixtures, which were conveniently moved by the FA to give the teams time to recover before their Europa League final on Wednesday, but judging by the efforts they displayed on the pitch, that extra time wasn’t needed. Way harsh? Nah.

The Race for Europe

Chelsea and Aston Villa were the beneficiaries of playing the Ick teams; both picked up three points. This put some INTENSE pressure on Arsenal, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, all of whom are fighting for those remaining Champions League berths. Arsenal faced off against Newcastle and emerged victorious from Declan Rice’s curling finish. They’ve punched their ticket; only three remain. Nottingham Forest struggled to maintain their lead over West Ham but scraped by two goals to one.

Manchester City have a game in hand by virtue of the FA Cup final. They host Bournemouth on Wednesday and this should be one HELL of a match. City know they have to win, and the Cherries would like nothing more than to put a stain on what has been a disappointing season for Pep & co.