Fiorentina, Roma, Arsenal, Bale, UEFA Playoffs, Monday Night Football

Well, Good Morning, Friends!

It's good to have club football back, is it not? Come on. It's so superior. We were treated to many a match of big fun this weekend. On Friday morning we were excited about Roma vs. Napoli. Our excitement was justified. Roma put a big-ass-twins-sucking-wolf-teets-stamp on the Serie A race with a strong win over Rafa's side at Stadio Olympico. They are now five points clear. You'd think that would be the story of the fixture date. If so, you'd be wrong. Everyone wants to talk Fiorentina instead. La Viola rocked Juventus 4-2 thanks to a hat-trick from Jersey Boy Giuseppi Rossi. Check the full Serie A weekend breakdown qui.

WTF!!?? Barcelona did not score a goal against Osasuna. Nil-Nil, it was. Elsewhere, Real Madrid ground out a win and welcomed Gareth back into the fold. Hit this.

Spurs fan rejoice..and the linesman pays the price.

In England, everyone is raving about Arsenal's goal-glut at the Emirates against Norwich City. While each of the four goals from the home side were crafted with deft skill, the first of the match is one that will be replayed over and over for years to come. Watch carefully, because you won't see this again for a long time. Or ever. Why? Because it's two back-heels, three one-twos, four first-time passes...and a volleyed finish. Elsewhere, 10-man Newcastle managed a draw with Liverpool, United allowed a late Southampton goal and drew 1-1, City had little trouble with West Ham, Chelsea courted controversy in their win over Cardiff City, and Tottenham cruised past Aston Villa. Here's your required reading:

Premier League Review

10 Talking Points

5 Thoughts
Best of the Weekend
Tactics Board

Garth Crooks's Team of the Week

Andros Townsend led Tottenham to a win at Villa as noted above. He's English. He's creative. He's quick. He's playing quite well. Phil McNulty looks at the burgeoning bandwagon.

In Major League Soccer, former Everton boxing legend Tim Cahill scored the fastest goal in the history of the league whilst standing in the shadows. Baby. It took seven seconds for the New York Energy Drink player to find the net against Houston. Here are Five Things We Learned from the weekend.




There is Monday Night Football tonight. And it's a London Derby! What? Oh, it's Palace vs. Fulham. Well, could be worse.

Finally, we'll finish with a brief return to the international side of the game. The draw for the UEFA playoff took place and either Ronaldo or The Zlatan will not be attending the festivities next summer in Brazil. It is: Sweden vs. Portugal, Iceland vs. Croatia, Ukraine vs. France, and Romania vs. Greece. The first legs will be played on November 15 and the return on November 19.

Do everyone a favor and make this week your best buddy, um kay?

-SSN