IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED ,,,, ARSENAL TRIED AGAIN ,,, TO PERECTION

 NOTHING BUT SOCCER … (world class variety) ...

…. At first, he appeared stunned, head in hands ... after a player who was on the bench, with little chance of getting on the field, only minutes earlier had replaced a questionably-injured teammate and scored (for the first time in nine years) the game-tying goal on virtually the last play to give the home team at least a sense of success … which, until the final minutes, seemed outrageous, at best. Then, as he walked off the pitch, Manchester United coach MICHAEL CARRICK’sexpression changed to one of dark, if not desperate, determination. And ManU fans could only hope [cliché alert] heads will roll as a result.

Once again his defense let him down. Both Everton goals were set up directly by weak, errant attempts to clear … the second (by veteran NOUSSAIR MAHARRAMI going directly to recent addition AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES ,29, who cranked up a perfectly-placed strike from outside the box.

Sorry about that, long-suffering ManU fans … but, in the aftermath, Carrick refused to [cliché alert] throw anyone under the bus. Instead, after repeating the obvious … saying he was “bitterly disappointed.” that the tie “felt like a defeat,” he said he was pleased by the play of veteran forward MARCUS RASHFORDas well as “BIG BEN” SESKO who used his size and height to head in what had all the makings of the game-winner two minutes before Maitland-Niles cost ManU two points in the standings for the second time in three games.

…. AS A COURTESY, you would think someone would tell JON CHAMPIONthe EPL games on NBC and affiliated networks are seen (and, presumably heard) ONLY in this country. Heck, we’re reminded several times During every telecast … So, w hy did Champion, during Sunday’s coverage of the Chelsea-at-Arsenal biggie, invite viewers to join him at some gathering coming up shortly in England?

Champion on Arsenal’s well-conceived trick play that finally worked and allowed MARTIN ODEGAARD to give the Gunners a 2-1 victory:

“That is a goal conceived with the swagger of champions.”

A perfectly-executed, four-pass precision play of beauty came in the 50th minute and actually was started by Odegaard, who came up with the ball from a multi-player scrum and quickly hit KAI HAVERTZ who turned and passed toRICCARDO CALIAFIORI who found CHRISTOS TZOLIS.

While the recent transfer from Club Brugge dribbled down the left side, teammates moved into apparently predetermined positions … some to assist Odegaard directly, others to draw attention away from him. 

Having given up the ball with the initial pass, Odegaard deliberately lagged behind Haivertz, who served as a perfect decoy by raising his right hand to signal he would be open … then stopped to form a perfect screen, facing the oncoming Tzolis, his back to defender MAXENCE LACROIX. 

The timing, start to finish, couldn’t been better. Odegaard suddenly picked up speed when Haivertz, unexpectedly, made no attempt to stop Tzolis’ pass, apparently intended for him.

Lacroix, playing tight on Haivertz (who scored the first Arsenal goal), was caught so off-guard that by the time he tealized what had happened, all he could do was turn and shake his head while Odegaard was ripping a point-blank shot on keeper 

It was a play designed in practice but the Gunners had attempted it earlier with no result. “At first, when you don’t succeed, try, try again,” said color commentator LEE DIXON.

“They tried it in first half, and it wasn’t settled right, and the chance was gone. This time it was perfect … another heartbreaker by Arsenal.”

This time we saw Odegaard motioning to a teammate and perhaps signaling why not try it again? Talk about perfect timing.

An ensuing goal kick by Chelsea resulted in a scrum that saw MORGANROGERS, who opened the scoring in the game’s first minute, grabbed, lifted up then thrown to the ground by the Gunners’ KONAS but … referee CHRIS KAVANAUGH let play continue. Odegaard came up with ball … four passes and his perfect (there’s that word again) one-on-one shot – Argentina goalie EMELLIANO MARTINEZ never had a chance -- later the defending champions were atop the standings … at 3-0 for only the third time in club history.

Until next time ...