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“Games that made your birthday?” asks Peter Wilkinson. “My 12th birthday - 30th July 1966 - will take some beating.”
“My birthday always falls during the early-season international breaks, so generally served up an uninspiring England qualifier during my childhood,” emails Adam Berry. “An undoubted lowlight was a bleak 0-0 draw against Bulgaria in Glenn Hoddle’s last days, counterbalancing the year before where a far more exciting 0-0 draw in Italy saw England qualify for the 1998 World Cup. Other fond childhood memories include a 0-0 stalemate with Finland and a rollercoaster 0-0 in Turkey. Can you sense a theme?”
The wonderful Scott Murray is on deck for Newcastle v Tottenham.
Jared Brown emails: “I know this is a stretch because it wasn’t a birthday but close - a deathday. The day of my girlfriend-at-the-time’s father’s funeral, 22nd June 1986. England are 2–0 down to Argentina following ‘those goals’. I am listening to the game with an earpiece in at the wake. Sir Johnnie of Barnes puts the ball into the box with 10 minutes to go. I lean forward muttering to myself.. ‘Come on... Come on...’ Suddenly, somehow, Salt n Lineker gets it in the back of the net. England are back in the game. The dream is still alive. Unfortunately, the girlfriend’s father is still dead. I leap up from the sofa and into the status of ex-boyfriend - arms raised screaming ‘YEEESSSS! COME ON!!!’ Not my best moment.”
Happens to the best of us.
Marco Silva on the poor run against City: “It’s the worst run against one side in the Premier League from our football club.And of course, every time we play against them, it’s an opportunity for us to change it. And that’s what we can do.”
“As for your question, I’ve been to a couple of games on or around my birthday - a 4-1 v West Brom at Anfield was quite nice - but I’d say the best was when my Mam surprised me with tickets for a game down in London at West Ham,” writes Shaun.
“We’re from Cumbria so this is/was a fair old hike for a bunch of 5 young lads back in 91/92. The lad who drove all the way had just passed his test and I’m not sure he was even legal for the motorway but he was brilliant.
“And apart from one mini-moment when just off the M25 we went around in circles for 10/15 minutes, we found the ground without much fuss. (No phones, GPS maps, etc back then.)
“Game was a fairly average 0-0 but it was the only time I ever went to Upton Park and I’ll always cherish it.”
Richard Hirst emails: “Happy birthday Will. Hope you’re having a better day than the evening I’m expecting as a Fulham supporter. Apparently our 18 straight defeats are a record in English league history. I suppose it must end sometime, but almost certainly not tonight. I’d bite your hand off now for a mind-numbing 0-0.”
Will Haaland join the 100 Club tonight? Here is my advice on how Fulham can stop him.
Elsewhere … England are playing Ghana in a friendly. Join Yara El-Shaboury for that one.
Barcelona v Atletico starting lineups
Barcelona: Joan García; Koundé, Cubarsí , Balde, Gerard Martín; Pedri, Eric García; Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Atletico: Oblak; Molina, Giménez, Lenglet, Hancko; Giuliano, Barrios, Cardoso, Nico González; Álex Baena, Julián Alvarez
“Happy Birthday from here in chilly Poland!” writes Phil Lacy.
“For my birthday in 2005, my uncle procured a ticket for the FA Cup 3rd round match at Old Trafford, where we were among the thousands of Exeter City fans watch United’s 2nd XI fail to turn up. Terrible game on a technical level, but incredible memories, like babby Cristiano Ronaldo getting a Conference clogging after coming on.
“On my birthday in 2015, I was living and working in Cagliari and attended their game versus Cesena. It so happened that it was Gianfranco Zola’s first home game in charge. The turnstiles were so packed, we missed the first goal and Cagliari went on to win 2-1. Zola’s management was a fun time: the team always looked sharp going forward, but their defending was committed and remarkably slapdash.”
“Let me just start off by wishing you a very Happy Birthday!,” you’re too kind Kieran McKintosh.
“Not football ruining someone’s birthday, but close enough: A few months ago my brother’s 3D printer broke. However, at the exact moment it did, Martinelli beat Donnarumma with the lob to end all lobs, and snatched a point from City at home for us. So the second his printer broke, he heard me screaming ‘YES!’ across the entire house and celebrating like there was no tomorrow.
“My response is actually not a birthday gift I have received, but a Christmas gift I hope to receive. I have asked for a Leeds United 24/25 third kit. However, since it will arrive with no name on the back, I am considering putting Kylian Mbappe’s name and number on the back for a laugh. I was just wondering if others might get the joke or not.
“Have a good one!”
Krishnamoorthy emails: “It will take a man with a stone heart not to support a team managed by Diego Simeone. I hope Barca does not unleash their frustration over losing to Chelsea on Atletico.”
Dear reader, you will also be very excited to learn it is my birthday, so I ask the questions …
When has football made or ruined your birthday?
What is the best football-related gift you have ever received?
Stay on your feet, Gigi.
Bournemouth v Everton starting lineups
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Jimenez, Diakite, Milosavljevic, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Kluivert, Adli; Kroupi.
Subs: Dennis, Evanilson, Hill, Araujo, Smith, Enes Unal, Soler, Tavernier, Gonzalez
Everton. (4-2-3-1): Pickford'; Garner, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Mykolenko'; Iroegbunam, Alcaraz; N’Diaye, Dewsbury Hall, Grealish; Barry.
Subs: Travers, King, Patterson, McNeil, Beto, Dibling, Aznou, Welch, Campbell
Fulham v Manchester City starting lineups
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, Lukic; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez
Subs: Lecomte, Cuenca, Castagne, Reed, Cairney, Chukwueze, King, Kevin, Kusi-Asare
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Silva, Reijnders; Foden, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Trafford, Stones, Ake, Marmoush, Cherki, Ait-Nouri, Savinho, Khusanov, Lewis
Preamble
The main event, from our point of view, is at Craven Cottage tonight. Manchester City are still looking to find consistency this season under Pep Guardiola. The head coach insists he can smell something good cooking at the Etihad but two defeats in a row and just about edging past Leeds is not the way to go about creating the perfect dish. Erling Haaland is still looking for his 100th Premier League goal but at least Phil Foden started to offer support with a double at the weekend.
Fulham’s rocky start is fading away after three wins in four, including victory at Tottenham on Saturday night. They will be hoping the good vibes will continue but they have lost their past 18 clashes with City, which might be a slight concern for Marco Silva. No time like the present to end that run.
Bournemouth have picked up one point from the past 12 available, while Everton are looking to bounce back from a dismal home defeat to Newcastle.
Over in Spain, first-placed Barcelona are hosting Atletico Madrid, who sit fourth, in what is being billed as Marcus Rashford v Conor Gallagher in many places*. Hansi Flick’s side are in fine form in La Liga, shooing everyone they come up against but Atlético have won their past seven in all competitions.
Premier League
Bournemouth v Everton 7.30pm GMT
Fulham v Manchester City 7.30pm GMT
La Liga
Barcelona v Atletico Madrid 8pm GMT
