Leeds United 4-0 Blackpool: The best day of your summer
The best part of these two goals was Richard Keogh rolling his eyeballs and shouting at all his teammates. He's trying to play like Franz Beckenbauer these days, but, like, like Franz Beckenbauer these days, if you see what I mean.
If you're looking for optimism in these turbulent and uncertain times, why not consider an opening pre-season friendly at the end of summer in the sun-dappled outskirts of the historic city of York? Leeds United, with a bunch of new signings in the stands, some first team internationals still resting, but enough on the pitch to excite and delight against two elevens' worth of Sky Bettery from Blackpool, will never look better in your imagination than they do right now. Part of the challenge the Peacocks have this summer is keeping everyone in a good mood through the sales of Kalvin Phillips and (probably) Raphinha. They're doing alright so far.
The night belonged to Archie Gray, who played the most minutes of anyone, into the realms of cramp and getting duffed up by cloggers. Callum Connolly, a 24 year old already on his eighth club, was chief bully of the second half, leaving elbows and shoes all over the young players Richard Keogh, moving as stiffly as if he was still staggering away from that crashed car, couldn't catch in the first half. It feels somehow taboo to speak too much of Gray, who ought to be a secret at this time, but Victor Orta couldn't hold his excitement on a podcast interview last season and any policy of hush won't make it through the season, especially not now Jesse Marsch says he plans to put him in the Premier League soon. He's sixteen! But he is amazing. Gray's contribution to the scoring was an overhead up 'n' under, putting a cleared corner back into the six yard box where Joe Gelhardt tidied his feet up and let Rodrigo finish, and ten years from now it will be replayed with ominous music as bewildered YouTubers froth over how Archie had eyes in the back of his Champions League winning legend's head back when he was just a teen. Otherwise, Gray was just all over the pitch being very good, putting in his most accomplished performance since the 'Real history, real future, real choice' season ticket campaign video for 2015/16.
Yes that's really Archie, aged about nine. Try not to sob at the bit when he runs in between real Uncle Eddie and Leeds-Uncle Norman. For various reasons I was by the side of the pitch while this was filmed (look close and you can see me in the background) and I'm sure I used to have a video of Alex Mowatt pushing him over after being dribbled around once too often, but can't find it now. (I also remember all the kids nutmegging Charlie Taylor, who seemed to be having a bad day.) Even at the time, people were saying to keep Archie's presence quiet because Barcelona were hovering. They didn't get him then, and they couldn't afford him now. Well, they can't afford anyone now, but you know what I mean.