Today's games

[Lee]

That's a great result for us. Keeps them from pulling away.

[Assassin]

Arry is complaning about decisions by the ref. Priceless!

[Kenneth]

What a ridiculous dive for the pen Almost as ridiculous as the first goal.

[Liverpel]

Where does the phrase stonewall come from?

It looks like we're all misusing the word. It seems to be a verb, not an adjective.

STONEWALL - WHERE DID IT COME FROM?

What is the first recorded use of the word "stonewall" to mean "absolutely certain", as in "it was a stonewall penalty"? The Chambers Dictionary lists "stonewall" as a verb, not an adjective. asked Seamus McCann last week.

"I believe that stonewalling was originally an Australian term used by politicians for delaying tactics," says Ray Routledge. "There was also an American Civil War general, Thomas Jackson, who was nicknamed Stonewall because during the Battle of Bull Run in 1861 he stood firm, 'like a stone wall'. In a sporting context I think it was first applied in cricket when a batsman would play constant defensive shots, blocking every delivery so as to minimise the risk of getting out."

But Mark Power claims: "Chambers is right: "stonewall" is a verb, as in "to block obdurately, or Defensively". I suspect what Seamus or Ron have seen is a stone-cold penalty, as in "dead obvious", or "a no-brainer".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2000/dec/13/newsstory.sport5

[Liverpel]

Although, this might help explain it:

[edit]Adjective
stonewall (not comparable)
(UK, idiomatic) certain, stone cold
Martin Smith, Daily Telegraph, 19 February 2007:
Fortune favoured the fortunate when Martin Atkinson ignored a stonewall penalty
Gordon Parks, Daily Record, 13 January 2011:
Lennon also pointed to a booking for Niall McGinn for diving as a stonewall penalty to add to his grievances.
[edit]Usage notes
Most often encountered in sports, in reference to refereeing decisions; apparently a corruption of "stone cold".

[lickedlollipop]

great result stoke

[Vermilion]

Stoked up the race for 4th that's for sure.

[Chris]

Come on City, big effort tonight though theyve looked a bit vulernable away from home lately. But if they are going to collapse hopefully they save it till January.

[Chazza]

David Luiz suspended tonight so probably Ivanovic CB and Bosingwa RB

[Chris]

Bad news for City but Bosingwa is hopeless aswell so not all bad.

[Rabiosa]

tatical analysis even dunc would be proud of

[Chazza]

philmcnulty Phil McNulty
Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Clichy, Kompany, Lescott, Barry, Yaya Toure, Milner, Silva, Balotelli, Aguero,
4 minutes ago

philmcnulty Phil McNulty
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic Terry, Cole, Ramires, Romeu, Meireles, Sturridge, Drogba, Mata. Lampard & Torres on bench. #bbcsportsday
2 minutes ago

[Rabiosa]

City's Midfield ****s on Chelsea's

come on MCFC

[Shaggy]

Be very surprised if City don't win tonight.

[Chris]

Richards is a huge miss, hopefully Zabaleta steps up.