See you for the matches on Boxing Day

I think I've just now recovered from Arsenal 1 – Liverpool 1, or as it was known here in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood, the first-ever Match Pricks derby.

What a morning – and what a strike from Keane! At first, the draw was acceptable, but it is tough thinking Liverpool had a great chance for the full points. More tough, though, is the Fabregas knee injury that has him out for a few months. That's just brutal for Arsenal to have to deal with.

Now, time to look ahead. This Friday morning is one of the great little fun traditions, the Boxing Day schedule. There's all sorts of reasons for why Canada, Australia, England and New Zealand celebrate Boxing Day, but the only one I need every Dec. 26 is that I get up early the day after Christmas and gorge myself on a full slate of football. Here's Friday's goods:

Stoke v. United
Chelsea v. West Brom
Pompey v. West Ham
Spurs v. Fulham
Liverpool v. Bolton
Man City v. Hull
Boro v. Everton
Sunderland v. Blackburn
Wigan v. Newcastle
Villa v. Arsenal

Obviously, the pick of the litter there is Villa home against Arsenal. City versus Hull at Eastlands could also offer some fireworks.

But no matter what your flavor, take time this Firday morning (if you're in the States), to celebrate the real reason for the season: more football.