Monday cannon fodder: nerdy viral math shortlist

Never mind Jeff Stelling’s derision, expected goals – xG – is here to stay | Paul MacInnes | Football | The Guardian
Real football men vs the nerdy analytics crowd … opinion is wildly divided over the new metric cited by Arsène Wenger but hated by Jeff Stelling and his Soccer Saturday old pros

Uefa fine Everton after fan carrying child hit out at Lyon player in fracas | Football | The Guardian
The fan involved was holding a child in his arm when he targeted the Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes during the fracas

Two goals and a baby: Wigan player rushes from match to birth of his son | Football | The Guardian
Ryan Colclough was on the pitch when he heard his wife was in labour, but still had time to score before rushing to hospital

When a terrace tune goes viral: the hunt for the source of the September chant | Paul MacInnes | Football | The Guardian
Earth, Wind & Fire’s song September has been picked up by fans of several clubs in the way Seven Nation Army once was – but what makes a chant spread like a raspy cold?

Swans introduce gender-neutral prefix | Swansea City AFC
Coinciding with Saturday’s designated LGBT fixture, the Swans and opponents Bournemouth are pleased to be able to offer supporters the option of using the ‘Mx’ title, should they not wish to be identified by traditional gender categories.

How One Man’s Bad Math Helped Ruin Decades Of English Soccer | FiveThirtyEight
Turns out thinking about things in the wrong way can sometimes be worse than not thinking about them.

Chapecoense tragedy one year on: victims’ loved ones tell their story | Football | The Guardian

As the anniversary approaches of the tragic plane crash that claimed so many of the Brazilian club’s staff, victims’ families speak about the battle to rebuild their lives

Motherwell 0-2 Celtic - BBC Sport
Brendan Rodgers becomes the first Celtic boss since Jock Stein to win four domestic trophies in a row as his side retain the Scottish League Cup by beating Motherwell.

Everton three-man shortlist creates boardroom 'rift' - Football365
Say what you will about the current state of Arsenal, but if you think Arsenal's a disaster right now, clearly you need to recalibrate your sensors.

And finally, this dose of awesome: