CMorley91

Anyone else horribly afraid that we will get fourth and Moyes will continue his lucky draws (Olympiakos, Shaktar etc.) to win the things and knock us into the Europa? Would cry.... And no, we have the potential to be close to winning the league, but as was mentioned above, two injuries and we are looking very thin. On any given day we can beat any team, but over the course of the season, I cannot see us toppling City in particular.

I did indeed, and I'm one of those odd few who appreciates the pedantic correction!! Good point, looking back at it, I almost expected to see him come on. If we had warmed up an attacking player at that time last year, I think my jaw would have cracked hitting the floor!

Nice from Arteta, classy: "In the second half we were the better side. Everton are the best side we have faced this season in the Premier League. "They been getting results because they are doing things right. They have a good mix of players and are hard to deal with." Good point, I don't think anyone would have been unhappy with 4 points from these 2 games. Thought our defense did well considering the ease that Arsenal have cut other teams apart. Coleman and Ovideos attacking positions, particularly in the first half, forced Cazorla/Ozil/Wilshere back and when they got the ball they were in no position to hurt us. Midfield more than matched Arsenals. Not quite as creative as theirs, but still put in a great performance to a man.McCarthy and Barry bossed Ramsey and Arteta from minute one. Thought Lukaku was quiet. Made a lot of runs but just didn't happen for him. Overall, most praise is going to Martinez again. Hes sending us out with no fear at all, no matter where we are. His positivity is brilliant, not many would bring on a flair player like Ger at 0 0 away to the league champions!

Well, I dont know about ye, but I thought that was some bloody match! Still shaking a little with the tension there at the end!

Minor heart failure, serious trouble breathing, and couldnt be happier!! Oviedo....... Beautiful city, beautiful man

Well that was just thoroughly enjoyable then. Nice to see us making a match comfortable instead of letting them back into the game. I dont think Ive ever seen us control midfield in a match quite that well before. I personally thought we overpayed for McCarthy but hes starting to change that opinion. Outstanding today. I thought Barry looked good today, kept things simple and covered behind Oviedo in particular very well. Speaking of Oviedo, had possibly the hardest job today, and boy did he do well. From the confidence of the early shot to the composure for Lukakus, he was outstanding. And a great strike from him for the goal! I think Distin and Jags deserve a mention for their ball distribution today too, found the spare man in the middle a lot (Particularly in the first half), and looked a lot more composed. Long may it last Deulofeu showed why he is so highly rated, tore Stoke apart. Martinez is going to have some tough decisions to make now, with Mirallas looking to be hitting form too. Saw this graph on BBC of his touches, shows just how involved and important he was today. Honestly a great showing, nice to see us cruising past a lower team for a change, and for the life of me I cannot decide on MOTM!!

Guessing Barkley and Mirallas are being kept for Old Trafford on Wednesday... Hope it doesnt come back to haunt us. On a side note, if that is why Mirallas is being kept on the bench (and Im by no means sure it is why), Id be concerned about his overall fitness levels. Never seems to last 90 minutes as it is.

One of the most interesting line ups in the last long while today. There are a lot of possibilities for Roberto today, no Baines, Deulofeu held his hand up big time last week. Personally, I would like to see us start with 3 at the back this week. The biggest challenge 3 at the back often faces is wingers getting around the outside but that shouldnt be the biggest worry against stoke. Would agree almost entirely with Matts team, except for the fact that I cannot see Deulofeu playing as our wide cover. If he does, Barry could be almost playing as an auxiliary full back he will be covering so often! Left Back is a tough call, but I hope Roberto goes for it.

Trying to be too clever there Ross

Pienaars heels accidentally clipped - no free Bentekes heels accidentaly clipped - penalty.... Bit of consistency please ref

Well done Tim!!!

Happy with the team, as strong as we have I think. A little worried about Villa, been poor recently but a very different proposition with a focal point like Benteke. Still should be good enough to come out on top though. Worrying stat on BBC: "The 3-2 win at West Ham earlier in the season is their only success in 12 away trips". Need to change that quickly

Was it? Good to see then, thought McCarthy has had a good game and that was before I was crediting him with creating chances! One positive today has to be that he looked comfortable in the middle against Toure and Fernandihno

I dunno, I thought he has consistently given everything that the city crowd have looked for....

I agree, still not good enough, and gets more game time than he should. Still think that today he has been alright. As for game changing moments, the most glaring one that haunted me today fauls to Kev when Ross (I think) put him through, at 2 1, and he missed the ball.

What is it with some people on here and Naismith?? I agree hes not great, but today is not a day to get at him. One of our better players, and has given his all

If that was a penalty how was Nastisic on Lukaku not?????

Need to wake up a little. Silva and Kolarov dangerous for them. Think Barkley looks off the pace today, a second too slow to react. Mirallas hasnt done enough imo either. Leaving Kolarov get forward and not doing much going forward for us. McCarthy/Osman doing well but so is Toure for City.

Think Nastisic is a good player, but he looks a liability today. 2 decent penalty claims in the few minutes he was on the pitch

Were lucky Aguero is having no luck here... Could have 2

Kolarov is looking dangerous. Either Kev needs to stick closer to him or Coleman needs to stop drifting in so narrow when Silva comes in

Classy free from City, we were lucky. Toure and Silva getting too much freedom for my liking

Seen him play enough nice passes to make me think he has the vision, just backs himself a bit more than he should sometimes. Not necessarily a bad thing though....

Wouldnt say so, no. Dont think vision is something that changes for a player, cannot be taught. Knowing when and which pass to play will come with a bit more experience

Personally think his vision is great, but his decision making needs work