Zoo 2.0

Don't think anyone can complain with that Starting XI to be honest, I expect West Brom to be very comfortable with a draw so think it'll be a case of us breaking them down than the other way around. It's the hope that kills you, but I've been buzzing about this game all week - really excited to see what the lads can build on from Spurs. Hoping that we can at least break the deadlock in the first half, perhaps even move into dreamland and head into half-time with a two-goal cushion. Would love a James goal too, what a home debut that would be!

Thiago is an unbelievable player, I was hoping that Barcelona would bring him home and sad to see that he has signed for the Shite. He will absolutely walk into their midfield and probably push Wijnaldum out of the club on the way. Not too concerned about the signing of Diego Jota, a real 5/10 player IMO. Just average, another Shaqiri.

They already have, Liverpool have drawn Arsenal and Chelsea have drawn Spurs. That's two of the larger sides already out - just the two Manchester clubs that haven't faced each other yet.

The ignore function is such a wonderful tool.

Quite pleased with that to be honest, two clubs that are an absolute mess behind the scenes - something which would probably filter down onto the pitch. Would prefer Hull, but would be very disasapointed if we exited at the hands of West Ham - two sides that we should be beating comfortably there IMO. The draw elsewhere looks good too, Liverpool to play Arsenal and Chelsea to play Spurs.

3 goals to their 0, 15 shots to their 6, 8 on target to their 1 and 71% possession but apparently that wasn't comfortable... Easiest game we'll see all season with a B Team and sitting in first gear. The second goal came a bit later than I would have liked in a perfect world but as I said on the first page of this thread, I'd much rather a nice easy first gear win than a 6-0 demolition that fatigues the players for the weekend. Sure, one or two players are clearly not part of the European Masterplan for the future but they beat what was in front of them and that's all we can ask for - an unchanged side against Fleetwood knocks them out IMO, probably with first gear still engaged too. Gylfi MOTM, remove the cringeworthy agenda against him and you'll see he did well tonight. 1 goal, 1 assist and put in a phenomenal cross that Kean should have scored, ticked every box for me.

Think the fact that Carlo hasn't made a single change, even when comfortable shows that none of the players on the pitch today will be playing a good chunk of the West Brom game (except Digne of course). We'll probably see Gylfi around 70 minutes when the game is hopefully wrapped up. Edit: Forgot Michael Keane.

Genuinely thought that he had tripped over his own feet when he did that weird jump, never felt me heart higher in my mouth before - made up that he's scored although like you, I'd much rather he scored with his header as opposed to smashing it against the post. Wish this post would fuck off like, Gordon just smashed it again. Could have been about 17-0 this now.

GIVE IT TO KEAN FFS! YES MOISEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Spoken like a true Evertonian haha! Admittedly I don't follow Salford but strange that Darron Gibson has only come onto the pitch with around 15 minutes to go. I would have thought that his experience might have been a handy tool and expected to see him from the start - quite fall from grace since leaving Everton; Sunderland to Wigan to Salford's bench. Shame.

Mate, I mean this in the nicest way possible but you're talking shite. We're 2-0 up, cruising and probably going to add a third before the end of the game. If you want to spout negative drivel then it's a free world but do me a favour and don't quote me because I can't be arsed.

Sigurdsson 2-0, hope you all calm down now... Great pass from Gordon too it has to be said, little burst of speed and then a cut-back to Gylfi who's totally unmarked. Made no mistaes and blasted it past the Salford 'keeper. Would still give Charlie the last 15 minutes to see if he can grab a goal, breed a bit of confidence before West Brom.

I suppose we will agree to disagree then, you're being a nelly.

The second goal will come, have a bit of Patience.

Kean for Charlie now please, 30 minutes won't fatigue anyone and I'd prefer to be sitting at 2-0 with 30 minutes to go. It'd also allow Richie to tweak his shooting boots (which were badly missing against Spurs) for the West Brom game at the weekend. Also, horrendous shout @MikeO!

Would happily make love to that cross from Sigurdsson, A* delivery that should have been converted to be honest. Gutted (again) that Kean wasn't able to hit the back of the net, and inch lower and we'd be sitting at 2-0. Disagree too @Hafnia, with all due respect think you're looking to be negative for negatives sake. We're cruising, albeit at 1-0. Doesn't matter where Salford play, how much they earn or how many dinnerladies they have on a match-day, you beat what's in front of you and we're doing that in first gear.

Love how Carlo Ancelotti has the balls to wear a polo top and blazer, even more impressed that he pulls it off. What a bloke.

I must say I agree with this, think some people are jumping the gun a little hinting that we're struggling etc. Virginia has had to make one save and it was one that you'd expect him to make in his sleep. I'd have preferred a second goal to properly relax in the second 45 but whilst I'll admit we're not rampant we're nowhere near on the back foot. Very, very comfortable with just a goal needed to book a ticket to Fleetwood.

It's staggering how much weaker we look with the changed midfield, really hits home how much James, Allan and Doucoure have improved us. I've been impressed with the defence, but in the midfield we lack that spark of genius (that the three newbies can provide) and certainly miss a goalscorer up top. I'm pleased that we're winning, but won't feel super confident unless we can grab a two-goal cushion. Could get a little bit squeaky bum if we only have the 1-0 with 10 mins to go, route one from Salford and anything can happen really. If it's still 1-0 with 30 mins to go, take off Gordon (replace with Charlie) and swap out Kean for DCL.

Feel for Kean, he looks so desperate. If he could get an early goal then hopefully it would calm him down and give him a bit of confidence to get his foot on the ball, relax and just play his natural game. Not nice to see him struggling against Salford when a few years ago he was looking like a really good prospect for Juventus - he just doesn't seem to have pulled out of first gear for us. I'm desperate to see him do well. On the flip side, Nkounkou is looking bloody awesome, he's going to have to be special to get ahead of Lucas Digne but he's showing great potential Who knows whether he could be used on the left-wing? * Branthwaite has just pulled up passing the ball back to Virginia - Digne on at centre-back to replace him.

4-5-1 but the middle three are basically moving into the No. 10 position as and when they see space and need to. Davies, Sigurdsson and Bernard have all been floating in and out of the defensive third. Walcott and Gordon are coming really narrow into the middle of the pitch too, Carlo clearly wants us to attack their centre back/midfield - perhaps done their homework and spotted something awkward ther

BOOM. 1-0, Keane. Corner from the left from Gylfi Sigurdsson, looped into the box and Michael Keane nods the ball into the ground in acres of space. Really poor marking from Salford it has to be said but a great finish. We lead inside 10 minutes!

If you could all call me Mystic Zoo from now on that would be fantastic.

The league is structured based on (1) Points, (2) Goal Difference, (3) Goals Scored. Liverpool scored four goals whereas Crystal Palace and Everton scored one (conceding zero each). The table is correct, no bias.

Absolutely embarrassing the obsession that this place seems to have with Idrissa Gueye.