OTF

Tuned in to see what the score was in the Tottenham vs Brighton match earlier. Within 20 seconds of turning it on both Son and Kane had dived within the box trying to get penalties. Both were reviewed and dismissed by the VAR correctly as neither were even approaching fouls. Annoying that they have no power to confirm and issue yellow cards for diving/simulation when they're already reviewing the same play. There's no meaningful attempt to stamp that kind of rubbish out of the game and if it resulted in any sort of incidental contact that happened to coincide with when they dramatically fell to the ground the VAR would have been only too eager to give the penalty. It's all reward and no risk for attacking players.

It would have been a slightly sweeter victory if Pickford was in goals. Apparently he's well overrated, though can't recall where I heard it first.

Indeed. Sala was a pen though, daft from the defender in that situation. Ugly for the sport that players go to the ground theatrically like that.

Townsend doesnt think it's a penalty, and Osman agrees. Haha, suggested Wilson had no intention of getting the ball, you know, despite the fact that he, you know, got the ball

3 deserved points with some unnecessary drama at the end.

Not sure how that isn't a foul on Carroll, knees into his back.

Geez someone have a word to Longstaff.

Lascelles is really not a very good defender.

This level of application and structure is key. We've been aided by Everton's lack of dynamism and pace, but everything they've tried has been effectively shut down. Except that.

Good defense from Schar there, didn't look it at first but if the shot was on target he would have blocked it.

Nice breakaway, top ball for Fraser and just overwhelmed them at the back.

Excellent game from Almiron.

Fernandez has to be our best value buy for quite some time.

Celebratory wine. The real question is what does he have in the oven?

Yeah, no idea what they were waiting for.

Kind of a nothing penalty decision, but in keeping with the rest of the season. You can't dispute it was a foul, silly from Gomes. Well taken penalty.

Tim Sherwood with some self-reflection in the studio: "Flat, dull and limited"

We've looked well organised, disciplined and committed thus far, which is quite unusual. Probably helped greatly by them not looking very dangerous.

Nice counter attack there started by Almiron.

A few times... We're not looking bad but no real incisiveness from either side as yet.

After the lineup/formatiom last week it's pretty tough to have any idea what Bruce will come up with. Murphy was best on the pitch formus so deserves to keep his spot, can't help but think the lineup you've proposed will see little ball making it to Wilson.

Murphy has been our best player, so that's kind of deserved.

Was begging to be moved rather than subbed as he no doubt had plenty of juice left. We'll probably find out in a few weeks he was playing with a punctured lung.

Positives: Murphy has looked half decent some of the time, Wilson too. Negatives: Pretty much everything else.

We'll see what he Bruce does at half time. Probably nothing and will then bring on Joelinton after 70 odd and Carroll after 85.