OTF

I thought Gouffran contributed well. He was assured in possession, seldom turning the ball over. Was let down by his team mates on a number of occasions making penetrative runs. Cabella created the same as Gouffran if we're honest about end product resulting in chances, whilst Gouffran contributed more in defence. Not sure what people are expecting from him in a game like that.

You would hope that Aarons has a future here, whilst conversely Obertan should not. In less time on the pitch Aarons had more impact. Obertan on for Anita was changing the system because Sissoko is never going to drop back and play Anita's role.

Cabella has great quick feet and.good.movement. As I said earlier I hope he can maintain the enthusiasm. On Riviere, all factors considered it's completely reasonable for a young player in a new league and country in front of a large home crowd against the champions to be impacted by nerves. I felt he improved as the game went on and he settled. Physically impressive against Kompany in particular he held his own despite being shorter and in a different weight class.

Perez or Aarons.

If we take this attitude into the next six games there will be plenty of points.

Wish we'd kept Routledge.

Counts more than ever in my estimation - with such distinct gulfs in financial outlays it's very much a tiered competition.

Perez all over the da Silva shirt. Happy with the way we played there. I only hope that Obertan's inclusion was a shop window related decision.

No shame in this result. Held our own against the most expensive team in the league.

Lovely play there.

No LB substitution! Outrage!!! So close from Perez. Obertan unsurprisingly a completely useless substitution.

Aarons and Haidara at once surely Pards? Very good shift put in by Gouffran, hope the shoulder is ok.

Indeed.

Trying to compete with Ashley Young's sheisse vogel?

Nice from Gouffran there, wasted chance by Riviere.

On the strength of that he can keep his pen licence.

Ashley's put most if not all of the weight back on. Make of that what you will.

Williamson has played pretty well IMO. Riviere doesn't deserve to be hooked, if we don't make any inroads he should be given a partner to play alongside. It's Alan Pardew so it's a given that he'll make a tactical left back substitution.

It was always going to be difficult for Riviere on his own up top. Whilst his final ball has looked uncultured his presence has improved as the match has progressed. That's obviously been encouraged by our collective improvement as a team. Impossible to judge him conclusively in a game this early or against such opposition so I'm simply looking for good indications.

Impressed by Cabella's physicality. If that was the biggest question mark against him then things look very promising.

Ouch, that hurts as we were playing quite well. Two central defenders pulled wide like that is always going to be dangerous if they can't close the ball down.

I Hope Cabella can maintain this level of interest and dynamism throughout the entire season.

"The presence of Mike Williamson in a game of this calibre gives hope to all lower league professionals" slander?

Yeah. This was a nice sleeper surprise. His comment could have been a weak inside joke?

I'm all for nostalgic glamourisation, but that's truly foul. The sponsorship is integrated well though.