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That result did not flatter us. We deserved not only to win but to win by three clear goals. Mbappe was a bit of a menace in the first half but we kept him and Vini Jnr completely quiet in the second half.
A performance of control but also devestating ruthlessness
I envy all the fans who went to the Emirates tonight[/QUOTE]
I do not expect any sympathy.....but I turned down a ticket for the game :ilt:
Well collectively as you say there was something that some of us (and not unfairly) have bemoaned the lack of and that’s ruthlessness. They say you’re at your most vulnerable when you’ve just scored, I think we were the opposite of vulnerable we were predatory. The flurry of shots that were cleared off the line or saved by Courtouis was frustrating, but at the same time they were great to see….we absolutely weren’t content with a 1-0 goal lead because we correctly saw this as a European tie and not a one off match.
I’ve been critical of us continuing to play Merino up front, but the way he set himself for shots as well as the way he took his goal….thats the body language of a striker, that’s what you want to see from a front man.
We were patient in getting the lead but we became aggressive in looking to extend it. And to say it again for a third time that scoreline did not flatter us, it was pay off for positive and purposeful play
I simply couldn’t ask for any more than what was given last night
I second this, we really can't afford to lose both Jorginho and Partey at the same time and yeah, I believe Partey has much more to offer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc Overmars
Whoever we are bringing in should at least have one season with Partey as cover.....and you could argue we've done that already with Merino, but he has hardly played the role since he's been here (no fault of his).
Also, Arteta leaving Partey out for the Everton game does show good man management.
I would say if we keep Partey it would mean we don’t sign Zubimendi (as we simply don’t need Partey, Zubimendi and Rice) my feeling is that Zubimendi is superior to both but I think we can all agree that the position isn’t the number 1 priority
Partey’s potential legal troubles could be the reason we are considering letting him go
However I think he’s done enough this season in order that he would be deserving of a contract extension based on performance alone
I still can't get over those free kicks. I can't work out which one is better. The first had unbelievable bend, the second is literally sent on a postage stamp.
Fair fucks, I appreciate anyone who can fuck over Madrid. I do feel you need these type of goals in games like these; either quick fire goals, set piece goals or ones which have stastically just never happened. Or ot course a mixture of all.
The Merino finish was absolutely amazing as well btw.
I did have a tenner on Vinicius to have a shot on target. The prick
Second one was better, for me.
Literally couldn’t have placed it better.
And I’d bet he will never, ever do it again
There's always someone who has to spoil it isn't there? :rolleyes: :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters
Seriously, never say never, his other set pieces, e.g. corners, are pretty reliably preceise so why not FKs, i get that was pretty much perfect but there or therabouts will do ;)
The second one was picture perfect. Can watch it over and over and it just gets better.
He’s clearly one of the best strikers of the ball we have, you can see in how good his set pieces usually are and the type of goals he’s scored for us, very good at sweeping the ball with the inside of his boot.
As far as I’m concerned he is the defacto captain of this team. Odegaard just isn’t THAT guy in the same way Rice is.
I thought Ancelotti showed himself and his team up with his negative tactics while as you say we gave them very little especially in the second half.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chippy
Such great performances - people talk about Partey but all of our defence was also excellent including Kiwior. And if we'd signed an £80m striker who'd put that Merino goal away like that everyone would be saying they were worth the money
It's got to be said that with the league title out of sight, it's meant Arteta was prepared to move things around more for Everton than maybe he would otherwise have done, as long as we can pub just a few more points, top four is safe, leaving us to really focus on the CL
it's on :good:
What a match lads! Above all else, a football match that gripped you, just like the matches of the past.
Arteta threw it to the wind. We could have got wasted playing those tactics, if Madrid hadn't been shit scared of us going in. But Arteta had faith in his players and every last one of them delivered to the maximum. Kiwior - they weak link. Didn't turn out that way. The star-struck Skelly - not so much. Martinelli, the off-form player - not so much. But there was one player who really, really surprised me. Partey. That's the best holding midfield performance I have seen this season. Haven't seen them all, but from what I have seen. He displayed the discipline that infuriatungly escapes him in the PL? Why? How? 10 out of 10 performance. And we're letting him go? For Zubi? Is Zubi really better than that if Partey can focus and stay that disciplined? Grass is alway greener when open pasture already exists but hasn't been explored (Probably an old Chinese proverb).
Anyway, you'll never see two better FKs that those in one match. Never happened before, never will again. That's football at its peak - the best you can get. How Rice managed it, no idea. That he manged it, well done son take a bow, as a well know and much missed properly misogynist commentator would say. When are we getting those effing women out of our sport btw? Go and make coffee!
Saka - out for 3 months. 10x better than Mbappe. Never rated Mbappe. No Henry, that's for sure. I'm sure he's a good player, but it ends there. Don't want him here with all his baggage. He's more of a PR stunt than a footballer. Obviously he's ruined Ancelotti's gameplan for Madrid. Everything went to him and he fucked it all up? Bad night? No. Saw him on occasions before. Pure hype. Sake = real deal.
Merino - WTF? He might beat Havertz on the scorers chart. Bloke got asked to do an impossible job and he's making a fist of it. Didn't get in the box for the tap-ins, sure. But that finish. Imagine if Mbappe had done it? Damdn, the newspaper headlines. Wonder goal!
Should have been 5 or 6. We smashed them. Worst Real side I have seen in years. Mostly because of Mbappe and that other bloke up front who can't kick a ball, Vini-something. Useless. Or else he's been screwed having to play second fiddle to the marketing product that is Mbappe.
Just goes to show. Let's leave Isak and Sesko on the shelf and get ourseselves a good honest, real deal, Gyokeres.
Magical night. Still wondering how we haven't found that form to overhaul a very ordinary Liverpool in the PL.