The sublime thing about Mo’s pass was that it was placed right into Szobozlai’s path, sufficiently arced that neither of the 2 defenders had a chance of getting there before Szobozlai, while it also was slow enough not to allow the keeper to come for it as a sweeper. It was perfectly placed, a Goldilocks pass, if you will. Far enough away from the two defenders to allow Szobozlai maximum time, but not too close to entice the keeper. Szobozlai’s shot was superb but Mo’s pass was every bit as good.
He needs to do that more often. He can’t beat his man as he used but if’n he realise that, the team will be better for it. He gets many opportunities to set up teammates.
I don't have epsn+ so had to just watch the highlights. Good to see Mo beating players, assisting and getting some opportunities to score. If he can get back to be more of the player he was last year, he could really help turn the season around. Kerkez looked like he had a good game. Rio had a nice goal that looked onside. I don't see how that wasn't allowed. How was Chiasa?
The offside flag was wrong at least 2 maybe 3 times. In the first half, Kerkez had a brilliant move in the box where he cut back and skinned two defenders and shot unfortunately Cody blocked it, but they had called it off. it was clearly on.
Another good performance and that second goal might have been the best of the season. The ball from Cody, the perfect one time cushioned pass by Mo, and the emphatic finish by Dom. Brighton were far from their best but starting to see some fluency and connections on offense. Liked that we played a strongish side. Even with the injuries I wanted to stay in this one. We have the two open midweeks coming up and the FA Cup really doesn't start messing with your schedule until the Semi Finals, and it'll only matter if we're still in Europe, which is far from a guarantee. Plus I like Curtis' idea of just trying to win both.
I thijk there's been a fairly noticeable steady improvement going on. A tighter focus on onfield communications on what needs doing. for example - performance against Man City last week was aeons better than the first time in Oct. yesterday was a solid game. Get Frimpy and later Isak back in the fold and we'll be looking good for a good late season run-in (I say - not quite in jest) enjoyed that game yesterday. particularly Kerkez. Salah weren;t half bad either
It (reffing) was even more all over the place in the newcastle v Villa game. I wonder if a kind of reverse evolutionary process of refereeing capacity is occurring subconsciously with refs due to their constant reliance on VAR
Chiesa wasn't bad - lots of energy. He'll never be the guy he was when Italy won the Euros again, but he's game for a go, and a bustling handful. The goal is disallowed once the linesman calls it. I think measured camera plays him on in VAR. (Seems to me to speak a volume for instituting Wenger's (and mine) idea on offside. Sure, logically, with that framework, he could still be not offside by exactly the same amount, but it wouldn;t look as unpalatable to a fan of attacking football ) Nice finish though . Kid is gonna be great.
It was a much better showing. We seem to be playing better over the last couple of games. Let’s hope it continues.
Which is why I’m not getting carried away with the “we’re back” view. What we did do well, though, was move the ball much more quickly, not allowing Brighton defensively to regroup. Szoboszlai’s goal, for example would have seen Salah try and beat his man and probably lose possession and our getting caught out of position.
That means we play Wolves away in the league on a Tuesday followed by Wolves away again in the cup that weekend.