Big Geordie

Harper knackered collarbone according to Mick Lowes.

Feckin great goal by all accounts!

Ben Arfa!

Sounds a bit like the Wolves/Blackpool game. We are on top, but cannot get the goal.

Good to see Ben Arfa and Tiote in.

She's a whore - lasses like this do their sex no favours at all. Complete trailer trash. Will also add that the footballer's who are nailing her are totally devoid of class as well. Sloppy seconds indeed *shudders*

Sillious Soddus

More like a 4-5-1, with Vuckic down the right. Was a good game of football (just back in) - impressed by Shane Ferguson - looks quick and has a trick or too as well as decent delivery. Ranger had a good scrap with the no.3 and Donaldson did well in midfield. Good attendance is well - just over 3700.

Been mentioned before has he not? Aye - just saying!

Drogba hasn't had the near career-ending injuries that Shearer had. Testament to Alan that he stayed at the top for as long as he did.

He's been scoring penalties all of his career, yet they felt he needed some hand in scoring this final one - I think they could have had every player on the line and Shearer would have found some way of getting into the net. Had to as his knee was knackered at the time!

Graeme Swann - top lad!

Where have you heard that from? Doesn't seem to have been any public consultation from the council aside for being able to object?

I've been saying for some time how poor Nolan is. His goals last season papered over a lot of cracks. He lacks pace, awareness, has the mobility of a man my age (37) when he's 10 years younger. It's even worse when he plays in the middle because the games just seem to pass him by. What happened to the young lad who broke through at Bolton and big things were expected of? He should be in his prime now, nevermind looking out on his arse.

Nailed on pen then? (I haven't seen it back yet) First reaction today for me was that it was a pen, from where I was sitting in the Gallowgate. My mate disagreed as did a few others. No need to press the panic button yet, but I hope Hughton takes on board what he got wrong today and makes changes accordingly. Unfortunately I believe Nolan will be in the team for some time yet, being club captain, etc. He does seem to be Hughton's blue eyed boy. With regards to the width issue, the pitch is a lot narrower this season (and that I've ever seen here) Each wing has been pulled in by at least a couple of yards. Probably to try and condense the play against the better sides, but it's not too good when your own wingers run out of room!

Agreed. It looked an awful tackle from the Gallowgate.

Forgot to add that I was quite impressed with Blackpool. Look organized and passed the ball around well. I think they'll be OK this season, based on that. What riles me is that the top money their players will be on is £10k a week. Alan Smith and Nolan are probably on £100k+ a week between them. Madness.

Just back in. We just weren't good enough today, but in saying that we could have played until midnight and not scored. The whole midfield (excluding Barton) were awful - wingers crossing very poor, Alan Smith and Kevin Nolan looking yards off the pace. Carroll did well, but he might as well have been playing on his own for all the support Nolan offered to him. Where the hell was the defence for the 2nd goal? Colo was left at the back with 2 on 1 - naive at best. So it's disappointing but also a wake up call/reality check for Hughton. If he wants us to win games, then he has the drop the immobile Smith and Nolan. We need an injection of pace in the midfield/up front.

I'm going to this - first game of the season for me. Will be sat in the Gallowgate upper tier. I'll take a win today, regardless of it being scrappy, lucky or brilliant. 3 points is a must.

The anti KK bandwagon out again it seems!

As well as Woodgate being sold, along with Butt and Kluivert apparently being brought in without his say-so.

If it was the Boro game with the Mido stuff, then it makes you wonder. However we all know The Guardian need no excuse to go on the offensive.

Ha-ha - Rooney scores!

Who's that Joey? I'll be listening in for a bit on 5Live. Gone off the national side after the WC. Am sure I'm not alone in that. Good piece that Mirror article, btw.

Won't get sent off tonight. My guess is that he'll be quiet and do very little. Bigger test for him is when the Mancs are at Everton on Saturday. I've a suspicion that Ferguson will leave him out for that one. If he does play, he'll be nailed on to get sent off as the scousers will turn the place into a bear pit.