Cronky

I was against VAR intervening in anything other than issues of fact ie offsides and goal-line issues. But now that it's here, I think scrapping it altogether is premature. I think Wolves have been amongst the Premiership's leading moaners, which may explain their motivation. It's a question of having realistic expectations. I suspect many of its critics were amongst its loudest advocates to start with, thinking that it would eliminate controversy. That was never going to happen. All that should have been asked of it was to eliminate blatant howlers. Too many pundits, players and managers don't seem to get the concept of the 'clear and obvious error'. VAR is not there to substitute one subjective opinion with another, even if a decision could be said to be 'probably' wrong. The processes were always going to experience teething troubles and it shouldn't be abandoned altogether on impulse.

I'm a bit jealous of Villa repeating our achievement of last year, but it's good that clubs from outside the big six are invading the Champions League places. Funny game, football, as they say. Despite City looking the more likely, if Son had buried that chance, Arsenal would probably now be the solid favourites. Those one-on-ones aren't quite as easy as they look. I'd say the success rate is about 50%? There's an element of luck, but if the attacker has the ability to chip the ball a bit while running at speed, that's usually a better bet than just blasting it.

Spurs have done okay in occasionally passing their way through the Premiership's fiercest press. But City looks the more likely to get the goal. I don't know why folk are complaining. I'm quite enjoying the game.

And good for young Hall too. It feels very old fashioned for midfield players to move backwards to receive the ball with a pass that doesn't eliminate any opposing players. Defenders now need to be good enough to thread the ball forward with accuracy.

If he can get his defensive play up to the same standard as his attacking skills, then he'd be the best in the league. Eddie has great faith in his and his staff's ability to improve players through coaching. He's prepared to hold them back from the first team for longer periods than you'd expect (eg Gordon). Hall had been held back for so long, that I'd started to think there was a deeper problem. Eddie was prepared to pick a very right-footed youngster in Tino rather than Hall. However, he seems to have a knack of keeping a player in that limbo position without damaging their morale. It looks like our guy has got it right yet again.

Hmmm...... There are rumours that Callum is looking to move on, for whatever reason.

I don't know if this has been posted before. I thought it was a really smart bit of work. Saudia advert

Pope has injured his shoulder twice, so there's bound to be a vulnerability there. His fitness can't be relied on, and if we bring someone in, we may as well make it worthwhile and go for someone better if possible. Pope is a decent keeper but isn't good with the ball at his feet, and of course more is expected of keepers in that area now. Ramsdale hasn't fulfilled his earlier promise, but we've made a bit of a success of this sort of signing - ie a talented player whose career has taken a bit of dip. I'm thinking of Gordon and Isak here. Such players don't attract so much interest from the bigger clubs, and they become viable targets for us. Eddie has shown his ability to get more from players, particularly when it comes to boosting their confidence.

Perhaps not, but a Messi only comes along once every 20 years or so. Another one will appear, but this old git may not be around to see them!

Glad you said that, actually. I wondered whether a little bit too much arrogance had entered his play. He seemed a bit casual and laid back.

Good point re the fee. Maybe a loan deal somewhere else is more likely. It surprised me when Eddie preferred the right-footed and equally raw Livramento, when the role became vacant. I don't think the issue is a 'falling out' between player and manager. I just think there must be something about Hall's defending that Eddie is still dubious about. He seems to prefer Dan Burn's experience and Tino's athleticism.

It has occurred to me that Lewis Hall might be moved on at the end of the season, either on loan or by a permanent transfer. Eddie hasn't given him many chances, and in this instance he's the sort of young talent that Dortmund seem to look for. He may be better suited to continental football. I'd be disappointed if it happened, because he's very, very good on the ball. However, Eddie hasn't got a lot wrong, and if that's his judgement, so be it.

I've had to turn the commentary off, it's driving me mad. Their main should be to tell you who's got the ball. Instead, all you get if pointless stats, irrelevant information about previous games, and rather obvious comments about what's happened 5 seconds before.

I'm still hoping for 5th, and by-passing the qualifying stage of the Europa League. However, Spurs have got Burnley and Sheffield United, and they only need 6 points. I can't see them dropping points there.

Looking at their team before the game, I was gobsmacked to see Casemiro and Evans at centre back. The result was no surprise. I didn't think Palace needed to play particularly well.

It's worth noting that 5 of the starting eleven yesterday were here when we were deep in the relegation zone and looking like we were going to go down with about 20 points. (In the 4-0 win against Spurs, there were actually 6) Brian Clough is the only other manager who I can think of, who had this ability to get great performances from ordinary players.

Usually, after about 10pm on Saturdays, Sky show highlights of every Premiership game - roughly half an hour per game.

Just seen the half-hour highlights. Quite surprised that Bruno's shove on the opponent's back didn't result in a pen, but I was equally surprised when Hughes's shove on Longstaff a few days ago wasn't given. If you've been brought down by a tackle rather than a push, it seems that you stand more chance of getting the decision. Booking Wilson for diving seemed a bit harsh, considering that he quickly got up again and decided against trying to con the ref. Anyway, overall, our attacking play looked really good.

Someone not fluent in English may get the wrong impression there......

Everton call in insolvency advisers Looks like Everton are in big trouble.

Is exactly the point. Whether you agree with the rules or not, if one team is breaking them and another is following them, then the rule-breaker is gaining an unfair advantage. With City it doesn't look like they've just taken a few risks which haven't come off, as I think is the case with Forest and Everton. The evidence is that the cheating and the cover-up has been systematic, planned and sustained. It's of a different order altogether.

I'd fancy both teams to win all their remaining games, but City have got Fulham and Spurs away. If either team are going to slip, I'd say that's where it's most likely to happen. I'm surprised any of us want City to win it. A club that faces over 100 charges of cheating.

Seems to get better with every game. Never looks likely to miss a pen, either.

I've not seen much of Forest this season, and it was a bit of a eye-opener how well they played. Even allowing for Chris Wood, I'm a bit mystified how they're down at the bottom. If they do go down, I hope we're in for Murillo and Gibbs-White.

It's occurred to me that if the pen had been given, the ref would have had to issue a red card as well. It was unquestionably a goal-scoring opportunity. Maybe that led to him and the VAR official adding an extra layer of caution to their decisions?