Smal

It’s hard to put it into numbers but - no exaggeration - I’m pretty certain we’d be comfortably above Villa if Pope hadn’t been injured.

I'd probably expect a half-fit Nick Pope to save all three of their goals, or maybe just the second and third ones on a bad day. That's how big the difference between him and Dubravka - who is honestly not a Prem or even Championship standard goalkeeper these days - is. Dubravka has been conceding goals like this all season to an embarrassing degree. There are a variety of other reasons Dubravka makes us so much worse as well. This is what I mean by wondering whether Pope isn't playing because of the risk of injury. It's the only justification I can think of.

well yeah, for an outfield player sure. That's been evident with our outfield players all season. I don't really get it with a goalkeeper though. If there's a big risk he's going to hurt himself by diving then... he shouldn't be on the bench. Otherwise if he's fine then surely he has to start in front of Dubravka who's been awful all season?

the Pope thing is weird, like. I think he should explain it. If it's unsafe for him to be in goal then surely he shouldn't be on the bench.

his first half performance frustrated me a lot to be honest and was typical of a lot of away/big games this season. Better in the second half though.

thought he was ok tbh but Joelinton is obviously much better and understands how to play the position infinitely more.

Has the most assists per 90 minutes in the league to be fair to him (and is in the top percentile across the big 5 leagues in the past year). Don't think he belongs in this group.

when leading at OT at half time I think.

I'm generally a big defender of his and I still think he gets way too much flack, but he's had a poor season. I'm hoping it's down to his injury affecting him physically. At least he's been available.

Longstaff didn't contest a single duel tonight. Don't think I've ever seen that before. For context Joelinton came on and competed in 11 (winning 7).

Incredibly frustrating. They are absolutely shit, we had all the chances to win it but we lost our heads and have a terminally awful goalkeeper which was ultimately the difference between the teams.

We've been consistently bad in big games.

brainless since we scored

reckon Pope saves all 3 tbh. Oh well. 8th it is.

that goal has been on all night. Bizarre how we’ve just left him to it.

a perfect example of why it should be scrapped. Now we’re not just annoyed at the ref for not giving it but we’re also annoyed with VAR inexcusably not giving it. It’s been a failure and a massive waste of time and energy that adds nothing to the game from a fan’s perspective.

he was knackered after 20 minutes, I have no idea what people expect. We’ve had to throw him in due to injuries. Story of our season, I guess.

We need Joelinton in this game, like. We’re not being physical enough.

it’s so frustrating how we’ve played away from home in big games this season.

Trips is blowing and we’re still making him go over to take far side corners

really could do with AG turning up for one of these big away games

is Dave Jones' autocue not working or something? . He's all owa the place.

Sean Longstaff hat-trick tonight imo

Trippier and Hall in the same team is exciting. Loads of line breaking passes into that chasm Man U leave in front of their terrible CBs.

Some good subs available. Hope we make early changes and keep the side fresh.