Cf

Haha did anyone see that BT set the score to 2-0 briefly by mistake?

Clear issues with personnel here.

Krafth looked like he was hunting for another booking there having not dealt with the pass he was given.

And despite this we've put in a good showing for ourselves so far. Kraft aside.

Obviously goes without saying but if Trippier was on the pitch that doesn't happen and we aren't a goal down.

Fucking hell Kraft.

Could easily be ahead here. They're all over the place.

Can't see how that goal stood. It's right off the side of his arm.

Get the fuck in! Great free kick.

On the bench.

If Everton do go down (they won't, but we can dream) how much blame will be placed on Rafa do we reckon? I'm torn between not wanting to put too much blame on the manager who comes in half way through the season, and thinking it's harsh on Rafa who we know would turn it around and generally finishes seasons very strongly. Maybe it would be neither of their faults. It's the boards for not sticking with a manager and getting some consistency in.

That's one of the stupidest corners I've ever seen conceded.

Shelvey doing his best to never be picked again tonight.

Quality corner.

Do people not remember the second half of his last season when we were playing some attractive stuff?

In the same way it took Bruce a while to undo Rafa's well drilled side it is going to take Howe a while to undo Bruce's mess. That said I'm underwhelmed by his start. League results have been below par and obviously the shambolic cup exit. If the choice a couple of months ago was Rafa Vs Howe I think most would be in agreement with getting Rafa in. I think though Howe has enough about him that he should be given some time but current performance is making it tricky to hold this view. Having a relegation under his belt doesn't help either. I guess the owners have to ask themselves if they think they have the right man to build the club. If so stick with him. Otherwise a certain ruthlessness might be needed.

Starting to feel nervous about this. It's an important one.

Our best players won't be 100% fit if they've not played a competitive game of football in nearly 3 weeks.

This needs to be our first team doesn't it? Not played in a week or so. Won't play for another week or so. Give them time playing Eddie's system and integrate Trippier into the team.

Sweet

If this gets called off then it feels like we've played a blinder. Played Leicester, Liverpool, and Man City during congestion time when in reality we aren't likely to get anything from them. Then have a nice rest and a less congested second half of the season compared to our rivals with games we can get something from.

I might be being overly optimistic but I don't feel like there's any chance we go down. We're nowhere near as cut adrift as we might have been in other seasons and we'll make a few signings in January to plug the obvious gaps we have.

Given the choice, and had the takeover happened when he was available, I'd have taken Rafa. He had unfinished business here and was clearly taking us places. You can't doubt the man's credentials. At the same time I am more than pleased with Howe's appointment and he has my full support. Before he took the Everton gig there was still the slight chance we might have got him back. But at this point that ship has sailed and we need to look forwards.

Didn't even look offside to my eyes that. Their lines were nowhere near either.

Based on recent games, apart from Fernandez/Lascelles, I think it's hard to argue against that being our best team.