Sunderland (H) | PL | Post Match Thread

That was a really top performance. Almost nothing to criticise other than bringing Savinhio on who again managed to contribute nothing. Cherkie.......quite magnificent.
 
The most impressive facet for me was we actually managed the game out at around 60mins. Sunderland were a very difficult opponent who have constructed a very physical and well drilled side. We needed a moment of magic to break them down but the way we slowed it down and the subs really killed any Sunderland momentum. Cherki is just ridiculous but super happy to see we learnt from the madness of midweek.
 
Cherki won't be 30 until 2033.

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Gigi - Saved the big one that could have changed the game.
Nunes - Solid but didn’t do too much down the line. Kept mistakes to a minimum.
O’Reilly - Got down the line, and inside, quite well. Some lovely touches hugging the sideline. Shanked his shot.
Dias - Almost cost us. Sometimes a bit overconfident, but glad he kept a bit for his Kompany moment!
Gvardiol - less errant passing was a plus after a couple of sketchy games, and the bullet header was outstanding.
Bernardo - Once again, the Castrol GTX that keeps the engine purring.
Gonzales - Quiet and assured. He has REALLY grown into the position. Glad he tried a pop in the second half because he’s got a shot on him.
Foden - Brilliant effort all around, capped off by an outstanding goal, which I’m pretty sure he meant to go in the right bottom corner, not the top left!! Tireless worker. Back to his best.
Cherki - We have all seen it. Now the world will. Superlative in and around the box. Too bad Erling didn’t give him a second unbelievable assist!
Doku - Tireless work up and down the line and unlucky not to get a goal. Working on a very good understanding with NOR.
Haaland - Quiet game. Should have scored from Cherki’s chip.

Overall, our quality and persistence in our game created a strong performance against a potential banana skin that almost no-one would have said was ridiculous.

They are a well organized unit, but not a quality team. They have a few individuals that can compete, but not 7 to 11 of them.

Very professional performance that illustrates how well we are coming together. After the Leeds and Fulham games, this was just what the Doctor ordered.
 
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And just like that, everything seems great again. Was it that Sunderland didn't come after us as relentlessly as Fulham, didn't go fit all out chaos like Leeds? Or did we see that one big initial chance saved by Gigi, and step up to ensure we turned up for both halves?

I'm hoping and leaning towards the factor being us, growing as a team. Sunderland are no mugs and we largely made them look inadequate, just like old times.

Pep has it right in his post match comments though. If Cherki raises the rest of his game, becomes a runner like Bernardo, my god he'd control and influence game after game. Insane that he's joint top assists for the premier league despite only starting 5 games.

We kept a clean sheet!
 
Crumpsall abroad said:
Shame some of these self serving plastic broadcasters don't go to the game now and again. Embarrassing , from the comfort of their bedrooms.
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Lb is alright I used to sit next to him he goes occasionally still... It's his job mate fair fucks for making some £££ out of premier league footy more than the rest of us can say
 
BlueAnorak said:
Best performance of the season.

Ryan Cherki was amazing and the Rabona cross was sensational.

Pep didn't like it aparantly. :-D

A goal would not have been scored if Cherki hadn't done it. A cross would have been headed behind, and a cutback would have been intercepted.

The Rabona allowed the defenders to be taken out as the cross went slightly blind them.
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And yet when Cherki was announced as MOTM pep seemed to leading the applause in the stadium
 
Pep’s “disapproval” of the rabona is the BBC’s interpretation. Nowhere does Pep say he disapproved, as far as I can see. He just said that Messi never did such a thing.
 
Lee the Blue said:
Important win that, cashing in on Arsenals defeat. The way they've been lauded and reported you'd think they were 8pts clear - if we can get out of the Christmas period and still be within 3-4 pts of them then the pressure will be on so let's see how they deal with it. We are better in their slipstream closeby at the moment.

Ruben's goal the key to open up the game. Cherki was excellent, Phil again always looking to probe and Gonzalez went about shutting doors and closing off threats like a good holding midfielder should.

Erling, Phil and a few others looked tired towards the end today and tbh I'd change all XI on Weds and play the Leverkusen team - we could field a full strength team, chase the game and we'd still likely lose in Madrid so I wouldn't chase it given we've Palace away on Sunday.

The way Pep laughably bigged up Savinho in his post-match quotes means he has to play. Once again we were treated to a comedy cameo of crap - gives the ball away for fun, runs down blind alleys and loses it and eff all happens when he's in a good position. The guy needs binning off and it's patently obvious.
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He's here for a long time unfortunately mate. Obviously not going to see his six seasons out but he will have this and next for sure
 
simon23 said:
Much better all around performance today....

Pep knows his best 11 at the moment and there isnt a lot of potential deviation from it.

Cherki besides the obvuous skill showing that he can control the pace of a game and that is evem more important than the undoubted skill he has.

Foden is pivotal - again undoubted skill but his ball retention is excellent under pressure anywhere on the pitch and he is best close to the box as he is a great finisher as well

Nico G and Bernardo work so hard and Nico G is starting to look more and more like Rodri minus slightly the physical presence

Doku was very positive as always

Great save from Donarumma in the second half - at a very key moment. What was Dias thinking? Also the pass by Donarumma in the first half to Nico G in his own penalty box and clearly under pressure....no sense in it...We still tried to shoot ourselves in the foot several times and if we can cut that out and get Rodri back we will be even more competative.

expected more from Sunderland..thought they might turn up and actually give it a go but they sat back for large parts of the game which was surprising,
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simon23 said:
Much better all around performance today....

Pep knows his best 11 at the moment and there isnt a lot of potential deviation from it.

Cherki besides the obvuous skill showing that he can control the pace of a game and that is evem more important than the undoubted skill he has.

Foden is pivotal - again undoubted skill but his ball retention is excellent under pressure anywhere on the pitch and he is best close to the box as he is a great finisher as well

Nico G and Bernardo work so hard and Nico G is starting to look more and more like Rodri minus slightly the physical presence

Doku was very positive as always

Great save from Donarumma in the second half - at a very key moment. What was Dias thinking? Also the pass by Donarumma in the first half to Nico G in his own penalty box and clearly under pressure....no sense in it...We still tried to shoot ourselves in the foot several times and if we can cut that out and get Rodri back we will be even more competative.

expected more from Sunderland..thought they might turn up and actually give it a go but they sat back for large parts of the game which was surprising,
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Good post, I do wonder if Sunderland were still feeling the effects of the Liverpool game on Wednesday where they really did give it a go.
 
KS55 said:
Pep’s “disapproval” of the rabona is the BBC’s interpretation. Nowhere does Pep say he disapproved, as far as I can see. He just said that Messi never did such a thing.
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I thought the BBC match report was a fair summary of what Pep said but the headline was a bit off.
 
baggy said:
The most impressive facet for me was we actually managed the game out at around 60mins. Sunderland were a very difficult opponent who have constructed a very physical and well drilled side. We needed a moment of magic to break them down but the way we slowed it down and the subs really killed any Sunderland momentum. Cherki is just ridiculous but super happy to see we learnt from the madness of midweek.
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Agree . That said they did continue to sit deep and play on the counter while Leeds and Fulham were brave enough to press , perhaps because of their relative positions in the table . They've only scored 4 goals away all season and were aiming for a point from the outset . I think they will be more aggressive in their own turf.
 
simon23 said:
Much better all around performance today....

Pep knows his best 11 at the moment and there isnt a lot of potential deviation from it.

Cherki besides the obvuous skill showing that he can control the pace of a game and that is evem more important than the undoubted skill he has.

Foden is pivotal - again undoubted skill but his ball retention is excellent under pressure anywhere on the pitch and he is best close to the box as he is a great finisher as well

Nico G and Bernardo work so hard and Nico G is starting to look more and more like Rodri minus slightly the physical presence

Doku was very positive as always

Great save from Donarumma in the second half - at a very key moment. What was Dias thinking? Also the pass by Donarumma in the first half to Nico G in his own penalty box and clearly under pressure....no sense in it...We still tried to shoot ourselves in the foot several times and if we can cut that out and get Rodri back we will be even more competative.

expected more from Sunderland..thought they might turn up and actually give it a go but they sat back for large parts of the game which was surprising,
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I'm liking the new Phil Foden ,especially after last year . Clearly loves his role at the heart of things and has learned to use his half turn magic with discretion . Can't help thinking Florian Wirtz is an own brand version of Phil ...
It's beginning to look like a team again ....
 
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