Another match that has you scratching your head like the Villa game. At half time there looked no way back for us but an absolutely magnificent Bernardo dragged us back into it by example. A whirling all action dervish, snarling and putting in superhuman effort he simply refused to accept defeat. Haaland will grab all the headlines but Bernardo led by example.
The first half was awful. What on earth has happened to our defence?? Absolutely shocking and Ederson has turned into Margetson. For those not of a certain age let me tell you it's not a compliment. Palace attacks may have been rare but they scored twice and looked likely to score every single time they got anywhere near our box. I'm not sure if it's tactics or a collective loss of form but it needs addressing urgently. Absolutely nothing clicked in the first half.
The second half, what a contrast. We ran Palace dizzy and could have scored more. Once Haaland and the team become even more used to playing together it could be frightening for our opponents. An out and out forward who looks almost ordinary at times then bangs in a hat trick. I'll take that. Alvarez also looks like he could be a great addition. Fast and terrier like.
After the game, on advice from here, I decided to wander to have a look at that new bar in the South stand. Very impressive. Loads of staff and tills, all pleasant and friendly and a DJ playing a great set. I enjoyed a very pleasant hour in there before heading home once the crush had eased. Well done metrolink for once again running direct trams to and from Altrincham. Can we please continue this?
On the subject of trams I have to write this not so pleasant bit. I do so in the hope the two cretins I'm talking about read it and take a long hard look at their behaviour. I got on the Altrincham tram at 18:00 from the stadium. Two pissed up young lads spent the whole journey singing about Munich, scousers being crushed at Hillsborough and shouting vile sexist and homophobic comments all littered with foul language in front of women and kids. The tram driver was a great bloke, talking over the intercom and having a laugh. For some reason they kept on shouting he was a paedo. That word was used a lot, it seems to be a favourite insult for the brain dead these days. Blues or not if somebody would have sparked the two of them out I'd have celebrated along with the whole tram. Grow up lads!