Frustrating to take our foot off their throats the way we did but all in all about as comfortable as a game has been this season.
Ekitike and Kerkez were good. Gravenberch outstanding and thought Bradley handled Grealish really well for the most part.
We’ve yet to get out of third gear for more than about 15 minutes a game. Would be nice to really try and put games to bed when we’re on top as we still have that tendency to get all nervy at the end and gift teams their “one more chance”.
Still, hard to complain when you’ve put that lot to the sword and come out the game relatively unscathed. Get to watch Arsenal vs City tomorrow knowing neither can really afford to drop points. Delicious.
Always a grind, as are most derby games, and definitely holding on at points in the second half after a dominant first. That said, I thought the USA post-match coverage was all about how we are giving away chances, with a tiny acknowledgement at the end that we’ve won 5/5.
Really good first half followed by a headless chicken second half performance.
VVD has to command more in these situations!
Just forcing things far to much and giving the ball away at 2-0 up wtf!
Tactical nonsense.
It’s not enjoyable. Just buy time and regroup, keep possession and find your rhythm.
I didn’t understand Wirtz coming on.
Anyway we won which is what counts.
Bradley has been unfairly criticized. I think he did well against that diving arsehole. All part of the learning curve for him. Kerkez also had a good game.
Our problem was the midfield, other than Gravenberch, which allowed the BS far too much of the ball in the second half.
As has been said, we played midweek and they didn’t so maybe our performance was as good as could have been expected.
We were guilty of letting Everton back into a game that looked done and dusted with half an hour gone, but perhaps it’s progress that we didn’t need a last-minute winner today ?
And how critical can you be of a team that’s just won a derby to extend a perfect start btw
