At the top end of the pitch, Podence, Neto & Adama were all fantastic - particularly Podence & Neto. Neto’s work rate is out of this world.
Defensively, I’ve already made it clear in the match day thread how much I like Marcal - all sides need a proper professional player like that who just stays calm and makes things look easy - he’s that guy for us. If we are keeping to this 4 at the back system, he has to start.
Coady was massive. No doubt he can play in a back 4 now and that makes things very interesting on the England front. In the first half in particular some of his passing was the Coady we know and love, but his positioning and little interceptions at vital moments kept us ahead.
Moutinho was superb. Twice as many tackles than any other player on the pitch, I’m reading. Mad that people were writing him off not so long ago.
Donk perhaps the only player below par today.
I felt Nuno handed the initiative to Arsenal by taking Podence off today. I know they didn’t have a shot on target in the second half, but for 5-10 minutes they were all over us and it only takes a second to score. Thankfully we held on and for me, it’s the most entertaining 90 minutes of the season so far. Let’s kick on from here - up to 6th, let’s see where we can go. The system is exciting though.
As for Raul, thoughts with him and his family. It sounds like he’s doing ok, from what Nuno is just saying now. I wish him a speedy recovery.