obelisk

knife thru butter

It'd be nice to turn some of these draws into wins. Just 5 wins from 15 shouldn't be beyond us.

After the 1st half I was disappointed not to have a lead. Overall have to be happy with a well deserved point against a strong Everton side.

Saints trying to lose it.

Could be lucky to get a point now. Always hopeful we can sneak a winner though.

Saints getting tired.

How are Saints not leading? Lots of runs into the channels and far more goal scoring opportunities created than in just about any half that I can recall.

Never a yellow

He hasn't been playing for a while has he? Maybe not quite fit enough for this one.

No mention of a press conference at all on SSN.

This is f.u.c.k i.n.g madness.

Wonder what the stats are for Saints leading by 2 goals at half time.

Have to be pleased with that. This side shows a lot more skill & fighting spirit than the lot that took us down. Now just firm up that defence and the rest of the season could well be nice and comfy.

We need to work on our delivery from set pieces.

Stupid!

Conceded again at the end of the half. Quite sloppy there.

I see we're trying to walk it into the net again. Any chance of a few shots once we're up there end?

I'd have been rather more peeved at a defender making an uncontrolled lunge like that. Earlier this season I've been disappointed that JRod has been clattered in the box and no pen has been awarded. I've been peeved that we've conceded penalties for no good reason as well. Football's a fast game with loads of contact. Mistakes happen.

Indeed it does mention simulation. However, the referee thought that a foul had been committed and that no simulation was involved. The result was a penalty kick. That is now a matter of fact. Having mulled the matter over I'm inclined to agree with Halsey's opinion on this occasion but I have to admit I could be biased. I don't think the pundits and commentators completely understand law 12.

Read Law 12. The word "attempts" is quite clear.

In the referee's opinion it could have been an attempt to trip or kick. Therefore a foul in the penalty area. Result is a penalty kick. That is the law.

The law says: There's at least a couple of such offences committed by the Villa defender. It could even be said that the 'keeper committed an offence a moment earlier. Penalty is therefore correct in my opinion.

It happened in a split second. If I'm moving forward and about to land on my right foot which I suddenly pull away for some reason it really doesn't matter what my left foot is doing. I'm going to tumble. J-Rod doesn't strike me as a diver. I seem to remember a couple of occasions this season that he's been upended in the box without any reaction from the ref. I give him the benefit of the doubt. At best it's contentious.

It's my opinion. I think you're mistaken if you see it as a dive. If someone chucks a brick at my leg when I'm jogging I take evasive action. It's difficult to jog on one leg. Result is likely a tumble and hopefully some action taken against the brick thrower.

I see it as a poor, possibly dangerous, lunging tackle by the Villa defender. J-Rod takes evading action as an instinctive reaction to prevent injury. His weight is forward so the only way to go is down. More a tumble than a dive in my opinion. No contact so probably not a penalty although ref gave it so that's the end of the matter. If it had happened up the other end I'd be disappointed but much more livid about such a reckless challenge by a defender in the penalty area.