redder freak

In slow motion, Brown didn't win the ball. He just about touched it. Then Ramirez knocked it into the penalty area. Then Brown kicked Ramirez' leg away, which stopped Ramirez from scoring and won the ball for Sunderland, in a kind of illegal way. Fortunately for Brown, the ref must have been unsighted, and assumed that Brown had actually won the ball.

Vidic got a red card today for a similar tackle.

Brown touches the ball. Then Gaston touches it into the penalty area. Then Brown takes Gaston out. Clear foul in my book.

Clumsy reckless tackle. Could easily have broken Gaston's leg. Just because you touch the ball doesn't give you the right to break someone's leg afterwards.

Sorry yes you're right. That's the song I mean.

So: Cortese, Lambert, Lallana and Shaw are all leaving. Who'll be left, I wonder?

Reminds me of the Johnny Cash song, Hurt. What have I become, my sweetest friend. Everyone I know goes away in the end. And you could have it all, my empire of dirt. I will let you down, I will make you hurt.

A game too far. Without Boruc, Wanyama and Osvaldo we can't match the depth of a squad like Chelsea's.

I think 2014 is going to be a great year for Rickie and Saints. Together.

Looking at the Premiership goal scoring charts, if we can get van Persie, Sturridge, Rooney or Hazard to replace him, then that should just about cover it.

http://www.player.saintsfc.co.uk/latest-news/article/3592558 Love this guy. Top 8 finish at least is the target for the Prem. Best chance in Rickie's career to win the FA cup. He'll always remember that goal for England against Scotland.

Nice one Ads

If Lallana goes, we'd need someone like Javi, Mata or Busquets to replace him if we're going to keep improving.

Arsenal safe.

Who would we replace him with? Hopefully someone even better, if we can get the right money.

Rickie clearly expects much more of the team and himself than what they did on Sunday. Fair play to him.

Yes. He doesn't dominate his area enough. He's a good rookie goalkeeper. But we need the finished article.

Umm I don't like to mention this but Wanyama is Swahili for animals. So maybe Saints have got a team of animals.

Well for a meaningless competition that was some result. Not quite Greece winning the European cup but unexpected nevertheless.

I didn't expect that performance or result. I thought we'd get hammered. What do I know? Nothing. And an absolutely fantastic goal. Feels like we won, even though we only drew!

Come on Citeh!

City need to concentrate for the full 90 and not switch off, like they did against West Brom. Otherwise we might score.

Despite the 3 goals, I think the main thing that let us down was our attack. We looked a bit toothless and lacking in confidence. Osvaldo didn't seem to offer much. I don't think we've found the best way to play with him yet, a bit like Ramirez. We missed Lambert, who gives the attacking players the confidence we lacked today. Hopefully he'll be fully fit to start on Wednesday.

Better than last season, but a bit disappointed not to get something. Saints had more possession, more corners and more shots, but unfortunately failed to score. If we're going to move up another level then we need to get something out of these games, like we did at United. Onwards and upwards!

All I want for Christmas is Saints top of the league. Not much to ask is it?