NewYorkSaint

I think the automatic red-card for last-defender fouls worked against us there. It's a stupid rule, to me. I think refs should have the ability to award a penalty for a clumsy foul and save the red card for deliberate take-downs. It's a tough call (and too big a punishment) to send off someone early in the game AND give the penalty. Dumb rule. And it hurt us today.

Football results hang on the finest of threads. If you have a stone-cold penalty not given, it changes the entire trajectory of the game. So frustrating. Having said that Liverpool have shown incredible pace and skill. overall they certainly deserve a lead. 1-2 wd be a fair reflection of the half... We need Mane on for Tadic.

Pretty exciting team, if they all show up. Tadic Pelle Long Davies capable of real damage on their day....

One of the things I've learned watching Saints past few years is that you cannot know a player's true strengths based on his first 5 or 6 games for us. Shane Long seemed such a disappointing buy for a long time. Clasie seemed lightweight and Romeo over aggressive and clumsy. Now look at them. Absolutely awesome players. You have to give credit to our scouting team. And memo to self. Hold judgement.

FANTASTIC half by Saints. Chelsea looked very sharp for much of the half. But we dealt with them beautifully and look so dangerous going forward. Austin/Long combo v v promising. Bring on Mane as the Chelsea defense tires. VVD, Fonte, Targett, bertrand, Cedric all with great first halves. And as for Romeu/Clasie. Wow! It's going to be a nail-biting second half. Unbelievably great win if we can pull this off.

That was such a beautiful little chip to finish. Ahhhhh!!!!!

YESSSSSSSS. Shane, Shane Shane!!!!

Saints absolutely stunning in midfield. Romeu and Clasie on fire.

We've looked much the more likely to score. Romeu and Clasie adding a lot of fire. But Swansea are a good team. I'd be happy w 1-1, and predict that as the score, with both sides going for it a bit more in second half. Wd love to see Mane on.

Magnificent defensive stand by Saints. That will really boost confidence for next few games. If you can beat the team ahead of you in the league with one less player... that really shows your quality. And I'm getting more and more excited by our newer players. Clasie and Romeu and Cedric are just getting better and better with each passing game. Add in VVD and you can see why we now may be headed to do better than last season. If Austin comes good, and we get JRod back, then even the seeming loss of confidence of Pelle won't hurt us. Europa here we come!

He just barely missed the ball. No way that's a red card. Foolish challenge, perhaps. But I really don't think that's a red. I also think football's rules are crazy. To ruin a game for that makes no sense... There have to be better ways to penalize a player, without wrecking a game.

US commentators gushing over Mane. He's looked superb, esp early in the half. Clasie terrific. Forster stunning save. V happy to see Maya score. Worried that Long got hurt there. I think his achilles/ankle rather than knee. I'd consider taking off both him and Pelle for Austin and Romeu or JWP. Koeman seems to have surprised them by going for 3-4-3...

The game is on the main NBC channel, channel 4 here in NY. C'mon saints... please get it done today!

Four thoughts: 1) 4-0 was achieved with back four 2) They will have been expecting a back five. This may be in part an attempt to surprise 3) Romeo/Wanyama/JWP is powerful midfield. Clasie will add energy last 20 mins. 4) Bummed re Austin. But pretty cool to have Pelle avail on bench

1-1 thriller. Outrageous officials decision denies us early goal. Charlie Austin with late equalizer.

Under Armor are a great American company. I think we'll end up excited where this partnership takes us. I've seen the designs. The red and white striped shirts look awesome. Not quite quite sure yet about the blue shorts with the white stars.

i see what you did there. and I liked it.

Make no mistake. That was a brilliantly earned, completely deserved result. We out-thought them and out-fought them. The midfield battle was decisive. We wanted it more. And we were set up better. Koeman must be SO happy about winning the tactics battle of the Dutchmen. Our midfield armory of Big Vic, CLASIE, Romeu was simply superb. VvD and Fonte had fantastic games. And as for Charlie. What can you say? Even before that goal he was exciting. Every touch. Strength, determination and huge skill. Really, really exciting to have him in the mix. Friends, we're heading back to Europe.

Check my spot in the prediction league... ;-)

Not a v entertaining half, but one thing clear on that evidence. We're the better team. We're closing more aggressively and edging the midfield battle. Basically, Clasie better than Schneiderlin. Think about that! Clasie's been a joy to watch. Mane has had a frustrating half. I wouldn't say he's played poorly. More that it's been desperately frustrating. That chance where he burst through had what seemed to be a brilliant first touch, but the ball landed on his thigh and threw him off. He's tried a bunch of ambitious passes which haven't come off. I think he's trying too hard. He has shown some courageous tackles including an esp tasty one against Fellaini. I think we're going to nick this 1-0. Austin's moment beckons.

Whelk, if that Lallana goal just cost you a grand, I'm guessing you love him even a bit less. wow. what a finish.

Shame about Davo, but still a really exciting team. Mane... Long... Tadic... plenty of attacking threat, with Austin to come. Will be a wildly thrilling game. If we nick this, it'll be best moment of the season.

SO good. Shane Long stunning, both in speed and deceptive touches. Davis wow. Two glorious through passes. JWP... at last! Will be so interesting to see what this does for his confidence. Wanyama... proved a point. VvD superb. But here's the biggest thing. It was just 100% crystal clear that we are a much much better team than West Brom. Which means that our current points total does not reflect our quality. We'll be ahead of Palace, Stoke and Liverpool before you know it. Add in Charlie Austin + growing confidence and you can see another run for Europe v possible.

Apart from a couple of misplaced passes in first 15 mins, Victor had a fine game today. He's formidable. A couple of delicious long passes and lots of possession capture. Personally, I hope we can hang on to him.

Personally love that team. Fast, aggressive. designed for high-press winning of the ball, then speedy attack. Give Vic a break. Over past couple years he's been bedrock. Wouldn't be surprised to see him as MoM today.