LAM09

Guiu grabbed himself two goals out of nothing. His alertness & energy is something that could be really useful in more important games when teams are tiring.

I agree to some extent, but the fact that Emery has started to play Duran from the start indicates that things haven't been working so well, and like with many teams, if the CF isn't scoring, he'll most likely be the first to be dropped, if there is a good alternative. Outside of the CL, their performance has been inconsistent (November was particularly dismal). It will be fascinating to watch where Emery goes on that front in the coming months.

Lukaku hasn't had a 20+ goal league campaign in over four years & he played for a superior side. Comparing two players based just on goals isn't the best way to judge players when there are mutiple factors to consider.

Every signing is a gamble. There's calculated gambles (Osimhen was one in July) and stupid ones that are hopefully behind us. CF options that I personally see as upgrades on Jackson - Isak, Osimhen, Openda, & Marmoush (if his hotstreak continues). Those are four obtainable targets that could do a better job leading the line right now, not four years down the line like Duran or Delap. However, those two names are probably far more likely to prevent rocking the boat.

The complaints aimed at him are far fewer than previous season. When the team is winning, it's easy to see the bright side of things.

I concur. He missed a massive chance that he should have tucked away with his eyes closed, but credit where it's due; he didn't let that faze him and kept going to ultimately score the winner. It still leaves space for those moments of doubt, however small they may be.

Samu was an unknown quantity that we were linked with for stupid money (ended up joining Porto for peanuts). Duran, on the other hand, showed signs late last season that he could be an interesting get. However, he still isn't a cert starter for Villa, which raises its own questions. I believe we were even linked to him during his time in the MLS, so our interest has been there for some time.

Let's be honest with ourselves: Jackson has improved and looked promising thus far, but to suggest there's only one attacker better than him or he's the long-term answer right now is too much. Either way, he needs serious competition (Guiu isn't that); whether that's someone on par with him based on form or a supersub is where we might be divided.

Winning and being able to capitalise on others dropping points is the cherry on top. I'm grateful that naive moments (Tosin effectively gifting Mbeumo a goal to name the obvious one) in the final 10 minutes of the game didn't have an impact on the outcome in the end. I don't want to tempt fate, but we could be sitting in a place next Sunday that most of us would have never considered in the slightest.

The reason why there will always be questions surrounding him.

Crosses are clearly Brentford's weakness. Great header from Cucu. Brentford will have to push now.

It felt like only yesterday they got hammered away to Benfica (4-0 could have been 7-0). Managers that are able to ride some bad form and turn it around are a rarity.

The dangermen on the counter. Brentford's away record is dire, though.

The less said about Pep & City, the better. They are finally getting a taste of what is hopefully to come. As a neutral, it's great to see Diallo finally being a proper chance after loans to anyone. He's their most talented player.

Fulham somehow managed to hold on. Arsenal & Liverpool drop points and with Manchester derby to come. We play last, so we'll have a clear picture come KO tomorrow.

Typical Fulham. They had chance after chance in the first half. A sublime ball from Salah to Gakpo moments after the restart & they're level.

Onana up to his usual tricks. The Manchester derby could be one for the ages.

They've beaten them in the past (a side with Zidane in it) -

Botafogo were clearly still in party mode. Pachuca or Al Ahly won't have a better chance of doing the unthinkable with the new format (winner faces Real in the final).

At what point are real questions raised about Pep's future. A loss in the Manc derby?

There's almost no chance of that happening. Palmer's next move will be overseas (if his trajectory remains the same).

It's honestly astounding hearing commentators say, "They should give him to the halfway point of the season or at least two more games (Leicester & Ipswich to come)." The man has only won FOUR league wins this calendar year. He should have been sacked a long time ago.

I didn't initially notice it, but Enzo wanted to take his shirt off after scoring, but Jackson stopped him. Jackson's helping keep others in check where bookings are concerned. 😄

Everything seemed to point to it being part of a big merry-go-round (Gallagher, Felix, & Samu) which never fully materialised. He is nothing more than a luxury.

Great to be able to capitalise on others slipping up and opening a gap regardless of the size. I'm starting to enjoy Sunday afternoon games. 😄