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Nope.. The referee saw the tackle and booked him. So it can't be changed.

Nope, but from ESPN's commentary, I don't think there were that many chances for Racing. Still, a clean sheet is a clean sheet

Napoli's year? They did test everyone last season, but faltered in the closing months.

Lukaku & Torres perhaps? Though I don't know if our style would suit that combination.

Ramires!! Didn't stop running, got in some great chances and his defensive work was brilliant! Definitely key in keeping the score line to 3 today.

Points 4 & 5 were very good in the OP here. Luiz is a must in the high-defensive line. Even if it's at the expense of Terry..

Of course. I didn't mean a complete youth line-up.. But it would be a good game for Lukaku to play in, to give him a chance to show Villas-Boas what he can do.

Good line, Alex. We really did send a message, maybe not to the media but, to Fergie that we aren't the weak team everyone seems to think we are. While I still doubt our title chances, I do firmly believe we'll keep both Manchester clubs on their toes.

Is that.. Andy Gray I hear?!

You've misunderstood me completely mate. I said he should start as a CF, because our next game is a Carling Cup game. Meaning, I don't expect Torres to be dropped because of his form or anything, but I simply think a weaker side will be put out. While I agree about his ability not being there yet, it would be good to see him start alongside Anelka & Sturridge for example. I would've said Oriol too, because of the lack of importance of our next game. Get it now?

We will be up there in May pushing United all the way - this is evident. The most important sign of improvement today was our high tempo. No passing backwards, it was a constant wave of trying to play the strikers through on goal. Villas-Boas' style changing is coming through at last, I can only see us going up from here. Hope that's not jynxing it though lol.

I hope you're right.. He showed signs of it when he finally scored. I just hope that miss won't play too badly on his mind.

Another clean sheet for Courtois. Athletico beat Racing 4-0. A Falcao hattrick sealed it for them

touché, not a stamp though, but we'll take that one! Haha

Good to hear that, I'm not reading any reports till tomorrow..

Miereles was shaky too though. I mean, I'll give him a break because he was up against Rooney, but his tackling was very horrendous. This is basically what we did in the 2nd half when Miereles went off.. Cech Bosingwa - Terry - Ivanovic - Cole Ramires - Mikel Mata Lukaku - Anelka Torres

Yeah. Man of the match, for us, for me. I hope he works on his finishing, because he could be a really great attacking midfield player and grab us quite a few goals. He's fast, got great stamina and has a determination to get the ball.

Indeed.. AVB must take a lesson from that.

So that's why he wasn't on the bench!

Honestly, it's strange. He can bury that difficult one, but when it's open for him... It's not even that he hit it over, which could be justified by an awkward bounce or something. He just plainly missed the target.. He did the hard part right, by getting the ball clear of De Gea, but then?!

Decent game. Considering they led 3-0 at half-time, 3-1 will suit me fine. Considering 2 of their goals were offside and the third was their only legitimate goal, I'm quite satisfied. Feel so damn sorry for Torres, but hey! If he can score the difficult ones, and make runs to set himself up for the easy ones, that's something right? #clutchingstraws. I want Lukaku to start the next game as a CF though.

Am I the only one who slightly laughed? LOL

Anelka on for Lampard

True, he does isolate himself. But I think he's been good on the ball.. Not great, but good.

Ivanovic isn't that great a CB and Bosingwa has been very, very, poor. So I'd move Ivanovic to RB, and use Luiz & Terry as CB's.