Chalk another off as once again we win at Anfield and in the process score three goals. Oh and we've guaranteed ourselves another season in Europe next year as both West Ham and Newcastle joined the ever growing list of who clubs who can't catch us this season - beat United on Sunday and they join the list as well.
The game itself, complete and utter control for the first half and if the Blades played like that against Arsenal or City then I'd be screaming from the rooftops that they'be just rolled over and not even bothered trying to get a result. Second half was a slight improvement from them but not much. But while I hate shitbag teams using shitbag tactics, even when I understand why they're doing it, I was so disappointed in us.
At one-nil we didn't look like we were really going for the throat to get the second. I couldn't give two fucks about goal difference because if we win our remaining games 1-0 and Arsenal win theirs 10-0 then we still win the League so I didn't want us to score hundreds for the goal difference factor, I wanted us to kill the game off so we didn't get the nervy 10-15 minutes that we did get by gifting them an equaliser. But we didn't. We played it like a pre-season friendly. It was slow, easy, even passive at times.
But once they got level, we stepped it up again. We weren't carving them open but there was a bit more energy to our play - subs helped in that regard as well. And then we get yet another screamer from Mac Allister. After two of the oddest goals you'll ever see in a football game, we got one of the best individual strikes you'll see. And that was topped off by a lovely team to kill the game.
And with just eight games to go, we're top.
Kelleher - massive save in the opening 30 seconds and he's made his fair share of them this season. Couple of crosses that he came and claimed as well, which always give everyone a huge amount of confidence that your keeper is a commanding b***ard. Couldn't fault him for the goal, just one of the freak ones. This was his ninth Premier League game of the season, eight wins and a draw with City. Some F***ing record that.
Bradley - another impressive display from him, even with an own goal to his name. He just doesn't stop running. Up and down the wing all game. And looks as good a defender as he does an attacker. This was his eighth Premier League game of the season, seven wins and a draw with City. Some F***ing record that.
Konate - good to see the big f**ker back. And as per usual he was a beast. Feared he was gonna be out again after that challenge in the second half but thankfully it looks alright. Him and Virg at the back for the last eight games and it makes me even more confident that we're getting our hands on another League Title.
Van Dijk - one of those performances where you think why the F**k do the opposition even bother turning up. One ball in the first half where he just looked like he was strolling and still beat Brereton to the ball by a good week or two. His form this season has been a huge reason why we are where we are.
Gomez - was allowed to play almost exclusively in midfield yesterday such was the lack of attacking intent from Sheff Utd. And Joey took full advantage of that. He was quality yesterday. Didn't grab the headlines but a couple of times where he was winning the ball back high up and getting us back on the front foot. Had his token shot as well that never really threatened the goal.
Szoboszlai - it was almost a Harvey Elliott performance from him, plenty of huff and puff but very little in terms of output. I suspect he does but it'd be interesting to see if he gets into our best XI when everybody is fit given the levels Mac and Endo have been hitting recently and the form Jones has showed on the left side of the three.
Mac Allister - back as the deepest of the three midfielder but still man of the match. Didn't hurt the Blades in the first half, like most of the team he was playing it too easy because they allowed us to. But second half, he stepped up his game and that in turn stepped up the team's game. Lovely strike for the goal, similar to Stevie's iconic Olympiakos one. Almost had another with the free kick. Didn't understand the commentators saying he doesn't do much out of possession when since Christmas he's been as good at breaking the play up as anybody in the League who isn't called Endo. He's very much an traditional central midfielder who can do every part of the game.
Gravenberch - first game back after a lengthy lay-off and it showed. And I've sang this lad's praises more than most this season but it's becoming difficult to do it any more. I feel he's in the same bracket as his Dutch mate Gakpo in that he knows he isn't going to start when everybody is fit so he's trying too hard to impress.
Salah - he started the game really brightly, couple of chances, good link up play and looked like he wanted to fill his boots. As the game wore on though, he became less and less involved. And in fact ended up playing more of the right back role while Bradley went on ahead of him. But his reaction to Mac's goal summed up Mo. He's not the me, me, me type player - he's team first. And with United up next, he's bound to score because he so often does against them.
Nunez - a freak goal to break the deadlock, it wasn't even great closing down really - it was just shockingly bad from their keeper. But similar to Mane scoring against City a couple of years ago, if Darwin isn't there to make that block then the keeper doesn't make that mistake so credit to our number 9. Could have had another couple if his heading was on point. And as always ran hard for the team. Also his reaction to Mac's goal just shows that this group of players are right up for this title charge.
Diaz - a typical performance from Lucho where he was always trying to make things happen. The fact he can cut inside or beat the full back on the outside for pace must make him a nightmare to play against. Didn't really make much happen last night but was trying all game. The combination play with Gakpo that almost led to him getting in was lovely.
Robertson - what a ball for Gakpo's goal. I mean that was Robbo of old. Out his feet, whipping it in and landing right on the forwards head. F***ing boss. I've said it plenty of times in recent weeks but having leaders like him back can only help us as we go for the League. Somebody who's been there and done it.
Elliott - happy birthday lad and what a way to celebrate it. As is so often the case nowadays, he's a difference maker from the bench. His energy just lifted the team, as did Robertson to be fair. Was mystified why Salah was coming off and not Szoboszlai as Elliott never really impresses as a right winger but that's why I'm fat b***ard managing the club from me couch and Jürgen Klopp is managing us from the dugout. If it wasn't for Mac, I reckon Harvey would be close to being man of the match.
Jones - good to see him back, it's another option for us and another body out of the treatment room. He seemed to give us a bit of composure when he came on. Was always happy to take the ball and get us going forward. Could have a huge role to play in the final push as he looks the most comfortable of our midfielders on the left side. And also seems willing to fill in at left back when whoever is playing there is going gung-ho down the flank.
Gakpo - belting finish and one he so desperately needed. It's no secret that he hasn't been having a great run of games of recently so that goal would of done him the world of good. And like everybody else, he'll have a role to play in these final eight games so if he can find his goalscoring touch all the better for us. I thought he general he did well, playing more as a ten than an out and out forward. Might be a possibility for him moving forward when the new manager arrives.
Overall, a very easy game that we still somehow have to make a little nervy for ourselves. But if truth be told even when they scored I always felt we'd win. The lack of umph to kill the game off in the first half was a little disappointing but if we can reserve energy at this stage of the season then I suppose we've gotta take that opportunity. We don't wanna burn ourselves out too early.
Those cu*ts on Sunday where we can put right the wrongs of the FA Cup tie. And give them another F***ing humiliating defeat. The other two will have played before us again so we'll know just how far clear of them we'll be with a win against United.
But regardless of what the other two do, our equation couldn't be simpler - win our games and we win the League. F**k worrying about the others and what could or couldn't happen. If we do our job then we win the League.
I've said it plenty of times this season, keep doing what we're doing and we'll have plenty to celebrate when the season is over.
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