Officials too lenient?

Behave, let McCarthy take as much time as he wanted on goal kicks, booked Ederson the one and only time he did the same.

A week is a long time in ..the football world. YES - it is.
Even though the players showed that over two away games at the Etihad they knew how to fight, that embarrassing 0-9 result may stay in the record books - forever. We can't talk about a " moral victory over 70 minutes", but it certainly had Pepe biting his nails .
Nevertheless, Ralph has understood (1) that you can't play the same side week in and week out -as it depends on the opposition. (2) given the right circumstances a packed defence can DAJFU - (even for 70 minutes) and given the fact that City had 26 shots and 17 corners, both of their goals were somewhat lucky - albeit well-taken chances.

Ward-Prowse's goal may hold off his critics for another week or so, but it shows that in a forward position he can be as sharp as Danny Ings on the day, and his goal was reminiscent of a similiar effort (sometime) last season?.
His dismal displays of late have seen him dropping deeper and deeper and losing out in the rough-and-tumble of defensive duties, he's much sharper playing further up the field.

McCarthy looks more confident and now it's up to Gunn to win back his place - if he can.
After last season's (justifiable) criticism, Jack Stephens looks atotally different player, and may have won his place for a while. ¨

YES - the Everton game is " massive" to use that over-used word around the club.
A good display ..3 points and some goals are a long time coming and will give a breathing space before the international break. The Everton game - and the three in 8 days in early December are all against the clubs around us . Wins (even scrappy ones) will see us move up the table to some safety...the alternative .. isn't anything to discuss at the present moment.