Moving On... West Ham Next

After having had the time to reflect on last night's game and re-watch it, all I can say is wow. Let us all as fans not forget how bad things have been since 2013, both in terms of football on the pitch and politics in the board room. I really do think last night showed how much we've progressed under Ole on the pitch attacking-wise. Some of the football on show by the team was up there with any Fergie side. Cavani, Pogba, Shaw, Greenwood, Bruno and Rashford were in full flow and tearing it up at times. Huge positive. I know people will moan about the result which I will come on to but it was truly a great game and privilege to watch. Under Fergie, we had a lot of SkySports 'Premier League Classic' matches and this one will be added to the collection!

Addressing the result, I feel very much like it was an utter anomaly. Everton were ridiculously lucky and barely threatened us in the match. I was so impressed with the 2-0 lead at half time, it was a real champions performance in the first '45 because we didn't do all that much yet found ourselves 2 to the good. Oh by the way, who else was reminded of Cantona's iconic goal and celebration vs Sunderland with Bruno's wonder strike?? The dummy, the feint and then the audacity to pull it off. Even his celebration just oozed 'The King' and we must not forget either that it was Ole who brought Fernandes into this team.

Some other thoughts: De Gea is getting far too much criticism for that result last night. I would like to remind everyone that as a goalie, De Gea has won everything at club level except the European Cup. He was our keeper last time we won the title and will be a crucial member of the dressing room in the final act of the season. He has been there and done it in this league, unlike a lot of those current lot so his experience will be invaluable. It made me quite speechless seeing how much people were tearing into him, he's saved us countless times over the years and even under Ole; yet people want to forget that and put a bullseye on his forehead. We defend as a team, what was Shaw doing for the first two goals? Ball watching and not closing down. Is that De Gea's fault too??

Anyway my final thoughts are that this could be a crucial draw and turning point in the title race, especially as Liverpool play City later. Usually Guardiola goes to Anfield and witnesses Liverpool's annual 3 point precession and I will be cheering on that lot from down the M62 tonight. We need them to win and if they do we will have slightly closed the gap on the league leaders.

Onwards and upwards from here, FA Cup at home to West Ham Tuesday and I think we should go full strength to put the tie to bed early. It would be great if we could get some luck in the next round draw too, that could be key to us going on a run to the final. How it would be special if our first trophy under Ole was a traditional one like the FA Cup.

We move on to Tuesday now. Hopefully we've gained a point on City by tonight.