2 hours ago, Snedger said:

It’s riling me that Arsenal will win the league whilst being totally unremarkable. They’re no better than Leicester were in their title winning season when every other team said “we can’t be arsed, you can have it if you want”.

I think you'll find that Leicester's ragtag band of N'Golo Kanté and associated misfits were actually brilliant that season, in particular the quality of the stewarding

1 hour ago, RMH said:

By the way, I've only seen what they showed in the stadium for Caicedo’s red card, and it did not look like mire than a yellow. Has Taylor done us again?

I think it's fair to say that Anthony Taylor wants a league winner's medal to go with his two FA Cups.

(It was definitely a red)

50 minutes ago, RMH said:

I’ll try to watch it but from what I saw repeated at the ground, Caicedo stepped on the foot but did not go high or anything. Yellow? Yes. Red? Not in my opinion, without having seen the repetition.

Above the ankle. Knew it would be a red card the moment I saw the first replay. Don't think I've seen a tackle like that not get a red since VAR was introduced.

It's unlucky because before VAR that doesn't get given. But it is above the ankle, it's hard, and I'd say there a fairly high % chance that ends up with Merino out of action with a broken ankle.

Just watched the whole match on delay because my line manager (wife) had other ideas. Given the ten men men thought it was a good result. 6 points in November is doable and other teams will take heart at how we approached the game.

Despite emptying my whole drinks cabinet I can still see and think we can really take heart from this performance. If that is all the league has to offer we can really make a serious challenge this season. SERIOUSLY we pushed them all the way with 10 men and without our best player.

This is really good for team moral and I take my hat off to Maresca for setting the team up like this, not making a defensive substitution and building a belief amongst the players.

COYB!

1 hour ago, RMH said:

I’m not complaining I’m just saying that we’ve seen worse tackles getting away with a yellow. And Taylor has got form with us, giving us cards that were not, that’s why I don’t give him the benefit of the doubt.

To be honest, at the time I thought the on field decision of yellow card was fine. Slowing it down like they do makes it look so much worse. Play it at full speed and impact isn't anywhere near as bad as people think it is. It's like split second stuff. My problem mostly is with Caicedo though, it's either ball, man or a bit of both. As immense of a tackler he is, he often walks a tight line and I wish he would clean those tackles up a bit.

6 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

To be honest, at the time I thought the on field decision of yellow card was fine. Slowing it down like they do makes it look so much worse. Play it at full speed and impact isn't anywhere near as bad as people think it is. It's like split second stuff. My problem mostly is with Caicedo though, it's either ball, man or a bit of both. As immense of a tackler he is, he often walks a tight line and I wish he would clean those tackles up a bit.

He obviously knew he'd got that tackle all wrong as he went down so theatrically himself to try and bluff the referee that it was 50/50. You could see on the first replay that there was zero actual contact on him to justify all that rolling around, so I immediately feared the worst in terms of the card colour.

I thought it was a red however my frustration was I can remember a similar tackle on one of our players earlier this season (Cant remember the game, but I think it was a 3pm k.o).

Ref issued a yellow and even though it was checked by VAR it was not deemed a clear and obvious error, I think it was also determined that the impact was just below the ankle, the inconsistency in officiating especially by VAR is just baffling.

4 minutes ago, Imran_CFC said:

I thought it was a red however my frustration was I can remember a similar tackle on one of our players earlier this season (Cant remember the game, but I think it was a 3pm k.o).

Ref issued a yellow and even though it was checked by VAR it was not deemed a clear and obvious error, I think it was also determined that the impact was just below the ankle, the inconsistency in officiating especially by VAR is just baffling.

It was a foul by Bentancur on Reece James at Spuds. Maresca raised the inconsistency in his post-match interview.

"It’s a red card, but why was Bentancur’s against Reece not a red card when we were at Spurs away? As a manager, we struggle to understand why they judge in different way. Moi’s is red card, yes. Bentancur’s is a red card, yes. Why they don’t give him a red card?"

“We struggle to understand. The reality is that it’s red card. But why they judge in different way?"

Spot on. Really pleased he said this.

2 hours ago, The Boehly Babes said:

No other way to view that than 3 points dropped. Blame lies solely with Caicedo as well as we were cruising.

Over the course of a season though I imagine he earns us more points than he’s cost us today. Just one of those things.

It's only 2 points dropped and there's no need to blame Caicedo. Blame culture kills the team. Focus on the positive. We pushed Arsenal all the way and were better with 11 men. We got a point and are still in touch. The team can take a lot from this performance.

Didn’t see the match, but disappointed we didn’t win considering both Gabriel+Saliba were out. Fully expecting them to batter us again at the Emirates.

Still a mental block against both City and d Arsenal.

It's 2 points dropped but we keep moving

Mickey Thomas in the pub before the game. Think we can safely say the publican didn't accept cash payments from him.

Thought we were causing them problems until the sending off. Just let down by poor finishing. With eleven men we might have gone on to win.

Poor challenge from Caicedo. Was always going to be a red with VAR. Hopefully we won’t miss him too much and he gets a rest.

Overall, wins against Burnley and Barca earlier this week, and a draw against Arsenal isn’t too bad all things considered.

Edited December 1, 2025Dec 1 by Dr. Socrates

The fact we pushed through after the sending off, is the big revolution under Maresca for me, last season we succumb to them and use it as the excuse (and rightly so). The issues are still there with him, but you’ve gotta give credit where it’s due.

Confused to any criticism for Palmer not coming on, as removing Neto, who offers far better defensive work rate and discipline would have been a risky move, say what you want about him but the guy is relentless. It’s been said, but we win this game with 11, the game state was there, it was the old Chelsea spirit; fresh from the Barca win.. Caicedo just had to ruin it all. Reece James with an all-time performance.

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Didn’t see the match, but disappointed we didn’t win considering both Gabriel+Saliba were out. Fully expecting them to batter us again at the Emirates.

Still a mental block against both City and d Arsenal.

If it's any consolation, we were the better team, even with 10 men.

So happy for Reece James. He’s back to his best. His leadership is first class and he seems to have 100% respect from the players.

Please please stay fit.

5 hours ago, bisright1 said:

Above the ankle. Knew it would be a red card the moment I saw the first replay. Don't think I've seen a tackle like that not get a red since VAR was introduced.

It's unlucky because before VAR that doesn't get given. But it is above the ankle, it's hard, and I'd say there a fairly high % chance that ends up with Merino out of action with a broken ankle.

We have already this season. At Spurs. Identical tackle by Bentacur on James. Var did not want to send him off.

2 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

If it's any consolation, we were the better team, even with 10 men.

Sooner be second best but win.

3 hours ago, axman2526 said:

We have already this season. At Spurs. Identical tackle by Bentacur on James. Var did not want to send him off.

Being completely fair I wouldn't call that identical.

55 minutes ago, bisright1 said:

Being completely fair I wouldn't call that identical.

Just had look at that tackle and whilst being not exactly the same its very similar and if todays is a red

then so is that .Taylor probs wouldn't have even given a foul

17 hours ago, Zeta said:

James at CM just doesn't offer anything.

I too prefer James at right back but that post aged well!!

9 hours ago, loz said:

Mickey Thomas in the pub before the game. Think we can safely say the publican didn't accept cash payments from him.

How much landlord?

£18.90 please

Ok, heres a £27 note, keep the change.

26 minutes ago, Nibs said:

I too prefer James at right back but that post aged well!!

I didn't see the 2nd half, but I hear he was good.

1 hour ago, bisright1 said:

Being completely fair I wouldn't call that identical.

I would for the reasons given for the red, it was exactly what Bentancour did to Reece.

"Excessive force and endangered the safety of the player"