1.) 12 Apr 2018
12 Apr 2018 08:07:51
I read a rather scathing Tony Evans article in The Independent about Guardiola's sending off on Tuesday night to the effect that it ended City's chance of a comeback.
I'm not sure if I agree with that; statistically these things are very rarely achieved and not without many other good reasons.

However a word in favour of Guardiola, as he seems to have come in for a lot of criticism since.
I thought his choice of personnel and set-up was extremely brave and inventive; it very nearly succeeded.
I can't recall Liverpool being under such concerted pressure like that, and the quality of City's football, their intensity and constant movement from flank to flank was supreme.
Fernandinho was tremendous, and I hope that we can look forward to something similar next season with Keita's arrival.

It did make me wonder too if City had spent big to bring in Van Dijk whether it may have made the difference?
I do feel that they are a quality centre back or two away from being a CL winning side.

For us, Trent Alexander-Arnold emerges with huge credit. He surely won't have a tougher test than the two legs, even if he meets Ronaldo next.
I recall asking the question back after the January transfer window if readers felt we had emerged stronger from the transfer window.
Van Dijk's signing has definitely solidified the defence, and gives a real foundation to strengthen upon for next season.
As for what remains of this - keep Salah fit and who knows?

{Ed0333's Note - personally I don’t think peps dismissal made that much difference, some but not enough to lose. In fact it should have had the opposite effect, solidarity and all that. City were pretty damn good first half they sensed blood after Van Dick’s error that led to the goal, put their foot on the throttle and went for it. Second half they tired and let’s face it we couldn’t play any worse so something had to give. And I totally concur with you about Salah he is absolutely instrumental, if he’s fit we have a chance of winning this thing without him well I’m not so sure. I hope that doesn’t sound defeatist but if you take all the great players out of all the top sides it’s the same situation. Hazard, Ronaldo, Messi etc etc. the exception to this rule is possibly KDB at City as they have so many players they can compensate for his loss.

2.) 12 Apr 2018
12 Apr 2018 08:18:53
Surely for the sake of refereeing consistency, considering the Mane-Ederson incident, Oliver should've given Buffon and himself a yellow card? We all know that being aggressively confronted is the victims fault too 👀.

3.) 12 Apr 2018
12 Apr 2018 08:18:55
An insider tip for you betting people out there; I’ve had it on good authority, a source I trust, that Harry Kane will score every premier league goal this weekend. You heard it here first.

{Ed0333's Note - And every try scored in all the rugby matches in all the world ever. This Harry Kane thing isn’t getting boring at all I could go with this for a while yet.

4.) 12 Apr 2018
12 Apr 2018 08:31:35
I got to say I thought it was a pen. It doesn’t matter what time it happens the ref has to make a decision. I ref kids footie and I know it’s no where near the same but I thought Buffon was way way out of order.

5.) 12 Apr 2018
12 Apr 2018 08:40:54
"A bag of rubbish, " "eating crisps, " and "conscience. " I feel really sorry for Juve.
Thanks ED001.

6.) 12 Apr 2018
12 Apr 2018 08:45:30
Although I’m gutted for Juve and Buffon, it was a penalty, a soft one but still a penalty. The red card? I’m not as sure, I dunno what he said to the ref, it didn’t look any worse than Edison shoving Mane over and over though.

7.) 12 Apr 2018
12 Apr 2018 09:33:48
soft penalty for sure. I think that the ref could have just let that one go. Recognize the moment man. big guns, 3-3, headed to extra-time and the game's deciding moment is a call like that? c'mon let the lads figure it out in extra-time!

8.) 12 Apr 2018
12 Apr 2018 09:27:48
Considering what Buffon is saying after having the chance to calm down and consider what happened, I have very little doubt that what he was saying to Oliver deserved a red card. Not to mention that his justification for it not being a penalty was that it was in the 93rd minute and Juve had done really well to draw level. Foul is a foul no matter what minute it is.

{Ed001's Note - to be fair, Buffon might be more wound up not after getting a red card than he was at the time.}

9.) 12 Apr 2018
12 Apr 2018 10:57:39
Kane shouldn’t have given the red card but at least he admitted it was his doing. Poor Juve.

10.) 12 Apr 2018
12 Apr 2018 11:18:44
To be fair, Juve are one of the worst teams for going down easily, feigning injury, anatagonising the opposition and general gamesmanship so I have little sympathy for them really.

There is still hope for them though, The penalty has now been awarded to Harry Kane and the aggregate score is Real 3 Juve 3 Tottenham 1. Extra time is to be played in a neutral venue (Wembley), though it is yet to be decided if Kane will attend or not.

11.) 12 Apr 2018
12 Apr 2018 12:24:20
Just upset my lad. He asked me who was first man on the moon. I said 'neil Armstrong '. he said 'well in school we've just been told it was harry kane '.

12.) 12 Apr 2018
12 Apr 2018 16:47:03
It is my feeling that the red card was more for the bump on the official. I tend to be in the camp that anytime you deliberately touch an official like that, you should be sent off. Otherwise, you are simply inviting others to do the same.

I'm always more shocked that players that surround the ref are not shown cards more often.