[Dargonk]

Can't complain about that half. Lots of promise

 

[PieCrust]

Great start, hope to bang on from here. Send a warning shot to the rest of the league.

Matic has been immense, still can't understand why anyone didn't want him. Huge upgrade over Carrick and easily walks into the starting XI, as he's shown.

Just happy we got the breakthrough in the first half instead of having to churn through it for 75 mins before a goal, or not. Good things should happen in the 2nd half now that West Ham will have to push up and give us more space to attack in.

 

[GifLord]

@GifLord can we get a gif of Matic's silky skills

Matic





Whu chance

 

[roykeane19]

Not surprised really , Its the first time in years we played a proper midfield. When Fellaini plays the whole team turns to shit

 

[DevilRed]

This isnt even a bad west ham team. Probably as good a west ham as there has been in the last 10 years.

They came to sit back but we broke them with a brilliant counter attack started by Matic and finished by Rom.

 

[Red Viking]

Its the same issue as last season. The players out wide are not moving enough to make them available for pass but waits to receive the ball instead. Its been a problem the last 3 years so we desperately need to buy a FB + winger that can move with and without the ball much better if our attacking play is to improve. As it is we will not score enough goals if this is not improved upon to make a title challenge.

 

[SirMattBugsby]

Well, I'm hard.

Not more than I am. Everyone except Mkhitaryan is in the mood. C'mon Mkhi!

 

[Santoryo]

Beastkaku

Watch him easily outscore Zlatan last season

 

[GM K]

Can everyone who called Matic a washed up, has been, old 29 year old step out and offer us an apology please?

What a BEAST!!!

 

[Bruno8]

Playing very well generally but we haven't tested Joe Hart enough

 

[Globule]

Pogba had a few moments but just couldnt get the final ball right. Hopefully second half he contributes to a goal.

Except for the time he did get the final ball absolutely spot-on and should have been celebrating an assist. Just like last season, one of his brilliant over-the-top passes goes to waste.

All that's missing now is him hitting the woodwork.

 

[Catt]

Jose's watch is slow. That's what happens when you spend too much money on one.

Should do like me. All my watches incl my phone is 2 minutes early. I'm never late to anything

 

[gr3yham3]

Pretty good first half - mostly in control and Lukaku got his first goal, which is always a good sign for strikers to break that duck quickly. Can see that the players are still getting used to things though. I like it that our front 3 behind Lukaku are mixing it up in terms of their position on the pitch when we are attacking.

Matic has been superb - I have to admit that I was doubtful at first, but I am more than glad to be proven wrong!

Jose dressing up for the occasion all clean-shaven? A far cry from his unshaven, track-suit days of last season. Keep it up I say!

 

[Adnandos]

Best part is, we're at home, against a team parking the bus against us, and we're still managing to play great football and be ahead.

Pogba, Lukaku and Matic this half holy moley

 

[stu_1992]

Decent stuff. Need another goal quickly though. Matic very impressive so far. Good goal and I really enjoyed Lukaku's passionate celebration for some reason.

 

[togg]

Wonderful stuff. Just hoping it's not a game of two halves...and that we continue where we left off. However I expect West Ham to make a bit more of a showing in the second half.

 

[edcunited1878]

Have to disagree with the Mkhitaryan is poor today references.

His movement and skill compliments Mata, Lukaku, and Rashford. It's a low and congested defensive block by West Ham. Key pass to Mata on 18 minutes that should have ended up in net or a clear chance.

People are talking about how the movement and fluidity in attack is different...well Mkhitaryan is a big part of it.

 

[Android1974]

Despite the territorial possession, only had 2/10 shots on target. Nothing to be impressed just yet.

 

[Camilo]

Pretty happy..! Matic has looked good, Pogba has had moments but doesn't look sharp yet. Defence has been very good so far - Jones showing why he might still be our best defender.

Not seeing any real plan in attack yet though. Rashford has been all over the place but is working hard and had his moment. Mkhitaryan just doesn't look up to it - just not good enough in my book.

All in all, a good half. I think the progress is there for all to see, but I still suspect we're a couple of players short.

 

[Zlaatan]

Matic and Pogba have been a level above everyone else on the pitch. Really fun to watch as well.

Couldn't have asked for a better first half, let's keep it going now.

 

[el3mel]

Can everyone who called Magic a washed up, has been, old 29 year old step out and offer us an apology please?

What a beast!!!

The guy is fantastic. He looks like he has been playing with us for about 10 years or so.

This isn't a player who didn't have a preseason at all. Top, top player.

 

[Kill 'em all]

If Rashford and Micky improve a bit in the 2nd half, we should probably score a couple more. So far Mata, Matic and Pogba have been our best players.

 

[DevilRed]

I'd like to see Micky and Mata get into the game more. Especially Micky.

Still being a bit too lightweight and unassertive. Just needs to fecking run with it and cause havoc.

Clearly can do it. Just too "nice".

 

[broccoli]

Mata annoys me to no end. Almost cost a goal and just does small side way passes.

 

[Redlambs]

Decent first half. We maybe need to commit one or two more on breaks, bit so far so controlled.

Pogba needs to stop flopping around though.

 

[Prodigal7]

Can everyone who called Matic a washed up, has been, old 29 year old step out and offer us an apology please?

What a BEAST!!!

Too fecking right. Hang your heads in shame.

 

[gr3yham3]

Livescore's commentary only has Bailly making one foul. If accurate, feck knows which fouls Atkinson was pointing out when he booked him.

Beats me. I was shaking my head too when I saw Atkinson pointing out the "fouls".

 

[Drifter]

Matic looking ok so far but let's not carried away. It's one game.

True. They tend to go over the top on here either way.

 

[Moonred]

Loved that goal so much. Matic has been brilliant. Need to score more.

 

[JustAFan]

good first half, think we will need a second to secure the win. Laid back a bit too much the last few minutes of the half and almost cost us.

Matic, rashford and lukaku on that goal.....

 

[pseudo_canadian]

Chelsea fans must be fuming watching Matic while they have 1 eligible midfielder for their game vs Spurs next week.

Absolutely bonkers that they sold him to us.

 

[Camy89]

Unless I am mistaken you replied to your own post and agreed with yourself.

Or do I miss something here?

I just did the journey looking back through this stream of comments and he did indeed reply to himself. I laughed out loud.

If you think no-one's going to agree with you, at least agree with yourself.

 

[PepsiCola]

Mata annoys me to no end. Almost cost a goal and just does small side way passes.

Wut..

 

[MZX7]

I think we have looked good so far.

Sorry, but we haven't looked good. What is our style of play? Keep the ball, keep the ball, keep the ball, lose the ball, rinse, repeat.

No run-ins, no interchanging, no wing play, no clever through-balls, keeping it narrow and hoping to get one goal.

We have fared better. But, we certainly don't look good.

 

[whatwha]

We may need another goal. Not been too great in attack so far, only a couple real chances. Mkhi hasn't done shit. I want to see Martial.

 

[LoSpritz]

Who needs wingers when we are playing so beautifully through the middle?

 

[Kazi]

Souness is such a hater

 

[ice-bionic red]

Fantastic so far. Good tempo to our game. As some have said Mkhitaryan needs to up his own game a bit. Matic and Pogba have been great. No need for 3 in there unless we are playing the better sides. Lukaku very good.

Another goal or two and keep solid and I'm happy

 

[simonhch]

That Matic- Pogba axis is as good as I've seen since Carrick - Scholes.

Early doors though.

 

[space]

Need to finish it second half now, nothing silly from us