Back from me hols
Millwall - We were the better team by a long chalk and played some really good football. The 1st goal was a joy to behold, from one end of the pitch to the other with quick, incisive passing and movement - football at its very best.
We had, unusually for us, a helping of good fortune throughout as well. That 1st goal would not have happened with many other referees in charge, but fair play to him that he, correctly, didn’t blow up for a handball against Luke or a fowl by Gnonto? winning the ball to start the move.
Our other 2 goals also had an element of luck attached. For the 2nd the pass into the box to James was slightly behind him but he managed, almost comically, to get a touch on it which deflected the ball straight to Piroe who couldn’t miss - top marks to him for his anticipation, being in the right place at the right time. The 3rd also came from a cross into the box which was fortuitously deflected into the path of Rutter who, of course, took the opportunity with aplomb.
An excellent performance all round.
Hull - again, I thought we were the better side for 60 minutes whilst we had our full compliment and, as others have suggested, may well have gone on to win the game had the ref not manufactured the sending off. I say manufactured, because, in my opinion, it was intentional. If you book a couple of key players early enough (Rodon and Ampadu) for not much, in Rodon’s case his 1st booking was not even a fowl, then you are going to get a chance later on in the game to be able to dish out a red card and, of course, the ref’s plan came to fruition.
Even with 10 men we were fairly comfortable (apart from their player’s blatant miss late on) and in the circumstances, thanks to the ref’s bias, I think the goalless draw an acceptable result.
Watford - as a team we are now getting into our stride and were able to play Watford off the park. Excellent performances all round, with special mentions for Piroe, James, Kamara, Byram, and Meslier. The star of show though, had to be Rutter didn’t it? Well yes and no. He was magnificent, of course, showing all the tricks, nutmegs, turns, pace, strength, you name it Rutter showed it. I particularly enjoyed his trap come pass which he executed from a high ball and in the middle of a knot of Watford players which went straight to a teammate in acres of space. If he carries on like this we might even make a profit on him when Citeh or Chelski start hovering.
My man of the match though - Ampadu. Who needs Adams or even, dare I say it, Kalvin?
The Championship is not where Leeds United should be but I’m warming to it. I find myself looking forward to games now rather than dreading them like I did last year when we were in the top league. Roll on Southampton.