I’m not sure how sustainable it is to win individual goals so often (maybe it’s not), but we certainly seem quite capable of scoring a lot, especially when Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer are operating at such a high level and we have a support team that meshes beautifully with them.
JP may have been extra motivated as the Brighton fans gave him the baton throughout the game – not to mention Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti who was also monitoring him after being ruled out of the World Cup. He has a goal and an assist in his first two games this season.
There was a lot of talk last season about him and Palmer not cooperating enough: they actually combined to score three goals in their first two games.
Palmer’s performance was a little more subdued than in the first game, but given he also played 90 minutes in midweek in the League Cup, he can be excused. He managed to make his mark, sealing the game once and for all with his goal (and our fourth) as we headed into the final quarter-hour.
First start of the season for Neto, and first start at right-back. This role seems to suit him well offensively (less so defensively), and he has caused Brighton’s left-back a lot of problems. He should have had an easy assist while also scoring.
v Brighton (PL, H, W 4-3)
Exceptional (8.5-9.5): —
Excellent (7.5-8.4): Joao Pedro (8.2)Palmer (7.6)
Good (6.5-7.4): netto (7.4), Rogers (7.1), Martinez (6.9), Lafia (6.9), until (6.9), Lacroix (6.7), Acheampong (6.5, sub)
Average (5.5-6.4):james(6.1, sub), breathes (6.0), Barco (5.9, sub), gusto (5.9), Colwell (5.8), Caicedo (5.5, sub)
Super Bar (4.5-5.4): Chavarria (5.2, sub)
