Tonto

I think those two would pretty clearly fall under 'violent contact' in any sane person's interpretation no? When Torres gave Terry a cheeky pat on the cheek the day he scored his first goal at Anfield, he certainly raised his hands, but it was clearly not violent. I just posted that list up because some people seemed to be making the assumption that 'raising your hands' was somewhere in the rules as a red-cardable offence, not because I think Babel was hard done by.

There are seven things you can be sent off for none of which is 'raising your hands'. Sending-off Offences A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off if he commits any of the following seven offences: • serious foul play • violent conduct • spitting at an opponent or any other person • denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area) • denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick • using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures • receiving a second caution in the same match

Are they? A player can be sent off for one of seven offences, one of which is simply "violent conduct". Babel may also have been guilty of "using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures". But there is nothing in the rules of the game that comes close to "if you raise your hands.....". Having said that, Babel was very silly.

I can't say I've seen him play much, so I have no strong opinion about him, but it was noticeable how our defenders stood off him when he came on on Sunday. Carra and Agger didn't even try to compete with him when the ball was played up to him.

January 2006 - Ferdinand's last minute winner. We dominated that game as I recall. Just looked up the stats - we had 58% possession. I think, in fairness, it's another match that backs up Saithip's point in terms of the Mancs' approach, regardless of the quality of their midfield that day.

No because Dindane's punch was "in a different category"

According to Jon Champion, Pompey deserve a goal

Bet Kalinic feels good after hearing that.

Dirk will do it if he scores.

Couldn't get a working stream so just seen the goal now. Howard was shocking.

They don't care because he was being kept out of the side by two England internationals so all is right with the world. According to Tony Gayle on SSN though, Mowbray signed Keane because "he's nobody's fool and he knows goals win games". Quality stuff.

Wasn't that a tackle from behind on Maxi and a mandatory yellow card?

I'd disagree. They had Kyrie Gonzalez on the left.

Was that not Mista?

Like Keys at half time trying to make something out of Pepe holding onto the ball for more than 6 seconds, just before we scored. He started counting out the seconds while they replayed it. Of course, it should have given the Spurs defence an advantage rather than the other way round.

Just noticed in the group photo, Aquilani and Riera look comfortable with each other. Is this pre or post -training ground punch up

I seem to remember someone on here (Kaizer maybe?), just after Skrtel signed, saying that he was weak in the air.

He played his part in a midfield that dominated Villa's for most of the game, albeit without creating enough chances. We seemed to be able to retain possession in Villa's half in a way that we haven't done for most of this season. That's not all down to Aquilani of course (Gerrard's improvement probably being the main factor) but again, he played his part in this. Given the conditions, the opposition, our form and his lack of match fitness, I think he did fine. One thing that stood out was his inclination to play the risky, quick ball, through the middle to Torres' or Gerrard's feet, when there were safer, easier options in wide positions.

Don't get the confused, distraught reaction from Villa. They were playing, at home, against a team shockingly low on confidence and tried to play like the away team, conceding posession and trying to hit us on the break. I suppose this is the same manager who threw a Uefa cup match last season so.....

Lille or Fenerbahce.

Should have been a free kick to us. Scharner had no intention other than jumping into Pepe.

Le Tallec, Juve, 2005.

Apart from the one who's been man of the match in this game?

Commentator saying Torres to be replaced by Babel in the next few mins.

Usually, I can't stand him, but I watched his normally awful 'Last Word' show yesterday and I thought his analysis was pretty good. He seemed genuinely happy for N'gog as well. I didn't hear his match commentary though.