For a while now, there hasn't been much reason to write a post the day after a match. But after yesterday, it feels appropriate to mention that the performance yesterday was the best we've had all season.
I don't think it's a coincidence that the manager has had two weeks with them and we turn in something like that, against one of the sides fancied to challenge this season. I should say also that I don't fancy them to challenge and I think all of that hype is just because of the manager and the players he has been able to bring in.
Nevertheless, they had gone six games without losing. Then we turn up and spank them. And had we been more clinical in the first half, we'd have scored a couple more.
You can put that down to Bolasie for me. Yes, we had chances before then, but when he came on we had someone that wanted to create rather than score. Don't get me wrong, Kodjia has energy and as a striker, when you feed him, he's going to score, but ask him to turn creator from the wing and you're going to see someone more interested with getting into the box and having a go.
Bolasie didn't change the game, we were on top when he came on. He helped move it up a gear. Man of the match for me though was McGinn. His goal reminded me of something I've not seen in a while and his overall contribution was at a different level. Him and Jack will be subject to offers in January and next summer if we don't go up.
But it was goals for McGinn, Abraham and Hourihane that put the game to bed. When they're available they'll be added below. I fancy Hourihane is contender for goal of the month and on a side note, it was nice to see Hogan come on. I'm hoping he's going to get a little more time and make it a difficult decision for the manager.