Jan - you’re the man. And the 1-metre rule?

First things first. Top marks to my mate Jan Fjortoft for breaking the news that the Isak to Liverpool was done 48 hours before any of else.

It takes some courage to go out on your own with a story like that, especially when both clubs are briefing against you. But Jan knew it was done and stuck to his story. We spoke to him on beINSPORTS Saturday afternoon and not for a moment did I think he’d got it wrong.

He was spot on about the fee as well. Newcastle accepted £130m. Liverpool had two bids on the table - £110m or £80m now and £60m next season. In the end it was a compromise that got it over the line.

I’m writing before the window shuts and, as I’ve always said, these big deals are complicated. Something might yet go wrong, but after all the wrangling I can’t see that.

I know there are some that think Newcastle should’ve stood firm, but regular readers of this blog know my feelings. They couldn’t. Isak isn’t a slave. He’s got every right to work for whomever he chooses - just as Wissa and Strand-Larsson have - the two forwards Newcastle have been unsettling. What goes around….

And it shouldn’t be forgotten that it’s largely Saudi money that Liverpool have spent - a point I made in my first blog of the season. Liverpool have simply turned round the money they got from Al-Hilal for Nunez and added a bit more. Chelsea spent the Saudi money they earned at the Club World Cup on Delap and Joao Pedro, two forwards Newcastle would’ve loved. Oh the irony.

I told you the problems at City run far deeper than just missing Rodri. He was back Sunday of course, yet City still looked miles off. They’re going to. One player wasn’t going to turn them into title challengers. And him missing last season wasn’t the reason they were so poor.

There’s plenty of time for Guardiola to sort things out, but I’ll say again - I’m not sure he can - or will. I think he looks tired. I think he looks bored. And I think his players might just be bored of him. They perhaps want to hear a new voice around the place.

Look at Jack Grealish. He spent the last two years of his time at City both frustrated and out of love with football. That’s by his own admission. Why? Ask yourself that question. He looks refreshed, vibrant and a lot like his old self at Everton. Good luck to him. It’s great to see him smiling again.

Working with someone else, hearing a different voice and being challenged in a fresh way must have all played a part in his resurgence. I think he’ll help Everton land a European place.

I’m glad Arteta got hammered by everyone after Arsenal’s performance at Anfield. I don’t need to add a lot. He won’t win the title playing as he did. He’s got to be braver.

Do you remember when I said he was scared of winning at City? That day they pissed all over the best Guardiola had to offer, but Arsenal didn’t believe. It cost them that season.

This one was different. They were scared of losing. You could see what he was trying to do - keep it solid for 70 minutes, then make changes and try to nick it. A set-piece goal would’ve been a bonus. Except that’s not good enough if you want to be the best.

He should’ve started Eze. Why pay all that money and sit him on the bench? It’s only a couple of weeks since he terrorised Kerkez at Wembley. The full back would’ve shit himself if he’d been up against him again. Play him ffs.

And I’ve also previously made the point that it’s a waste of time having Gyokeres in your team if you don’t play to his strengths. He’s been heavily criticised for not doing a lot, but what was he to do? He didn’t see the ball. He wasn’t supplied with one cross - nor one ball over the top into space. He won’t thrive in a set-up like Sunday’s.

As for the goal. What a stunner the fk was. Let’s take nothing away from Szoboszlai, but Raya shouldn’t get beaten from that distance. Oh - and I would like to ask what happened to the 1-metre rule that led to Palace’s goal being ruled out at Chelsea? Have we forgotten about that nonsense already?

I know Raya blamed the ball - that pesky Puma ball. I’ve been the only one talking about Arteta’s dislike of it - waiting for the first excuse. Now we’ve heard it. 😂.

But it wasn’t the ball. As Andy Gray said on beINSPORTS, it was Raya’s starting position. Have a look at it again from that angle behind the goal. He’s too far left when the ball is struck. He doesn’t need to be. He should be central and ready to go either way when the ball is that far out. A couple of yards further forward would’ve helped as well. Top keepers don’t let that in. Schmeichel doesn’t. Alisson doesn’t. Nor does Ederson at his best.

As for our refs - the decision to disallow Fulham’s opening goal was a shocker. Howard Webb had to admit that quickly. He took the culprit Michael Salisbury off VAR at Anfield and replaced him with John Brooks.

I’m waiting now to see what punishment ref Rob Jones receives.
Ultimately it was his call. He should've ignored Salisbury. He was too weak and too scared to do that though because VAR now rules. It’s pathetic.

Fulham were robbed the previous week by two bad calls v United - the pen which wasn’t and Yoro’s push on Bassey as he scored, so you can understand why Silva was furious post match at Chelsea.

Not only was the decision to rule King’s goal out wrong, but Salisbury missed three reasons not to give the pen. Yes, it was a pen - but what about the push, the handball and the foul on Iwobi in the build-up? Silva pointed them all out after the game. I’m glad we’d already done so on beINSPORTS.

They weren’t the only mistakes this weekend. I recorded three other howlers - both the Liverpool fk (of course it shouldn’t have been ruled out but Palace’s was 🤷‍♂️) and a wrestling match in the box at Sunderland that should’ve led to a Brentford pen. Who was in VAR? Darren England, who gave United that pen at Fulham for similar. Honestly, you can’t make this stuff up. Oh - that’s ten serious errors so far Howard. I’m keeping count because I know you can’t.