Given A good save just before the first goal, and little else to do after that. Wrong footed on the penalty. 7
Zabaleta Had a difficult time dealing with Damien Duff's intelligent movement early on, so it was a surprise when Duff was moved from the left to the right. He had a better second half, never getting forward too much but error-free. 6
Touré The captain's first game for a while, and his best game for months. He had a quiet start to the game - goal-line clearance aside, but came to the fore when we were under siege in the second half. 7
Kompany Given the job of shackling Bobby Zamora, which he did excellently: Zamora was withdrawn after 52 minutes. After that it was Clint Dempsey and Stefano Okaka, who eventually presented a tougher challege. Possibly could have conceded a late penaltyfor handball, lucky to escape. 7
Garrido Drafted in late on to replace Joleon Lescott. He was surprisingly competent: never really caught out by Duff or Simon Davies, he even won headers, and not just headers but tackles too. A few crucial hurried clearances too, which is a change from his old habit of dallying on the ball. 6
Johnson Quiet for most of the first half but very lively in the second. Seems established cutting in from the right, tried to replicate his famous goal at Sunderland and went close two or three times. A much more exciting option than Wright-Phillips on current form. 7
Vieira Played instead of Nigel de Jong. Did well at imposing his physique on the game, although he lost the ball to Dickson Etuhu more than any World Cup winner really ought to. Used the ball intelligently enough - could well play on Wednesday. 7
Barry Quiet, aside from a few important interventions and well-placed passes. But 4-4-2 was asking quite a bit of him and Vieira and they did well to form an effective shield even if they could never quite dominate the game. 6
Bellamy As ever, a devastating weapon on the break, creating both goals. First his shot was deflected onto the post before Santa Cruz tapped it in, then he put in his fellow-talisman Carlos for our second. Had another chance himself and kept Chris Bair pinned back throughout. 7
Tévez Our best player, again. Playing off Roque Santa Cruz he had a lot of space between Fulham's defence and midfield, and he was always on the ball, creating spaces and chances for him and his teammates. Involved in the opener, and then scored a brilliant second, after schooling Chris Smalling. Tireless work rate of course. 8
Santa Cruz A much more natural partner for Carlos than Adebayor is. Without Brede Hangeland on the pitch he could hold the ball up with real freedom, allowing him to link well with Tévez and Bellamy. Took his goal well. Injured again. 7
Subs:
de Jong Almost scored his first goal in blue, but missed a very easy chance. Could well start in a five man midfield against Everton. 6
SWP Missed a great chance to kill the game. n/a
Onuoha Too late to mark. n/a
1 comment:
Were we watching the same Patrick Vieira? I thought he was poor, our worst performer. But having said that, it was still his best performance for us. Which goes to show just how bad he has been.
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