just got back and still smiling. Great three points, but boy were we lucky in the end. Benteke missed at least two, if not three open goals that would have seen 3 points go up in smoke. If we'd conceeded it would have been devastating as we had dominated the first half, without fully pressing home our advantage.
Villa were there for the taking, they looked relegation fodder at SMS and this just confirmed it to me. They will go down. However, we did allow them back in the game simply because we could not win a single header agaist Benteke. He won everything againt Yoshida and equally against Jos. They eventually saw our weakness and went long big time and we struggled to cope. We won, but we didn't play well.
Have to say I was embaressed for the Villa fans booing the ref when he stopped the game to treat Shaw. He had quite clearly suffered a bad injury and even if the didn't realise at the time, to then continue to boo even when he was being stretchered off was poor form. Tossers. They moaned about us failing to respect their 19 minute clapping at SMS, yet showed absolutely no respect for our player who may have broken a leg or worse for all they knew.
Longest five minutes of injury time ever. Boruc time wasting backfired.
Boruc 7 one or two great saves especially the deflected shot (although he palmed it straight to Benteke who thankfully missed - Davis woud get slaughtered for that), and 4 or 5 very very good clean claims low down under pressure. He looked composed and assured. Exactly what we need. One criticism would be his failure to come out towards the edge of the area ever to help defenders out. He does not sweep well, but he did everything else well.
Clyne 5 looked a tad rusty, poor first half almost getting caught a couple of times dallying on the ball, especialy early on, but also late in the second alf too. Didn't get that telepathic relationship with Puncheon going forward either.
Jos 6 some good stuff, some bad stuff. Sliced some clearances and panicked a couple of times when there wasn't a need. Won some crucial headers, but I thought he should have stuck to Benteke like glue no matter where he went. He didn't. He should have man marked him. He didn't win nearly enough headers. I've backed him on here. I was hoping for a little better if I'm honest, but he too looked rusty. He did just enough though, but no more.
Yoshida 6 equally he offered some good and some absolutely terrible. Benteke took the **** arially and made him look small. He dived in killing us a few times too. Lots of good interceptions though and composed on the ball, sometimes too casual.
Shaw 9 Outstanding game. It's easy to say nice things about him, but he just gets better and better. He skinned there right midfielder and fullback several times. He's becoming dangerous in attack to add to a solid defender. Hope the injury isn't bad
Morgan 7 excellent first half, let the game slip a towards the death as they went long. Got to pick up some second ball when oponents do that. Thought Delph (looked a good player to me) caused him problems. Set peices ****.
Cork 6 one horrific pass that put us in massive trouble, but all in all a decent showing in his correct position. Again, when the ball is lumped over him rather than through he becomes less effective defensively. Can't hit a barn door shooting wise.
Puncheon 7 lots of good stuff, ball retention, tricks, touch, but some ****, like right foot shooting/crossing, overplaying - get that cross in son. Very unlucky not to score in second half when one fantastic block prevented him.
Ramirez 4 poor, again. I keep saying it, he can't play left midfield. He is poor defensively, although not exposed today, and doesn't see enough ball. When he did see the ball he gave it away far too cheaply, again. One great pass to put JR in, and he did slow things down when needed, but must do better, especially for the money we paid/pay.
Lambert 5 won very little in the air and far far too slow on a couple of occasions. Baker did a good job on him. Not his day at all and he coukd quite easily have been subbed if we had a striker to bring on.
Rodriguez 7 it looked a pen in real time. Not seen the replays. If he dived, then I am very dissapointed as I have been with Lallana and Yoshida (for feigniing injury). I'd like my side, club to be better than the rest. Ran his absolute heart out and caused all sorts of problems with his movement. Sadly we found out that that real pace you need just wasn't there as Baker caught up with him when clean through twice. I still think he had a good game despite not doing what striker needs to do. He was a great out ball turning defensive clarances into attacks.
Davis hardly had a touch
Fox didn't do much
de Ridder, jesus he absolutely killed us several times at the end overplaying in the wrong areas
