How the Irons rated by CandH guest ‘expert’
We’re pleased to welcome follower ‘Jimmy Jazz‘ as tonight’s guest ratings expert for the first time. It’s always nice to see people put their heads above the parapets for what is a tricky and very subjective job!
Kouyate – starting to look more and more comfortable in this position. Broke up the play well. 7
Reid – struggled with Defoe a couple of times but did well and of course got the crucial winner. 7
Ogbonna 8 – Ogbonna looks so much more comfortable in a back 3. I assume this is because it is what he is used to from his time in Italy. Defended well but also brought the ball forward and played intelligent passes such as the great through ball to Zaza before the inevitable happened 8
Antonio – What good is it if you’re strong and fast if you have no final ball? Rightly taken off early 2nd half by Bilic. Some might say there were a lack of options in the box but that’s no excuse for failing to beat the first man or hitting the cross straight out of play. 5
Fernandes – I like the look of this kid. He looks comfortable on the ball and likes to get forward. He may have struggled a little defensively and was a bit lucky in the first half when he got the wrong side of the attacker and fouled him on the edge of the box but he didn’t lose heart and it’s worth remembering this isn’t his natural position. 7
Noble – Tries hard as always but wasteful when he gets in good positions. We need better quality than Noble 6
Obiang Continues to impress and break the play up well as well as trying to be positive on the ball.7
Lanzini – As always some nice touches and good movement but it wasn’t easy against a Sunderland side who came to defend. 7
Payet (MOTM) – Outstanding first half and unlucky not to score 2 or 3. Started to tire towards the end but got yet another assist. It’s not easy for Payet out there when the quality in the box is so poor and so much is expected of him. His run in the first half almost topped the middlesborough goal. 8
Zaza It’s like playing with 10 men. I know the guy is really low on confidence but trying hard isn’t good enough. He makes odd decisions like trying to kick the ball when he just needs to head it. Often fails to get into the box. Gets caught offside. Very little movement..OK, I’m going to be nice and leave it at that. 3
Subs
Feghouli 6 The crosses weren’t quite coming off but he added pace to the attack and I believe he deserves more game time. 6
Callieri – Struggled to get into the game 5
Fletcher Had seven minutes to get into things and the one time he was put into a good position by Payet he fluffed his lines. But he’s young and it’s good to see him on the pitch. 5
Bilic A lucky man as there was a case for the late winner being offside. I like the fact he kept the same formation as the Palace game but when something isn’t working he needs to make the changes sooner. 6
Ref Bobby Madley No real complaints today. Seemed consistent with his decisions. We had a case for 2 penalties but they weren’t clear cut although I may need to see the replays again. 6