ClaretandHugh’s Niall McDonald rates the Irons
Adrian: Two very sharp saves which kept us in the game before Costa’s winner 6
Antonio: Do we blame the player for a clumsy foul which led to the penalty – or manager for once again playing him there? Looked crushed when subbed 4
Reid: Looked to have conceded a penaty in the first half but got away with it 4
Collins: Usual 100% application in defence and a very unusual half-volley nearly got us a point 7
Masuaku: Not really tested defensively; very crisp, sharp passer 5
Nordtveidt: Any of the defensive three could have come off but Nordtveidt had played the most ineffective sideways passes 4
Noble: Was unable to raise his game in a London derby for a change 4
Kouyate: Keen to get forward and support Carroll in the first half 5
Ayew: Dear me… Lasted 32 mins before succumbing to injury. 20 goals seems a long way away tonight 3
Carroll: Once again, very very isolated up front. Can’t fault his energy, effort or defensive work – but given nothing to work with up front 6
Valencia: Poor, again. More lively when Payet came on 4
Subs Tore: Quick and strong. Tracked back whenever asked to. Didn’t see him in flight going forward 4
Byram: A better right-back than Antonio. Deserves the chance to play there consistently 5
Payet: As the cliché goes, we looked a different team when he came on. Hadn’t thought we’d be so impotent without him 6
4
Wow Valencia was on the pitch Never noticed him.
Don’t even think we deserved to score…
Bilic played a 4-3-3… Last season we played 4-2-3-1 and were a lot better.
Antonio isn’t a right back..
And Enner Valencia… Well he’s not great… But you can tell the lad tried tonight.
Andre Ayew getting injured is not good.
As soon as he left the pitch and Töre came on we actually looked worse going forward…
One question I have… What has happened to Feghouli?
I think you go…
Adrian
Masuaku
Reid
Collins
Byram
Noble
Kouyate
Antonio
Ayew
Töre
Carroll
That would’ve been better..
With the 4-3-3 he’s gone too defensive.. When really we are supposed to be an attacking team.
Also… All we did was Hoof the ball.
Never really looked liked winning the game…
It’s a shame..
But I hope this shows Bilic.. Than Antonio shouldn’t be right back and we shouldn’t play with 3 central midfielders.
Thought Masuaku and Collins were our best players, Tore needs some time to find his feet, shame about Ayew and Nodveidt was overrun, Noble had a night to forget and God knows who thought Adrian should be taking deep free kicks, we need players that can pass the ball more than 4 yards and whenever we make a pass our other players should be on the move much like Chelsea were. Having said all that Chelsea should have finished the game with 9 men, Taylor bottled it, in fairness they should also have had a penalty when Reid fouled Oscar. Onwards and upwards Astra on Thursday then Bournemouth.
One ‘non-field’ was not given a rating?
Slaven Bilic- 3/10 fo once again playing Antonio at RB!
Byram should have started at RB, allowing Antonio to play at RW; this would have allowed Antonio to give Andy Carroll some much needed support.
Instead of Slav taking a realistic view on the Antonio issue, he looks for petty excuses concerning whether Costa should have been sent off before the eventual winning goal.
A very poor excuse, Slav!
Collins was at fault for their winner.Shambolic defending,stood so far back for Costa’s shot one of the ball boys was nearer.
I don’t get this love in
How many times is Ayew going to be mentioned along side 20 GOALS!!…He wasnt signed as any 20 goal a season striker.Anyone who thinks he was is well wide of the mark.