Hughie hands out his marks
Fabianski: No chance at all with the goal, couple of routine saves on a quiet night 6
Couval: This lad always has big moments in games and tonight it was with Bowen’s goal. Had little defending to do but always busy getting forward 7
Dawson: Little came his way to worry and coped admirably when it did. Missed a decent chance early on but a real find for us 6+
Ogbonna: Right on top of his game again although, like Dawson, not put under serious pressure 7
Cresswell: At times he was at his most exciting – some great runs down the left and decent crosses 7
Bowen: Fine goal and his never say die spirit at front and back is brilliant 7
Soucek: Never really under any sort of pressure, stroked it around and looked the usual class act 6+
Rice: Here there and everywhere and almost scored from a well worked free kick. Getting forward much more and a usual fine performance 7+
Lanzini: The usual neat and tidy display but nothing world shaking 6
Benrahma: Becoming more comfortable as the games pass. Another encouraging display 6+
Antonio: Fabulous goal some truly buccaneering runs. The man is true quality. Left absolutely mothing on the pitch. Great stuff 8+
Subs
Fornals: In and out of things during a quiet second half 5
Yarmolenko: Showed plenty of strength and endeavour and assist for winner 6+
Noble: On late when Moyes decided to manage the game and close it down No rating
In fairness Yarmolenko supplied the crucial assist for Antonio’s winner.
Yarmolenko turned out to be a certain John Stockton passing the ball craftily to a certain Karl Malone in a Mickey Antonio disguise if you allow a Utah Jazz comparison. He gave as a goal, so Hugh, be nice to the chap, please. He deserved it tonight.
I missed the crowd today … I remember years ago when Robbie Savage got shoved into the wall and how the crowd roared. When Antonio went on that run and knocked that guy over (hell, knocked him back a yard or two) … I would have loved to have heard the crowd’s reaction to that.
Rice needs a little more concentration and attention to detail. He could then be tremendous. Antonio is tremendous. Benrahma needs too many touches to be helpful to his attacking team mates. Cresswell has added early crossing of the ball to his game and that is showing him to be an improved team player. Benrahma has not yet got any spontaneity in his play. When he did get the ball outside the box, it seemed to be that he needed to change direction three or four times to try and get past his man. Meanwhile, the guys in the middle have to slow up and wait for too long for any kind of ball. Benrahma, just get a ball in early and then follow it up. Simple. You don’t need to play the perfect pass to feet. We don’t try to play that way any more. Get it in and they will find it. Yarmolenko’s header didn’t reach Antonio in perfect condition – but he is instinctive enough to get it over the line – and how!
COYI
My thoughts, exactly! Spot on!
Dawson backed off too much giving their attacker time to make the shot for the goal.
I agree with Taffy. Rice was not at his best today and like many of the squad, was selfish.
We played short a man in the first half, with Lanzini and Benrhama taking turns.
Addition of Fournals and Yarmo changed the game. The proof is in the pudding.
Whilst I agree with yourself and Taffy, I’ll give Rice a pardon he is a tremendous player and last night I agree a touch off his usual standard, but I put that down to a bit of mental fatigue, he has played every game non stop including for England and played at an exceptionally high level, I mean wow, and for one so young and still ‘learning’, we rely on him so much, he must be the first name on the team sheet