Areola: Two early saves but missed out on well taken corner and well beaten by goal 6
Coufal. Good front and back – looking the player we know he can be 7
Ogbonna By and large ok but he needs time and looked a little rusty at times 6
Kehrer: Struggled in first half but a much easier second 45 of course 6
Emerson: This guy is a serious competitor and grabbed his goal well 7
Rice: Back to his best 8
Downes: Not a foot wrong. For me outstanding and mom 8
Benrahma: Eventually subbed but did nothing wrong and always threatening 7
Lanzini: He is tearing up no trees these days very average display 3
Cornet: Always lively and forced a terrible challenge from keeper which gave us a penalty and him an injury which forced him off 7
Scamacca: Missed three outstanding chances and was subbed. Not good 3
Subs
Antonio: Fine goal and made a difference up top generally 7
Bowen: Scored the pen and looked back to somewhere near his best level 7
Paqueta: At the heart of most of our good stuff in the second half 7
Fornals: Very exciting performance and was a big player in Emerson’s goal 8
Agree with most of these, but not about Rice and Downes. Rice misplaced more passes than he completed in the first half and would’ve gotten a 4 on that first 45. Woke up a bit when his mates came on in the 2nd half and would’ve scored a 7, so perhaps a 6 would be right.
Downes was decent enough, but given that this was his first big shot to impress, played too safe too often rather than trying to look forward. He did some good work, but wanted to see more from a guy who should’ve been full of energy. A decent start though, so a 6 from me.
Scamacca was totally off the pace, hopefully because he’s still not 100%. He has plenty of time and will come good.
Was pleasantly surprised by Fornals’ impact, and you’re right about Emerson – he looks like the kind of player who will drive us forward and not accept lacklustre performances.
Harsh on Scamacca I feel. He may have been a little rusty but the whole first half performance was poor. He may have fared a better supported by Paqueta & Bowen rather than Lanzini and Benrahma.
Mayve mate but he had several chances and it is his job yto score
Agree mainly with these, although Emerson does worry me a bit defensively, could have been sent off on another day for 2 yellows and at fault for the first goal. Hope he’ll improve with more games. Downes MoM agree, although Mikey in with a shout after that powerhouse display – think he scared the pants off them. Scamacca 3? That’s harsh – just back from injury, and made a nuisance of himself – think 5 fairer. Coufal – improving but really needs to do some serious crossing practice in training!