Niall McDonald is back on duty handing out the marks for the Irons performances
Hart: Had perhaps his quietest ever first half. Didn’t make a save until 53 mins but was ready for it 7
Zabaleta: Got stuck in and marauded forwards from the start. Always goes down well 7
Reid: Looked to have things under control throughout 7
Collins: Main responsibility was clipping the ball up to Carroll 6
Fonte: Going forwards, looked decent. Happily not much defending to do 6
Cresswell: Plenty of corner practise in the first half. Defended well throughout 7
Obiang: He’ll claim it. Left to a standing ovation. Who needs Carvalho? 7
Kouyate: Muted penalty appeals when held, if not pulled down in the box 6
Antonio: Tremendous bursts of pace to set up Hernandez on 12 mins and on 25 mins led to the Collins chance. Constant threat 8
Hernandez: Rattled the bar from 8 yards out. Glimpses of his pace, touch and awareness when involved before being subbed 6
Carroll: All action start on his latest return. Pretty typical stuff from the big man. Lasted 82 mins 7
Subs
Ayew: A penny for Chicarito’s thoughts as Ayew poked it home from 2 yards… Arrived to boos, left having sealed the points 7
Sakho: Looked pretty enthusiastic in his 10 mins on for AC 5
Rice: Got 90 seconds for the win bonus No rating
Its all very subjective but i dont know how Hart got the same as Zabaleta.Zabaleta was superb especially in the first half.
Fonte was solid as well defensively but yes he looked good going forward.I have never written him off and it was fantastic to see “his legs have gone” Zabaleta have such a strong game.
Yes Zabaleta looked good tonight. An important win. Well deserved. And if the goals were a bit scrappy I can forgive that.
I thought the team as a whole played hard tonight . Kouyate looked off the most ,fonte I thought looked good in a back 3 and went forward most ,zabaleta ran his arse off looked like he wanted it . Last game everyone looked to unload the ball to the nearest player and it went backwards and sideways all game with no foresight or confidence ! As for carol 5 months out wow looked composed and focused ,what a career he could of had if he could of stayed fit
Back 3 Fonte and all our CBs always look better in back 3 we finished on it last year. But agree Hart 7 same as Zab had 1 save right at him.
. had some Bilic birthday luck Reid could got a Red for Studs to face and Obaing had Miracle goal.
And Noble didn’t start and wasn’t even on bench.
Still like to see Rice in back 3 and see this Sead lad get a go. And Cressie great on deliverys
Not getting to excited seen this before and goof scrappy win then draws or loses Spurs saved Bilic last season and him and Board aren’t on good terms. But have to see West Brom and Spurs and Bolton really need to win all bc still Ind Drop zone.
Stick w the back 3 it works and Zab actually looked better at WB then RB I’m surprsied. Cand drop to back 5 to defend and gives keeper less to deal with.