Mission Impossible for ten brave men

Match verdict by Hughie Southon

Frankly, given the ghastly Aaron Cresswell scenario, I reckon we did well to come to be beaten by just one goal.

The left back  certainly didn’t deserve to be sent off at Lyon but can have no excuses tonight – he made a complete cock up of the situation and piled the pressure on 10 brave guys in claret and blue.

But let’s be honest they looked cream crackered from kick off – a case of the spirit being willing but the flesh weak. With just ten of them out there it was always going to be impossible.

I’m not sure we would have beaten them with eleven but regardless of that I pay tribute to the way those out there gave it everything in the second half.

This isn’t the moment to start pulling things to pieces but Moyes  will know he has to build a nearly new squad for next season. That worries me given the past track record.

But for now it’s Norwich, Man City and Brighton – three games he will have to throw everything at but with a group of worn out players on his hands it’s gonna be harder than hard.

Tonight was a sad way to end a Cup excursion which has been so exciting but as I have said many times before: It’s not how you start but how you finish!