PlayerWatch tracks every Antonio touch

CandH’s PlayerWatch reporter Danny Danielli Leach kept a very careful eye on Michail Antonio against Watford as the big fella continued his recovery after a long injury absence.Here’s his every touch over the 90 minutes.

2 – Receives the ball from Cresswell but runs straight into Janmaat when dribbling with the ball

2 – Intercepts Doucoure’s pass on the edge of the area and the ball goes to Noble

5 – Boots a bobbling ball in the centre of the pitch to the opposition goal keeper

8 – Picks up the ball on the half way line and dribbles down the wing beating Janmaat but the cross with his left foot is weak and is easily caught by the goal keeper

13 – Tackles Deeney on the edge of the box but loses the ball as he tries to beat Janmaat

20 – Makes a great run on the left hand side but Cresswell’s pass is over hit

20 – Undeservedly gives away a foul after shielding the ball from Capoue

24 – Cuts in on the left hand side but the shot is wildly deflected and goes for a throw in

27 – Picks the ball up on the half way line and takes a very huge touch in front of him when dribbling. But he should have got a free kick when trying to recover the ball at the goal line as he was pushed. Instead a Watford throw in was awarded

33 – With the drop of a shoulder, Deulofeu sends Antonio to the floor. Zabaleta breaks up the attack

37 – GOAL – Picks up the ball on the half way line and dribbles forward dropping his shoulders and carrying out step overs to beat Janmaat. He crosses the ball in with his left foot and Chicharito’s head is there to meet the ball at the back post and make it 1-0 to the Hammers

41 – Inside Watford’s half on the left hand side he plays a wonderful cross field ball to Zabaleta

42 – Cuts in on the left hand side and he shields the ball off two Watford players before blasting a shot towards goal which is blocked

58 – Fails to block Deulofeu’s low cross on the right hand side but luckily it comes to nothing

60 – Plays a long ball forward to Chicharito but he can’t get it under control

62 – Makes a very aggressive tackle on Janmaat and dribbles down the left with before cutting in and dribbling towards the centre circle but his pass to João Mario is very weak and poor and Holebas can intercept it easily

66 – Deulofeu beats him to a thrown in ball

89 – Makes a superb in interception in a through ball to Janmaat

Verdict – 7.5 – Antonio was back in the team and did not show any signs of a rusty player. He caused problems at left wing back to Janmaat the whole match using his strength and running up and down the wing tirelessly but faded in the 2nd half as he dropped deep as part of Moyes game plan to close the game while defending superbly. As well as providing the assist for our first goal, Antonio will be very pleased with his comeback today.