Another really impressive performance that deserved more than a solitary point. It says a lot that we are coming away deflated that we 'only' got a draw away to Arsenal.
There's so much to be pleased about in that performance - I thought we controlled the game for large spells and much of our passing at the back was controlled and impressive. The work-rate was excellent and we did very well to get back into the game after they started brightly.
The main frustration for me was how we got into some threatening positions but the final ball wasn't quite there. But we kept pressing and got our rewards with some tenacious closing down to score two excellent goals. Both super finishes and I thought we were going to see it out.
I can see why Vieira brought Tomkins on but we desperately missed the Eduoard out ball and we invited them on to us far too much. Saying that, we should still defend the corner better - set-pieces are our Achilles Heel at the moment.
Lots of positives though: Eduoard was excellent, as were Mitchell, Guehi, Gallagher and McArthur imo.
Guiata - 7 - Some superb saves, including for their first goal which he couldn't do anything about. His kicking isn't great though.
Ward - 7 - continues to confound with some excellent defensive displays.
Mitchell - 8 - one of his best games; thought he was superb and got forward well too. Not easy against Pepe but he hadn't him well.
Guehi - 8 - scary to think how good this guy could be. So calm on the ball and very strong in the tackle, with good speed too.
Andersen - 7 - cut out the silly stuff and looked good for it.
Luka - 6 - did ok but some lax passing and his setpieces were largely ineffective. Surely time to take him off them?
McArthur - 7 - rarely ever below a 7/10. Very good here and did well to avoid a second yellow. Walked the tightrope well and broke up play effectively.
Gallagher - 8 - his energy is immense and he played a major role in the second goal as well as having a great strike at the end of the first half. Player of the season at this rate.
Ayew - 5 - I'll never fault his work-rate but his quality has dropped off significantly. He was guilty of giving the ball away far too much but at least played a key role in the equaliser.
Benteke - 6 - an extra point for a lovely finish but he was sloe and cumbersome throughout and wasted a lot of potential opportunities. Didn't press from the front and he was languid at times.
Eduoard - 8 - superb finish and generally he was very good at finding pockets of space and linking play. Clever player who should be deployed centrally. If we can supply him he will score a lot of goals.
Subs
Kouyate - 5 - poor performance. Bad on the ball and mad a mistake heading out for a corner at the end rather than a throw in. His inability on the ball is a big problem. Hoping Hughes will get a chance.
Olise - 6 - another assist with a key contribution for the second goal. Didn't get to see much of him and would love to see him start on Saturday.
Tomkins - 5 - bad sub to make as we ceded too much ground and didn't have much of an out ball after Eduoard went off. On another day it comes off though...
All in all, a very good performance that deserved more. We are due some luck!
There's so much to be pleased about in that performance - I thought we controlled the game for large spells and much of our passing at the back was controlled and impressive. The work-rate was excellent and we did very well to get back into the game after they started brightly.
The main frustration for me was how we got into some threatening positions but the final ball wasn't quite there. But we kept pressing and got our rewards with some tenacious closing down to score two excellent goals. Both super finishes and I thought we were going to see it out.
I can see why Vieira brought Tomkins on but we desperately missed the Eduoard out ball and we invited them on to us far too much. Saying that, we should still defend the corner better - set-pieces are our Achilles Heel at the moment.
Lots of positives though: Eduoard was excellent, as were Mitchell, Guehi, Gallagher and McArthur imo.
Guiata - 7 - Some superb saves, including for their first goal which he couldn't do anything about. His kicking isn't great though.
Ward - 7 - continues to confound with some excellent defensive displays.
Mitchell - 8 - one of his best games; thought he was superb and got forward well too. Not easy against Pepe but he hadn't him well.
Guehi - 8 - scary to think how good this guy could be. So calm on the ball and very strong in the tackle, with good speed too.
Andersen - 7 - cut out the silly stuff and looked good for it.
Luka - 6 - did ok but some lax passing and his setpieces were largely ineffective. Surely time to take him off them?
McArthur - 7 - rarely ever below a 7/10. Very good here and did well to avoid a second yellow. Walked the tightrope well and broke up play effectively.
Gallagher - 8 - his energy is immense and he played a major role in the second goal as well as having a great strike at the end of the first half. Player of the season at this rate.
Ayew - 5 - I'll never fault his work-rate but his quality has dropped off significantly. He was guilty of giving the ball away far too much but at least played a key role in the equaliser.
Benteke - 6 - an extra point for a lovely finish but he was sloe and cumbersome throughout and wasted a lot of potential opportunities. Didn't press from the front and he was languid at times.
Eduoard - 8 - superb finish and generally he was very good at finding pockets of space and linking play. Clever player who should be deployed centrally. If we can supply him he will score a lot of goals.
Subs
Kouyate - 5 - poor performance. Bad on the ball and mad a mistake heading out for a corner at the end rather than a throw in. His inability on the ball is a big problem. Hoping Hughes will get a chance.
Olise - 6 - another assist with a key contribution for the second goal. Didn't get to see much of him and would love to see him start on Saturday.
Tomkins - 5 - bad sub to make as we ceded too much ground and didn't have much of an out ball after Eduoard went off. On another day it comes off though...
All in all, a very good performance that deserved more. We are due some luck!
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