Wasn't the prettiest of wins but at least we got through! Without extra time also!
Had a lot of control throughout the game but again just not enough urgency to create chances,
Soo clear that Balotelli needs someone up there with him, in the short space of time he was on linked up with Borini a good few times.
Jones-6 (Didnt have a lot of work to do, made a couple of good saves but was a bit shaky with his passes, a few went out for throw-ins)
Manquillo-7 (Defended pretty well at times blocking and stopping crosses, needs a bit more going forward but another consistent performance)
Toure-5.5 (Didn't have a lot to deal with, looked pretty silly at times, remembered one point towards the end when he fell over)
Lovren-6.5 (Pretty solid performance, didn't do much wrong and good for him to show the intent for the winner, went crazy when he scored too!)
Johnson-5.5 (Didnt seem to want to challenge any header at all today)
Lucas-6 (Pretty solid, cleaned up a few times and looked ever so slightly like his former self)
Henderson-6 (Average, pretty annoying that he looks sideways or backwards when picking the ball up in some good positions, seemed to keep the players motivated throughout though)
Coutinho-7.5 (Some magical touches, would often take 2/3 players out the game with 1/2 touches, just lacked the final quality, if he added that to his game he could be world class, its clear the improvement since he started playing for Brazil)
Markovic-5 (Pretty poor performance, really hasn't show anything why we even bought him, never mind £20 million, lot of people talk about his pace but he never seems to use it. Gets in some good positions to shoot but always goes for the pass)
Borini-7 (Worked very hard throughout and some good linkup, think he was slightly wasted on the right wing would like him more central)
Lambert-6.5 (Done very well to bring the ball to touch and would have been perfect linkup with Borini if he was more central, also made a few good moving runs, something I'd like to see Balotelli do more of)
Balotelli-6.5 (Some very good linkup with Borini and great for him to get the goal, hopefully pushes on now)
Lallna-5.5 (Didn't really have much of a chance to show much throughout, played well with Coutinho on the left though)
Logged