My view of the match:
Reina (6) - Didn't have too much to do, but dealt with problems when they arose. Can't be blamed for the goal.
Aurelio (7) - Looked a lot moe like the player I thought we were buying in the summer, some brilliant crosses, not to mention the free kick, but most importantly more defensively sound than I've seen him all season.
Carragher (6) - Quiet by his standards, but then again did any of our defenders have much to do? Pulled off a vital challenge against Adebayor, can't blame him that they didn't cause us many problems.
Agger (7) - Not sure if he actually knew too much about the goal, it didn't even seem to change direction after he touched it. Same as JC, not a lot to do, but an extra point for the goal.
Arbeloa (8 ) - Well, Carra's said it, and I agree with him. This guy's gonna be a first team regular. Sublime cross for the first, defensively sound, and always a threat going forward. So glad we got him rather than that muppet Neill, just goes to show second choice can be best sometimes.
Gonzales (6) - Same as the rest of the season, great in patches, but overall not a quality performance. I really think Rafa did the wrong thing talking him up so much before he arrived. Not jumping on the 'get rid of him' bandwagon, as I think he will improve vastly, he is showing glimpses of what he can do, but not there yet. Brilliant first time cross in the first half though.
Alonso (5) - Went missing for most of the game. I commented to my mate on thirty odd minutes that it was the first time I'd heard a commentator mention his name. Definately one of his worse games.
Mascherano (9) - What a difference a new club can make! I was encouraged by is debut, but this was a spectacular performance. Much as Alonso wasn't mentioned, Mascherano was involved in near enough every build up. Excellent performance, great tackling, great passing, very encouraged for the future.
Pennant (7) - Another player who stepped up to the mark today. Back heel for the first - Absolutely magnificent. This lad is starting to look better & better, he put in a couple of lovely crosses today, definately looked like he had a point to prove after being left out of the England squad, and who better to do it against?
Gerrard (6) - Looked jaded, after his performance against Andorra, who can blame him? Should have probably buried the only decent chance he had, probably didn't realise that a touch would've completely wrong footed Gallas.
Crouch (10) - What can I say? Whenever you doubt Crouchinho, he's there to prove you wrong. The perfect hatrick, one with his left, right & head. The first & third were brilliant, but the second was probably the most important for him, considering the stick he's had over his aerial ability. F#ck knows what treatment they gave you Crouchy, but it seems to have strengthened your neck muscles.
« Last Edit: Apr 01, 2007 12:35:30 am by EddieC »
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