Well if you'd offered me 1-1 before the game without Gerrard & Torres in the starting lineup I would have taken it so I can't complain too much, but I do think the three points were there for the taking today, especially in the first half when we were all over them.
At the back Reina had a good game today, he could have possibly done a little more about the equaliser but apart from that he pulled off a couple of crucial saves. He had very little to do in the first half but still managed to keep his concentration, which can be one of the trickiest things for a keeper in quiet spells. In front of him the old hands Finnan & Carragher showed they've still got it despite their advancing years, some brilliant last ditch challenges from both of them. Arbeloa also did very well, making some important challenges and doing fairly well going forward too. Skrtel was solid enough defensively but some of his clearances left a lot to be desired, there was one in particular right near the end that could have gifted Arsenal a winner.
I midfield I was particularly impressed with Plessis. For a youngster making his debut in the first team he looked very assured in possession & didn't really put a foot wrong. There were a couple of Alonso-esque passes from him too, TBH he isn't one of the players that's stood out for me in the reserves but he's definitely gone up in my estimation after that performance. Pennant had a good game but let himself down by conceding the free kick that led to there equaliser. If he is to stay here beyond this summer he really needs to work on his defensive game, as that isn't the first time he's given a needless free kick away. Benayoun showed good feet on quite a few occasions, but unfortunately most of it came to nothing, he played his part well in our goal though. Lucas had a solid game too, nothing too spectacular but he got his job done well.
Up front Crouch looked a threat from the first minute, his long shot near the start would have been a beauty if Almunia hadn't got to it. He showed good technique for his goal, and was generally a threat until he got taken off. I'm not sure why Crouchy hasn't been used much this season, but he has shown again what he can bring to the team. If Gerrard had been on the pitch from the start I have no doubt he would have benefited from some of Crouch's play today.
There were only two bad performances for me today, and it was the usual suspects Riise & Voronin again. Both of these players for me have to be the first out the door in the summer, they have consistently shown this season that they aren't good enough, and have done it once again today. Riise's crossing was poor all game, and he missed an easy enough opportunity in the first half. I'd have to watch the replays again, but my first impression was that he was largely at fault for their goal too. It appeared to me that where the ball ended up should have been Riise's zone, but he got sucked in by an Arsenal player & left a gap. You could see Crouchy scrabbling across the penalty area to try & fill the gap, but he was too far away to get there on time. Voronin had two golden opportunities to win us the game today and he fluffed them both as he has been for most of the season. For a striker his finish was absolutely woeful for the first opportunity, it is no exaggeration to say that I believe I'd have done better myself. The second opportunity was when he rounded the goalkeeper, the replays show he didn't look up once, if he had he would have noticed the easy cutback for Torres & a semi-open goal.
I have to give a mention to the ref today, Phil Dowd. Refreshingly I thought he had a brilliant game & got just about every decision spot on. More importantly he was consistent with his refereeing, equal offences from both sides resulted in equal punishments. I can't recall what he's been like in previous games but going by today's officiating I wish more of them could be like him.
At the end of the day this isn't the best result we could have got today but it certainly isn't the worst either & I think we can be a lot happier than the Arsenal fans. Onwards & upwards to Tuesday night now, and psychologically we definitely have the upper hand.
« Last Edit: Apr 05, 2008 03:36:57 pm by EddieC »
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