Niemi - 4/10
Oh dear. Another very unconvincing display from our Finnish stopper. Definitely could have done better with City's first and third goals. Warner deserves another chance.
Baird - 3/10
He was absolutely skinned alive by Petrov. His trademark technique of standing off opposing players cost him - and us - dearly. Doesn't deserve to keep his place.
Hughes - 5/10
A solid-ish display. Failed to close down Elano who put the ball through to Petrov for the third goal though.
Bocanegra - 6/10
Another decent display by the stand-in skipper.
Konchesky - 7/10
He's getting even better. Showed Baird how to defend when he came over to the right at one stage to help deal with the threat being posed by Petrov.
S.Davis - 7/10
Another good display from the engine of our midfield. Unlikely to get the plaudits but, like Scholes at Man Utd, his tireless efforts are hugely beneficial.
Smertin - 5/10
Not as influential as he has been in previous games. Looked pretty tired towards the end to be honest. Maybe he needs to play a few less games.
Simon Davies - 7/10
Superb header for our opening goal and some great crosses in from the flanks.
Dempsey - 6/10
What no goal this time?! Our US hero provided the kind of all-action display to which we've become accustomed.
Bouazza - 8/10
Made up for last week's horrific mistake at Wigan and is now starting to show exactly what he is capable of delivering. Made the opener and then scored a thunderbolt free kick.
Healy - 5/10
Not a great game for our Irish hero. Looked a bit tired and out of sorts - and certainly not the threat he was in the opening games of the season. Maybe his international matches are catching up with him.
Subs:
Kamara (on for Davies at h/t) - 7/10
Had an excellent half.
Murphy (on for Healy on 67mins) - 7/10
Showed why Sanchez bought him. Great equaliser and could have snatched us a winner too.
Ki-Hyeon (on for Bouazza after 67mins) 7/10
Wow! Fantastic display from our new lad. A few more performances like that and he'll be a crowd favourite for sure.
My man of the match is Hameur Bouazza. His contribution was principally responsible for us getting anything out of this match.
Signing off
5 years ago
3 comments:
I'm right with you on the ratings except for Davies. I thought he was not very effective except for the goal. I read the team report that said he was subbed at half-time because he had a migraine and I think that showed. I was glad to see someone else out there anyway as he has been consistent but nothing special all season in my opinion. So even though the goal was amazing, in how he turned that ball backwards with pace and placed it, I would have only given him a 5. Everything else is spot on.
How amazing is it that Sanchez can bring in 3 subs the way he did and have them all make an impact. I've not been with the club enough years to know, but would have to say it's the first time in a long time that Fulham has a bench that can impact a game. Would you agree with that Rob?
I would agree 100% about the bench. I can't remember a time when we had players of the quality of Seol, Murphy, Kamara, etc, and them not being automatic first choices. In that respect it's fantastic. Also, Sanchez does appear to have the knack of being able to see what is needed and making the right substitutions to have a real effect on the game - just like Mourinho had at Chelsea.
With Cookie - as much as I loved the man - you could virtually set your watch by when he made changes...invariably on 70 minutes...and they usually weren't that effective either.
Interesting point about Davies as well. I may well have let my excitement surrounding his goal colour my view of his overall contribution.
One last thought...funny that I had the same thought as you when Konchesky came over to cover the quick counter after the free kick. We were 2 on 2 and Konchesky pushed over to Baird's side and somehow I felt it would all work out...and it did. He didn't try to tackle him but just slowed him down for support to arrive. Every time someone with skill and pace come down our right side I get nervous.
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