Fulham v Arsenal: Player rankings

Here's how I scored the lads against Arsenal.

Niemi - 6/10
Couldn't really be blamed for any of the goals as the lack of defence made saving them mission impossible. Nothing much to do apart from picking the ball out of the net.

Volz - 7/10
Has to share the blame for the defensive frailties as a member of the back four but made some nice runs and a few decent tackles.

Hughes - 5/10
Not a triumph for our centrebacks who allowed Adebayor to rise effectively unchallenged and left a gap as wide as the Dartford Tunnell for Rosicky to steal in for the third.

Stefanovich - 5/10
See the comments for Hughes...the same applies.

Bocanegra - 6/10
Had a decent game standing in for the suspended Konchesky although, once again, shipping three goals doesn't look good on the record of any of the back four.

Simon Davies - 5/10
Not one of his better games. Virtually anonymous for large parts of the game.

Steven Davis - 5/10
Thought he was unlucky to be subbed. A few good darting runs...despite the embarrassing spinning round with the ball (which ended up in Arsenal's possession and will no doubt feature on Soccer AM next Saturday)

Ki-Hyeon - 3/10
Showed a bit more effort than usual (although, of course, this wasn't hard) but when he stumbled and lost the ball after being put through by Murphy in the opening minutes you knew the writing was on the wall. The fact Hodgson pushed him up as a lone striker at one point was unbelievable.

Murphy - 7/10
Appeared to have put his shooting boots on the wrong feet but apart from that came closest to scoring and put some decent passes about. One of the only ones to emerge with much credit.

Smertin - 6/10
Pretty average performance. A few nice touches but 'out-muscled' much of the time as Big Ron would say. Good to see him back all the same.

Dempsey - 8/10
For sheer endeavour and fight you have to give him full marks again. Had a thankless task as the lone man up front but battled continuously...even with his bizarre tangerine boots! Also got the ball in the back of the net - even though it was ruled offside.

Substitutes:

Bullard - 7/10
Obviously lacked match fitness but was full of running and passion. Fantastic to have him back in the side.

Healy - 7/10
Should have been on from the start. Things start to open up when this lad is playing.

Kuqi - 6/10
His physical presence unsettled the Arsenal defence when he came on. If he'd been given longer he might have given us a bit of hope.

Man of the match: Clint Dempsey. For sheer grit and determination you can't fault this guy. Murphy and Volz were contenders.