Maltese Falcon
Niko Kranjcar
Loris: 7. Solid as a rock; Never extend; made whatever routine saves needed to be done. So reassuring to see him in goal
Walker: 6 Defensively solid, one great overlap but offensively still looks deficient
Dawson: 7 Marshalled the defence well; excellent distribution from the back
Vertonghen: 7 Quietly effective
Rose: 6 Better in the first half but defensively competent. His big challenge will be the NLD
Capo-ue: 8 Monster; utter monster but with decent distribution. Keeps himself and the ball moving; often with opponents bouncing off him in the process
Paulinho 8: Sooo unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. I can see why people are calling him the new Lampard.
Dembele 5: Anonymous. I have long said it; he is not a creative player
Townsend 7: Tried too hard but that was to be expected. Most incisive moves came from him. Have great hopes for the kid
Chaldi 5: Unimpressive – should be no more than a substitute, at least until he gets the hang of PL football.
Soldado: 7 The penalty was his only kick at goal but he made intelligent runs all game. Deserves a 7 for the peace of mind that I now feel seeing him line up a penalty.
Siggy 5: Huffed and puffed but did not bring the house down; or even a window for that matter
Defoe 6: Decent cameo – kept the ball up well
Walker: 6 Defensively solid, one great overlap but offensively still looks deficient
Dawson: 7 Marshalled the defence well; excellent distribution from the back
Vertonghen: 7 Quietly effective
Rose: 6 Better in the first half but defensively competent. His big challenge will be the NLD
Capo-ue: 8 Monster; utter monster but with decent distribution. Keeps himself and the ball moving; often with opponents bouncing off him in the process
Paulinho 8: Sooo unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. I can see why people are calling him the new Lampard.
Dembele 5: Anonymous. I have long said it; he is not a creative player
Townsend 7: Tried too hard but that was to be expected. Most incisive moves came from him. Have great hopes for the kid
Chaldi 5: Unimpressive – should be no more than a substitute, at least until he gets the hang of PL football.
Soldado: 7 The penalty was his only kick at goal but he made intelligent runs all game. Deserves a 7 for the peace of mind that I now feel seeing him line up a penalty.
Siggy 5: Huffed and puffed but did not bring the house down; or even a window for that matter
Defoe 6: Decent cameo – kept the ball up well