I thought there were plenty of things we did well in this game. Don’t think Scott Parker planned for a home game with 19% possession and being outshot 27 to 3 without providing any threat on the break and no opportunities on set pieces. The reason we pushed Burnley so deep is because the defensive axis of Virgil, Konate and Gravenberch performed at absolutely world class level. Do you remember how in the first few games of the season the newcomers were outshining the old guard and we were all worried about defensive solidity? Well, it looks like the spine of the team is pretty solid again - sure, there will be harder tests, but the way they absolutely ate the Burnley attackers alive and snuffed out any hind of danger reminded me of the best days of Virge and Fabinho.
In less positive news, everyone can see is that our attack has not remotely clicked yet. We have added quality attackers, but all together they have not molded themselves into a quality attacking unit just yet. On the day, Gakpo was the best of the lot (especially in the 2nd half when he remembered you can beat Walker on the outside too), but he always plays a bit like a one-man attack. I thought Ekitike came too deep and overall there were not enough runs in behind. Wirtz is a whole separate conversation (more on him in the ratings below) and Salah was frankly atrocious. I really hope Isak can prove to be a catalyst to for this group of attackers to start meshing together because right now there is almost no chemistry between any of the forwards, except for some early sparks of understanding between Wirtz and Ekitike.
RATINGS:
Alisson 6 - should have brought his lawn chair and a pair of binoculars to watch all the action on the other side of the pitch.
Kerkez 5 - apart from a poorly executed dive, I thought he didn’t catch the flow of the game with some of his early crosses catching his teammates unprepared. Needs to take a chill pill, but maybe he’s just young. With good coaching and guidance he should mature and settle in time.
Virgil 7.5 MOTM - imperious and calm as you like.
Konate 7 - targeted by Burnley and came through superbly, winning all his duels of note. Wish his forward passing was just a tad sharper and faster.
Szoboszlai 6.5 - a typical Szobo performance; full of confidence and energy, but not always clean technically.
Gravenberch 7 - running Virgil close for MOTM shout, superb control and strength in midfield. I honestly would not trade him for any DM in the world. Where is that new contract?
Alexis 5.5 - not fully fit and the bad tackle 20 minutes in didn’t help. To his credit did try a couple of runs in behind which we needed more of.
Gakpo 6.5 - our most in-form attacker at the moment, needs to vary his game more.
Wirtz 5.5 - it’s interesting watching his movement; he is making more sprints and sharp movements than anyone, but you get a feeling that it requires corresponding movement from teammates for these runs to make any sense, otherwise he looks like a rogue wheel in a broken watch mechanism that moves twice as fast as other wheels for no reason. I wonder if he’s getting frustrated, because his passing has also been uncharacteristically sloppy at times.
Ekitike 6 - a couple of sparks, but overall a forgettable game for Hugo. Needs to ask less for the ball to feet and instead make more inside-out or outside-in runs to stretch the defensive line. It’s too easy to settle for tippy-tappy bollocks when playing against a low block; a striker should do things that pose real questions for the defence and make them uncomfortable.
Salah 5 - I should have probably added a 0.5 for the penalty, but it’s more important to face up to the reality of a performance which was really bad. We’re quite used to Mo being anonymous for large periods of games, but providing a bit of class at the key moments. In this game, every such potential moment in open play resulted in a bad touch, a wayward cross, a dribble into a blind alley. I think his face at the end said it all - the penalty was an undeserved cherry on top of a shit cake of a performance. I’m starting to be concerned...
SUBS:
Robbo 7 - what a pleasant surprise because I thought he was genuinely superb. Created more goal-scoring chances than anyone on the pitch despite playing for only an hour; some of his crossing was like the Robbo of 5 years ago and he was even driving into the penalty box. Slot will now have to seriously consider whether Robbo deserves to win his spot back; he could have hardly done more to stake his claim.
@Bradley 6.5 - like his attacking endeavor and surprising runs into the box, he made our game more dynamic in the 2nd half.
Chiesa 6 - had one chance with his first touch, shame he couldn’t direct the header
Rio 6 - great pass to find Frimpong at the back post
Frimpong 6.5 - yet another match-winning contribution from a late sub.
Slot - explained Isak’s absence by saying he was not ready to play twice within a week; disappointing for fans and could have cost us today, but I guess you have to give him credit for thinking about the player’s welfare long-term. Not convinced by his starting lineup decisions, but showed his ruthless nature to make quick corrections for the 2nd half where we looked more threatening and moved the ball faster. In the end, the win was perhaps lucky, but not undeserved.
