Robin Roefs: 7/10
Made some decent saves today, with one from a free kick and a follow up to a spill being his best efforts, but had a few dodgy moments. Made a good recovery after that spill, but was lucky with a bad touch in the first half and got caught underneath the cross for the equaliser.
Lutsharel Geertruida: 7/10
Thought he did quite well at right back today, good on the ball and made a couple of quick fire blocks late on, as well as a vital back post touch to stop a dangerous cross in the first half. Maybe a bit slow to close down
his man in the lead up to the equaliser though.
Dan Ballard: 9/10
Dominant in the air today and snuffed out anything that came his way on the floor, had some good moments going forward too. Made a few bursts up the pitch, with one leading to the opening goal. Probably should have scored a header from a corner though.
Omar Alderete: 9/10
Made a huge amount of headed clearances today and always seemed to be there to get a block in when Bournemouth had a ball drop to them. The only time he was beaten was for the goal and that required a handball that was not given to beat him.
Trai Hume: 7/10
Did a decent job against the dangerous Rayan, although the winger was still threatening throughout.
Granit Xhaka (C): 8/10
Typically reliable on the ball and was always patrolling in front of the back four, with plenty of interceptions and blocks. Took a heavy blow to the foot from what should have been a red card and had to go off with 15 minutes to go.
Noah Sadiki: 9/10
Back to his best today with Xhaka sitting alongside him, hassling and harrying the home team whenever they had the ball and then using it well himself when he had it. Showed quick feet to get into good positions, first in the opening minute or two when he skipped into the box and tested the goalkeeper, and then after the break when he got down the left wing and drove to the near post, his cross was overhit however.
Habib Diarra: 7/10
Created the opener when he took a clever position on the edge of the box and then forced a save that Mayenda followed up. Got back well to form a midfield three and then burst forward to help out Mayenda up top, had a good chance to score when Le Fee played him in but his shot was well saved.
Enzo Le Fee: 9/10
Was involved in Sadiki’s early chance and then was denied a stonewall penalty shortly after when he was clearly fouled in the box. Played a great through ball to Diarra for a one-on-one opportunity. Was highly involved on and off the ball through out the game.
Chemsdine Talbi: 6/10
Worked hard off the ball and was neat enough with it but without much threat.
Eliezer Mayenda: 7/10
Great to see him back on the score sheet, following up Diarra’s saved effort to put us ahead. General play was pretty good too, chesting a few balls down for runners when he couldn’t compete in the air with the big central defenders. Wasted a couple of chances though, should have done better when a header found him in acres of space on the edge of the box but took a bad touch and then really should have buried his free shot before the offside goal, to take the offside out of equation.
Substitutes
Bertrand Traore: 6/10
Saw little of the ball in dangerous areas after replacing Talbi.
Nilson Angulo: 6/10
Thought he was lively going forward after his introduction and was always keen to win it back.
Wilson Isidor: N/A
An injury time substitution, didn’t see much of the ball at all.
Man of the Match: Dan Ballard
Some good performances in a better away day showing today but Dan Ballard just edges my man of the match over Alderete for his contributions at both ends of the pitch. Both were so strong defensively but it was a great ball by Ballard to pick out Diarra for our goal.
