Robin Roefs: 7/10
Made a good save in the first minute but not really tested following that, typically calm though and made some good claims from high balls.
Nordi Mukiele: 8/10
Had a difficult game up against some tricky wingers but there’s no doubt that he came out on top against them. Even set up half a chance for Rigg with a header back across the box in the first half.
Dan Ballard: 8/10
Won everything in the air and bullied Brighton off the ball when they were running into space.
Omar Alderete: 8/10
A good defensive performance and came as close to anyone to opening the
scoring but his powerful header was saved onto the crossbar. Was pushing very high up the pitch at times in the first half, almost playing higher than the central midfielders.
Trai Hume: 8/10
Came in at left back and looked pretty comfortable throughout, had a chance to create something when he burst forward in the second half but shot just wide when a pass may have been the better option, then put a lovely ball onto Le Fee’s head but that chance went wide.
Lutsharel Geertruida: 8/10
Slotted in really well alongside Xhaka in midfield, was always an option for his defenders and was unhurried in his passing.
Granit Xhaka (C): 8/10
Protected the defence well, with some good blocks around the box and played some lovely balls forward, with one in particular to Adingra, that started a counter attack, being very good.
Enzo Le Fee: 8/10
Was given a free role just ahead of Xhaka and Geertruida and looked good there, put in a number of good balls into the box, including the one for Alderete’s chance, and should also have scored himself but he floated his header wide.
Chris Rigg: 6/10
Worked hard down the right but other than one half chance, where he and Brobbey got in each other’s way, struggled to get into it.
Simon Adingra: 6/10
Looked understandably rusty at times but was a danger down our left, causing Brighton’s full back plenty of problems. Often overdid it when he had already beaten his man but put some good crosses in too.
Brian Brobbey: 7/10
Held the ball up very well and bullied the Brighton centre halves, had a chance when a ball forward saw him round the goalkeeper but by the time he got his shot off the ’keeper was back to save it. Although not a starring game, his departure saw the ball keeping come back at us without anyone to hold it up.
Substitutes
Romaine Mundle: 6/10
Had an opportunity when his snapshot from Le Fee’s pull back was saved but a little wasteful on the ball.
Habib Diarra: 6/10
Good to see Diarra back following his injury and while he may be fit again, the pace of the game was maybe a bit quick for him after his spell out.
Wilson Isidor: 6/10
Plenty of running from Isidor but couldn’t make the ball stick up top.
Man of the Match: Nordi Mukiele
All of the back four and the three in front of them were very good today but my man of the match is Nordi Mukiele, he defended so well the entire game despite Brighton regularly targeting his side of the pitch. Had to be on it when Mitoma came on but thankfully Mukiele shut him down.
