Robin Roefs: 5/10
Made a really good save early where he was out quickly to block a shot but another game where almost every shot on target went in, even if they were good finishes. Really poor kick out led to the second goal.
Trai Hume: 5/10
Defended OK but sold himself short for the opening goal, stretching for a pass, missed it and left his man open at the back post.
Nordi Mukiele: 5/10
Loads of effort today, tried to spur us on going forward and had a good attempt from range before the break that forced a save but struggled a little with the number
of runners around him.
Kevin Danso: 5/10
Attempted a couple of sloppy passes that put us under pressure, wasn’t bad defensively, but not his best game.
Reinildo: 6/10
Went off for the more attacking option in Methalie to come on as we chased the game, made plenty of defensive contributions in the first half, with plenty of blocks and tackles down the left.
Granit Xhaka (C): 5/10
Got in a really good position for a shot in the first half but didn’t consider that as an option and the chance went begging, forced a save from a free kick and then had a couple from range go well over. Was a mixed bag all round this afternoon, made some great passes out wide, with one in the first half to Le Fee out on the left with the outside of his left foot being outstanding but then some sloppy ones that led to counter attacks.
Noah Sadiki: 5/10
Covered a massive amount of ground as usual, passed the ball fine but without really causing any problems and was often too deep when Brighton went down to 10.
Thomas Meunier: 6/10
Had started OK and looked a threat down the right but was a bit slow to shoot on a couple of occasions when he was well placed. Went off with what looked an injury to his hamstring.
Enzo Le Fee: 5/10
Tried really hard to make something happen but other than a cross to Isidor in the first half, had little to show for his efforts.
Nilson Angulo: 3/10
Really struggled to get into the game today and snatched at everything that came his way.
Wilson Isidor: 5/10
Had a deflected shot clipped onto the post in the first half and would have been in behind but for Struijk to drag him down (not sure why VAR was needed for that one). Very quiet otherwise, picked up a knock early on that was obviously causing him discomfort and had no chance in the air against Brighton’s big centre halves.
Substitutes
Malick Fofana: 4/10
Cut inside and fired a shot down the goalkeepers throat but wasn’t aggressive enough when he was on the ball, too often preferring to lay the ball off for the player behind him.
Jocelin Ta Bi: 4/10
Replaced Angulo but struggled against the two banks of Brighton defenders, absolutely no room for him to run into.
Dayann Methalie: 5/10
Gave us a more attacking option down the left but only had one burst to show for that, winning a corner. Got back well to stop a cross late on.
Juan Riquelme Angulo: 5/10
Came on as we switched to 442 but absolutely nothing came his way and all the long balls seemed to be aimed at Isidor.
Man of the Match: Reinildo
I don’t think there was a stand out player today, with flat performances all round but I’ll give my man of the match to Reinildo as he made plenty of blocks and tackles in the first half. Not that he had a good game but there were just no plus points from today.
