Robin Roefs: 9/10
Came back brilliantly from his error last week, didn’t have much to do in the first half but was great after the break. Made a number of good stops and his handling and footwork were top notch.
Trai Hume: 7/10
Had a bit of a difficult time in the first half, with Ndoye causing some problems but came out on top in that battle in the end. Won the free kick that led to the goal but was extremely lucky when he was caught napping in his own box.
Nordi Mukiele: 8/10
Another great display, didn’t have as much to do as last week when we were
down to 10 but still won pretty much everything that came his way.
Omar Alderete: 9/10
A great rear-guard action all evening, threw himself in front of plenty of dangerous shots, with one in particular before immediately before a Roefs save. Really good on the ball and topped off his display with a deserved first goal for the club.
Arthur Masuaku: 6/10
A couple of shaky moments in the first half but grew into the game and had a hand in Alderete’s goal after blocking off a Forest player.
Noah Sadiki: 8/10
Covered every blade of grass in the first hour, closing down, covering the back four and springing forward when the opportunities arose. Was more disciplined for the last half hour as we saw out the win.
Granit Xhaka (C): 9/10
Controlled the game from just in front of the back four, won the ball back plenty, used it brilliantly and set up the winner with a lovely floated free kick onto Alderete’s head.
Chemsdine Talbi: 7/10
Another hard working effort down both wings, never stops running and working hard for the team and seems to be growing in confidence going foward.
Chris Rigg: 6/10
Worked really hard off the ball, closing down effectively but not an awful lot of impact on it and made one really poor pass on the half way line that started a Forest attack.
Enzo Le Fee: 6/10
Typically tidy on the ball and gave Masuaku plenty of protection defensively, no magic from him tonight though.
Wilson Isidor: 7/10
Thought he made some really good runs around the box and kept the defenders honest, almost scored really early on but his instinctive swivelled shot went just wide.
Substitutes
Lutsharel Geertruida: 6/10
I thought he gave the Forest winger a little too much room at times but worked hard and almost got himself a goal with a slaloming run into the opposition box that forced a save.
Bertrand Traore: 7/10
Came on for his debut and I thought he did really well getting us up the pitch and taking the pressure off.
Dan Ballard: 7/10
Came on with the pressure ramping up and helped us see the game out with some big headed clearances.
Brian Brobbey: 6/10
Was a physical nuisance to Forest when he came on, and held the ball up well during a break before laying it off for Traore.
Simon Adingra: 6/10
Gave us a bit more attacking threat down the left.
Man of the Match: Granit Xhaka
Alderete and Roefs were excellent today but it was a real captain’s performance from Xhaka, controlled the game from deep and protected the back four brilliantly. Won the ball back regularly, made some important challenges inside the box and it was a great floated ball to Alderete for the winner.
