1-3 and even though the result probably flattered Arsenal, over the season we just don't play good enough. This is especially true after an European game. We have lost 8 games (one is the league cup final) and drawn 4 games in that situation and 29 points are lost. If we can take half of these points we will be challenging Manchester for the 3rd spot. Is it due to the extra focus drawn from the Champions League or the fact that we don't have enough squad to compete in two fronts, or is it simple that we just aren't good enough? I am sure Rafa will find a solution next season.
The match actually started quite good with both teams scored disallowed goals. Then we let Arsenal control the game and as soon as we concede the first goal we just let them control the game. During second half Rafa made two substitutions and we were the better team. Unfortunately we didn't find the second goal and at the end we let them scored the third.
The worrying fact is that since Rafa probably fielded his starting 11 for the Champions League Final (maybe just swapping Baros with Cisse) the way we concede the two goals just make us worry. But then Rafa has a lot of time to fine-tune the team so let's see how it goes.
Player Rating:
Dudek: 5.5 Looks very nervous and was at fault for the first goal.
Finnan: 6 An average performance.
Carragher: 6.5 Has he not slipped Arsenal won't score the second goal. Other than that he played very well.
Hyypia: 5.5 Very shaky performance. Maybe Rafa has a point in resting him after European games.
Traore: 6.5 Worked very hard and even had a shot.
Alonso: 6.5 Poor in 1H but much better in 2H. A 50 yard long pass that found Cisse was especially spectacular.
Hamann: 6 Lucky to remain on the pitch. A below par performance.
Garcia: 6 Like Xabi, poor in 1H but much better in 2H.
Gerrard: 7 Like Xabi and Garcia. After he played in a deeper role in 2H he is much better.
Riise: 6 Guilty of not scoring the first goal, otherwise we may win the game. But in general it was not a bad performance although Rafa rested him for 2H.
Baros: 5 A very disappointing performance. Looks like he want to kick the players instead of the ball. And the way he handled the ball and score is just cheating. A well deserved yellow card.
Substitutions:
Cisse: 6.5 A lively performance but he may be to eager to score and wasted a lot of chances. But he played the lone striker role much better than Baros as he hold the ball better.
Kewell: 6 A good performance but he was unable to get pass the Arsenal defense.
Smicer: 6 Maybe this is his last game for us, and it was not a poor game.
Arsenal: 7 Showed in the 2H if you pressure them they will stumble. Maybe Rafa should take note of this for next season.
Rafa: 6 Not a good peformance but perhaps he will note how much better we played with Cisse on the pitch. The big question now is whether Cisse is fit enough to start.
Man of the match: Gerrard. Showed he excels at a deeper role.
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