Monday, January 02, 2006

Match Report 051231 vs West Bromwich Albion: Perfect 10 to end 2005

1-0 and we have won 10 consecutive games in a row. Although Chelsea also win, we are still in a position to capitalize any Chelsea slip. Credit must be given to Rafa who had planted his tactic to each team player.

We earned enough chance to win 5-0 but the West Brom goalkeeper is just very good, but Crouch did managed to put the ball into the net with a nice header. The only bad point from the match is that we seemed to focus on long shots too frequently. Maybe this is a result of the tight defense, but surely Rafa will take note of this.

Player Rating:
Reina: 7 Very quiet New Year's eve and made the team to feel safe.
Finnan: 7 Solid defense and some good crossing as well.
Carragher: 7 Good defending and did come up for attack a few chance, although didn't help much.
Hyypia: 7 Good defending as a group.
Riise: 7 Good defending and helped attack as well.
Luis Garcia: 7 His form seemed to be dipped a bit, and at times he is guilty of losing the ball.
Gerrard: 7.5 Leading with example once again.
Alonso: 7.5 Good organizer in the middle.
Kewell: 7.5 Played one of his best game for us, with a nice assist and earned a well deserved standing ovation.
Cisse: 7 Injuried slightly but in general played a good game.
Crouch: 8 Scored the winner with a nice header.

Substitutions:
Sinama-Pongolle: 7 Lively performance.
Sissoko/Traore: The Mali duo did not have enough time to impress.

Rafa: 7 Nice tactic and found a way to tear the West Brom defense.

West Bromwich Albion: 6.5 Solid defending, and if they can improve on their attack they can stay up.

Man of the Match: Crouch. 7 goals in December, well done man!

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