Somehow, there was a little bit of an unsatisfactory feel to the game. Yes, we won 4-1, but I'll put it down to two things: first, for the first 20 minutes or so, we were basically over-run by Wolves. They started well, closed us down extremely well, and didn't give the team any time on the ball and shut down the passing. In all honesty, they probably deserved a goal by then - given how many free kicks we gave away, and just for the effort they put in.
Then it turned...
Before we get there though, the second unsatisfactory bit was of course the goal we conceded. It's almost as if a clean sheet would somehow hurt. Unlike Alkmaar, I'd give Wolves their goal.
Anyhows, at the kick-off, the one surprise was Song getting rested, Ramsey starting, and Diaby taking Song's position in front of the defenders. The turning point then, when we started looking more comfortable, was probably not when we got the first goal, but I'd say when Diaby had to limp off. Honestly, with Song back in his place, and Ramsey given more license, we did seem back to normal in the midfield. Diaby just isn't cutting it, and once more, his injuries have come back to haunt him. Maybe this is a little opportunity for Aaron to get a run in.
The goal then: another odd corner contribution from Ed. Much like the one he scored against Liege, except this time, a Wolves knee got ahead of his. From then on, we looked comfortable, as Wolves came forward from the midfield in more adventurous droves, and opening up more space for us on the break. And so it happened. A break, a rather unhelpful ball from Ramsey to Ed, who was forced to break his run, had a difficult angle, chose a chip, and got slightly lucky that it wasn't deflected away from goal.
The third was a more typical thing of wonder. Sagna from the edge of our box, Sagna to RVP, RVP with the most wonderful controlled one-touch tap to Cesc, and Cesc with the coolest of finishes. After two own-goals, we deserved this one.
We got out fourth - surprise! - from yet another corner as the Arsh slots home from a little flap from the Wolves goalie.
A good day's work. Great to see Nasri and then Rosicky come back on, and we should've added a few more. Alas, we did, in contributing to Wolves' goal - going to sleep at the corner. I really really hate these soft goals. Le Boss seems easy enough about it: “We have a style where everyone goes forward. You cannot have everything in football, but I believe we have a good balance between offense and defence, and as long as we score as many goals as we do, we can accept that.”
But I beg to differ.
Player ratings:
Almunia 7 - Had little to do again. And where necessary, did the necessary.
Sagna 8.5 - A good good game. Useful on the runs, and once more contributed with his assists. Excellent stuff. Probably got a tad worried about Eboue.
TV 8 - Did the deed, though his defending on the goal was bit suspect.
Billy 8 - I'm beginning to find differentiating his performances from TV's a bit difficult, so much of a partnership they're becoming.
Gibbs 7.5 - Good reliable performance. Not as adventurous going forward, but defensively sound. The boy's doing good.
(Won't review Diaby).
Song 8 - Thank god for his return after Diaby's injury. He's the spine in defence, no doubt.
Ramsey 7 - Excellent work rate, but will need a few more starts to really get in the flow of the passes and movement.
Cesc 7.5 - Great finish, but not at his best.
Arsh 7 - Ditto.
Ed 7 - Still not back to his best. But I can see signs of positive movement. Somehow finds himself in good positions are corners, and he seems to get the occasional rub of the green in front of goal.
RVP 8 - Perfect set-up for Cesc's goal, and really really wanted one of his own. Deserved one.
All in all, Cesc recognises that we weren't exactly at our best. Says so right here. And I think he's spot on. The performance wasn't great, but at least it showed that even with one or two nice moves, we've got the necessary goals in the team. I'll take the away win and run.
Extended match higlights right here:
Now it's extended break for the internationals. Blurggh. Just what am I going to do for the next two weeks?
Elsewhere, there was a rather amusing and thoroughly satisfying game at Eastlands. Burnley slapping Citeh to go 2-0 up, somehow falling back to 3-2, but hold on to grab a draw at the death. What larks! Nice to see Ade back to his "usual", and Citeh's ultra-expensive back four put in a crap performance. Wayne Bridge, Lescott (what a great hand ball!), even Kolo. Nice.
Now let's see what happens this afternoon at the Bridge. Can't wait.
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