Well, what an excellent win.
Even before the red, I felt we had been the better team. As I mentioned in the match day thread, the sending off actually slowed us down and the rest of the first half was played out in a pretty damp manner. Before that though the football was good, with Afobe and Le Fondre linking well with the midfield. Henry and Byrne let us down a little in the first half with poor quality/touches when they got into good positions. I felt for Byrne as he was growing into the game but it was a fair decision to bring Ojo on, and it obviously worked wel. Ojo was very good. Protected the ball very well, has good technique and looks more prepared to run at the back. He will prove to be a good player, and an effective one too. He just needs time.
McDonald was glorious. Ran the game. I've just noticed he made 122 passes, that's insane! Everything went through him, and I liked how he drove through the middle with the ball on occasion. O'Hara couldn't get near him. Him and Price provided an option for the back four to move the ball through the middle, Price particularly (as we already know) using the first time pass well to relieve pressure.
Hause was awesome. Barely put a foot wrong. What he did extremely well was cover Batth. He played nearer to Batth than he did either EEL or Stearman, so it's definitely a matter of communication and good leadership by Batth. That's a very promising centre back pairing going forward now. Both our full backs did well, Iorfa rampaging down the right hand side several time and putting in teasing crosses.
Martinez - 7 - dominated penalty area very well and distribution out of hands was quick and accurate. Kicking a bit iffy, especially on his left foot.
Iorfa - 7- you just don't beat this guy 1v1. I've literally never seen it happen. Back to his best. Would love to see him drive in from wide more with the ball, he's very good at it.
Batth - 7 -solid. Reads the game very well and never beaten in the air. How we've missed him. Got caught 1 v 1 once with Dembele and should have been punished for it but got away with it.
Hause - 8 - as mentioned, covers very well. Confidence on the ball is coming, he's certainly more assertive now.
Golbourne - 7 - best I've seen him play for a while. Still doesn't cross it in open play but he have good support behind Henry and then Ojo.
Byrne - 6 - felt sorry him being taken off but proved to be correct decision. Like Ojo, just needs time. He has pace and drops inside well to link with midfielders and forwards.
McDonald - 9 - as mentioned. Superb. Unlucky not to create a few more chances with through balls that were a whisker away from meeting ALF /Benik
Price - 8 - deserves a ten for his celebration for Henry's goal alone, magic stuff. Gives bite in midfield but a very intelligent passer of the ball. And simply can not be argued that he improved the team.
Henry - 7 - bit poor first half but more than made up for it. What a free kick, stunning strike after Stearman should have been sent off for taking down Le Fondre running in on goal. Crossing was decent second half.
Afobe - 7 - played well but frustrating me. He should have been hungry to grab himself a goal but didn't seem fussed. Played the last ten or so minutes holding midfield.
Le Fondre - 8 - i can't understand why he's been described as simply a poacher, nor why managers don't use him regularly. He's intelligent, works his bloody socks off and gets in great positions. Such a good signing and more to come.
Ojo - 8 - really good. Just shows how you need to give young players time and encouragement.
Enobakhare - n/a - great for him to get on. Couple of neat touches, shows clear confidence in his ability judging t body language.
Wallace - n/a
The late goal at Preston and this win has provided us with some real momentum. Hopefully we can really kick on now, there's good competition in wide positions and we have Coady to come back too to compete with Price and McDonald. All we need now is Afobe firing.
Also loved Gallen making special effort to get players together to see fans and applaud. Stearman last person off the pitch, applauding fans too, was quite sad that not!