2013

Bit chilly outside so what better than to watch WHU away on the telly. Against a Norwich team who got battered last week. A Norwich team that averages 2 goals against a game. Ah, but we still have no fit strikers. Another 0-0? Lets see.

After being the only reporter(!) I read last week who pointed out Winston Reid was struggling, it was no surprise (but a disappointment) for me to see James Collins come in along side Tomkins. Joe Cole also made a rare start in favour of Jarvis.

Norwich started well, and had a chance saved in the opening minute. The game then swung WHU’s way for the next 15 minutes, with chances for Ratz, Nolan and Guy Demel hitting the crossbar with a header from a corner. You just thought if WHU got one, there could be loads in store. After about 20 on the clock the first half started to set a pattern of WHU having the ball a lot and neither team making any chances. This possession paid off on 32 with a cross from Ratz finding Nolan who was lucky (intelligent?) enough to keep it in and find Ravel Morrison to make it one nil. The half finished in much the same way. WHU finished the first 45 with nearly 60% of the possession (away from home ?).

The second half got underway with no changes. An early freekick from a promising position for the Hammers was hit straight off the wall as was one from Downing in the first half. At least its not Noble taking them. On 53 minutes a cross from Norwich was fumbled by Jussi who then in the scramble gave away a penalty (on review post match, there is an argument for a foul on Jussi, but none from me in real time in the game) and West Ham conceded their second goal on their travels this season (both penalties). This woke up the home side and they started to take charge of proceedings. The midfield for WHU seemed the be not as fluent this half and needed shaking up. Nolan was coming deeper and deeper making it very busy and removing the outlet. With 20 to go Diame came on for Joe Cole to try and swap things around. At this time Norwich had a free kick due to clumsiness from Collins and it was sweetly taken by Snodgrass and fired in past Jussi’s left. 2-1 Norwich. The instant reaction was to bring on Carlton Cole for Collison. The game became scrappy with both teams desperate to not get lose the ball. Snodgrass had a chance to finish the game off but was too high by about 40 ft. Jarvis came off the bench on 86 for Noble in a strange decision, as Noble had once again played quite well. WHU had given up by then and Leroy Fer sealed the game with a third and Norwich got 3 points that you would of never seen in the first half but were well earned come 90 minutes.

West Ham keep up their decades long propensity for charitable point donations for teams worse of than us. We need to hold on to what we have and not be sloppy and too relaxed all over the park. Bottom line is we are now one point off the bottom 3 and depending on what Stoke do tomorrow we could go into the international break in a relegation spot with Chelsea up next. Sam needs to weave some magic and bloody quick.

Our passing is too relaxed and with the TV view we seem to pass to the player rather than in front, slowing down attacks.

Ratz seems to be finding his feet and getting the crosses in well. Just need to fit him, Jarvis and Downing in the team when we have someone who can receive the deliveries.

MOTM Robert Snodgrass for his freekick and all round effort for the whole game (WHU take note).

Joe Cole looks on as Robert Snodgrass gives Norwich the lead.

WHUFC vs Aston Villa 02/11/2013 EPL

With our berth in the last 8 of the League Cup secure with 2 penalties against Burnley, and an entertaining 0-0 against Swansea behind us, I wasn’t expected a goal explosion against Villa. Villa also, are in the middle of a goal drought. This was all set up to be a cracker (!). I also base this on nearly every Villa game i’ve been to, which has been 1-0 either way or a draw.

Slightly interesting change in the middle, with Collison coming into the Middle for Diame. Diame has been quite laboured recently so it probably the the right decision. Also Jarvis and Downing started. This was odd, as we had no attackers again, and it was Nolan’s go at playing up top.

Not a lot to report about really for the whole game. There were two incidents in the first half both involving Andreas Weinmann. The first was when James Tomkins fell asleep and allowed Weinmann through. This produced a fantastic block from Jussi. The second was more controversial when he started to lose a race with Morrison, and started to lean into him. As Ravel tried to go round the now impeding forward, Weinmann hit the deck. Luckily Howard Webb saw the right path, and waved away the penalty appeals. I will say Ravel might always not be that lucky. Apart from the odd cross from our wingers, WHU never really bothered Jussi’s opposite number, Guzan.

As usual WHU played better in the 2nd half and probably had Villa on the rack for a while, but no striker meant no opportunities. CC came on with half an hour to go, and was pretty poor, and the lack of pre (and early) season match practice is showing. The quicker Carroll is back the better.

Benteke nearly won the game for the Villa with a powerful header that hit the bar. Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan also missed game winning chances, Joe hitting the keeper and Kevin hitting the hoarding.

Overall , it was another point, and another 0-0 , but should of been 3 points. We are playing on a knife edge, If a couple of these draws were losses, we are looking at a different game. The quicker Carroll is back the better.

Downing was great today despite some serious stick from the away support. Tomkins, apart from one lapse of concentration is justifying his selection every week. Ravel had his moments, but has gone less attack minded. I assume Sam has given him a dogging for trying to attack on his own all the time, and now he has gone the other way. He just needs to learn the right mix.

MOTM today was non other than the much maligned by me Mark Noble, He was magnificent, all over the pitch and making intelligent moves and passes. If this is off the back of his recently publicised personal quest to get in the England squad then fair play. More chance of me playing in Rio than him, but if this raises his game, I’m all for it. BUT, stop the free kicks son, its really not you !

One concern to end on, Winston Reid looked like he was struggling through the game. This could be a wory that we really pay for later on.

WHUFC vs Stoke City 31/08/2013 EPL

Weather was nice, game was shit, just about sums up this one. Normally I wouldn’t be so blunt, but sometimes this has to happen.

Stoke under Pulis were sometimes castigated for spoiling the game, and being ultra long ball, etc. Under Mark Hughes this seemed to have stopped for now, with Stoke actually playing well and moving the ball around quickly and accurately.

WHU were rubbish. Let me qualify this. With 2 exceptions we actually played OK. Collins and O’Brien really stood out. Downing was exception no 1. He was soft and ineffective. However he looked like Messi compared to Maiga.

Why we kept this clown over Carlton Cole is beyond me. He has no challenge or presence, cannot hold the ball, can’t pass, and is usually out of position. All of the above can be done from the bench and do not need to be demonstrated on the pitch.

Fans frustrations are nothing new, and fans do have a habit of getting on players backs out of proportion with their performance. BUT, when you see the players getting on his case, and effectively playing around him to stop him having the ball, you have an issue. We beat Cardiff in spite of him, we might of well played with 10 men against Newcastle, and another draw with 10 men was on the cards yesterday, until Jermaine Pennant came of the bench to snatch victory for the potters.

So whats the answer? Not bringing on Elliot Lee too late against a team who have 4 defenders twice his size, thanks Sam. We now have less than 24 hours to get someone in to fill in for Carroll. Sitting on the bench of our visitors was Peter Crouch ? Season loan ? Why not !

Anything has to better than having the new Boogers up top.

MOTM : James Collins.

WHUFC vs Cardiff City 17/08/2013 EPL 2013/14

The new season has finally come round and where better to start than against a recently promoted team? Two years ago we entertained CCFC in our first game in the Championship. This time both teams are in the Premier League, but one has an extra years experience.

This summer Sam had been quietly going about his business. Securing Carroll, picking up Ratz and Downing, reintegrating Morrison back into squad. The net result of this pitchside was exactly the same team from last year with Maiga replacing Carroll / Cole.

BUT…. we looked fit. Joe Cole and Nolan for example had definitely dropped some timber over the summer. Ravel had made the bench, along with Downing. RVT was there as well, but Downing coming in might accelerate his exit (hopefully). I will also mention at this point that i was wearing shorts, the first time in nearly 3 seasons. About time !

West Ham started the game looking assured, and Cardiff started at pace, moving the ball around snappily. But after a while it was apparent where the experience laid. One thing i noticed in our first year back in the prem was the fact that the game, although slightly slower than the Championship, is way more accurate and bad passing is punished. This was happening to Cardiff who made a sequence of bad passes, particularly when in attacking positions. Nolan and Noble seemed to be picking up presents everywhere simply by closing down quickly.

One of these led to Matt Jarvis getting down the wing with 13 mins on the clock. His cross was looking all the world like a normal ball into the air until he cleverly cut back and found Joe Cole with a well placed pass. Cole collected, spun and smashed it past Marshall to open the Hammers account for 2013/14.

The game pattern had pretty much been set. Cardiff attacks breaking down and West Ham keeping Marshall and the Cardiff back four busy. As usual the second half came around and we still hadn’t got the second goal we needed. Cardiff showed signs of reinvigoration through Bellamy and Campbell’s interactions, but with no other assistance, most of this effort came to nothing.

We were also looking stale so Sam mixed things up a bit. He brought on Downing after 70 mins. JC should of made way as despite his goal, Jarvis was tearing Cardiff apart on the left. But BFS being BFS he took off Jarvis (is Sam scared of big name players ?).

For a fella who had reservations about coming to WHU, Downing looked like a man reborn, getting straight into the game. Just four minutes into his hammers career, he shot down the right again, and fed in Mark Noble. Nobes in turn pushed it into Nolan who wasted no time in firing past Marshall to double the score. This left the result in no doubt.

I have it on good authority that Cardiff have not finished spending and on watching this game, this is really needed. Some of those lads need to adjust quickly if they are serious about staying up. Their fans will follow them everywhere though, and this must help. Special mention to Craig Bellamy. A firm favourite of mine in his short spell at WHU, he still makes those lung bursting runs, and still looks a class act. He also got warm applause from the West Ham fans when he was substituted.

On the subject of fit for premier league. Maiga? Please. He was getting shoved off the ball all the time. If he has been kept in favour of Carlton Cole, then someone really needs to have a word with BFS.

In short a great start for the Hammers and a 3 point lead on a team we could be struggling against come the end of season. Will Cardiff stay up ? Judging on one game is harsh, so i’ll just say investment is required.

MOTM: On the first half performance, JC by a mile. But over 90 minutes, it has to go to the new trim Kevin Nolan. A goal, loads of blocks, tackling and running back, he gave the Hammers a real captain’s performance.

My view of the new season.

Can I leave you with this. You really need to take a look at yourself if you are wearing a shirt with the name of a player on the back who is younger than you.

Oldie with Moore 6. Acceptable. 30 years old with Greaves 9. Fine. 40 years old with Wilsher 10 (saw 3 on the way home). Sad and unacceptable. You are not 12.

WHUFC vs Reading FC 20/05/2013 EPL

We come to the end of the season and a dead game against an already relegated Reading. Sam made some changes with the recently impressive Gary O’Neill dropped for Mark Noble and Jarvis swapped out for Joe Cole. WHU started as you would expect and pressured Reading, but with no out and out shots (as usual !).

Just after the 20 minute mark WHU got their breakthrough when Alex McCarthy in the Reading goal fired a clearance against the back of Andy Carroll for it to fall into the path of Kevin Nolan, who rounded the keeper to score. 10 minutes later WHU doubled their lead through a fantastic take down from Carroll followed by a reverse pass into the path of RVT who slotted it home. Just as well as he was shocking up till then.

West Ham might as well of done the lap of honour at half time as they came out in the second half as if they were the team that were relegated. Reading took this as the invite it was and were back to 2-2 within 10 minutes of the restart. Staring down the barrel of a defeat reinvigorated the Hammers and they came back with two late goals from Kevin Nolan to get his hat trick. Nice to see him pull his finger out for a change. The last goal was interesting if for nothing more than the provider was one Modibo Maiga. Sam’s folly of the season came on for a cameo and hopefully his last appearance in the Claret and Blue .

So the season long battle to stave off relegation finishes and the one to keep Andy Carroll starts. He set up three goals (one by chance, but you have to buy a ticket and all that). and was clearly the best player on the park. But for his first WHU threesome, i’ll go Kevin Nolan for MOTM.

This week I hope to get the full season report card out but dont hold your breath.

A mobile phone shot of the other end of the ground, where the Reading fans were firing inflatables around like it was Man City in the 80’s

Hopefully not really the back of Andy Carroll !

WHUFC vs Newcastle United 04/05/2013 EPL

if this game was a month ago, it would of been a cracker. Both managers had managed their opposition. 2 key players in claret and blue were both once Tyneside legends, and both teams were looking for points and playing well.

This game however saw WHU safe and in the top half and unless there is some major shock results, a draw would suit Newcastle (Wigan beating WBA away, anyone ? :)).

Sam picked his probable best team with the improving O’Neill anchoring the middle instead of Noble, and RVT on the right hand side instead of Joe Cole.

The first half was instantly forgettable, except for on 20 mins, Cisse stripped Collins easily to pass the ball past Jussi, and towards the empty net. Mr Winston Reid arrives on the scene to clear right of the line, but watching it again today on the telly would suggest it might be a good case for goal line technology. The games stumbles towards half time with Gutierrez faking injury and really bonding with the home support.

The game livened up a little in the second half, but no one really troubled either goalkeeper. Carroll, although industrious all game , sent a couple of headers past the post, and Jussi got all caught up coming off his line to leave the goal unattended again but the oncoming shot / cross went past the far post for a goal kick. Matt Jarvis got a few good crosses in late on, and Carroll and Nolan forced a great double save from Elliot to keep the honours even.

Which is how they ended up. A point for West Ham which could be a few quid, but a point for the Geordies leaves them just above the drop zone, and Wigan have a game in hand. Chunky Pardew (dont ask) doesn’t seem phased, but if I was a Newcastle fan , the lack of urgency would bother me.

Nice of Sam to only makes subs where they were needed, and keep Diame and Gary O’Neill on the pitch for 90 minutes.

So for his goal line clearance and general all round good play, todays MOTM goes to Winston Reid.

The once great Geordie nation nearly fills out less than 1 quarter of the North Bank.

WHUFC vs Wigan Athletic 20/04/2013

After our well earned point (some would say moral victory) against the Champions elect earlier this week, I really fancied us to continue on to win against Wigan this weekend. It’s always a close game, in fact we were two nil up and then went on to lose to a last minute goal in May 2011 which saw WHU relegated, and Avram Grant getting home under his own steam.

This time around, we are on an unbeaten run of 4 games and Wigan are staring down the barrel of relegation, with an FA Cup final to look forward to.

Sam made no changes to the starting line up, but Joe Cole was added to the bench. The opening salvos from both teams set themselves out to attack. West Ham a chance with a flashing header from Collins just going wide from a corner, and Maloney for Wigan got on the end of a great through ball only to be blocked by Jussi. From then on WHU seem to take control and it was only a matter of time, although the inevitable goal was a little unexpected. Matt Jarvis seem to be having a field day down the wing, and once again in the 21st minute he crossed in the ball after a great burst out of the midfield by Diame. This cross missed about 2 Wigan players, Diame and Nolan lashed at it to no avail, and then the Latics goalie let it go past him, to open the scoring for WHU. For all their dominance, WHU didn’t capitalise on this lead.

The second half was more of the same and then Sam did as Sam does and swapped out the whole midfield, with quick succession, O’Neill, Diame and RVT (who was woeful) were replaced by Noble, Joe Cole and Collison. Notice Nolan was not replaced, even though he seemed ineffectual if I’m honest. Again.

Anyway, WHU went into free fall and if it wasn’t for Jussi, we would of been behind, as Wigan threw everything at us, and we had no way of stopping it.

This game had draw written all over it until with 10 minutes to go a long free kick found the ever impressive Carroll who moved it on brilliantly for Nolan to volley it in for his 100th premier league goal, and some justification for him still being on the pitch.

So WHU win 2-0, and Wigan might not get out of the hole this time. They did not have the luck, and being a WHU fan, I know what happens when you are down there. You cannot buy luck or goals. However you can buy players and there are a couple I could see playing in claret and blue if Wigan do go down ! Maloney for one.

We have all but secured our position in the league for next year, and can look forward for a change. Being in the top half has a nice feel to it as well, so lets hope we can stay there.

MOTM: Jussi Jaaskelainen. Just pure class again and kept us in the game when BFS block replaced a midfield unit. Gary O’Neill gets a shout as well, for his performance up until he was subbed.

WHUFC vs Manchester United 17/04/2013 EPL

This years 4th tie against the Champions Elect (beats Birmingham !) was supposed to be a dead rubber as far as I was concerned. Sam had loads of defenders out. We can beat Wembley bound Wigan at the weekend to stay up, and Man U can do pretty much what they want to win the title.

So I was surprised to see Winston Reid back in the team, and Noble on the bench. Still one up top , but hey ho. Man U played probably their strongest available team as well, with both Ferdinand and Vidic, and Rooney and Van Persie starting.

Talking of Rooney, you can tell what sort of game he will have within 3 minutes of kick off, and this was not going to be one to build his legacy. In fact he was awful, and my xmas prediction of him leaving this summer is starting to look nailed on. His attitude is all wrong for starters.

WHU were on top for a change from the off. The midfield seem to flow into attack nicely, and Jarvis was seeing plenty of the ball. RVT wasn’t but no issue there. United seemed to be taking it in their stride, but the did look frail.

I seem to be on the only one who spotted RVT drift in from the outside right to get on the end of Carroll’s flick on the open the scoring on 16 minutes.

And still WHU looked comfortable. But being WHU you just knew something was going to happen, and just before half time they all switched off, for United to put 3 or 4 perfect balls together, and end up with Valencia getting the equaliser. Just before the break was the only contentious point of the match (for me – see later), Rooney and Carroll had some handbags before a corner which the ref stopped. Carroll reacted when the corner was taken, by bludgeoning through both De Gea and Evra. Most odd behaviour. And no punishment.

I assume this was pointed out at half time, because early into the second half De Gea and big Andy both went for a ball which the Spaniard won but then dragged Carroll for about 10 feet by his neck before dumping him on the floor. Yellow Card for carroll, obviously !.

This spurred on Andy, he then tried a cheeky one from about 30 yrds out that went close, and then he won to ball for Diame to roast the poor Rooney and blast in a 20 yarder to give the Hammers the lead again in the 55th minute.

Rooney was subbed for Giggs and Sam decided to Sub off our midfield (because this worked so well against Liverpool !). Giggs and Kagawa were linking up well (until the little fella was subbed off for the other little fella Hernandez), and pressure was piling on WHU, and resulted with 14 mins to go an equaliser for United after Kagawa managed to hit James Collins and both posts with RVP netting the follow up. Apparently he was offside but in true Arsene style i have not seen it, so only one bit of contention for me tonight. We tried our best in the last 20 minutes to throw it away but eventually got it over the line and another point on the board and our second 2-2 against Man U this season.

The score was about right, with Jussi making some world class saves (as usual at the moment), and no one goes home unhappy, unless you count me queuing nearly 20 mins for a tube, while watch plonkers jump over fences and stewards doing nothing at all.

MOTM, could of been James Collins early on, Carroll for his effort, Jussi for the saves, but this time I’ll go for Diame, as he scored a screamer, kept most of the Man U midfield quiet all night (until subbed), and had he stayed on i think we might have edged it. Still not happy with BFS playing RVT but he scored tonight so what do i know !

WHUFC vs Tottenham Hotspur EPL 25/02/2013

Bit late for new year, but we invited the neighbours over for a party, and ensured they left with the favours. I say left, they were stolen by one man.

This game was billed as a tribute to the late great Bobby Moore, who passed away 20 years ago (seems I was at the gates of Upton Park yesterday), and as a spectacle more than lived up to it.

There was a one minute applause, followed by a fans mosaic celebrating the man. I was in the mosaic and I have one comment. Next time, show it on the screen at the other end, or we have no idea what we are showing ! Judging by the camera flashes (plenty from the Spurs section), it was impressive enough.

Noble was replaced by Gary O’Neill in the middle, and Guy Demel was brought in at right back. The game got underway with WHU on the attack for a change. At the six minute mark there was a another break out of “Bobby Moores’ claret and blue army”, and WHU continued piling on the pressure, with Jarvis getting in crosses, and Joe Cole looking lively.

On the rare Spurs attacks it was being pointed out by the WHU faithful that Gareth Bale looked a little like a chimp. He responded by taking a goal, that on the replay was well taken ,but in play looked too easy for him. Skipping along the edge of the box he then turned to pass the ball past Jussi for the opener. WHU seemed to fall apart, and thing didn’t look good.

10 minutes later, Scott Parker (who was getting booed all night, nice one WHU “fans”) took out Carroll to give WHU a pen. Up steps Carroll in place of Noble and smashes it home. By this time Nolan was already struggling and was replaced 10 minutes later by Taylor. With none of the usual midfield cautiousness, WHU seemed to push on and finished the half well ,with Jarvis going close with an acrobatic volley.

At half time, Becks said to me “what a shambles, bloody disgrace ,etc”. No idea what game he was watching. I’m no fan of Allardyce but I tend to remember what I’m watching !

The second half was pretty quite with Bale being especially quiet if I’m honest, but you know it wont last. When he doesn’t have the ball he is constantly moving, chopping and changing markers all the time. This confuses defenders (poor lambs), and mixes up formations.

Just over a quarter into the half (an eighth ?), up pops Joe Cole, to finish off a good move between Caroll and himself, to poke it past Lloris to put the Hammers 2-1 up. Jussi spends the next 20 minutes being the best keeper in the world, making some of the most outrageous saves, including a double from Adebayour that I’m sure he still doesn’t know what happened.

At this stage a point works, and 3 would be great. Enter Big Sam. Demel comes off for Pogatetz, and we lose a goal mouth scramble for a Spurs equalizer. Then, the main thorn in their side Diame is brought off for Collison, who for all his skills is not a hard hitting midfield general. Then Sam gets his get out jail card, with hardly anything left on the clock, Gareth Bale, scores a world class goal from miles out from nothing, no run up or big swing just pure class.

So did Sam throw it away ? Based on Jussi in the second half probably not, but he could of maybe helped the situation.

The league situation is looking very precarious now, but a win against Stoke this weekend could make all the difference.

MOTM Everyone else will give it to Bale. But for some world class keeping in the second half, and making sure we didn’t lose 6-2, i’ll give it to Jussi Jaaskelainen

Viva Bobby Moore !

Aston Villa vs WHUFC 10/02/2013 EPL

Last week, WHU breathed some life back into a season that was heading southwards at an alarming rate, and they come to Villa today hoping to push into the top half of the table and almost guaranteed safety. If im honest i expected a re run of the win earlier in the season

WHU have replaced their wingers Vaz Te and Jarvis with Nolan (!) and Joe Cole. Pogatetz came in at the back ultimately replacing Demel. No surprises that Carroll keeps his place up top. But this looks more of a 4-3-3 formation rather than a 4-5-1.

Gabby Agbonlahor is not in the starting line up for the Villains, so not good for them.

Villa came out all guns blazing and had Wienmann had an open goal chance put wide after 2 minutes following a shoddy rebound by Jussi. Villa , one of the worst teams at home this season , have the best of the early exchanges, against the team that have the worst away record in all the English professional leagues.

West Ham took some big bangs in the first half hour with a saving tackle from Joey O’Brien ending in another early finish for JOB and Guy Demel coming on in his place. The impressive Tomkins also got a kick in the face from Delph. It was very accidental, and more of a result of putting his body on the line.

Aside a few half chances, the first half came to an end at 0-0, which was fair. I would say WHU moved the ball around better, but Villa were more direct in the attack.

In what has become Villa’s trademark this season, WHU started the second half way on top. But the Villa defence held on, and the WHU attack didn’t make the pressure tell by way of shots, which is a tad worrying. Corner after corner with nothing to show is not good form Sam ! By the way, your 4-4-2, looks worrying like 4-5-1.

Just after the hour mark, on comes the former WHU transfer target Darren Bent. Bit of a worry for me, if im honest. And after being on for at least 2 minutes, he clears an Andy Carroll goal off the line following a corner from Taylor ! Then RVT comes on for Taylor.

Nathan Baker picked up a silly card just before 70 mins, for taking out JC who was rampaging down the right,. The resulting free kick from JC was put over by Nolan. Villa sent straight up the other end, and N’zogbia was fouled by Noble and Villa get a penalty. Benteke took the pen very cooly into the bottom right. One nil Villa. Sam makes an unusual change by putting on CC for Noble !

CC had a chance almost immediately, but got it caught in his feet.

2 mins later, N’zogbia pops a great free kick into the top corner, to make it 2 and over as a game.

WHU throw everything at Villa in the last 10. And it pays off when a mistake in the Villa defence leads to an own goal from Westwood. Despite all this Villa hang on for a win. Not deserved, but a win anyway. A draw would of been a more fair result.

So where does this leave WHU. Nowhere as usual. Sam needs to move on at the end of the season. I think the board have this in mind with him having no contract. Nolan could go with him as well at this stage. Nolan especially pisses me off as he has the skill to play, just decides not to bother. I imagine we also lose Carroll if BFS disappears at the end of the season.

Tomkins played well today, and hopefully has graduated back into the first team, or he will be off at the end of the season. Diame seems to be getting back to normal. CC looked lively when he came on.

MOTM for me should be Tomkins, but leaking 2 goals means he is out. I’ll give it N’Zogbia for his free kick and winning the penalty, and his constant attacking down the right flank.

Benteke casually puts away the penalty for the first goal.