That could be it. I streamed the game. I felt like Puncheon was really getting forward on counters nicely. Well the whole team was, really. We played a very pretty flowing game the first half and kept Chelsea on the backfoot and really spread out their defense. But it's true that Puncheon had a relatively quiet game as far as having the ball. I actually thought there were several times when they should have passed to to him but they didn't, at other times they just went to a different player. Of the attacking players, I thought Lambert was probably the most off his game although he wasn't bad by any stretch. And of course that sublime free kick more than made up for it. It wasn't really Lambert's fault, the way the game played out just suited Jay Rodriguez's style more today. Lambert chipped in where he could as he always does. I thought Schneiderlin was a bit off his game as well though like Lambert the standards are set pretty high. The two CB's would get 6's or 6.5's from me. Puncheon, Shaw, Cork, Schneiderlin 7. Lambert, Clyne 7.5 Rodriguez, Davis 8. Team overall- 8 JWP probably a 6, but it's a learning experience for him. Not dissatisfied with his performance at all.
People seem to overlook the fantastic stuff Puncheon does out wide before rifleing a killer cross into the goalmouth. He can't be on the scoresheet every time he plays.
Good that we managed to win without 2 of our 'better' players Lallana and Ramirez. Shows the depth we have.
I know he is usually deeper, but when he drove at them today and it opened up it was begging for him to take a shot, he was on the edge of the area and he passed and the chance was gone.
I am stunned that "sorry I spoiled the party" used a term like "off his game" in any sentence involving Rickie lambert. You should drive to Chelsea tomorrow and ask John Terry how Lambert played.
For me it feels like Cork is taking one or two speculative long shots a game. I often exclaim something along the lines of "Come on Jack you've never scored a goal for Saints and you're trying from there!", then I think to myself maybe he's never scored a goal for Saints because he's shooting from there. He does seem a bit shot-shy when the ball does actually miraculously fall to his feet in or just around the box though, can be a recurring problem with a few of our guys.
Boruc - 5.5 - did nothing except concede goal and misplace a couple of kicks Clyne - 7.5 - Had so much freedom on the right at times, with Marin all at sea defensively. Unfortunately his lack of natural attacking instinct meant he failed to capitalise on a couple of one-on-ones with Bertrand. Defensively solid. Yoshida - 8 - Faultless. Also looked more comfortable with the ball at feet than usual Hooiveld - 8 - Perhaps would've been MOTM but I think he may have been marking Terry for the goal (haven't seen a replay yet). As solid as Yoshida, but won EVERY header, and found Lambert cleverly a couple of times, with inch-perfect balls to his head, and a couple to his feet. Possibly his best performance of the season. Shaw - 7 - After a worryingly careless first half both on and off the ball, I thought he was superb in the second. When Hazard came on, Shaw seemed to know instinctively when to get tight to him, and when to stand off (and when he was beaten once late on, he diffused a potentially dangerous situation by committing a clever foul). He was so comfortable that Hazard seemed to be getting further and further away from that right wing as the game went on. Cork - 8 - A really complete performance. He was obviously designated as a playmaker in front of the defence today, and seemed to have as many touches as anyone else on the pitch over the 90. Showed intelligence beyond his years by slowing the play when Chelsea were coming back into the game, and equally, by moving the ball quickly and purposefully when we were on top. Schneiderlin - 9 - The more I watch him, a) I can't believe how quickly he has improved, b) how lucky we are to have him, and c) the more I realise that he is the best Southampton player I have had the pleasure to watch since I started going to St. Mary's as an 8 year old in 2001. Nigh on perfect game once again: tackle after tackle, perfect on the ball, incredible stamina. I noticed today that he's playing higher up the pitch under MP, which really suits him as it allows him to be on the toes of the opposition's ball-playing CM's. Thanks to him, I forgot Frank Lampard was on the pitch until the two free-kicks towards the end. Puncheon - 7 - Kept the ball well, tracked Bertrand well. Not a glamorous performance but his relationship with Clyne offensively and defensively continues to thrive. The right flank was a constant threat throughout the first half. They really seem to bring out the best in each other. S. Davis - 8.5 - A really impressive performance. Stopped Mikel and Lampard from controlling the game, while always finding space when we had the ball. Hardly lost possession all game. Good assist. Good deliveries from set pieces. Slotted seamlessly into left-midfield role in 2nd half and helped keep Hazard quiet. Rodriguez - 8 - Like Schneiderlin, what really impresses me is his outstanding stamina and work-rate. He's gradually developed the confidence to run at players too (attempted 6 dribbles today), and on another day could have scored more than one. Worked well with Lambert again, when we reverted to 4-4-2. Lambert (MOTM) - 9 - His domination of Ivanovic and Terry was the key to the win. Always an outlet in the air and to feet. Clever feet on the left for Rodriguez's first. Aside from that he also created four goalscoring oppurtunities. I think this might've been his best performance of the season. SUBS: Davis - 7 - couldn't stop myself chuckling at his Sunday League distribution. Apart from that, he made one very clever save to tip the ball over the top, and bought us some valuable time late on. J-W-P - 7.5. - Doesn't look out of place at this level at all. Put in a very capable shift in an unfamiliar position. Fox - Can't give him a rating, but made a couple of good blocks and his passing was perfect in his short amount of time on the pitch. Watching him warming up at half time made me realise how superb he is technically. I still think he has a role to play in this team as a wide midfielder when defending a lead, as he perfectly demonstrated today. Pochettino - 9 - I was surprised at seeing Puncheon over Ramirez on the team sheet, but his and Clyne's domination of Marin and Bertrand proved to be a key factor in the win. Ward-Prowse for Puncheon was an absolutely inspired change. We were defending far too deep before the change was made with Rodriguez and Puncheon being forced to defend by Azpilicueta and Bertrand, and due to the lack of support, Lambert was being suffocated by Terry and Ivanovic for a 15 minute period. Bringing Ward-Prowse on, which in turn allowed Rodriguez to play up front with Lambert in a flat 4-4-2 was what won us the game, as it stopped Chelsea being able to build from the back, and allowed us to have sustained periods of possession again. Brilliant from MP.
There was a play early on where I think if Lambert had passed to Puncheon it would have been a goal but he uncharacteristically didn't see it. Yes he gave John Terry a handful, but so did everyone else because Terry isn't that good anymore and Chelsea as a whole was awful. Ramirez has been inconsistent so Lambert steps in and does a lot of the distribution you'd expect an AMC to do. Today Davis was very good so Lambert didn't have to do as much. So it was really more that Lambert didn't have to do so much and so he didn't, which was good for the team. Also he could play 90 minutes and that was good too as I like his physical presence and heading ability on set pieces. But it turned out we largely didn't need that either. Saints played very well, Chelsea was dire. It makes it hard for Lambert to stand out like he usually does.
Still think your choice of words were ill thought out. Every pundit I've heard since the game said Lambert was awesome; you did well to recall an occasion when he picked the wrong pass... even then I think that was Jayrod.
Was it Jay Rodiguez? You could be right. It wasn't the play where Rodriguez juked two guys and then shot tamely in the first half. FTR, I love Lambert and I'm always one who sticks up for him when he doesn't score and supposedly plays a quiet game by pointing out all the work he does holding the ball and how good of a passer he is. I still rated him a 7.5, man. I usually give Lambert an 8 or above. I can't be handing out 9's like candy! I just thought Clyne, Davis and Jay Rodriguez were exceptional today so it was a bit more of a team effort today. Which is good.
Anyone else use the FourFourTwo Stats Zone ap? I find it quite insightful comparing its black & white stats to people's perceptions/ratings. Disclaimer: I don't work for them and yes, stats can vary (like comparing BBC stats to Skysports stats on the same game!)
I'm struggling to see how anyone couldn't pick Clyne as MOTM. He was simply brilliant. Lambert was also top quality, but Clyne was another level
I'd probably have to agree with this, I thought a lot of our guys had great games but Clyne was utterly superb.
And the really great thing is that, bearing in mind how young most of our players are, this team probably hasn't even peaked yet!
Probably because he, Cork, Jayrod and Lambert were all exceptional. I'm happy if someone picked Clyne; I just name two or three if they're as good as they were yesterday.
Yes we are only going to get better! A couple of summer signings and next season could be incredibly exciting!
Agree, shaw was exposed a few times. Always thought fox would make a good sub on the left side. Where are the fox bashers today then?!
Another thing the media seem to not pick up on. Can't even remember the amount of times I've heard about all the young players Villa play, and how they are all very promising. If you take out Lambert and Boruc surely our team must be similar in terms of average age? They do have a couple of promising youngsters, but I think its fair to say that we have more
Even so, quality over quantity. Nathan Clyne and Morgan Schneiderlin, or Joe Bennett and Ashley Westwood? Thought so.
