Re. the handball: Great goal-keeping from Hugo -- he got the ball, he got away with it (even though there is no way on earth a ref could send him off for that, looking in real-time) and he stopped a goal. He rescued Naughton's massive f**k up. Though he was poor on the corner for their "goal". Another clean sheet, I'd give him a 6.5 out of 10.
Walker - 7
Vertonghen - 6.5, had a bit of a ropey period in the 2nd half, but was alright.
Dawson - 7. Some say needless lunges, but I saw some crunching tackles today. We need a bit of that.
Naughton - 5.5. He wasn't getting skinned all day but made poor decisions in possession, one of which could have cost us a goal.
paulinho - 7.5 -- would have been a 6.5, but his goal moved his rating up a notch
dembele - 6.5 -- though he played ok, nothing special but not bad.
eriksen - 6.5 - see above.
townsend - 7 - provided a constant threat going forward, on another day I think he'd have had a goal or 2 to his name.
Sig - 7, did ok, but really unlucky with his effort against the bar.
soldado - 7 -- on another day, he'd have notched a couple
holtby - 9. I honestly think he turned the game, he was basically flawless and played some excellent, quick passes resulting in pressure and helping the goal. One of these "assisting the assisters" that people keep lecturing me about.
Lamela - 7.5 - did pretty well, good assist.
Kane - 7 - did well.
AVB - 7. Would have got a 6, but made good subs. Thought his lineup down the left flank wasn't good, with 2 right-footed players. We looked poor down the left on occasions we did that last season and we didn't get much threat down that side today either.
