Written by: Jonathan Lee

A poor restart to the season, let’s hope this game was simply a case of blowing away the cobwebs as if it’s the level we can expect over the next eight games we’re in trouble …

Fabianski 6 – little to do in truth other than simple saves from shots straight at him, had no chance with either goal

Ngakia 6.5 – was bright in the first half and had a half decent strike in the second period, looked up for it but as we know may be on his way come 1 July

Diop 6 – not troubled for the main part but got caught ball watching for the opener

Rice 7 – dropped back to centre half to cover Ogbonna and turned in a solid performance doing well to stop Traore at one point

Cresswell 5.5 – allowed far too much space down his side for both goals, rarely got forward

Soucek 6 – put in the hard yards and some nice distribution but never grabbed the midfield enough to exert control

Noble 6 – also plenty of effort and a good first period highlighted by his ball through to Fornals but never broke through the away rearguard

Fornals 5.5 – huffed and puffed to little effect and wasted a glorious chance first half

Anderson 3 – looked mentally shot, with nothing coming off for him, this is not what is required for a relegation battle

Antonio 5.5 – a good run and shot second half was the only real bright spot, never properly worried the opposition

Bowen 5.5 – yet another who put in a shift but without any real notable impact, will have better days

Subs:

Lanzini (67 mins) 5 – decent chip into the six-yard box that came to nothing but otherwise little impact, may be worth a start against Spurs

Fredericks (81 mins) 4 – got caught ball watching for the second goal, offered little, he must be quietly concerned a player wanting to leave starts ahead of him

Yarmolenko (81 mins) 4 – only had a couple of touches, no chance to get involved