For the neutral it was an exhilarating game to watch from out point of view it was not one of our best performances of the season, but after the Moscow massacre that saw us only collect one point no one can begrudge us this result.
So now to Portugal where we only need a point to qualify, the bad news is that, once again, a card happy referee has robbed us & the European football fan of the chance to see Thierry Henry take part. On a brighter note we recently went to Old Trafford without our skipper & came away with a fine 1-0 win, good omen perhaps?
Lehmann - 7 - Vital save late on when holding onto a fierce drive when we were 2-1 up. Some mad cap moments as per normal from our cult hero.
Eboue - 6 - Not one of his best performances & his final ball was woeful, however his run & shot nosed us in front thanks to an error by Wachter in the Hamburg goal.
Toure - 8 - Yet another fine display, if he was not blocking his opponents path he was bulldozing his way through them!
Senderos - 6 - Looked nervy at times but this 90 minutes will put him in good stead for the tricky away game in Portugal.
Clichy - 5 - Continues his unconvincing run in the team, lost possession too often & did not use the ball sensibly enough.
Hleb - 8 - Full on effort for 81 minutes with good use of the ball, tackling back , neat passing & saw one effort come back off the bar in the first half (Baptista 81)
Fabregas - 9 - Immense performance saw Cesc clock up an incredible amount of mileage, he was all over the pitch. Used the ball smartly including when setting up Van Persie for our equaliser with a deft disguised ball through to the Dutchman. Also saw a deflected effort smash against the bar.
Flamini - 6 - Unfussy adequate performance from the Marseille Pele.
Van Persie - 7 - Cracking performance from Robin, finished off a lovely move with our vital equaliser also went close on other occasions, including a trademark free kick inches wide.(Adebayor 70)
Ljungberg - 6 - Freddie worked hard but spent too much time in defensive areas & not enough supporting our forwards. (Walcott 75)
Henry - 6 - Not on top of his game tonight but yet another harsh yellow card saw him fired up at the end. Unlucky with a curling free kick into the side netting.
Walcott (75) - 7 - His finest hour, or in this case 15 minutes! His pace caused the Hamburg defence all sorts of problems & it is no exaggeration to say he changed the game. A great run & superb cross to pick out Baptista for our third & decisive goal.
Baptista (81) - 5 - Not on for long enough to make an impression but his thundering header should instil some confidence which we will need in our final group game against Porto.
Adebayor (70) - 5 - Always keen to get stuck in & does give us a different option up front.
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Silva, Djourou, Hoyte.