Player Ratings - A double dose of depression

Last updated : 09 April 2007 By Luis Anaconda

In two very different performances we battered West Ham with some wonderful football followed by some abysmal finishing, then we held Newcastle with a less than fluent performance. All of which means that our season is very much alive and a Champions League place is not guaranteed - and people were worried that the season was petering out…

Jens Lehmann - 6 - He is expected to sweep up behind a defence that keeps a high line so the whingeing that he should have been on his line when Zamora fluked his goal is ridiculous. Against Newcastle he made an excellent save from Dyer to preserved what could be a precious point.

Emmanuel Eboue - 6 - Better from our petulant right back. Although against West Ham he still lacked the dynamic running that characterised his early appearances there were signs at St James of Eboue returning to his best. Should have hit the target when put into a good position in the second half, but why show your team-mates up.

Gael Clichy - 7 - After a poor show at Liverpool Clichy was back to his best with two excellent performances. More of a pest than a genuine threat going forward, he at least gives us balance down the left.

Kolo Toure - 6 - Caught napping for Zamora's winner for West Ham, but better at Newcastle.

William Gallas - 6 - Almost presented Duff with a goal at St James but pretty solid otherwise.

Alexander Hleb - 5 - You can accept when a player tries a difficult pass that doesn't quite come off but there is something wrong when a player as technically gifted as Hleb continually hits simple passes straight to the opposition or worse - as twice happened on Saturday - straight out of play. Marginally better on Monday but was hauled off in both games. Was so good earlier in the season you just have to wonder what's gone wrong.

Francesc Fabregas - 7 - At the heart of everything in both games but really really should be scoring some goals.

Gilberto Silva - 6 - I suppose it is a mark of how things are going that the best chances are falling to our defensive midfield player but we know he can score goals and it is hard to believe that he missed the chances that came his way in both games.

Tomas Rosicky (v West Ham) - 7 - Lively and creative, if he did seem to tire a bit towards the end. Bit too much partying Tom?

Abou Diaby (v Newcastle) - 6 - A strange choice as support for Adebayor and couldn't quite get into the game enough though always handy on the ball.

Fredrick Ljungberg - 6 - We need his experience and commitment at the moment even if some doubt his ability these days. Worked incredibly hard in both games and his movement continually makes space for others even if he isn't the end of the passes.

Emmanuel Adebayor - 5 - Sums up the team really - can't fault the effort, some lovely skill but didn't take his chances and as the only forward that is a big drawback.

Substitutes:

Julio Baptista - 4 - No impact in either game
Jeremie Aliadiere - 5 - Lively against the Hammers, less so against Newcastle.
Abou Diaby (v West Ham) - Not enough time to make an impact