Another away victory when wearing white shorts and socks and in France at that. Going into this game a draw would have done very nicely thank you but instead we, somehow, came away with quite a good win. The scoreline could well have been different but that is often the case with such games. We'll just gratefully take the victory and try and carry that confidence boost on into the league.
It was a changed around side that took the victory, the manager choosing to rest some players for the coming testing league ties, though one is tempted to wonder if a couple won't be playing then either. So while Bellamy continued restored to the front line he was partnered by Ameobi. Milner and Ambrose also got there chance, the former somewhat out of position on the left side of midfield, while Butt and Bowyer added the experience in the centre. At the back Bramble was alongside O'Brien (Jonsen being inelligable) whilst Hughes and Bernard played as fullbacks. Shay as almost ever was present between the posts.
Overall all had a good game. Of the two wide men I personally thought Milner showed more ability to make things actually happen and really should have had a goal, messing up at the end of a move started by Given (who had come to clear a ball before finding himself wide right near the halfway line, where he actually looked up (!) to play a great ball for Bellamy to run free and cross in a way he never manages when actually playing wide). Shay had a game which showed his return to top form. I've felt he hasn't quite been at his best in recent games, possibly affected by the anxiety of waiting for the birth of his first child. Obviously he isn't suffering too many sleepless nights though as he made three vital (and quality) saves during the first half. Credit must also go to Bramble who managed to look solid without fluffing up for an entire game.
In an entertaining and even first half either side could have gone in ahead and both would probably have settled for being level. It was the toon who held the vital advantage though. With the ball in the box Ameobi, after good pressure to make the defender give the ball up, seemed to inexplicably turn back on himself into trouble. The ball ricochet from the said defender however, into the path of Bowyer who struck a sweet shot into the bottom corner. That lead held until the break before increasing immediately. Sachaux must have just been just getting fired up to try and find an equaliser when the same hapless defender who had lost the ball to Ameobi for the first failed to cut out a cross, taking the ball enough away from his keeper for it to reach Ameobi at the far post for a tap in. At two-nil we should have held it but instead the french side's pressure built, helped by our inability to pass the ball which again plagued us throughout the game. The opposition eventually won a penalty for an infringement apparently only seen by the linesman (the referee not seeing it is no surprise. He had a poor game, being particularly susceptible to being conned by the french players). TV replays eventually showed minimal contact and it seemed a bit harsh. Despite Shay going the wrong way we remain not having conceded a goal in the group stage as a poor penalty was scuffed wide.
Had the penalty gone in it would undoubtedly have put a much different complexion on the game. As it was it seemed to mark the end of the dominance by Sachaux and we could go on and take the game again. The introduction of Dyer looked like it would be marked more by his anonymity than anything else until he played a lovely ball through for the great run of Hughes catching the opposition backline lagging. He took a touch before rolling the ball across for Bellamy to gleefully get another goal. At three it was game over but there remained time for a Robert cameo in his home country. In typical Robert fashion he started by giving the ball away again and again before curling a perfect free kick into the top right corner. There was actually time to add a fifth as we squandered a couple more really good chances but that would have been greedy, especially in a game where Given really was one of our star players.
So we go into our week sitting it out still topping the group, though the teams immediately below have a game in hand. Looking at the table it is almost worth considering if actually a draw wouldn't have done us more good. First place avoids the Champion's League drop-outs, but second doesn't---in this truly strange formatting of UEFA's---where as third does (don't ask me). So now we will probably have to beat Sporting in the last game, where as third might have been easier to secure. But that's silly thinking, a win is a win, especially against good opposition with a couple of "big guns" missing. it's the sort of boost we need just before the test in the league coming and hopefully we can carry this on. Winning is a good habit to have.
(@23:11)
