Well, thank goodness for that. Whatever's been said behind the scenes, the team put an observable shift in today.
Here are my ratings.
Schmeichel: 6 - Had to deal with the old up 'n' under from corners, which isn't his strong suit. Did well enough at the things that were.
Ricardo: 9 - A menace. Defended well, attacked well, interchanged well with Perez and caused West Ham problems throughout.
Evans: 7 - Calm and solid, marshalled the defence well.
Soyuncu: 8 - Aggressive yet mature. His reading of the game is coming on well, noted by his covering for any errors from teammates.
Chilwell: 5 - Whatever he's playing through, there's no lack of effort. It's just that everything's going wrong almost every time he goes near the ball. Not really targeted enough by West Ham, and well covered by Soyuncu regardless.
Mendy: 7 - Was playing well until he got injured.
Tielemans: 9 - Although the team was given something of an easy ride by West Ham, he really took control of it. Demonstrated incisive passing and vision that have been lacking of late. Embodied the swagger that we needed back, taking responsibility in the middle of the park. And that is why he is my (controversial) choice for our MOTM.
Perez: 8 - Didn't get knocked off the ball quite so easily today. Continues to look improved overall since Christmas.
Maddison: 7 - Contributed to some good moves without directly influencing a goal himself. Not one of his more barnstorming performances, but not disappointing either. Worked hard, as did many.
Barnes: 9 - Has finally found some form over the last couple of matches. Great for him to score a poach as well, and it looks to me like he's being coached on getting into those positions.
Vardy: 6 - Wasn't fully able to influence the game. The news on his injury sounds positive - a glute rather than a hamstring, although whether he'll be available for the Villa match is another matter.
Ndidi: 5 - Not at his sharp best and conceded a penalty, but I think we're all just thankful that he came out the other side of the match without further injury. Goodness knows who's playing central midfield on Saturday. My money's on a Matty James run-out.
Iheanacho: 8 - Demonstrated plenty of evidence that he's an able stand-in for Vardy if needed. Bullied a sizeable West Ham defence with his physicality and eventually won a penalty and an assist from it.
Morgan: n/a - Probably didn't need to come on at 3-1, but did all that was asked of him.
This was a performance that was far more determined and resourceful than of late. True, West Ham only really turned up for 30 minutes, but the players deserve credit for putting them away ruthlessly, and continuing to push forward for a killer goal at 2-1 when they could have got nervous.
I wouldn't argue with anyone who points out a couple of others for a MOTM, but today demonstrated to me just how important Tielemans is to the running of the team. He marshalled possession, spotted passes and kept the ball moving. He was the brain of the team's style and a proper midfield general. But more than that, he looked determined today to get the team playing again, to get his teammates playing well. He was aware that this was a day to sit, assist the willing but limited Mendy and dictate the pace of the game. Hopefully this is evidence that he's back and firing. Certainly he was still going comfortably in the last 10 minutes, which is most promising.
Player ratings vs. West Ham
posted on 23/1/20
They only looked good because West ham were awful
Barnes was probably the stand out player followed by any of the following,
Evens, Söyüncü, Ricardo
Nacho had an excellent game
(Internet TV view)
posted on 23/1/20
It was Tielemans forward passing that cut through West Ham time and time again. Thats what made the difference, thats why I agree on the MOTM for Tielemans. He provided the platform for everything that was good about the performance.
posted on 23/1/20
The fact that some of you did not see what Tilli was doing is not his faut very effective we look uo for it my first game back for a while and looked like the team i left behind.
Thought WH gave us to much respect in the first half second half they got stuck into us and it rattled us.
Great win please for the players that are underated yp the foxes
posted on 23/1/20
Ok, now we can say the motm choice is controversial.
BTW Mersey, there’s no need to apologise to me. I’m only stating the team that’s being leaked on Twitter and the personnel and formation isn’t my own proposal or opinion.
I missed the game for a family event so have no overall opinion. I did manage to catch a bit of the first half on the telly and my overriding thought was that the passing and movement (at pace) was much better. I didn’t see any of the 2nd half, but it does look like we need a plan for teams that press and hassle us out of our rhythm. It’s in situations like this that our defence suddenly looks exposed and vulnerable and we subsequently fail to move the ball quickly enough into and through midfield.
posted on 23/1/20
I thought Perez played well. The thing he did last night which he didn’t get credit for was his press and tackling. He won us a lot of balls high up the pitch especially in the first half. But when they got the penalty he did great back tracking when they broke forwards and snuffed out a couple of attacks, ones you’d expect a fit Wilf to normally deal with. Also some of his one touch play last night under pressure was great, far better than he’s been doing, and allowing Pereira to get in behind. Personally don’t think Pereira would have been as effective without his quick passing (waiting to be shot down in flames here)
posted on 23/1/20
I agree with that, Cupcake. (Feel like I'm patronising you by calling you that.)
Perez's touch has looked better of late, whereas the ball bounced off him a bit in the first half of the season. He needs to keep moving the ball quickly as he did yesterday though; it's when he lingers too long that he gets swamped and dispossessed. Perhaps he feels more comfortable with what his teammates are likely to do now, and vice-versa.
posted on 23/1/20
Also thought Perez was greatly improved. Some great touches and lay offs, plus 2 goals and still classed as an average performance by some. Hopefully he continues to improves and become stronger on the ball.
A much needed win and nice to see the positive intent and pressing back in our game.
Bring out the reserves for a run out in the FA cup at the weekend and hopefully Vardy's ass isnt badly hurt !!!
posted on 23/1/20
Two goes from a second striker we should be singing his praises just for that its been a couple of years since we have had partner for Vardy that can score.
You did not mark captain flappy down for the week punch for the Peno? then gets booked for being a big girls blouse about it. PS it was shoulder to shoulder no pen but not a clear and obvious error so stood
posted on 23/1/20
Yes Nev and Kasper even shouted for the ball. Alas stupid challenge as the guy is running away from the goal. Wait until you get out the box!
posted on 23/1/20
Agree with your assessment Dunge, I thought leaving the ground that Tielemans was MoM.
Kasper did come off his line for a cross and caught the ball! That being remarkable highlights how poor he normally is at doing that.
Chillers - 5 is reasonable, no more than 6 for sure. Plenty of effort, not much end product, and was badly caught out by a ball over his head in the first half which we were fortunate to escape without more severe punishment.
Perez had a good game.
Mendy - shame he got injured, seems like he has an unfortunate propensity for that, hopefully he's not too badly hurt.