If you missed the game or just want to bask in the glory of another away win, we’ve got the goals from yeterday – courtesy of 101 Great Goals.
They describe Ireland’s strike as ‘a terrific opener,’ ignoring the hefty deflection it got off Dickson Etuhu. Of more concern to me from a defensive point of view is just how far Ireland was allowed to run unchecked. He picked up the ball inside his own half after our own attack had broken down and, even when he got within shooting range, our efforts to close him down were fairly half-hearted. Watch how John Pantsil is caught between staying with his own man and going to ball and how Aaron Hughes decides to come out of defence too late. I felt sorry for Etuhu, but even he could have done better.
But to criticise the boys after such a fine comeback seems pretty harsh. Yes, all our goals owed something to some pretty poor City defending, but they were nicely finished too. Clint’s first owed a fair bit to Zamora’s persistence and a smart finish. Dickson’s strike was an absolute belter, something which he had been threatening to do ever since he crashed a powerful shot against the Sheffield Wednesday crossbar in the FA Cup back in January. The third goal was made by a wonderful bit of skill from Bobby on the halfway line that made Richard Dunne look foolish and then a clever pass to slip in Dempsey. Anyone who criticises Zamora’s performance yesterday clearly needs to examine his role in our goals again.
The full Match of the Day highlights are here.
