Just finished the game as I was watching the game on delayed coverage today. I was busy at the time of the game and avoided coming on here at all until I'd watched it and now that its done this has to be the first place I'd come.
I watched it kind of only 70% focussed as someone spoiled that we were 1-0 up at the 65min mark. The main things I noticed were Havertz putting Martinelli in who took too long to shoot, Nketiah doing brilliantly to maneuver the defender to get himself in on goal only to hit the post under a lot of pressure, Nketiah missing a very easy goal after being put through on goal. The rest of the game seemed pretty routine, aside from that bullshit red card.
But the thing that really caught my eye and attention was Rice. Guy looked almost like a different player tonight. In addition to his usual safety first sideways and backwards passing, as well as his trademark bursts on the ball, he was much more decisive in his passing and played quite a number more vertical passes between the lines. The things I mentioned in the previous paragraph all all points that warrant discussion in the matchday thread but really felt Rice's performance warranted extra discussion on here. Its the first time since we've signed him that made me think, "you know what, maybe you've underestimated this guy".
He's still not doing things at the level we've learned to expect from Partey in ball progression through the lines both off or on the ball, and truth be told he may never be that same type of player anyway, but there were glimpses there that he may become a really good, albeit slightly different player. Playing and training alongside Partey and Jorginho as well as being surrounded by better players should help him greatly though. My excitement levels at what he may become have been increased by 10% after tonight. Let's hope this is a sign of things to come and he continues to improve and level up.
