View From A Blue

Neither Vincent Kompany nor Martin Demichelis have travelled to Russia for this Champions League encounter, leaving Manuel Pellegrini with a choice between Javi Garcia and Joleon Lescott to partner Matija Nastasic at centre-back. The thought of the Spaniard in that role in a crucial match isn’t exactly a convincing one and it would be a [...]

Hart - Quickly out at the feet of Diamé in the second-half to deny a goal but it’s hard to remember him being called into action too often. Helpless with Vaz Te’s overhead effort – 6 Richards – A typically powerful performance. Solid defensively, he anticipated danger better than usual, often intercepting the pass played between [...]

Hart - Every touch was scrutinised to such an extent after his latest blips against Bayern so he would have been relieved that this was a fairly quiet afternoon’s work. Could arguably have done better for Everton’s goal, but that’s only if we’re being super critical, whilst he was otherwise assured. Handling was good, distribution was quick and [...]

Hart - Will be bitterly disappointed with his role in the first and third goals. Didn’t move his feet quickly enough to cover Ribéry’s long-range effort and then beaten far too easily by Robben later on at his near post. A couple of strong stops near the end, but questions will continue about his extended iffy [...]

Hart - Questions will be asked as to whether he needed to rush out so far off his line for Villa’s third goal but he clearly wanted to narrow the angle as much as possible. For the second strike, the free-kick, he was rooted to the spot but as with Yaya Touré’s near-identical set-piece goals this season, credit [...]