No need to wait to do this


Raya 7.5 - Certainly wasn’t called to action as much as his counterpart but was big when he needed to be and made a couple of smart saves


Timber 8 - Ill be honest I thought that follow through from Mbappe in the first half was a bit spiteful, he marshalled Vini jnr well


Saliba 7.5 - Would give him higher but a few uncharacteristic brain farts in the first half, but he was one of a back four giving nothing away


Kiwior 8.5 - I’m giving him half a point more because he was a big worry factor but he was so calm, dispossessed Mbappe at one point.


Lewis-Skelly 8 - Played almost as a third central midfielder at times, without abandoning his defensive duties…added a bit of energy going forward


Partey 8 - Protected the back four well, that dickhead Camavinga stayed down long enough to make sure he got booked



Rice 9.5 - And that’s only because I never give a 10. But my problem with him is going to be deciding which of his free kicks were better, the curler or the thunderous strike. It wasn’t just the free kicks, it was everything he did on the pitch.


Odegaard 7.5 - Decent link up play with Saka


Saka 8.5 - Gave Alaba a tough night, and that’s despite not being fully fit


Martinelli 8 - They actually doubled up on him, that’s how much trouble he was causing


Merino 9 - What a lovely finish, and was massively unlucky not to score at least once before that. Actually played in front of goal second half as if he’d been a striker his whole career.



Subs


Trossard 7 - Fresh legs, kept us in control of things m


Tierney 7 - Did what he needed to do


White 7 - Blended into the back four and made sure Real Madrid didn’t get back into the tie



I’m almost frightened to say it, but we couldn’t could we?


This was the most consummate big match performance. We got the opener and then we smelt blood. I did wonder if it wouldn’t be our night when Courtois repelled our barrage on goal, but no fear. The london club produced the london bus effect, no goal from a direct free kick in years…two on the night.

That result did not flatter us

I repeat

That result did not flatter us. We deserved not only to win but to win by three clear goals. Mbappe was a bit of a menace in the first half but we kept him and Vini Jnr completely quiet in the second half.

A performance of control but also devestating ruthlessness

I envy all the fans who went to the Emirates tonight