Spain's Subs Take The Plaudits

Spain’s 1-0 win in Paris on Tuesday night yet again underlined why this team have ruled international football majestically for the past 5 years. When the chips are down, when their backs are against the wall, they simply find a way to overcome the odds and get the desired result. At the Stade de France, against what is beginning to look like a really strong French side under Didier Deschamps, they did just that; snatching the three points to regain control of this World Cup qualifying group, just when it seemed they would stumble and complicate their route to Brazil next year.

For once, it wasn’t the artistes that took the plaudits. For all the pretty passing patterns that Xavi and Iniesta painted all night, the decisive goal was down to the speed and determination of the unsung Pedro, as well as the relentless drive and energy of substitute left back Nacho Monreal. After drifting past two Frenchmen and picking out the overlapping Monreal with a cross field pass, the Barca striker burst into the French box at such pace that he was in the back of the goal even before the ball, his strike having deflected off Hugo Lloris before bouncing across the goal line.

The Arsenal man had already made his mark on the game earlier, setting up Xavi after a surging run down the flank only for the captain to blaze over from 8 yards. Pedro’s earlier impact should have been even more telling, after Lloris brought him down in the box in the first half only for the referee to wave play on.

Much had been made, pre-match, of how much Spain were going to miss starting left back, Jordi Alba, yet Monreal’s performance was just further evidence of how much talent Spain have in reserve. As was the performance, in goal, of Barcelona ‘keeper Victor Valdes, who started again because of the injury-induced absence of team captain Iker Casillas.

For me, Valdez had as much to do with this victory as anyone else in Spanish red. First, he foiled Franck Ribery when it seemed more likely that the Frenchman would score in a one-on-one break midway through the first half. Then, with the French piling forward in a desperate search for an equalizer, his superb reflex save stopped Patrice Evra’s close range diving header to preserve Spain’s lead.

Two more worth a mention: midfield double pivot Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets. Not, this time, for their poise on the ball and controlled passing, but for their willingness to dig in, fight and put their bodies on the line for the cause. It was what this game called for and neither of them shrunk from the challenge forced on them by France’s energetic midfield trio of Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi and Yohan Cabaye. Busquets finished the game with a bandage turban for his troubles and Alonso is probably still nursing the bruise Pogba’s knee must have left on his neck.

This wasn’t one of Spain’s smooth, dominant performances, yet on a night of high pressure, and away to a decent French team, they were good value for their win. If anything, they certainly proved – after drawing their last two home games – that all those “end-of-an-era” obituaries may just be a tad premature.

Progress for Rodgers' Reds

It's probably not the appropriate time to assess the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers at the helm of Liverpool Football Club. Then again, in a week following the landmark victory over 3rd placed Tottenham, it's probably the perfect time.






In truth Rodgers cachet, as Liverpool manager at least, has never been higher. Not only did Sunday's 3-2 win mark Liverpool's first of the season against any team in the top six, it was also the Reds third consecutive league win - fourth in all competitions - and it pushed them above Everton into a season high 6th on the league table.

Now, Rodgers team have had better games than Sunday's this season, and they were certainly helped by some shambolic defensive errors by Spurs. But too often this season, it's been the other way round - Liverpool playing superbly only to concede to silly mistakes - so perhaps they were due some good fortune. Besides, Spurs also benefitted from some poor defending to grab their two goals. All told, Rodgers' team did well to restrict a very good Spurs side to only a handful of half chances, and they certainly controlled the in-form Gareth Bale better than anyone else has over the past several weeks.

Sure, Liverpool are nowhere near title contenders just yet. Even the more modest target of a top four finish looks well out of reach with 9 games left. But this Liverpool team is a far cry from the early season strugglers that kicked off the season with a meagre return of 2 points from its first 5 games. In fact, it's only in comparison to those early season numbers that Liverpool's progress this season can be truly judged. Consider this: After the first 14 matches, Liverpool had just three wins and a grand total of 16 points. In the 15 matches since, they've won 9 times and amassed 29 points. And then there's the goals. Liverpool scored 18 times in those first 14 games and had a goal difference of +2. Since then, they've hit an additional 38 goals - they lead the league with 25 goals this calendar year - and now boast a goal difference of +20. If that's not progress, then I don't know what is.

Rodgers always insisted his team would get better as the season progressed and their recent form would suggest that his players have gradually grown accustomed to his methods. Beyond that though, Liverpool's improvement can be put down to several factors.

The obvious one would be the consistent goal scoring of striker Luis Suarez, who now leads the league with 22 goals - 29 in all competitions. The feisty Uruguayan has been at the heart of Liverpool's best moves all season and the fact that he's done so well for a team that's struggled for a long time makes him a prime candidate for Player of the year awards. Yet, Suarez was scoring regularly even in the early days when the team struggled to get going.

More telling, perhaps, is the return from injury - and gradual return to full fitness - of holding midfielder Lucas. The Brazilian has given the team much needed balance and defensive solidity, while enabling Steven Gerrard - surprisingly ever-present all season - to venture farther forward (he has 9 assists so far), and allowing Rodgers to rest tiring new boy Joe Allen.

There's also the January arrival of striker Daniel Sturridge and midfielder Phillipe Coutinho, two signings that are looking quite inspired at this early stage. Sturridge has taken some of the goal-scoring burden off Suarez with 4 goals in 7 league games since arriving, and Coutinho's trickery and vision as already earned him 1 goal and 2 assists in just 3 starts.

To cap it all is the extra bonus of a return to form of two players who were clearly on the outs when the season started. Jose Enrique at left back as proved effective at both ends of the field - he's scored twice this season - and Stewart Downing, benched for teenagers Raheem Sterling and Suso early in the season, has raised his game significantly and is now playing his best football since arriving at Anfield 18 months ago.

Of course, while all these bode well for a good end of season run - a good run always breeds expectations of more - things could still go awry in the weeks ahead. Tough games against Chelsea, Everton and resurgent Newcastle still lurk in the future, but on the face of it, Liverpool's next four games - Southampton, Aston Villa, Reading, West Ham - look quite winnable and a further 12 points from 12 would put a nice gloss on Rodgers first season at Anfield. On the other hand, playing teams in a relegation battle - as three of these clubs are - can always be tricky, as Man City found at Southampton a few weeks ago.

You have to think Liverpool have what it takes to keep their run going. It will be a further test of Rodgers' mettle to keep his team focused when things seem to be going well.