Player Ratings vs Southampton

By Martyn Osmond
September 20 2004

Southampton should be kicked out of the Premiership for being too far south...took me nigh on 24 hours to get there and back and watch the match! Anyway here's player ratings:

Given - 7: Quiet day, dealt with crosses reasonably well.

Carr - 8.5: Not only was he excellent defensively but scored a belter to win the game.

O'Brien - 8: Very solid, one goal-saving block from Fernandes and immense in the air.

Elliott - 8: Tidy and impressive again. Elliott for England!

Bernard - 7: Didn't get forward much but did his job at the back.

Bellamy - 6.5: Looked out of place on the wing, but was important defensively. Did manage to set up the goal mind.

Bowyer - 7: Didn't look as much of an attacking threat as he had in recent games, but helped the cause defensively. Bowyer + Butt beginning to look a very tidy partnership in the middle.

Butt - 8: Excellent, more than redeemed himself for Thursday's misdemeanour. Hugely influential in helping out the defence, and had a couple of decent efforts on goal to boot.

Jenas - 6.5: Like Bellamy, looked uncomfortable out of position but did an important job. Set up Carr's goal with some quick thinking.

Kluivert - 7: Some good touches but the defence handled him well.

Shearer - 7: Ditto.

Subs:

Milner - 7: Good work keeping the ball towards the end of the game.

Toon support to team - 7: Decent backing, not helped by the stupid Southampton stewards trying to get everyone to sit down for the whole game.