8th December vs Wolfsburg (a). 3-1

number 1

Let’s get one thing straight: this was a tricky and challenging encounter. Wolfsburg, the German champions, were undoubtedly up for this; realising a win would take them top of group B. To make matters harder for us, we travelled to Germany minus 12 first team players (the vast majority defenders), knowing that we would have to subsidise this loss by playing a hugely unfamiliar and inexperience back line consisting of only one defender.

Well, as it was, Dzeko’s 56th minute header was their only meaningful threat towards our defenders, however ‘meaningful’ ultimately became ‘meaningless’ as the goal was heavily ruled out by our overall class and superiority.

Our crocked reserves – with Park at right-back and Fletcher and Carrick at centre-half – performed formidably, however the award for most impressive performance of the day was of course reserved for a certain out-of-sorts Scouser.

number 2

Mickey Owen’s hat-trick was not only fantastically well taken; however his 7th of the season will surely give him – as well as the cynical fans who have constantly doubted his signing – a much needed confidence boost. He rose brilliantly for his first to nod in Nani’s right-footed cross; his second, after awesome solo work from Obertan, was a tap-in; but his third, considering the slack he’s been given (by me) regarding his faltering pace and skill, was class.

number 3

As the ball was spread wide to Owen on the halfway line, he kept his head down and bombed towards goal with the two Wolfsburg defenders constantly trailing him. Then, when the finish was required of him to complete his solo move, and in-turn round off an accomplished European night, he chipped the ball over Benaglio to complete his hat-trick.



We’ve seen Michael in this position before – one-on-one with the keeper, 'only one man to beat' and all that – yet as is more than often the case, the ball usually ends up fumbled between the keepers’ legs or simply bouncing off his midriff. However here, not only did he do all the hard work to find himself in such a promising position, he found the finishing touch to match his determination superbly. With Owen, its all about one thing: Goals = confidence. And that’s exactly what we saw from the striker yesterday.

So, on a potentially disastrous European night; where our botched-up defence would endure a difficult and mistake-ridden display that Dzeko and co. would be able to capitalise on fully, we dominated and performed comfortably; barely noticing our deficiencies at the back. Top of the group with 13 points and gratefully guaranteed to avoid the likes of Bordeaux, Real and Chelsea…for now.

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