Robert Huth - 8 - Another disciplined display. Great directed header for goal and pressured Bilya-what-ever-his-name-is at every opportunity
Danny Collins - 6 - Tried to offer Etherington an overlap but shocking clearances and lazy passes hampered improved defensive performance
Abdoulaye Faye - 7 - Steady. Did everything asked of him without much fuss. Does seem to be playing slightly within himself at present
Ryan Shawcross - 7 - Another who had a steady game but last minute mistake should have resulted in another injury time defeat, but Jo got the ball stuck under his feet. If he is going to call for a ball and move a teammate out of the way then he has to clear it
Rory Delap - 6 - Bad game by his standards. Twice failed to play easy balls to put Fuller in, after the Jamaican had got himself in great positions. Throw ins were ineffective and drifted into the middle too much for a winger
Matthew Etherington - 8(Man of the Match) - Ran all day, back to his old self and scared defence all day. Took Hibbert on for fun and seems to have found that spark. Great set pieces and one set up Huth for goal
Salif Diao - 8 - Performance went past all expectations. Was on the button from the first whistle and was faultless until he understandably tired prior to being subbed. His booking was criminal as he took the ball with a great challenge. As the song says he was here, there and everywhere
Dean Whitehead - 7 - Effort there, worked with Diao to keep the home midfield quiet but needs to improve his distribution if he is to cement place. Looks like an upgraded Darel Russell but that doesn't help in the Premier League where possession rules
James Beattie - 7 - Deperate for a goal. Not the same Beatt's that we saw last season but, ala Kitson, its amazing what a goal can do. Good effort none the less and defenders will be feeling battered and bruised come the morning
Ricardo Fuller - 8 - Ran all game. Ridiculous booking when he clearly took the ball visibly slowed him and made him hold back with his ankle snapping. Made numerous runs that his teammates failed to see and would have been in on goal had they been on the same wavelength as him. Let defenders know he was there and deserved a goal.
Subs
Glenn Whelan - 6 - Replaced the tired Diao. Not involved much but brought calm to midfield battle late on
Dave Kitson - N/A - Came on in injury time and won a couple of free kicks to allow late balls to be pumped into box. Lurked around waiting for half chance