Okay, let me try to explain how things went for us. Getting that 2-0 win finally happened, which felt really good after not winning for a bit. Personally, I was just pleased we kept control the whole time, you know?
It’s a great result, obviously. I noticed we missed some early chances again, which has been a thing lately. But the big difference this time was that the other team’s first real chance to score didn’t actually go in. And honestly, that was pretty much their only chance the whole match, which came really late.
When Cody scored that second goal, it was a relief for sure. My first thought was, wait, was that a handball? So I wasn’t surprised it took the ref a moment to confirm. I haven’t watched it back, but I guess it wasn’t. I was truly happy once he pointed to the center spot.
Not giving up a goal from a set-piece, and actually almost scoring from one ourselves with that long throw, are just so important if you want to win. It was different from before where we’d let in an early goal and be chasing.
The fans today… it was special. Even with things being tough lately, they were there for us from the first minute to the last. It says a lot about this club. Supporting someone when it’s easy is one thing, but doing it when it’s hard, that’s what makes a place special.
About Alex Isak getting his goal, I’m happy for him. He hasn’t had as many minutes as a usual number nine would, for different reasons. It’s a bit unfair on him. I even had to take him off around the 65-minute mark today. So for him to score was big for him and for us.
Florian Wirtz had a good game, but the whole team was better today. When individuals weren’t at their best before, I focused on the team, so now I can say he played well, but the main thing is the team performance was stronger. We wanted him to be himself on the pitch, and he helped us create an extra player in midfield with his dribbling and passing.
Milos Kerkez did well defensively. He came off with cramp, that’s all. The one chance their player Bowen had wasn’t really Milos’s fault at all. He put in a solid performance.
Why Mo Salah started on the bench was a decision based on the game and the schedule. With four games in ten days and not a huge squad, you have to pick the right lineup for each match. I thought for how they play, with a high full-back, this was the best choice for the team. He’s been so important for this club, and he will be again.
For me, seeing us get a 2-0 win felt really important after the last few results. We managed the game properly, which was the main thing I wanted to see.
Obviously the result is very good. It was a bit like other games where we could have scored early. But what was different is that for the first time in a long while, the other team’s first big chance didn’t end up in our net. And the best part was that it was pretty much their only chance, and that didn’t happen until the very end.
The second goal from Cody was a relief, for sure. I did say straight away to my staff that it might have been a handball, I thought. So I wasn’t surprised it took the referee a while to give it. I assume it was the right call since I haven’t seen a replay. You’re only properly happy when you see him pointing back to the center circle.
We didn’t give up a goal from a set-piece, which is a big thing for us. And we almost scored from one ourselves, in a way, with that long throw leading to a goal after a bit of a scramble. Those small moments are so important if you want to win a match. It was a different feeling from games where we conceded early and were always trying to come from behind.
The way the fans were supporting us today, it was something special. It tells you a lot about the club that they were behind the whole team, and me too, even when we haven’t been getting the wins. Having an away end that full and that loud from start to finish when things are tough, that’s what makes a club different. It’s easier to support people when everything is going well, isn’t it?
I’m pleased for Alex Isak to get his goal. His minutes have been less than a typical number nine would usually get, for various reasons, which hasn’t been entirely fair on him. I had to take him off around the 65th minute again today. So to score, it’s come at a good time for him and for the team.
Regarding Florian Wirtz, he played well because the team played well. I’ve been asked about individuals after poor games and I talked about the team, so it’s only right I say he was positive today. We needed him to play his own game, and he was important for us in midfield, creating an extra man. His dribbling and that diagonal pass to Gakpo were exactly what we needed.
Milos Kerkez was solid for us before he came off with cramp. People might look at his performance, but the only real chance for Bowen came when Milos wasn’t even on the pitch. So I thought he was good defensively.
The choice to not start Mohamed Salah was a tactical one, thinking about the opponent and the busy schedule. With four games in such a short time, you have to manage the group. I felt for how West Ham set up, this was the best lineup for today. He has been so important for this club, that’s undeniable, and he will be again.
Looking at the game overall, I thought our energy from the start was just better. We were first to the ball and our pressing had more purpose, which we’ve been working on. It’s a simple thing, but it makes a huge difference.
Another point is that we used the width of the pitch better today. Our full-backs provided an outlet, and we switched the play more, which stretched their defense and created the spaces for our midfielders to operate in. It’s a basic part of the game, but we executed it well.
This victory is just a first step, I know that. We can’t get ahead of ourselves after one good result. The key now is to show this same attitude and commitment in the next match, and then the one after that. Consistency is what we need to find again.
