GK Guglielmo Vicario
Another game where Vicario had little to do thanks to the solid defending in front of him. There is an argument that he should have done better with the goal, either coming for the ball or a stronger save on the initial header. I think that would be unfair, given it was such close range, and he was a little unlucky with the deflection after his save. Vicario and the defenders were not the reason for our struggles in this game. Rating: 6
RB Djed Spence
Back to playing in his original position of right back, Spence actually looked a little more subdued than recently. He did not have too many problems with Hwang Hee-chan but also found going forward more difficult. Was substituted for Pedro Porro, presumably for the reason of this lack of forward play. Rating: 6
LB Destiny Udogie
Offered more going forward than Spence on the other flank. Had some good driving runs, but not enough of them, certainly not as many as in our recent game vs. Brighton. Like a lot of the team, he was lacking some spark in attack but played well defensively. Made an excellent recovery run and block in the first half to stop what would have been a clear chance. Rating: 7
CB Cristian Romero
His positioning and reading of the game continues to work so well with Micky van de Ven. Even when Wolves attacked, it felt as if we were in control. Perhaps was a little static for the goal but, overall, it was another consistent performance. Rating: 7
CB Micky van de Ven
Consistency is also a good way to describe Micky van de Ven. Like Romero, his positioning allows him to deal with attacks in their early stages, but he has the added advantage of using that unbeatable pace when needed. Looks a threat when he is forward, which is where he spent a lot of the early part of the game. Our fast start was one of the few encouraging moments of this game, and Micky staying up is something we should encourage more, particularly in games where the opposition is defending deep. Rating: 7
CM João Palhinha
This will of course be a game where Palhinha’s contribution is mostly remembered for his goal. He had a decent performance up until that point but not as dominant as he has been in other games, such as away at Man City or at Brighton. Was unlucky with the Wolves goal. Excellent finish for the equalizer, which was his third goal of the season. This has been a welcome surprise for a player whose main role is defensive. Rating: 6
CM Rodrigo Bentancur
This was a game where we needed more from Bentancur. While not making many mistakes, it was also a game where he did not take enough risks. We looked comfortable at the back, and it would have been an advantage to have more attacking play from Bentancur. He was subbed for Brennan Johnson, which made sense for that reason. Bentancur’s calmness on the ball is an asset, particularly when breaking up opposition attacks near our area, but when attacking, we need more urgency and decisiveness against stubborn opposition. Rating: 5
CM Lucas Bergvall
Bergvall started well but faded quickly in the second half. Had a good early chance but missed his shot completely. Combined well with Kudus in the first half, and a great flick led to the chance that was just offside. Bergvall was playing much farther forward than he often does, almost as a second striker at times. He can do this and has the ability to play anywhere, but I would still prefer to see him deeper, where his vision and ball-carrying ability can help to start attacks. Bergvall is already an important player and will get better. He was marked out of the game in the second half and the impact on our attacking was play was very apparent. Rating: 6
RW Mohammed Kudus
Like the whole team, Kudus was far better in the first half than the second. Even in the second half, it still felt like he was our best creative source. He has great strength on the ball and the ability to beat players in tight spaces. Looked a real threat in the first half and was unlucky with his strike after interplay with Bergvall was deemed (correctly) to be offside. Had that gone in and given us the first goal, this game likely would have gone very differently. Rating: 6
LW Xavi Simons
Industrious performance from Xavi without providing enough goal threat. Always looked to get on the ball and is another in the team who can carry the ball forward with intent. With Xavi, Bergvall, and Kudus all in the side, this can be a strength. A harsh booking meant he had to be more careful in his challenges. The ability is clear, and there is certainly more to come from him this season. Rating: 5
CF Richarlison
The formation we are playing really needs a striker who can link the play, hold the ball up, bring the wide players in, and provide a threat in the middle. Richarlison was only occasionally able to do this, and we needed much more. He was too easily beaten to the ball and did not have enough movement to bring any defenders out of position. Provided lots of effort, as always, but too often attacks through him broke down. Injuries to Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani have left few options in attack, and Thomas Frank needs to address this area of the squad in the upcoming transfer windows Rating: 4
Substitutes: Mathys Tel, Brennan Johnson, Pedro Porro, Wilson Odobert, Pape Matar Sarr
For most of their time on the pitch, the substitutes had little impact. This is potentially becoming an issue with Frank’s subs in the Premier League at least. For the positive, all the subs made sense given where we were in the game, were attacking, and did come early enough, but the results were generally no change on our play. There was a critical exception at the end though that helped us to get a point. Tel did very well to beat his man and get the ball into the box where Sarr laid it off for Palhinha’s goal. The layoff from Sarr not only put the ball into Palhinha’s path to shoot, but also importantly took the pace off the ball, without which Palhinha’s shot has a likely chance of going high over the bar. This good work from Tel and Sarr at the end helped us to get a point that looked unlikely for a large part of the second half. Ratings: Tel (6), Johnson (4), Pedro Porro (5), Odobert (5), Pape Matar Sarr (6)