00:29Hello and a warm welcome on what is a glorious night for football, perfect playing conditions.
00:34I'm Derek Ray, and sitting alongside me, ready to provide all the technical and tactical analysis, is Stuart Robson.
00:41And with the game just moments away now, this really ought to be a superb watch.
00:46How do you see this one going?
00:47Well, a quick start to the game is all important here today, and I'm sure both managers will have drilled that into the players.
00:53But they also have to play with composure and a tactical understanding.
00:57It should be a good game.
01:08And the line-up for the home side.
01:11Well, plenty of attacking width in this 4-3-3, but they'll need to get their midfield players to join the centre-forward as much as possible.
01:18If not, he'll become isolated.
01:27And this is the initial 11 for the visitors today.
01:41Well, on paper, it's down as a 4-5-1.
01:43But for me, it's more likely to be a split midfield, with three supporting the front man, and two sitting that little bit deeper as defensive cover.
01:52And we're off.
02:06The first half begins with plenty of anticipation in the air.
02:09A very effective challenge put in.
02:23Annoyingly, there it breaks down.
02:24Ducouré.
02:29Ducouré.
02:32Rodriguez.
02:34And given edges of space to attack here.
02:38Lacazette is in the centre.
02:40A bit short with the clearance.
02:46And goes for goal!
02:47Well, the keeper made the save pretty easily in the end.
02:54Smart defending.
02:59Alas Mari.
03:02Alburait.
03:04Very effective pass.
03:07Must take the lead here.
03:09And they have.
03:10You've got to say, it has been coming.
03:17Well, just look how he holds off the defender.
03:25He keeps his balance, and he still hits the target.
03:28What a good goal that is.
03:36And back underway.
03:381-0 it is.
03:39And Kone has it.
04:02It's with Ducouré, not attacking possibilities.
04:31It's with Ducouré, excellent assessment of the situation at the back.
04:57Cross might be on.
04:58Can he get the level?
05:04Keeper diving magnificently to make sure he got there.
05:07Can he get the level?
05:20What can they do from here?
05:21This could level it.
05:22What can they do from here?
05:23This could level it.
05:24The keeper with an important save.
05:25How important is that?
05:26Well, he should score from there.
05:27That's a wasted opportunity.
05:28He should beat the keeper from that sort of distance.
05:33He should beat the keeper from that sort of distance.
05:34He should beat the keeper from that sort of distance.
05:35He should beat the keeper from that sort of distance.
05:36And over it comes.
05:37And over it comes.
05:38Well, that was wasteful.
05:39Well, that was wasteful.
05:40Far too close to the keeper.
05:41That was wasteful.
05:42Far too close to the keeper.
05:43And over it comes.
05:44And over it comes.
05:45Well, that was wasteful.
05:46Far too close to the keeper.
05:47And over it comes.
05:48Well, that was wasteful.
05:49Far too close to the keeper.
05:50And over it comes.
06:08far too close to the keeper
06:10Ali Alasmari
06:22and that's very intelligent play
06:33to win back possession
06:34getting the ball forward
06:38well he really wanted to make it a double
06:42and would have done had it not been for the keeper
06:45well he's been really good today
06:47a constant threat to this defence
07:08so the corner played into the box
07:11nothing untoward happened
07:18well it looked as though they were going to stretch the lead even further
07:25but the goalkeeper having his say
07:28the keeper has just about kept them in it here
07:31sending it in
07:51has to clear his lines
07:52continues his run
08:05can he put it away
08:09an incredible block
08:10he's done so well there
08:12what an important block
08:14could be a chance to break
08:16now can he get on the end of this one
08:20oh dear up a dead end
08:23it was promising
08:23well there it is
08:27the visitors have completely dominated the game
08:29in the last 15 minutes
08:30and their passing patterns have created numerous chances
08:33they surely must
08:34and striking it
08:35oh good work by the keeper
08:37delivering it
09:00this could square the game
09:09oh it still needs clearing
09:12up a disappointing dead end
09:18well still behind here
09:21but only due to some incredible goalkeeping
09:23surely it's only a matter of time
09:25if they keep piling on the pressure like this
09:27nicely weighted pass
09:29oh it all happened so quickly
09:31that first counter attack
09:33and then a tremendous save
09:34well had that gone in
09:36they would be in big trouble now
09:49who's going to get on the end of it
09:51and this might not be the ideal situation for them
09:55and the post gets in the way
09:57not to be
09:59intercepted effortlessly
10:11intercepted effortlessly
10:12the referee has decided that two additional minutes are in order
10:22Ben Rama
10:24oh that's a clever ball
10:27and the managers will now deliver their half-time team talks
10:37we're at the end of 45 minutes in this game
10:40I think most fans would be pretty happy with this man's display so far
10:45well it's been a really good display
10:47so I'm
10:49so I'm
10:50And off we go again.
11:19The second half has begun.
11:27And a timely intervention.
11:36Teammates available.
11:38Well, somebody's got to stop him.
11:40But into the keeper's gloves.
11:49Well, you've got to say, comfortably off target, Stuart.
11:54Yeah, that's a waste of good possession.
11:56His teammates are not happy with him.
11:58And they're letting him know.
11:59Well, that's how to dispossess your opponent.
12:12One in with confidence.
12:15He's in with a chance.
12:17And a good-looking pass.
12:33Yeah, such a good pass through the ball.
12:34And firing it.
12:39Well, that's how to hit them.
12:41Not quite accurate enough, though.
12:42And he takes it away.
13:03It's like a really smart piece of defending to stop them.
13:06Quick counter could be on.
13:13And finally, up a cul-de-sac.
13:18Given away again.
13:21It's looking promising.
13:23Well, that attack collapsed completely.
13:34Now, possession changing hands over and over again.
13:37Well, I'm not seeing too much quality out there at the moment.
13:41Well, he's certainly not alone.
13:42And let's give credit to the defending.
13:51Lacazette.
13:53Looking dangerous here.
13:59Lacazette.
14:00And off the post.
14:02A scalding shot it was.
14:04Yeah, you can't really criticise that effort, can you?
14:06Regain possession.
14:27He's on the run.
14:33And she's it.
14:35And could have put it away.
14:37Opportunity there to extend their advantage.
14:40I have to say, it's not a bad effort.
14:41That would certainly make it more comfortable for them.
14:43Well, doesn't have to do it on his own.
15:02Can he score?
15:09Can he score?
15:09Oh, good work to deny the opportunity.
15:22Who's going to get on the end of it?
15:24Well, capable of a better clearance than that.
15:26Oh, this looks useful.
15:35Well, sloppy in possession.
15:36And the keeper there to make sure nothing untoward happened.
15:52Genuine chance.
15:53Oh, I can't believe that challenge.
15:56Brilliant.
15:58And showing the importance of win.
16:00Opportunity here.
16:08What a vital intervention.
16:13Possibilities for them to counter.
16:15And then with a real chance.
16:18Oh, brilliant save.
16:20Yeah, won the battle there.
16:21Confident piece of goalkeeping.
16:25Substitution then.
16:26Let's see how it affects the match.
16:30Trying to deliver it accurately.
16:38And never quite had the header on the target.
16:53Well, there's still scope for late drama here.
16:56Five minutes left.
16:57And just one goal between the sides.
17:00Untidy on the ball.
17:07Can he find the right pass?
17:12Oh, this is looking promising.
17:16And there it is.
17:17A penalty given.
17:19And a chance perhaps for them to finish this off.
17:22And not content with that.
17:23It's a yellow card as well.
17:25Yeah, not the cleverest bit of defending, was it?
17:27And this could finish it off.
17:35And he's missed spectacularly.
17:37Well, that's such a poor penalty.
17:39He's missed that by a mile.
17:40Well, just listen to this crowd.
17:46They want a bit more.
17:47They know there's still plenty of time to find an equalizer.
17:50Surely they'll get another chance.
17:52Maybe two.
17:52So, two minutes of stoppage time here.
17:58Well, what a great bit of play that was.
18:21Including the save.
18:25And short it is.
18:29Well, nothing for the players in the middle to work with.
18:31Let's go finish it.
18:42And there it is.
18:43The final whistle.
18:44Not what the home fans were hoping for before a ball was kicked today.
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