by David Douglas (dedlfc)
With the news of Carroll not playing this evening and Sterling being a starter for the first team in our colours, the main thoughts pre-game were of how exciting it was to see Sterling starting in the first team and to also see if we could bounce back from the bad league defeat away to WBA.
We demonstrated that we were up for the fight against our Scottish rivals by maintaining our 4-3-3 formation but this time resting Lucas, Allen and Gerrard and bringing in the work-horse Spearing and giving the in-form Shelvey a run out and also despite the speculation playing Charlie Adam as the central focal point of our three midfielders.
The first half was quite even with Hearts holding their own for most of it, long range efforts by Charlie Adam and the effervescent winger Sterling being the main highlights until a mistake by Hearts stylish midfielder Taouil who attempted a cross ball which was brilliantly anticipated by the pace of Sterling, with Sterling now through on goal he had the maturity and unselfishness to play a perfect sideways pass to Borini who fluffed the chance by hitting another post by the team.
To not take your chances is not something that Rodgers can improve on - this will take time and extreme hard work from the team to start making our own luck.
The second half was in a similar vein until we decided to take off the ineffective Spearing for the classy Joe Allen, this substitution now gave us the control of the game which culminated into a cross down the right which Borini attempted to slot away but Hearts defender Andy Webster got the only touch which went past Hearts keeper and treacled over the goal line.
Hearts brought about an excellent save from Reina very late into the game and we had won.
Conclusions from this match:-
- Borini is again not fit
- Allen is total quality and controls how the team plays whenever he is on the pitch
Man of the match: Raheem Sterling - made the wrong pass at times but overall was a fantastic outlet to give the ball to. Excellent prospect!
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