Matty took a shot which was blocked for a corner from which nothing transpired. Our next attack saw Sully again carry the ball in from the wing, twice feinting to shoot before curling another effort wide.
Ramsdale was twice called into action either side of the hour mark. First Garnacho played in Antony whose shot was saved as was the next effort from outside the box by Garnacho. The game was halted with Dibling down and the medics on. He was replaced by Smallbone who took over as false #9 with Matty going out on the right wing.
United’s changes had improved them and Zirkzee’s movement gave our backline a different problem. He would rarely play up against them and encouraged runners to bypass him. Both Bruno and Amad got into shooting positions but their efforts were blocked.
On 73m Ivan made 2 direct swaps AA for Matty and Downes for Aribo. Into the last 15m and both teams were creating chances. Garnacho forced another save from Rammy and AA saw his effort blocked. Downes was carded for a crude foul on Antony. From the free kick, Zirkzee set up Bruno but his shot was saved under the crossbar.
Suddenly Amad began to threaten and his first effort, set up by Zirkzee, was blocked. His next drive forward backed KWP into our box. His first attempt hit our man but fell invitingly into the Ivorian’s path so he smashed it low past Rammy. Bugger! 1-1.
Maguire and Eriksen had been waiting to come on and now did, replacing Mazraoui and the shell-shocked Yoro. Ivan took off Ugo and Bednarek, sending on Tall Paul and Wood. Our defending was getting more frantic but the evening’s worst decision was a free kick for Antony who wasn’t touched by KWP. Same old, same old!
In the final minute, United opened us up again. The ball reached Eriksen who lifted it beyond our defenders into the path of Amad who drove into the same corner of our goal. 2-1 and +5m to go.
Saints went up the other end and forced a corner off Collyer. Suga was nearest so he took it, found THB but his header hit Downes and went wide. That should have been that but, to rub salt into the wounds, Ramsdale overhit a routine pass across the box to THB who mis-controlled it and in stepped Amad to complete his hat trick.
It was hard on Saints who had looked better than their hosts for much of the first half. United’s subs had made a positive difference and the same could not be said of ours. No points but there was a bit more about us in this match. I don’t think we are staying up but perhaps the Derby low points total may be exceeded.
Man Of The Match
I never thought I’d write these words but Kamaldeen Sulemana was our MOM. Ally McCoist was going to give him it too - till Amad eventually joined the party and took home the match-ball. United have good footballers despite being a poor team, yet Sully bested them more often than not. Doubt Yoro has had such a tough time since arriving in the UK.
I’d hope, as Ivan gets us to be more “evil”, there will be options for Sully to play the ball to teammates in the box rather than keep having to cut inside and hit it himself. The other upside of his performance is that opponents may be obliged to double up to counter his threat. In theory, this will create space for our other players who may (possibly) capitalise by scoring…