PSV nearly scored in the opening minutes when a Farfan header was saved by Pepe, but after that their offense disappeared. PSV is playing predictably aggressive, but to no avail, though Jermaine Pennant might be injured. The thing about that is though, Steven Gerrard is Pennant's replacement, if JP comes out. Speaking of Pennant, he's playing well, making lot's of crosses, but rarely finding someone in the box. Crouch had one good attempt from a great Pennant cross when he got a high foot on the ball, but it bounced right into the goalkeeper's grasp.
Bellamy was hurt in the 17th minute and was replaced by Robbie Fowler. Bells looked as if he buckled his knee, when he blocked a cross attempt by PSV. I hope he's all right, but if not, it will at least give something for us to counter Mourhino's woeful excuses.
Sissoko seems to be playing much better. He's making good decisions with the ball and showing a lot of patience. In the past couple of games, it was as if he was afraid to hold onto the ball for too long, but his confidence seems restored. Crouch on the other hand, other than the attempt on goal, is the one player I would single out as having a less than memorable performance. Again, he's holding onto the ball too long, allowing the defense to collapse around him and when he does attempt a pass, it's futile.
Surprisingly, Hyypia and Zenden are playing well. Nothing spectacular but well. The only mishap on defense so far was a bad clearance by Agger, but Xabi took care of that. Anyhow, I feel a lot more confident that we'll advance, but you never know, as long as we dominate the middle as much as we have, we should easily advance. The time of possession is a bit misleading as, according to UEFA, PSV has held the ball for 51% of the time. They may have, but the ball has been in their two-thirds of the field probably 90% of the time. We're definitely dictating the way this game is being played and I don't see how that'll change, but who knows.