Starting line-up
Bialkowski - 7: Little to do apart from pick the ball out of the net after a superb volley by Barrett. Swept up well at the back and has a calming influence on the defence.
Ostlund - 7: Typically feisty display by Jesus who was clearly well up for this one. A little short on quality on some of his crosses and guilty of the odd positional slip in defence, but we need characters like him in the team and he played his part in the victory.
Lundekvam - 7: After a nervous start at the back, Claus was soon back to his dominant best, sweeping up well at the back and winning some important headers. Big worry to see the skipper going off with a serious looking ankle injury.
Baird - 8: Likewise played his part in the static defending at the start of the first half, but then dealt with everything that came his way as well as making a nuisance of himself in the opposition penalty box.
Bale - 9: Looked a player refreshed after his spell out through injury. Back to his imperious best and proved the catalyst that got Saints playing after conceding the early goal. His quality from crosses and set pieces was simply different class. Southend struggled to handle his pace and dribbling ability. What a player, shame about the free kick!
Belmadi - 6: Disappointing game from the Algerian wizard who looked short of fitness. Tried hard to work his magic, but little came off for him, with his trademark turns often slowing down counter attacks. Showed his confidence in his talent with an outrageous volley from distance that would have rivaled Baird's strike had it gone in.
Guthrie - 8: Let's hope Liverpool spend all their new cash on central midfielders, as we just don't want to give Danny back. At the heart of much of Saints' improved play after the early setback, mixing short and long passes to good effect and putting himself about with a great deal of energy.
Pele - 7: Short of the form he showed earlier in the season in central midfield when he looked to have everything - pace, aggression and ability on the ball. Looked much more comfortable when restored to central defence, although his laid back style caused a few nervous moments among the supporters!
Surman - 7: Intelligent display from Surman who was always looking to play the neat pass and outfox his man. Really came into the game when switched to the right for Belmadi. Just needed to get into more dangerous positions to make his ability on the ball count at the sharp end.
Jones - 8: Say what you like about Burley, there's no doubt he's made Kenwyne into a very effective Championship striker. He really put himself about up front and headed in with a towering leap, plus a poacher's strike to tap in after Leon Best was fouled in the box. Nearly scored the goal of the game when his supert left foot volley from distance was tipped onto the bar with an equally good save from Flahavan.
Best - 9: Growing in confidence and stature, having emerged from Dexter Blackstock's shadow to become the real deal up front. Quick, strong and a goal poacher, he's getting calmer in front of goal and it's showing with a tap-in and quality left-foot half volley and what was going to be a penalty until Keywne tapped in anyway.
Substitutes
Viafara - 8: Top quality display from the Columbian who really got on top of the Southend midfield after coming on for Claus. Tiggerish in the tackle, he's also slowly starting to find his passing range after some intensive work with that man again Burley. We need him on the pitch for the big games to come.
Skacel - 7: Got stuck in to good effect on the left, but had little real opportunity to show the magic in his left foot. Time to restore Skacel and Surman to the flanks?
Rasiak - 7: Only given the last five minutes, but played like a man with a point to prove, trying a dipping volley from 25 yards and working himself a copule more half chances around the box. Must have been sat on the bench desperate to come on and be the hero once again.
Bialkowski - 7: Little to do apart from pick the ball out of the net after a superb volley by Barrett. Swept up well at the back and has a calming influence on the defence.
Ostlund - 7: Typically feisty display by Jesus who was clearly well up for this one. A little short on quality on some of his crosses and guilty of the odd positional slip in defence, but we need characters like him in the team and he played his part in the victory.
Lundekvam - 7: After a nervous start at the back, Claus was soon back to his dominant best, sweeping up well at the back and winning some important headers. Big worry to see the skipper going off with a serious looking ankle injury.
Baird - 8: Likewise played his part in the static defending at the start of the first half, but then dealt with everything that came his way as well as making a nuisance of himself in the opposition penalty box.
Bale - 9: Looked a player refreshed after his spell out through injury. Back to his imperious best and proved the catalyst that got Saints playing after conceding the early goal. His quality from crosses and set pieces was simply different class. Southend struggled to handle his pace and dribbling ability. What a player, shame about the free kick!
Belmadi - 6: Disappointing game from the Algerian wizard who looked short of fitness. Tried hard to work his magic, but little came off for him, with his trademark turns often slowing down counter attacks. Showed his confidence in his talent with an outrageous volley from distance that would have rivaled Baird's strike had it gone in.
Guthrie - 8: Let's hope Liverpool spend all their new cash on central midfielders, as we just don't want to give Danny back. At the heart of much of Saints' improved play after the early setback, mixing short and long passes to good effect and putting himself about with a great deal of energy.
Pele - 7: Short of the form he showed earlier in the season in central midfield when he looked to have everything - pace, aggression and ability on the ball. Looked much more comfortable when restored to central defence, although his laid back style caused a few nervous moments among the supporters!
Surman - 7: Intelligent display from Surman who was always looking to play the neat pass and outfox his man. Really came into the game when switched to the right for Belmadi. Just needed to get into more dangerous positions to make his ability on the ball count at the sharp end.
Jones - 8: Say what you like about Burley, there's no doubt he's made Kenwyne into a very effective Championship striker. He really put himself about up front and headed in with a towering leap, plus a poacher's strike to tap in after Leon Best was fouled in the box. Nearly scored the goal of the game when his supert left foot volley from distance was tipped onto the bar with an equally good save from Flahavan.
Best - 9: Growing in confidence and stature, having emerged from Dexter Blackstock's shadow to become the real deal up front. Quick, strong and a goal poacher, he's getting calmer in front of goal and it's showing with a tap-in and quality left-foot half volley and what was going to be a penalty until Keywne tapped in anyway.
Substitutes
Viafara - 8: Top quality display from the Columbian who really got on top of the Southend midfield after coming on for Claus. Tiggerish in the tackle, he's also slowly starting to find his passing range after some intensive work with that man again Burley. We need him on the pitch for the big games to come.
Skacel - 7: Got stuck in to good effect on the left, but had little real opportunity to show the magic in his left foot. Time to restore Skacel and Surman to the flanks?
Rasiak - 7: Only given the last five minutes, but played like a man with a point to prove, trying a dipping volley from 25 yards and working himself a copule more half chances around the box. Must have been sat on the bench desperate to come on and be the hero once again.