When I woke up today, I immediately checked my phone to see today’s line-up. To me surprise, Benitez played 6 natural defenders, and two defensive-minded midfielders, and Maxi Rodriguez didn’t get a start. Though Philip Degen is an attacking-minded right back, we lacked someone creative in the middle of the park. Aquilani sat on the bench for 85 minutes. Luckily, Fabio Aurelio possesses a great left-foot, and it was from his ensuing free kick that we were up 1-0.

Sadly, we are no longer the comeback kings, but more like the comeback allowers. Stoke finally equalized from a corner kick after 10 minutes of heaving pressure from marauding throw-ins and corners. Given our frailties in protecting a lead, especially with a few minutes to go, I am disappointed we don’t possess the quality to simply retain the ball during the final stretches of the game. Maxi and Aquilani did make it on to the pitch for the final stretch of the game, but Stoke had nearly all of the possession. Had we been able to retain possession somewhere along the middle and final third, we wouldn’t have had to face Stoke’s final push.

A 1-0 victory would have done wonders for the team’s spirit, and Dirk Kuyt had a fortuitous chance to equalize, but alas, we left with a point. Quite a few pundits thought we would lose, and the spirit was in the team. Javier Mascherano had some great, dare I say, Xabi Alonso-esque passes today. He looked like the leader he is on the pitch today.

I am hope Benitez fields a more-offensive team against Tottenham. Anything short of a win will further add to the team’s woes.