Player verdicts ‘Colchester Cruyff’ strikes twice

V PLYMOUTH CHRISTY PYM

Pulled off a terrific save at 2-0 which could have been crucial. Playing at the top of his game ...... 8

NATHAN THOMPSON

A very solid defensive display from the right back and very good in possession ............................. 8

FRANKIE KENT

Composed, cultured and very dominant. Formed an excellent partnership with Beevers ............ 8

MARK BEEVERS

Exposed a couple of times before the break, but impressive throughout the second half ............ 7

DAN BUTLER

A dogged defensive display from the leftback. Some tenacious tackling and accurate distribution ...................................................... 8

JOE WARD

Didn’t always use the ball effectively before the break, but outstanding in the second-half. Two more assists to make it 10 for the season ......... 8

JACK TAYLOR

A brilliant goal from 25 yards into the top corner capped another strong all-round midfield performance .................................................... 8

REECE BROWN

Passed the ball well. Generally positive ............. 7

SAMMIE SZMODICS

Looks full of confidence and full of running. Claimed his first away goal of the campaign .... 8

SIRIKI DEMBELE

Some dazzling footwork and sizzling speed. A menace all night ............................................... 8

JONSON CLARKE-HARRIS

Another powerful performance from the big man. Finished off a great team move to make it 21 goals for the season ......................................... 8

Substitutes

ETHAN HAMILTON (for Brown, 72mins) ........... 7

MO EISA (for Clarke-Harris, 87 mins) .............. 6

NIALL MASON (for Thompson, 87 mins) ......... 6

HARRISON BURROWS (for Ward, 87 mins) ..... 6

RICKY-JADE JONES (for Dembele, 90 mins)... 6

V AFC WIMBLEDON CHRISTY PYM

He’s making goalkeeping look easy. Safe hands, good communication, kicks well ....................... 7

FRANKIE KENT

A tough first-half against spirited opponents followed by a powerful second period .............. 7

NATHAN THOMPSON

Decent as a centre-back and outstanding as a right-back. He’s a live contender for Posh playerof-the-season. Avoided a booking again .......... 8

MARK BEEVERS

Very dominant throughout the game, on the deck and in the air ..................................................... 8

JOE WARD

Much better when switched to a right-sided attacking role. Very lively, used the ball well, but should have scored late on ............................... 8

DAN BUTLER

Kept finding space before the break, but not often found. Defended well second-half ..................... 7

JACK TAYLOR

Such a huge presence in the centre of midfield. Passed well, tackled well and even got forward in the second-half which was good to see ............ 8

REECE BROWN

Very prominent throughout. Excellent pass helped set up the opening goal ......................... 8

SAMMIE SZMODICS

Very busy and very effective. Two well-taken goals, but could have had four .......................... 9

SIRIKI DEMBELE

Superb for most of the game. Always a threat. An assist on the first goal ...................................... 8

JONSON CLARKE-HARRIS

A fortunate goal late on, but his 20th of an outstanding season. Worked hard . .................. 7

Substitutes

ETHAN HAMILTON (for Brown, 74 mins) ......... 6

NIALL MASON (for Thompson, 79 mins) ......... 6

MO EISA (for Clarke-Harris, 90 mins) ............. 6

RICKY-JADE JONES (for Szmodics, 90 mins) . 6

HARRISON BURROWS (for Ward, 90 mins) .... 6

If ever Posh learn to play for 90 minutes the rest of League One will be in big trouble.

For the second successive match Posh followed a tame first-half with a blistering second-half, again after a formation change to four at the back.

It’s 6-0 to Posh over the last two second halves after ditching the three centreback system which, to be fair, has served them pretty well for most of the season.

Manager Darren Ferguson was so concerned with the lack of intensity and agression from his side, and the subsequent ease in which a decent Dons side passed through midfield, he rearranged his troops 10 minutes before the break.

The reward was pretty swift as Sammie Szmodics struck twice in three minutes soon after the interval to effectively secure an 11th home win of the League One season.

A rather fortunate 20th goal of the season for Jonson Clarke-Harris put gloss on the scoreline in the final minute as Posh sealed a fourth straight win and an automatic promotion place.

To stay there they will need to start games better. Ryan Longman (twice), Joe

Piggott and Ethan Chislett all threatened the Posh goal before Fergie’s men hit their straps.

But Posh could have doubled their final scoreline after the break. Szmodics was set up by Reece Brown, Siriki Dembele and Nathan Thompson for his goals, but a man labelled the ‘Colchester Cruyff ’ on social media also missed two great chances created by Dembele and Clarke-Harris.

Jack Taylor also saw a couple of close range shots blocked as Posh turned the screw.

Dons played better in this game than they did when beating Posh at Plough Lane in December, but this is a very different promotionchasing side.

Last season a new year surge looked like leading Posh back to the Championship and it’s happening again.