SCHMEICHEL: deserved better protection than he received, handling generally trustworthy 5 

ZABALETA: caught out of position for opening goal and not able to get forward 5 

BEN HAIM: gave away free kick that led to Racing’s first and had torrid first half 4 

RICHARDS: another change of face alongside him didn’t help but Blues looked vulnerable 5 

GARRIDO: not a happy homecoming for the Spanish full back who wasn’t worst player 5 

VASSELL: did his usual stint of hard work but not a threat going forward at any stage 5 

FERNANDES: back with an energetic display but the Blues lost the midfield battle 5 

HAMANN: captain for the night and tried to calm things down. Some neat passing 5 

ELANO: wish he’d put as much effort into his game as his feud with Luccin 4 

4 ROBINHO: swapped his shirt on way off at interval and then rested for the trip to WBA 4 

EVANS: robust effort but when there is no ball with which to operate it’s hard for anyone 5 

SUBSTITUTES:

IRELAND (for Robinho 46) – made a difference to the energy levels - 6

KOMPANY (for Elano 60) – looked like he at least had the appetite - 6

CAICEDO (for Evans 76) – scored his first goal for club - 6
NOT USED:  Hart, Ball, Onuoha, and Logan

BATTLE OF THE BOSSES: Hughes decided to give some of his star names the night off in the hope they would shine at WBA on Sunday; Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz only had to send out eleven who would show passion.

REFEREE: Serge Gumienny (Belgium) – lost a bit of control on occasions

ATTENDANCE: approx 20,000

RACING: Coltorti, Garay, Cesar Navas, Tchite, Colsa (Lacen 77), Munitis, Serrano, Luccin, Valera, Pereira (Juanjo 86), and Marcano. Not used: Mario, Pinillos, Goncalves, Christian, and Edu Bedia.