Smalling struggles even when he shines
It is not often that a centre back scores a brace in a game. That is an even lesser possibility, when the player has come on as a substitute, albeit in the first half. But you would struggle to find another occasion when a player has scored two goals but is still likely to be criticized after the game. But that is precisely what happened with Smalling as the Englishman had a curious game against Burnley.
Although he scored with his first touch after coming on for Jones from a corner kick and added his first brace for the club before half time, it is fair to say that he had his fair share of defensive deficiencies as well. The centre back lost Ings for the Burnley goal and on more than one occasion, made a hash of the ball into the box and looked out of sorts, especially when it came to defending crosses and high balls.
Although he came out of defensive well and was clinical in the opposing penalty area, it was in his own area, that his faults were highlighted perfectly.