Desperate to claw back some respectability after an awful start to the season, the Dawgs had a clear plan here: exploit Fabian from set-pieces. Twice, the midfielder was unable to hold back De Vrij and Van Dijk from heading home at set-pieces as Conte’s canny tactics bore fruit. But Fabian was determined to be remembered for more than losing his man and, not only running the Ducks’ attacking play, finished it too with a terrific first-half strike. Le Roy’s men pushed gamefully for an equaliser – substitute Barnes going closest with a toe-poke to which Oblak reacted quickly – but it was not to be. A clear victory of managerial forethought here.

By Stan Chu, MD BSc BFI