When Francis Coquelin was included in the starting lineup on Wednesday night, the overwhelming response was ‘WAAAAHHHHHHH GRANIT XHAKA!’

I even joined in for a time until someone pointed out that Xhaka’s performance against Swansea at the weekend involved a mistake that costed us a goal and a tackle that put him at risk of Jon Moss’s idiocy coming out full force.

Should that really be rewarded with a Champions League performance?

That being said, given that the Swiss is set for a domestic suspension and Coquelin is just returning from a knee injury, common sense seemed to indicate that it should be Xhaka who started.

Common sense often has little place in football.

Coquelin was outstanding.

Making 13 ball recoveries, he also led the way in tackles and interceptions.

Here are his personal highlights from the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEcaARd0SMg