Wayne Bridge demonstrated his international class with a terrific performance in the goalless draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
The left-back gave a masterclass in defending whoever he was up against on the left flank, with Spurs seeing first Aaron Lennon and then Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart frustrated by the No36. Bridge was rightly presented with the Sky Sports man of the match prize but he was more pleased with the result for the team, who will finish the weekend outside the bottom three.
Bridge said: "Defensively it was my best game since joining the club. I was up against Aaron who is really quick. You try not to give him too much room but Matty [Upson] was helping me out and we didn't give him too much room to play."
He was also undeterred when Welsh winger Bale was moved over to his side to try and offer a different threat. "Gareth is used to cutting inside. I tried to stay with him because I know how quick he is and I was just trying to read him really. I had to stay as tight as possible and again not give him too much room."
The point could prove pivotal come the end of the season but it needed some superb saves from Robert Green on the occasions the defence was unable to stop the Spurs surge. "Rob has been tremendous ever since I have been here," added Bridge. "Today he pulled out some outstanding saves. He was great."