Silvinho played the whole game at left-back. He had a good one, plenty of good tackles and a couple of marauding runs up the left flank. He was man-of-the-match in many observers' opinions.

He also made the second (and winning) goal on 57 minutes. After some good combination play, he burst into the box to latch onto a long ball forward. Silvinho dribbled around US keeper Tony Meola and slid a beautiful ball across the goal for Euller to tap in from point-blank range. He also put a cross on the head of Edilson in the 90th minute, but he headed straight into the keeper.

Thanks to Michael, Erik, Syd, and Lawrence for their reports.

This explains the Arsenal man's absence from yesterday's win over West Ham. And Ashley Cole's withdrawal early in the second half once the win was certain. With Silvinho presumably also absent for Brasil's game with Mexico in midweek, Cole's fitness is crucial for the Spartak game on Tuesday. Sorry for confusing things in the report and preview for yesterday. There had been reports that Silvinho had been allowed to miss the USA match in order to play for us.

It's a double edged sword, of course. Great to hear that Silvinho's fit and playing well. But therefore a bigger shame if he's not going to be available (even as cover) for Tuesday. If Cole suffers an injury beforehand, will we see Nelson Vivas at left-back again?