Ex-Toon Strikes Puts In Master Class Performance!

Last updated : 13 September 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Bellamy ended last season in despair, restricted to a bit-part role on the bench in the Champions League final on what he believed would be the greatest night of his life.

Liverpool snubbed him, and lost that final.

On last night's performance, he could have been the man to have lifted the cup, because he looked absolutely world class!

He has already hit three goals for his new club and on Wednesday night added two sensational strikes for Wales in their 5-2 European Championship qualifying win against a humiliated Slovakia.

Bellamy, who missed Saturday's defeat to Germany after his newborn daughter contracted an illness, moved level with Wales boss John Toshack with 15 goals for his country.

Bellamy: "Yes, I enjoyed that, but I just wished I could have scored three. I have hit two a few times for Wales, but I just couldn't get the third.

"It was a great performance by the whole team. Slovakia played a high defensive line and that suited us because we are a counter-attacking side."

Toshack: "Craig had a few problems ahead of the Germany game, and he couldn't play. But he is our captain, our inspiration, even if no one really expected a performance like that. He was terrific.

"You normally have 22 players battling away out there, pretty evenly matched.

"This game saw 21 players, and one who was just unbelievable, it was a scintillating performance.

"I cannot recall the last time I saw such an individual performance from a player that had so much influence on the outcome of the result.

"Craig gave us that result. His pace and willingness to run was stunning."

I have to say ... that was the best individual performance I have seen in years ... at ANY level.