Seems to me if you're going to play 2 small pacy players up front (Dickov, then Johnson) you have to find a way to get them into space. Sending them high balls is pointless. If that's the best service the MF can provide, then you need some height up front.
That said, if effort and work rate counted as goals, Dickov would lead the EPL in scoring, but it doesn't. Perhaps he could come in as a late striker when his energy can create something towards the end of the match. So few striking options...
Emerton plays as if he were fast, not the lumbering MF that he is. He's not dreadful, just seems like his style doesn't match his tools.
Nelsen was superb. Granted he's my favorite, but he simply won every ball in his area, and sent a few dangerous balls forward (where they came to nothing).
I think I saw Freidel reading the Sunday Times at one point, little to do....
Ref did a fine job...