So - you tell me - who was sitting where?
Except for Command Training, and Relief Crew at altitude, the Captain will be LHS, (S)FO RHS. Controls are identically duplicated, as easily (and as often) is flown from the RHS...
From the captain's statement it wasn't clear what part he played in the emergemcy itself
In most "Emergency" situations, the NHP will be busier than the HP
So the fact that the SFO was flying, meant the Captain was probably working hard at drills / assisting / diagnosing....