Today’s match displayed a very sluggish Chelsea side in the first half, followed by an unstoppable second half side in a game that ended in a 3-1 win for Chelsea at Craven Cottage against lowly Fulham.
GK: Cech 8/10
Cech was hardly tested tonight, collected all attempts through the air with assurance. Was caught 20 minutes from time by a Heitinga flick, where he possibly could have done better, but an all around steady performance from the veteran.
RB: Ivanovic 8.5/10
It’s often said that when there’s nothing to report on a defender’s performance, than that means his job was well done. The Serbian did just that today as he put in a very efficient defensive performance, one where he sat back and was conservative upon joining the attack.
CB: Terry 7.5/10
The captain, who commanded the rest of his defensive line throughout the match, put in as efficient a shift as you will see. The veteran leader knows his strengths; today he sat back and didn’t allow anyone to beat him off the dribble.
CB: Cahill 8/10
Cahill is beginning to cement his place as one of Europe’s best center defenders, not to forget that he miraculously arrived at the bridge for 7 million pounds. Covered the hole well in today’s match, and had attempts at goal which he could not finish.
LB: Azpilicueta 8.5/10
Mourinho stated that he could win the Champions League with eleven Azipilicueta’s in his starting side, and the special one certainly knows of what he speaks. The Spaniards energy, stamina, and will to sacrifice for his club are simply unmatched and he has become of vital importance for Chelsea.
CM: Matic 8/10
The big Serbian sat back defensively alongside Ramires and disrupted many attacks that Fulham sent their way, Matic continued to cover every blade of grass, disrupted passes and attacks aimed in his direction.
CM: Ramires 8/10
The Brazilian did all he was asked for in the middle of the park, and has began to form quite the partnership with Matic. He had a few chances throughout the match, one in particular that sliced just high of Stekelenburg’s crossbar.
LW: Hazard 8.5/10
The Belgian’s stat line is quite interesting: two assists, a couple attempts at a goal, a delicious rabona, and simple dominance of Fulham’s left hand side.
CAM: Oscar 7.5/10
The past few weeks have been difficult for the Brazilian, it has seen him dropped to the bench on occasion and simply not producing the spectacular football fans saw in the first half of the season. In today’s match, he failed to impose his presence in the game, Mikel subsequently replaced him late in the 2nd half.
RW: Schurrle 9/10
The German’s first half performance drew looks of disgust from manager Mourinho, and whatever words were directed at him in the dressing room paid off. Schurrle finished brilliantly on all three occasions and ended the match with a beautiful hat trick to his credit that propelled Chelsea to victory.
ST: Torres 7.5/10
Apart from the header off Hazard’s rabona cross, El Nino had few other chances to get onto the score sheet. To his credit, he did excellently to challenge Burn for the aerial ball and set up Schurrle’s third.
Substitutes:
CB: David Luiz N/A
Luiz came into the match in the dying moments, in what the NBA is known as garbage minutes in an attempt to just clean up the match.
ST: Demba Ba 7/10
Ba replaced Torres late on, managed to get involved into the flow of the match and ended up forcing a good save from Stekelenburg.
CM: MIkel 7.5/10
The Nigerian replaces Oscar with just under 15 minutes left in the match, situated himself into the 3 man holding midfield and helped tighten ride the ship for the remaining time.
