Just thought I'd give my views on the game eventhough I'm soaked after getting back home from the Bridge. Frankly, I am over the moon at the way we played today (and this is without even seeing Oscar, Marin and Moses). It was fluid, confident, and frankly, if people didn't see us as title challengers, they will surely now as on that show I really think we will push the Manchester clubs this season. Ratings - 1 (Shockingly bad) - 5 (Not good, not bad) - 10 (Flawless) Cech - 7 - Nothing really to do for much of the game apart from a very good save late on from Ba. Ivanovic - 8 - Did you see those crosses he produced? Wow. Solid defensively as well. Luiz - 5 - Seemed slightly out of it today. Gave away the ball dangerously at times, but also provided a strong figure at the back. I am a fan, but I wasn't overly happy with him today. Cahill - 8 - Commanded his area well. I really see a future captain in him. Watch this space. Cole - 7 - Great display; his runs forward were delight to watch. Miereles - 7 - Against many fellow Blues, I am actually a fan of him. Played very well today I thought, with a good range of passing. Mikel - 8 - Slow and ponderous are not words I would use to describe his display today. Some excellent defensive moves, and good crisp passing. Hope he keeps it up. Bertrand - 6 - Solid display. Di Matteo is not given enough credit. Bertrand and Cole stifiled the threat of Arfa expertly, great move there from Robbie. Needs to work on crossing though. Mata - 7 - Still looks a bit tired, but even so it was a good display. His interplay with Hazard is a delight to watch. Hazard - 9 - £32 million may be the bargain of the season. Confident penalty and another assist. He really completes our team. Torres - 9 - Touch was off at times, but he really does link well with the fluid passing behind him. His goal was world class. I would still like to see more shots from him though. He makes some great spaces sometimes but seems to opt for passes too often. Ramires - 6 - Good 20 minutes of so, but on the wing he is not really utilised to his full ability. Lampard -5 - Nothing to say. Just a cameo. Phil Dowd - 6 - Excluding a poor decision with a Torres yellow (which in all fairness I agreed with until I saw a replay), he kept the game under control. MOTM - Hazard again, but Torres ran him very close. Things to take away - Bertrand is maturing, Hazard is sensational, Torres returning, fluid football really taking shape.
can you blame him Dowd and the lines man missed a clear foul when he was running through on goal just glad he used his anger to score a stunner .
You guys deserved your win. You look set to at least finish 3rd. The movement, pace and power will be too much for most clubs.
Sorry mate , but I thought Luiz was better than a 5 . Great goal from Torres--but a 9? Rest seemed spot on
I explained my rating system. 5 is not bad but it's not good. He lost possession dangerously and all the long balls that he played didn't come off. I think 5 is fair tbh. Torres' link up play was good and his goal killed the game and allowed us to sit back. I think he deserves it.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say, mate! Whatever we rate them , collectively as a team they did the biz--and thats what matters!
Very good assesment Varier. The TEAMis starting to take shape and everyone has lifted. Without Lamps, Mikel is a much better player,and it might be worth thinking about putting Lamps further forward for 30 min cameos insted of starting him. He could whack a few in again with the clever balls being played up front. Great to see Bertrand again do the business, what a good player he is now. My old nemesis Ashley Cole looks like he is enjoying himself again, and if anyone had doubts about the best right back in the League, Brana shut the doubters up yesterday. Oscar, Marin, and some kids to come, things are looking up big time.
