CHELSEA PLAYER RATINGS VS NEWCASTLE Chelsea went to the top of the Barclays Premier League for the first time this season as the Blues overcame Newcastle United 3-0 at Stamford Bridge to take control of the title race with just thirteen games to go. It was a clinical performance from Jose Mourinhos side who now seem to be developing into a ruthless winning machine. Eden Hazard illuminated Stamford Bridge with a sublime performance and grabbed a hat trick in what is likely to be one of the defining weeks of this season’s Premier League, with Arsenal and Manchester City both dropping crucial points in the title race. Chelsea Ratings: Petr Cech (7/10): Chelseas goalkeeper was hardly needed except from a couple of saves when Ben Arfa asked a few questions in the first half. Yet another cleansheet for the modern day Chelsea legend. Branislav Ivanovic (7/10): He had a good game overall defensively as the likes of Ameobi and Sissoko rarely ran at him and also assisted Hazards first goal. Gary Cahill (7/10): With all the great things about Chelseas season, it is easy to forget how integral a part the young Englishman has played in their season. He is developing into a very reliable player as seen by his solid showing here. David Luiz (7/10): Breezed through the game at ease and was rarely ever troubled. Nothing too spectacular from the Brazilian. Cesar Azpilicueta (6/10): Ben Arfa did trouble him a little earlier on when he drifted wide. He was rarely ever needed in attack. Frank Lampard (8/10): Good enough game for Lampard. Despite his engine not being the same, he seems to make it up with his constant threat to the goal and good passing. Nemanja Matic (7/10): The Serbian looks like he has been playing in a Chelsea jersey for years. He was superb but it must be said that Tiote would have proved a much better opponent for him. Willian (6/10): Very quiet game for the Brazilian who has been great in recent weeks. Replaced by the debutant Salah with 12 minutes to go. Oscar (6/10): His early season form seems to be slowly fading away. He needs to up his game a bit as Chelsea need him to successfully close in on the title. Eden Hazard (9/10): The little Belgian stood up and was counted as the alpha male on the pitch. He is slowly starting to emerge as the best player in the Premier League. Was absolutely sublime as he picked the Magpies apart with a hat trick Samuel Etoo (8/10): One of the Cameroonian’s better games as he assisted Hazards second goal and won the penalty for the third. Subs Demba Ba (6/10): Had a shot very late in the game saved. Will be desperate to see more action in the coming weeks. Mohammed Salah (N/A): Was very bright on his Chelsea debut. He offers Mourinho a different option from the bench and might get a start given Oscars poor form of late. Andre Schurrle (N/A): The German arrived too little too late to make any sort of impact. Did register a shot though.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Feb 2014 18:28:52 +0000
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