Chelsea Player Ratings (v Everton)
Petr Cech – 6
The Chelsea goalkeeper has looked shaky at times this season and hasn’t been helped by our leaky defence. Could have done a little more preventing the second goal but also made some decent saves.
Jose Bosingwa – 5
The man cannot defend and doesn’t know when to cover space. Bosingwa was asleep for the opener and playing both him and Sturridge on the right is just asking for trouble.
Branislav Ivanovic – 6
Prefer seeing the Serbian playing at right-back even if he isn’t great going forward as I do not rate him at centre-back. Had a so-so game yesterday and always puts in his all, but gives away too many fouls.
David Luiz – 6.5
Always looks good initiating Chelsea’s attacks, plays with genuine enthusiasm and although he’s suspect at defending, he’s improving. Made some decent forward runs and was a threat but still not completely comfortable on the other side of the ball.
Ashley Cole – 3
Largely anonymous and hopelessly useless. Has never been able to cross the ball but compounds his inefficiency by repeating the same sort of move over and over without a positive result…you know that one when he’s shown the outside by the opposition fullback, but still decides to run inside and is easily dispossessed?
Michael Essien – 7
Far from his best and lost Pienaar for the first goal, but he’s not long back from yet another serious injury and he put himself about. The Ghanaian was the driving the force of the midfield and was efficient with the ball in the middle of the park.
Raul Meireles – 6.5
Hasn’t had the best of form but it seemed as though he got a lot more criticism than he deserved for his performance yesterday. Helped provide some half decent attacking moments with his passing and he was probably the only member of the Chelsea midfield that was attempting those sorts of passes.
Frank Lampard – 4
Made some decent runs into the opposition penalty area during the second half but was largely ineffective and was a passenger for most of the game. Looked really out of sorts, not the Lampard we all know.
Daniel Sturridge – 5.5
With his pace and attacking instincts Sturridge is always a threat, but his selfishness is irritating and Villas-Boas should consider playing him more centrally as he’s not doing enough tracking back.
Fernando Torres – 4.5
Spent more time moaning about a penalty appeal than he did trying to put the ball in the back of the net. The Spaniard’s service is virtually non-existent and he’s being misused by Villas-Boas, but he does have responsibility for his own form and I can’t ever see it happening for him at Chelsea unfortunately.
Juan Mata – 6.5
Quiet game from Mata, who was eventually taken off for Romelu Lukaku. Mata is just about the only creative influence in the setup and should play in a more central position as he did against Manchester United, especially as he’s carrying the attack on his own most games.
Subs:
Florent Malouda (on 69’) – 4
The Frenchman came on as a second half substitute and did exactly what was expected of him…next to nothing.
Ryan Bertrand (on 77’) – 6
About time this lad got some time on the pitch. He can cross a ball, unlike Cole.
Romelu Lukaku (on 77’) – 6
Seeing as Torres isn’t doing anything in front of goal, why not give Lukaku a chance? Nearly scored, but needs a proper amount of time on the pitch.
The Manager:
Andre Villas Boas – 4
The Portuguese manager admitted he got it all wrong and his team selection raised as many eyebrows as his substitutions. I’m not sure what Gary Cahill has done to him to be left out so often and he needs to open his eyes to the fact Ashley Cole is overplayed/overrated/useless.
However, although there’s a certain responsibility on the manager to motivate his players the lack of pride and passion amongst the team is inexcusable. The players shown nothing but a total lack of respect for the fans during yesterday’s game in my opinion. Poor form.