Chelsea Player Ratings (v Newcastle United)

Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres fired Chelsea to a 2-0 victory against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge yesterday. It was a solid team performance, kept a clean sheet and against a decent side, although Alan Pardew will complain that they played a midweek game (so did we) but they rested most of their players (we didn’t).

It’s now three win in three Premier League matches for the Blues and puts them on top of the table, albeit a game ahead of everyone else. It was our best performance of the three too as we held our shape well and played a lot better in defence than in the games against Wigan and Reading previously. Also, Hazard became the first player to win the man of the match award in his first three Premier League games.

How do you think our players rated yesterday?

Petr Cech: 7

No clangers today. Good display and reacted well to deny the likes of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse.

Branislav Ivanovic: 7

Had a few shaky moments during the second half but did his best to offer width when going forward & played well for the most part.

Gary Cahill: 7.5

Kept his place in the side but played against a new defensive partner this time. Cahill was solid and although Newcastle had their chances, they were kept quiet by the likes of him the majority of the game.

David Luiz: 7

Had one dodgy moment when he tried to dribble the ball out of defence and gave away a goal-scoring opportunity, but there was no problem with his performance otherwise and this was the best our defence has played so far.

Ashley Cole: 7

Helped keep the dangerous Hatem Ben Arfa quiet but this also kept him pinned back a little and nullifying his attacking threat. Nothing to complain about in terms of his effort.

Raul Meireles: 8

I’m pretty sure most player rating articles rate a name instead of the player as he’s been giving fairly low markings elsewhere. I thought he put in a much better display than the man he replaced did in the week. Made good use of the ball and got stuck in defensively.

John Obi Mikel: 8

Bossed the midfield along with Meireles. Spectacularly unspectacular but plays an important role that often goes under-appreciated, but he’s appreciated here. Good effort.

Juan Mata: 8.5

Combined well with Hazard and Torres. The Spaniard’s movement and passing was incredible, causing plenty of problems for Newcastle who gave him far too much space, but tired a little later on.

Eden Hazard: 9

Opened his Chelsea goal scoring account with a well taken penalty. Always looks dangerous, great touch, blistering pace and there’s plenty more to come from this lad. Great flick to set Torres up.

Ryan Bertrand: 7

Popped up in some dangerous positions but more importantly, had Ben Arfa in his back pocket for most of the game. Bertrand has deserved the starts he’s on and we should all be proud of the player he’s developing into.

Fernando Torres: 9

Won a penalty and scored. If he carries on like this then he will seem like a brand new signing as he didn’t look anything like the player that couldn’t buy a goal for most of his time at Stamford Bridge. Linked up brilliantly with Hazard and Mata, ran at defenders with pace and even tried a cheeky ‘Rabona’ cross just to show us that his confidence is coming back. Keep it up.

Subs:

Ramires: 6.5

Come on for a tiring Mata on 67″ as the little Spaniard was tiring. The Brazilian came on to help out Ivanovic and see out the game.

Lampard: N/A

Came on for a cameo in the 88″.

How do you think our lads rated? Have your say in the comments section below