Fulham v Chelsea player ratings

Andre Schurrle’s hat-trick gave Chelsea a 3-1 victory over their neighbours, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table. Here’s how we rated the players in the derby clash at Craven Cottage.

Fulham

Maarten Stekelenburg: 5
The Dutch keeper looked shaky at times and almost cost his side an early goal when his poor touch allowed Fernando Torres to steal the ball and shoot just wide. He was helpless too on all three occasions Schurrle was put through and scored.

Sascha Riether: 6
Riether did okay in the first half but struggled against the likes of Oscar, Eden Hazard and Torres in the second.

Brede Hangeland: 6
Hangeland unfortunately lasted only 15 minutes before a head collision with Kieran Richardson forced him off.

John Heitinga: 6
The January signing from Everton was poor defensively and just happened to be in the right place at the right time for his late consolation goal.

Kieran Richardson: 7
Fulham’s best player. Battled for the entire 90 minutes.

Ashkan Dejagah: 5
Given the backing of manager Felix Magath after being an outcast under previous boss Rene Meulensteen, but after a couple of promising performances he was disappointing in this game.

Steve Sidwell: 6
Sidwell and midfield partner Scott Parker were excellent in the first half and dominated things in the middle, but they ultimately became overrun in the second as Chelsea improved.

Scott Parker: 6
Like Sidwell, he was good in the opening period but looked leggy and overstretched in the second.

Pajtim Kasami: 6
Arguably Fulham’s only real threat going forward, getting a number of shots away in both halves and getting into good positions.

Clint Dempsey: 5
Somehow earned a start despite offering little since joining on loan. He once again looked short of fitness and the intensity required to compete in the Premier League and he will not be missed after this – his final game in a Whites shirt before returning to Seattle Sounders.

Darren Bent: 4
Once again cut a peripheral figure and appears a shadow of his former self. He was rarely involved, his movement was poor and his one shot on target was meek.

Lewis Holtby: 6
Introduced after 62 minutes, Holtby was energetic and tried to get on the ball but Chelsea were dominant by then and he was not able to make in impact in the game.

Dan Burn: 5
The youngster’s inexperience was dreadfully exposed at times, and he was no match for Chelsea’s attacking movement, especially in the second half.

Chelsea

Petr Cech: 7
Had few saves to make but did well to stop a Kasami free-kick and a handful of other shots late on.

Branislav Ivanovic: 7
Another assured performance from the reliable and consistent full-back.

John Terry: 8
Had an excellent game, commanding his team as captain and playing some incisive passes into midfield that started off fresh attacks.

Gary Cahill: 7
Cahill’s passing out from the back was also excellent and both he and Terry kept Bent and Dempsey almost totally out of the game.

Cesar Azpilicueta: 7
Once again showed why he is keeping Ashley Cole out of the side. The Spaniard also seems to be becoming more at home with the way boss Jose Mourinho likes his full-backs to attack.

Ramires: 7
Handed a starting place after impressing against Galatasaray in midweek, Ramires grew into the game and dominated the midfield with Nemanja Matic in the second half.

Nemanja Matic: 7
The January signing continued the impressive start he has made to his second Chelsea spell, putting in another bullish, commanding midfield performance.

Andre Schurrle: 9
A top-class display from a player whose manager insists is “still learning”. If so, Schurrle has a big future ahead of him. The hat-trick hero produced three ruthless finishes and his all-round performance was superb.

Oscar: 7
The young Brazilian was highly dangerous in the second half, setting up Schurrle’s second goal and being a constant nuisance to Fulham.

Eden Hazard: 8
Hazard also had an exceptional second half and set up Schurrle’s first goal with an exquisite through-ball. A outrageously skillful cross was another highlight.

Fernando Torres: 8
After scoring in the midweek draw against Galatasaray in the Champions League, the Spaniard was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet again. He threatened twice from acute angles in the first half and hit the post with a header in the second.

Man of the match: Schurrle

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook