FC Nordsjaelland v Chelsea player ratings
It was a resounding scoreline for Chelsea against FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark. The collective performance was not as good as the thumping 4-0 win suggests, but individually everyone contributed. Here’s how we rated the players.
Petr Cech: 8
Another commanding display and another world-class save at a crucial time. His sprawling effort with the score at 1-0 was superb.
Branislav Ivanovic: 8
Solid in defence and strong and direct going forward. Was a constant threat – particularly before the break when he made a number of surging runs.
Ashley Cole: 7
Made one crucial goal-saving block following Cech’s wonder save and was steady throughout but unable to make much of impact going forward.
Gary Cahill: 7
You cannot argue with a clean sheet and although not at his commanding best after the interval, he and David Luiz managed to stand firm as the hosts cranked up the pressure.
David Luiz: 7
Scored a stunning Didier Drogba-style free-kick to settle the nerves and his positioning and reading of the game were vital at the other end.
Frank Lampard: 7
A sublime piece of vision and awareness set up Juan Mata’s opener. Also went close with a decent effort, but still looks be adjusting to his more defensive role. Quietly efficient but had to sacrifice his own display for the team.
Ramires: 7
Typically energetic and effective. Gave the ball away cheaply at times but once again provided the dynamism in the centre of the park and was rewarded with a simple fourth goal.
Victor Moses: 6
Almost scored within four minutes and looked desperate to impress, but failed to deliver in the final third. Full of pace and direct running. Showed great promise but will play much better.
Oscar: 8
Always involved, always demanding possession and always a threat. Involved in the final two goals and seemed to relish the extra responsibility he had with Eden Hazard not in the starting line-up.
Juan Mata: 9
Majestic again. Two tidy finishes, some glorious interplay with his fellow midfielders and his workrate never drops.
Fernando Torres: 7
Spurned a couple of one-on-one opportunities but they were by no means glaring misses. Some great touches and his confidence is obviously improving, but still a little short of his best.
Eden Hazard: 6
A 20-minute run-out in which he showed glimpses of his talent.
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03/10/2012 @ 3:40 am
Moses and Hazar 6? i’ll say moses 5-, hazar at least 7. Moses couldn’t get pass his opposing defensman even once. him dropping often to left back drove cole out of position, and made Chelsea defend with 5 under constant pressure from a brave but average team! when he was hauled off for Hazar, the whole game changed and Chelsea were in constant attack and scorring 3 goals in the process. I still don’t understand why they went so much after him, he is very average. I think the only team he played well against is… Chelsea ( the same silly reason they run after Torres, and now Falcao. who the H.. is in charge of scouting? he should go.
03/10/2012 @ 12:11 am
I actually thought Ivanovic was poor. He was caught out of position several times defensively and struggled to contain Johns. Cesar must be close to getting a start.
Torres played very well, he was directly involved in 3 of the goals, winning the ball for the 1st, winning the free kick for the second and holding the ball up beautifully for Oscar for the 4th.