Reading v Chelsea player ratings

Chelsea’s woes continued as they again surrendered a two-goal lead under Rafael Benitez. Here’s how we rated the players in their 2-2 draw at Reading.

Ross Turnbull: 6
Having been largely untroubled for 85 minutes, Petr Cech’s understudy was beaten at his near post for Adam Le Fondre’s first goal. Couldn’t do much about the equaliser though which was steered beyond well him.

Cesar Azpilicueta: 6
A quiet, unspectacular evening for the Spaniard, but he picked up a silly yellow card late on for a pretty average attempt at a Tom Daley impression.

Branislav Ivanovic: 6
Looked surprisingly out of sorts as the high balls rained into the penalty area in the closing stages. Couldn’t keep track of Le Fondre before the first goal and was in the mass of bodies that failed to deal with the punt down-field before the equaliser.

Gary Cahill: 7
The more solid of the central defensive pair, Cahill made some important blocks and telling clearances when Reading ventured forward.

Ashley Cole: 7
Got forward well and wasn’t afraid to have a crack at goal in the first half. Also helped nullify Reading’s threat down the flank.

Ramires: 6
Gave the ball away too cheaply at times, particularly in the first half. Occasionally cuts a frustrated figure, missing the box-to-box role he occupied so effectively last season.

Frank Lampard: 8
A superb display from the stand-in captain. Was the creative heartbeat behind Chelsea’s dominance of most of the second half. Played the pass of the match into Oscar 10 minutes after the break – a reverse ball from just inside the touchline which cut open the Royals’ defence. Took his header well, prompting more chants of ‘sign him up’.

Juan Mata: 8
A very well-taken goal and an assist – you can’t ask for much more that that. But the Spaniard wasn’t dictating play as he often does. Instead, he played second fiddle to Lampard and Oscar before going off with an injury.

Oscar: 7
Got into some great positions and linked up very well with Lampard and Torres at times, but if he’d shown more composure he might have got himself a goal too.

Ryan Bertrand: 6
Fairly anonymous out on the left bar a few fleeting runs up the left flank. Still yet to bed in to his more advanced role.

Fernando Torres: 7
In the space of a few first-half minutes, he went from the ridiculous – a shot taken off Oscar’s toes which went out for a throw – to the sublime – the glorious lob over the defence for Mata’s goal. Still went drifting out to the flank too often.

Yossi Benayoun: 6
One lovely pass for Oscar suggests he’s still capable of opening up defences. Could prove a useful option for Benitez from the bench.

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook