How the Blues rated at Stamford Bridge.
Despite having already qualified top of their Champions League group Chelsea further asserted their authoirty with a comfortable 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon.
READ MORE:
World’s Most Mentioned Footballers On Twitter In 2014: Arsenal Duo Pipped By Planet’s Most Controversial Striker.
Top 100 Players In World Football 2014: Four Arsenal Stars, Three Liverpool Men & Eight Chelsea Heroes Make The Cut According To Leading Magazine.
Brazilian Ronaldo Backs Real Madrid Star Cristiano Ronaldo to Win Third Ballon d’Or.
Cesc Fabregas, Andre Schurrle and John Obi Mikel all scored as 18-year-old Ruben Loftus-Cheek made his Blues debut.
Here’s how they rated.
1. Petr Cech – 6
It’s amazing that Cech is a second choice goalkeeper when watching this performance as the 32-year-old look assured throughout.
28. Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
Unusual to see the Spaniard at right-back, but Azpilicueta was equally as good there as he usually is on the left.
5. Kurt Zouma – 6
Another chance for the youngster to show what he is capable of and the 20-year-old could well be playing at the back for years to come.
24. Gary Cahill – 7
With no John Terry alongside him the England international was still as assured as ever and made a goal-stopping block late on.
3. Filipe Luis – 6
Much in the mould of a modern full-back the Brazilian is great going forward – winning the penalty for Fabregas’ opener – but more dubious in defence.
12. John Obi Mikel – 7
Appeared to have been given more of a free reign to go forward and the midfielder even scored an extremely rare goal.
21. Nemanja Matic – 8
With Matic in front of the defence it was easy to see why Mikel could break forward as the Serb simply controlled things in the middle.
14. Andre Schurrle – 7
A good display from the 2014 World Cup winner that may go some way to convincing Mourinho that he is worth playing more often.
4. Cesc Fabregas – 8
In a more unusual No.10 role behind the striker the 27-year-old ran the show, with the goal just adding to his passing masterclass.
17 – Mohamed Salah – 6
A rare opportunity for the Egyptian who showed glimpses of what he is capable of and almost scored.
19. Diego Costa – 6
Was bustling throughout, but came nowhere near to scoring the goal that Mourinho so desperately wants from the Spain international.
Substitutions:
7. Ramires – 6
Played well down the right side after replacing Schurrle and was lively as always.
18. Loic Remy – 7
Another decent cameo from the Frenchman who in most other teams would be starting every game.
36. Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6
A great moment for the teenager and almost had a chance to score on his debut, but had strayed marginally offside.
Manager – Jose Mourinho – 7
Despite hints he would play youngsters and give up it was actually a very strong performance from his side and the squad proved it has depth.