Brilliant Costa – The Best And The Worst Rated Chelsea Players vs Middlesbrough

The Blues secured a hard-fought win over Aitor Karanka’s charges at the Riverside Stadium to go top of the league; courtesy of a Diego Costa’s 41st-minute goal, and Conte would sure be glad that his men bagged all 3 points in a clash that might have easily ended in a draw.

Here is how the Italian’s starting XI, unchanged for a 5th consecutive Premier League game fared.

Courtois

Barely saw the ball in the first period but was on hand through the second to keep the hosts at bay with the few chances they had, particularly from Negredo in the 80th minute.

The Belgian has now gone 6 consecutive games without conceding a goal and currently top the clean sheet list on 7.

Rating : 8/10

Cahill

Was doing pretty well until losing possession in a dangerous position while in midfield. It could have been a 3rd error leading to a goal for him this season.

A great performance overall, but he still remains the most vulnerable to a mistake of the back 3.

Rating : 6/10

Luiz

Could have had a hand in what would have been Chelsea’s 2nd goal had Pedro’s strike found the top corner instead of the underside of the bar.

Kept it neat with some great piece of defending and whipped a free kick just inches wide of the topmost bar.

Rating : 7/10

Azpilicueta

Excellent and assuring display as usual from the Spaniard who even sacrificed his clean record in the referee’s book.

He earned a yellow after a stopping play with Ramirez goal-bound following a mix-up.

Rating : 7/10

Kante

Put in another solid protective work in the middle of the park, and though he misplaced a pass or two, his interceptions and tackles were helpful for the team again.

Rating : 7/10

Matic

The Serbian didn’t put in any wrong foot and helped keep things in place alongside his French partner.

Theirs is probably the best midfield combination in the Premier League at the moment.

Rating : 7/10

Alonso

Could have put Chelsea into a commanding lead few seconds after 2nd half kicked off following Moses perfect cross, but shot tamely at Valdes.

Wasn’t his best attacking display and did little to insure his starting berth if that is Conte’s claim for him being in the first team.

Rating : 6/10

Moses

Not many wingers and full-backs have performed better than the Nigeria international this season.

Even though he shot wide in the box when he could have done better in the 1st half, the fact that most of Chelsea’s attack in the final third were channelled through him says a lot of his quality and his teammates’ belief in his finishing product.

Rating : 7/10

Hazard

Definitely far from full fitness following a knock he suffered during the international break.

Nevertheless, it didn’t stop him from being a threat and making his trademark runs at the Boro defence.

Rating : 7/10

Pedro

Recorded 1 of Chelsea’s 3 shots on target; a well-placed shot in the 1st half which saw Valdes make a near-impossible save.

Luck was against him as he hit the wood work with a strike that his former Barcelona teammate could only watch in the 2nd half.

A brilliant showing overall.

Rating : 8/10

Costa

Struck his 10th goal of the season to go 2 goals clear on top of the charts and also conducted himself well not to have earned a booking that would have ruled him out of weekend’s clash against Spurs.

Rating : 9/10

SUBSTITUTES

Chalobah

Came on as Conte hoped to keep it tight in the middle of the park.

Rating : Not Available

Ivanovic

More or less a time-wasting substitution.

Rating : Not Available

Oscar

His introduction had same purpose as the defender’s.

Rating : Not Available