It was a tough game for Chelsea as they faced a well organised Sunderland outfit at the Stadium of Light.
José Mourinho used the same lineup that beat Schalke 0-5 but it was apparent that the team was rather fatigued from playing the third game in the week. The 0-0 draw didn’t affect Chelsea’s league position but it does leave a tough December ahead for Chelsea where the team would require regular rotation.
Here are the player ratings for Chelsea:
Thibaut Courtois: 8/10
Sunderland posed a threat on the break and he was up to the task as he stepped up with some important saves. Courtois had to be involved more in decision making and he didn’t disappoint.
Branislav Ivanovic: 6/10
He had an average game, nothing special but no mistakes as well. He could have been more lethal when he got a good chance in the box and he failed to finish.
Gary Cahill: 6.5/10
It was a routine game for the Englishman and he did everything he could. He was blatantly manhandled in the opposition penalty box during set pieces.
John Terry: 6.5/10
He didn’t have a bad game either. He was there defending well. He gave the ball away a few times but he was also severely body checked during offensive set pieces.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 6/10
He was ever present with his work rate and focus but nothing spectacular as Sunderland went deep. Probably Filipe Luis could have done better with his offensive prowess.
Nemanja Matic: 7.5/10
He was the most consistent Chelsea midfielder in the game. Possession wise he was brilliant and he regularly stopped counter attacks whenever possible.
Cesc Fabregas: 6/10
Controlled Chelsea’s game with his passing range and movement but he couldn’t break down Sunderland defence. Apparently he was low on energy, so were Hazard and Oscar.
Oscar: 6.5/10
He was lively in the start but he faded in the second half. A victim of tiredness, he was substituted in the 75th minute. He would do well with a little break in between to refresh himself.
Eden Hazard: 6/10
A rare average day for Hazard as he found himself too tired to stretch the play by providing width to the approach play. He stayed central and couldn’t help his team to break Sunderland down like the last time he visited them.
Willian: 7/10
He had energy and was the most urgent of all Chelsea attackers. His reactions were top notch as he struck the post and narrowly missed a long shot.
Diego Costa: 6/10
He was aggressive as usual but was totally checked by Brown and O’Shea as Sunderland dug very deep. He was booked unfairly in the match, and would miss the game against Spurs.
Subs:
Drogba, Remy and Schürrle came on but there wasn’t any significant change in the fortunes. Drogba(6.5), Remy (6) and Schürrle (N/A).