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Chelsea Player Ratings vs Everton: Sensational Costa, Average Defending & A Great Game Overall

Everton vs Chelsea: Chelsea Player Ratings

It was a Premier League classic as title favourites Chelsea visited Everton in the daunting Goodison Park which was supposed to be the first real test for Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. Even Everton, who had drawn their previous two matches wanted something positive from their players and a go at the favourites was apparently a test of their resilience as well. What we saw was just unbelievable football, which looked normal after a blown up start up till the 68th minute when the score was 1-2 in favour of Chelsea which escalated to 3-6 by the end of the game.

Chelsea showed their offensive side of play, hitting Everton consistently on the counter, proving to be a real menace with their clinical finishing. There was something uncharacteristic of Jose Mourinho’s team. The aggression is something that is alright, as Costa was a walking talking headline, but the defense conceding three goals in a high scoring thriller shows the adaptability of a team that doesn’t fear committing men forward and helping out the striker and the attackers. Here are the ratings for Chelsea players.

Thibaut Courtois 2.5/5

Had one top drawer save against fellow Belgian Kevin Mirallas. He could have done a bit better to save Eto’o’s goal as the Cameroonian’s header wasn’t  too powerful, yet the three goals he conceded were forgiven as they are goals that most keepers, even the best, concede. Had a decent game otherwise.

Branislav Ivanovic 3/5

He was such a threat going forward! It is almost unbelievable that Ivanovic’s marauding abilities have now become better than most natural attacking fullbacks. His pace was suspect at times, but his work rate was as usual top notch. Could have done a bit better for Everton’s second goal, where Naismith scored by entering play from the right.

Gary Cahill 2.5/5

He had his hands full with Lukaku as he gave in a usual solid performance. The defensive unit as a whole was caught unaware as Mirallas flew in for the header, so nothing Cahill could do about it. The Englishman lost the header to Eto’o, for the home side’s third goal.

John Terry 2/5

Terry had an average night as an organiser of the defence. Conceding from a set piece was something unacceptable of this year’s Chelsea. The Chelsea Captain played well as an individual defender with some crucial tackles and interceptions, but his standards are so high that these are regular contributions expected of him.

Cesar Azpilicueta 2.5/5

He was stretched at times as Coleman and McGeady came right at him. Despite the tough job, he did prove himself with his tackling and marking. But there were instances when he was beaten and one of them was Coleman crossing for Mirallas for the first goal. Overall, a usual performance from the fullback, nothing out of the box.

Nemanja Matic 4/5

He had a great afternoon. His presence in the middle was key to Chelsea’s counter attacking game and the way the Blues dominated the midfield with defensive awareness was commendable. He also scored his first Chelsea goal and had an assist to his name as well.

Ramires 3.5/5

He too had a great game overall affecting the attack much better than before. He set up Ivanovic for the second goal and also scored himself, with a neat finish netting Chelsea’s four. He could have done better to stop the pass that was executed for Coleman at the wings, who crossed for Mirallas to score.

Cesc Fabregas 4/5

The new recruit is showing what a versatile player he is. He never seemed to have had a break from the Premier League as he matched the pace of the game and fulfilled the defensive requirements as well. He bagged his customary assist of the match with a wonderfully weighted through pass to set up Diego Costa for Chelsea’s first goal.

Eden Hazard 3.5/5

Hazard has now become the understudy of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa in terms of offensive dependency, and that seems to have helped him a lot, as he can play without pressure. He had an average game as he ran about and dribbled a bit, and then bang! One strong run with the ball beating McGeady and Coleman all ends up for a low cross that Coleman nicked into his own goal – a single flair moment that started the goal fest. His defensive contribution was commendable.

Willian 3.5/5

Willian was playing typically as that box-to-box player whom opponents hate to face, in the wings. He has been Mourinho’s favourite for away games and he showed why. He is exactly that type of midfielder Chelsea or any team team for that matter, needs for a counter attacking game. His pace on the break and simple no-nonsense passing is something which helped Chelsea. He was also involved in the build-up to Costa’s first goal.

Diego Costa 4.5/5

How much more magical can it be for Chelsea fans witnessing a goal-hungry striker fight it out and score goals for the sheer fun of it? Costa showed why the manager bought him for such a huge price this season with a well taken brace, despite having a fitness worry. His running off the ball, contributing in both offense and defense was commendable. He is now the striker who can propel Chelsea to trophies.

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John Obi Mikel 4/5

Came on as a defensive option for Willian, pushing Ramires out wide. He did his duty while also bagging a neat assist for Costa as we saw the Nigerian run at a blistering pace for probably the first time!

Filipe Luis N/A

He came on as a late substitute for Eden Hazard just to offer more defensive cover for Azpilicueta. Didn’t have much game time to be judged, but the debutant will surely expect more play time in the coming matches.

Didier Drogba N/A

He came as a substitute for Fabregas and played the same position that the Spaniard occupied. His physical presence and work rate late on in the game was important.