Jose Mourinho’s men produced a commanding performance at St’ Mary’s as Chelsea ran out a convincing 3-0 win over Southampton on new year’s day. Southampton’s recent slide in form continues as Mauricio Pochettino’s men hardly found their mark in the final third. The Blues took the lead through Torres who finally ended in goal drought through a bizarre goal following a ricochet off the post and a lucky deflection from Oscar’s chip. Brazilian midfielder Willian then made it 2-0 in a matter of minutes before Oscar himself finally wrapped it up. Here are the Chelsea player ratings from the encounter.
Peter Cech: Had to deal with the early home pressure but was rarely tested over the course of the ninety minutes. The Czech International though will be having a good night’s sleep after yet another clean sheet under the bar.
Rating:3/5
Cesar Azpilicueta: Was great at going forward and was a rock at the back. The Spaniard has shown immense versatility and might soon be awarded a starting spot regularly in the national team as well.
Rating: 3/5
Gary Cahill: Once again a rock at the back, continuing from his impressive form against Liverpool. The Englishman’s no nonsense approach and maturity at the back remained pivotal for Chelsea’s clean sheet.
Rating: 3/5
John Terry: Like his centre back partner, Terry yet again proved a rock in the back and remains to lead from the front.
Rating: 3/5
Ashley Cole: Didn’t get up front too often overlapping the wingers, lacked pace at times but over the course of the game, did do his job to contain the opposition wingers.
Rating: 2.5/5
Mikel: The Nigerian was employed with Ramires as the double pivot of the 4-2-3-1 employed by Mourinho. Mikel showed his class in the middle of the park, which goes away not praised in most of the encounters like this.
Rating: 2.5/5
Ramires: The Brazilian was excellent throughout the game, had lots of energy and gave his all through the entire course of the ninety minutes. Ramires was denied twice by the Saints Goalkeeper and for me he was surely the man of the match.
Rating: 4/5
Juan Mata: The Spaniard who has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea didn’t have a great game and Oscar’s inclusion in the second half might have showed why Mourinho might be right in preferring the Brazilian over the Spaniard.
Rating: 2/5
Eden Hazard: This Belgian has developed the panache and nonchalance to get into the goal sheet or the assists charts this campaign. Yet again Hazard provided a delightful layoff chip for Oscar’s goal which summed up his sumptous performance on the pitch.
Rating: 3.5/5
Andre Schrrule: The German didn’t perhaps do anything worth mentioning and going by the match, Mourinho needs to inculcate his tracking back skills for his defence.
Rating: 2.5/5
Fernando Torres: Was great throughout the game and even though critics would say he was lucky to score from a bizarre move following Oscar’s deflected chip which ricocheted off the post, Torres perhaps deserved to get into the scoresheet for his display out on the greens today.
Rating: 3/5
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