Going to go and vent my frustration elsewhere because I'm not at all very happy with that display. Some fucking appalling performances out there. Cech - 7 - he did not have an outstanding game, but he made saves where necessary and did well to cancel out the threat of Norwich's aerial qualities. Terry - 6 - he had a solid game, he was only beaten once and that was when he was sucked in on the flank and Pilkington raced past him and Cole. Otherwise he did really well and made some excellent blocks/challenges. Luiz - 7 - I thought he was our best player. He was dominant and controlled defensively, and he looked at times our most dynamic attacking threat. I don't think its fair for us to criticise Luiz anymore, because I think he has been a really good and consistent player for us over the last month or so. Cole - 5.5 - where has the old Cole gone? He's past his sell-by date, I'm sure we'll all agree, but he is not being helped by being played in every single match. Lethargic at times and lazy in the challenge, but he showed a good engine and got forward when he could. Still a class act, he just looks tired all the time. Bosingwa - 3 - I can find it very easy to criticise Bosingwa, but he did make a few good tackles and put a few decent crosses in. However, he slows down the play so badly and he is haphazard defensively too. A liability, the sooner Ivan is back, the better. Lampard - N/A - I don't think it would be fair to rate Lampard. We lost a lot of threat in the midfield when he went off, although that cloud was met with the silver lining of letting Mata coming into the fray more often. I hope it isn't a serious injury, we need Lampard's experience at times like this. He was the missing link, when the balls went into the box you just can't expect the same sort of goal-getting from Ramires or Meireles. Meireles - 5 - he had an odd game today. He was playing in a deeper role which I think doesn't suit him so much, and for the first half I thought he was excellent. He was composed with the ball and was linking the play up quite nicely. I think a clone of his must have come out after the interval, because he became sloppy and careless with his passing. He also started making some rash challenges in dangerous areas. Ramires - 6 - I can't give Ramires a great rating today, even out of sentiment. He was quiet for his usual standards, but he does possess that little bit of explosive dynamism in the midfield that can create opportunities. But, as I said, he wasn't so effectual going forward today, but he was his usual tenacious self in a defensive sense. Essien - 6 - it has been a solid and steady return for Essien, I've found. I think we have to accept his engine has moreorless gone, but he does have an intelligence when in possession. He gets himself into good positions and with more gametime he can improve a little. Still a big part to play, I think. Malouda - 5 - again, like Raul, he had a strange and inconsistent game. That being said, there's nothing strange about that at all! Some good forward movement and a nice link-up with Mata showed signs of promise in the first half, and he was a good attacking outlet at times. However he is simply a very lazy player, and that 'shot' at the end just rubber-stamps the notion that he is, pretty much, useless. Mata - 6.5 - our most creative threat - but only in fits and starts. I don't know if it is because he is tired from playing so many games but he drifts in and out of games. I can see him leaving in the summer, because he seems to be the only livewire in the team. Some good goalscoring chances today and he played generally well and tracked back well too. Still, there is more he can give. Torres - 5.5 - that shockingly woeful miss aside, he played quite well. Good movement. No service whatsoever, but I think when he misses from six yards he doesn't really deserve it. Sturridge - 4 - Bosingwa will get most of the flack today, but Sturridge was utterly dreadful. I wasn't expecting much because of this being his first game back, however he was really, really lethargic. Minimal team ethic and very lazy today. Some good movement and passing but that barely papers over the fact he was well off the ball. Lukaku - 6 - pace, power and skill, give him more of a chance, AVB! We just look more of a threat with a big striker in the box, but like Norwich's strikers, Lukaku has the ability to work hard for the team as well. I was impressed by his determination, since he hasn't had much of a chance this year at all. Definitely deserves a start in the next game.
