Player Ratings

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Chelsea 4-0 Atletico Madrid

It wasn't a vintage performance; moreso a clinical and efficient one.

But with qualification for the next round looking an almost certainty, Chelsea will be in confident form heading into the weekend's Premier League match with Blackburn, with a win necessary to maintain our pursuit of that elusive title. The performance was not the stellar attacking brilliance Barcelona show, or the flair and creation of Arsenal, Lyon or Milan, but rather a new brand of football, first developed by José Mourinho during his spell in charge of the club - ruthless efficiency.

When Carlo Ancelotti's side can dispose of teams such as Atletico Madrid - one of the best clubs in Spain, contrary to recent form - with such ease and quality, it really does beg the question why Chelsea lost as Villa Park on Saturday, and at the DW Stadium in Wigan last month. Clinical finishing in front of goal was the difference; Kalou was sharp and his performance one of his better ones in a Chelsea shirt. There were star performers all over the pitch - it was a fabulous team display.

Salomon Kalou has come in for an almighty amount of stick from Chelsea fans, myself included, for his sheer inconsistency. And even though he set Chelsea on their way to a comfortable victory with two well-taken goals, the striker defied belief by missing an open goal from ten yards (although a flag from the official would have denied him anyway) and then managing to be offside from a corner kick after it was flicked on at the near post. Despite this, Kalou was involved with almost everything good from a Chelsea perspective, and though he continues to frustrate, two clinical finishes yesterday evening could be the beginning of a strong run of form for the Ivorian - 7.5.

Nicolas Anelka was a peripheral figure against Atletico. Despite being the main striker in Ancelotti's system, playing off a more advanced forward, he was unusually quiet, and only showed glimpses of quality. He had a tendency to hug either of the touchlines, allowing Lampard and Ballack to venture forward, but as a goalscoring centre forward, Anelka should be in the six yard box waiting to pounce. An off day for the Frenchman, though he did force a fine save from Asenjo - 6

Michael Ballack - an unsung hero. Much like Claude Makelele, Ballack's influence on the team is missed by many Chelsea supporters. His mere presence in the midfield would appear to be a comfort to his teammates, and his driving runs forward can put any team on the back foot immediately. Against Atletico, Ballack was effective rather than spectacular; his defensive performance helping to null most of the pressure from the Spaniards, whilst going forward he was a constant menace. It is no coincidence the only games Chelsea have lost this term are those where Ballack has been absent through injury - 7.

Frank Lampard has had his confidence reignited. Typically a slow starter to the season in terms of goalscoring, a new system has meant Lampard has been somewhat subdued on many an occasion so far this term. However, against the Spanish team he seemed to have returned to his usual self; spreading the ball across the park effortlessly with a glorious range of passes, and scoring a trademark low drive from range. Lampard has always had a habit of scoring goals in sequences, and hopefully this will be the kick-start the player needs to go on and score another twenty goals this term - 8

Michael Essien seems to have adapted to the role of Chelsea's anchor in midfield, but unlike John Mikel Obi, retains his natural instinct to attack. His surges from deep were apparent yesterday evening, and with an assist for Lampard's strike on 68 minutes, the Ghanaian continues to prove his brilliance across the pitch. Along with Ballack, Essien kept the Atletico midfield quiet; Simao was hardly involved and the service into Forlan and Aguero was almost non-existent. If Chelsea win anything this season, it is performances like this from Essien that will partly be responsible - his extra drive and determination is something Chelsea have missed since the days of Roberto di Matteo - 8.5.

Anderson Deco, on his 100th European career appearance, was quiet and subdued. Though he was involved with a lot of Chelsea's build up play, many of the flicks and tricks he attempted failed to come off, and his lack of effort in closing down players was something Chelsea fans became frustrated with last night. Furthermore, his once incredible delivery from set pieces seems to have extinguished; twice he attempted to put crosses into the area, and twice they failed to beat the first defender. His wonderful attacking performance at the weekend seems so far away - 5.5.

Ashley Cole, as ever, continues to be Mr. Reliable. Solid defensively, Cole was dangerous going forward also, and it was cross into Kalou that opened the scoring for the Blues. With no natural winger in the starting line-up, it was down to the fullbacks to provide width, and Cole was exceptional; willing to bomb forward but never over-committing and thus ensuring he carried out his defensive responsibilities - 7.5.

Branislav Ivanovic had a torrid time of things at Villa Park, much like Jose Bosingwa, the man he replaced during the second half. However, in his usual role at centre back alongside John Terry, the Serbian looked imperious and was brilliant against Diego Forlan. Quick into the tackle and always the first to react to danger, the Chelsea number two had a safe game; his only mistake rectified by a fine piece of goalkeeping by Petr Cech - 7.

John Terry will be a much happier Chelsea captain following last night's performance. A screaming tantrum followed Villa's winning goal on Saturday, but the Blues defender and talisman enjoyed a fine performance alongside his goalkeeper and fellow backs. Like Ivanovic, Terry was tenacious and quick into every challenge, and every time the Chelsea captain contested for the ball, he won. His leadership qualities were on display for everyone to see, and under Ancelotti and Terry, the Blues winning machine marches on in Europe - 8.

Juliano Belletti had a solid game at right back. Though he was the must susceptible of the back four when Atletico came forward, he was a joy to watch going forward and his attacking instinct meant the loss of Jose Bosingwa to injury was lessened significantly. Lively throughout and a joy to watch - 7

Petr Cech earned himself and his defence a welcome reprieve from media scrutiny with a clean sheet, making a number of decent saves in the process, including an excellent catch from a Forlan header. The Blues goalkeeper is now only three shutouts away from 125 Chelsea clean sheets, and made a number of good catches from set pieces - 7

Substitutes

Florent Malouda - involved when he came on, set up fourth goal with devilish cross - 7

Yuri Zhirkov - a quiet Champions League début, but he was hardly called into defensive action -

6.5

Daniel Sturridge - won the freekick for the fourth Chelsea goal, but a quiet Stamford Bridge bow - 6

[CFC58 22]

Deco 5.5!?! surely he should get higher, I'm a big critic of him but he played a decent game, setup a lot of the attacks in the 1st half

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I thought he was pants to be honest

[Kez 2,727]

I agree Alex he frustrated the pants off me last night couldnt seem to get a pass right

[BlueLion. 21,491]

It wasn't through lack of trying - he gave it a go, but his execution of passes was woeful imo.

[Term-X 7,891]

Kalou played because he has a new 3 year contract, nothing to do with ability.

....

Sturridge is new and young so is treated differently, wish carlo would use kaka & pato as great examples for the opposite philosophy.

Edited October 22, 2009 by Terminator X

[Rambo 1,729]

Kalou played because he has a new 3 year contract, nothing to do with ability.

You personally know the guy?

[Cameron 30]

Woah - Anelka was really good throughout, I don't see how on earth that performance was a 6/10. I don't think I can ever recall his workrate being so great, and he bossed their defence around all game - hence why Kalou got subbed off after him.

Edited October 23, 2009 by Cameron

[crazy1 24]

what about belleti

wt is the rating for him

[BlueLion. 21,491]

The point of this thread is for every match, for you guys to post your own ratings - I'll be doing this after most games in the future.