Chelsea v Man.Utd player ratings

[BlueLion. 21,491]

The Guardian's player ratings:

Petr Cech - 6/10 It was startling to see the Czech, so consistent in recent weeks, beaten from distance at his near post, his reactions delayed as he flopped down and the chance flew into the corner. But he was slightly more reassuring when United pressed late on.

Branislav Ivanovic - 6

Evra and Nani tested him at right-back, exposing him at times, and he was dawdling as Rooney turned and fizzed in the visitors' opener. Happier when restored to the centre late on.

John Terry - 7

Clearly enjoys working with David Luiz, with the captain content to sit deep and allow his partner to maraud forward in possession. Chelsea's needed his strength at times to keep the visitors at bay.

David Luiz - 8

Continues to catch the eye at either end, clearing from Fletcher's centre and dispatching a volley with his weaker foot to claw the hosts level. Booked and, perhaps, fortunate that one off-the-ball incident with Rooney went unpunished.

Ashley Cole - 6

His early attacking touches provoked the inevitable chorus of "shoot" from the stands, but he was pinned back until the interval. Chelsea worked to liberate him thereafter, and his threat grew.

Ramires - 7

Meanders in-field so often that Chelsea lack width on their right, particularly with Ivanovic only a sporadic attacking force. But his energy erupted at times. Booked for late lunge at Carrick.

Michael Essien - 6

Nominally the most defensive of Chelsea's central midfielders, but bypassed when United built up a head of steam and passed around him. His dynamism is not what it once was. Booked.

Frank Lampard - 7

His penalty was dispatched with gusto, and he would have enjoyed the space that opened up after the interval as Chelsea pushed higher to discomfit the league leaders, even if sights of goal from open play were rare.

Florent Malouda - 5

Should have scored with virtually his first touch, scuffing a shot from just inside the area straight at Van der Sar, and his evening did not improve much after that. His form has rather dwindled.

Fernando Torres - 7

The wait for his first Chelsea goal is prolonged. The initial surge had been so promising, his interchanges with Anelka a continuation of events in Copenhagen, yet his early strike was ruled out .

Nicolas Anelka - 6

Had started so well, setting up Malouda with a fine opportunity after gliding into space, and enjoying his partnership with Torres. But, starved of the ball, his threat was steadily reduced.

Subs Drogba for Anelka, 61, Zhirkov for Malouda, 71, Bosingwa for Luiz, 81

Subs not used Turnbull, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Kalou, McEachran.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/01/chelsea-manchester-united-player-ratings

[Tomo 21,751]

The guardians rating for Micheal Essien is a joke, he was fantastic all night.

[zagger 47]

The guardians rating for Micheal Essien is a joke, he was fantastic all night.

Whats his rating? I think he should have 8 eve though he messed up some easy passes, but imo he was fantastic too!

[Tomo 21,751]

Whats his rating? I think he should have 8 eve though he messed up some easy passes, but imo he was fantastic too!

Alex (Blue Lion) has the guardian ratings above

[GodZola 630]

Anyone that's given Maloulda more than a 2 needs to go to specsavers! :eyebrows:

Just didn't perform, gave the ball away far too much, didn't offer anything as an attacking threat & should of been halled off at half time, we looked so much better when Zhirkov came on.

Luiz had another good game going forward but on last nights evidence he has to improve defensively, great strike though & it will be interesting to see where Ancelotti decides to play him on Alex's return as Luiz looks as though he could slot into midfield comfortably.

[Peace. 4,352]

Cech - 6 - I think he should have stop the first goal, but I guess he was scared by Ronney's face. Otherwise at the end he was very good.

Ivanovic - 6 - Not his best game, he was sometimes in troubles. But considering his pace and Nani's pace, he's done a good game.

David Luiz - 8 - A warrior. He's amazing as f-ck. I guess we could play him as a striker. What a lovely goal. And I love his celebration lol.

Terry - 7

Cole - 6

Ramires - 8 - If he keeps improving like that, he will be seen as good as Messi and CR7 lol.

Essien - 6.5 - He's on his way back.

Lampard - 6.5 - His better game so far.

Malouda - 2 - He should have scored on his first chance at the 5 minutes mark... Poor game.

Anelka - 6 - He started very well the game, but after 20 minutes he seemed to be the ol' Anelka.

Torres - 6 - He fits more and more the team. I think he only lacks one goal to gain a fully confidence.

Zhirkov - 7 - He got us a penalty and he played very well.

Drogba - 7 - This is the Drogba that I like, showing motivation.

[zolayes 14,489]

the mail ...made Rooney MOM ...tells everything about them

[zolayes 14,489]

The guardians rating for Micheal Essien is a joke, he was fantastic all night.

for younger and overseas members.

The Guardian was until fairly recently called "The Manchester Guardian " printed in Manchester ...

[Tomo 21,751]

the mail ...made Rooney MOM ...tells everything about them

[MetsajCFC 1,255]

<span style="color: rgb(63, 67, 73);">Cech - 6.5 <br>

Ivanovic - 6.5 - Great assist for Luiz, defensively average tonight<br>

David Luiz - 8.5 - MOTM<br>

Terry - 7<br>

Cole - 7 - Ran up and down that flank all night, great to see him playing with passion<br>

<br>

Ramires - 8 - Absolute warrior, keep it up<br>

Essien - 6.5<br>

Lampard - 7<br>

Malouda - 3 - Should have scored, poor attitude, poor vision and distribution<br>

<br>

Anelka - 4<br>

Torres - 6.5 - Didn't score but can't come much closer - a disallowed goal which really could easily be allowed, great dribble and wanted to play, wanted to pass and shoot, improving every day<br>

<br>

Zhirkov - 7 - Impact was amazing, earned penalty, hunger<br>

Drogba - 7 - Like the commentator said "That's one angry man right there", full of motivation, showed passion and GREAT ball control. Urged his team mates from the sidelines, communicated with fans to make more noise, brilliant Drogba. That's who we've been missing aswell. Torres-Drogba back on agenda<br><br><br><br>Conclusion: Torres-Drogba start, Zhirkov to start<br></span>

[5354 204]

I think Cole's performance for the past few matches is quite average...for the last match maybe a bit better but during the patch of bad form he played pretty bad as well...

[dodojojo 510]

Does Malouda know Torres is on Chelsea now? Doesn't seem to see or want to pass to Torres

Funny, there’s a thread about this and I’ve pointed out the same things you did in my post there (before coming here)

At times he was very involved and other times he seemed to drift wide trying to find space, the ball, or something. Counted a few times when he was open, unmarked, waving for the ball. Think he and the team are still trying to find each other's wavelengths

Think Torres will eventually score goals this season and get close to the 20 goal mark for the season (Liverpool and Chelsea combined). Think he'll be a bright spot next season with the summer off and this time with the team under his belt. He's a 5 1/2 year contract and hopefully he's part of a bright future for Chelsea.

No matter what Carlo says about scoring for Torres, he's a striker and the goals need to come. Have belief they will.

What struck me about last night’s game is how different the setup is to what Torres got in Liverpool. And honestly, I don’t see him scoring at the same rate unless he adapts (really difficult to radically change his game at this stage of career) or if Chelsea adapts the game to him. And obviously, the team should do what’s right for the team and if it means winning but Torres not scoring as much, then that’s the way to go. But people won’t see that and he’ll carry on the flop tag. He spent a lot of time so far away from goal. Thus, even though he was sharper last night in overall play, he was less of a goal threat than in the Copenhagen game where he got off a handful of shots. Other than the disallowed goal, did he have any other close calls otherwise?

[Tortilla9 390]

Funny, there's a thread about this and I've pointed out the same things you did in my post there (before coming here)

What struck me about last night's game is how different the setup is to what Torres got in Liverpool. And honestly, I don't see him scoring at the same rate unless he adapts (really difficult to radically change his game at this stage of career) or if Chelsea adapts the game to him. And obviously, the team should do what's right for the team and if it means winning but Torres not scoring as much, then that's the way to go. But people won't see that and he'll carry on the flop tag. He spent a lot of time so far away from goal. Thus, even though he was sharper last night in overall play, he was less of a goal threat than in the Copenhagen game where he got off a handful of shots. Other than the disallowed goal, did he have any other close calls otherwise?

Not saying Chelsea plays like Spain but it seems a little reminiscent of Spain where he plays up top with another striker, usually Villa. Villa praises him highly for the work he does for the team although it's usually Villa who gets the glory, ie the goals. An announcer mentioned last night "With a 50 million striker you should build your team around him but they seem to be fitting him in". With the timing of his introduction to Chelsea that's probably the case. We'll see if it's

different next season.

He had a few chances last night from difficult angles that were more speculative than anything. If they'd gone in they would have been fantastic goals. His closest shot nearest goal was in the 94th minute.