Everton 1-2 Chelsea: Player Ratings
Tim Howard: 6.5
Did well to make a few smart saves and picked the ball off an onrushing Mata and Torres. Could do very little to keep out the goals.
Leighton Baines: 7
Used his excellent attacking prowess to put in some brilliant crosses. Was always available for Pienaar to find. Came back to his defensive duties well also.
John Heitinga: 6
Was defensively solid as he stifled a very potent attack. Could be slightly at fault for leaving Lampard free as he headed home his first.
Phil Jagielka: 6.5
Picked up the ball from Hazard and crossed in for Everton‘s goal. Defended well and never let Hazard out of his sight.
Sylvain Distin: 6
Nullified Fernando Torres‘ presence by intercepting dangerous balls for him and winning aerial or ground battles.
Steven Naismith: 6
Worked hard to keep the pressure on Chelsea especially in the first half. Wasn’t too involved in the attack though.
Thomas Hitzlsperger: 6.5
Didn’t allow Lampard or Ramirez any time on the ball. Broke up their attacks and sat back as his midfield partner Osman moved forward.
Leon Osman: 6.5
Had a bullet shot saved by Cech. Put lots of pressure in the first half and was involved many attacks.
Steven Pienaar: 7.5
Showed a cool head when he scored his opener by keeping his shot low and accurate in a crowded box. Showed great intent every time Everton attacked and his runs allowed the others to move free.
Nikica Jelavic: 7
Unlucky not to have scored with his free kick coming off the post after completely beating Cech. Tormented Cahill and always tried to win the ball back when they lost it. Squared with Luiz many a time.
Victor Anichebe: 6.5
Unlucky not to have scored the opener as his header bounced off the post but was followed up by Pienaar. Used his strength to brush aside the Chelsea defense but found his finishing and final ball lacking.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Bryan Oviedo: 6
Came on for Pienaar with 10 minutes to go and slotted into his left hand role easily. Showed a lot of pace and work rate.
Ross Barkley: 6
Replaced Hitzlsperger in the 78th minute. Made a long distance effort when he could have played it through.
Apostolos Vellios: N/A
Came on for Naismith. Didn’t effect the game much.
Petr Cech: 6
Made a brilliant save of Osman. Could only watch as Jelavic’s free kicked whizzed past him onto the bar. Was substituted at half time due to an ankle injury.
Branislav Ivanovic: 6
Was tormented by Anichebe most of the time. Won free kicks out wide and managed to hold off till the end.
Ashley Cole: 6.5
Started the game on the back foot but slowly regained his composure, showing his pace to provide an option out wide. Missed an opportunity to score as a cross was just too quick for his sliding effort.
Gary Cahill: 7.5
After the initial scare, he held the fort well making challenges and winning headers. Headed out into the midfield to win the ball as well.
César Azpilicueta: 6
Allowed Baines and Pienaar to run at him and didn’t perform his defensive duties very well, although he did show his pace in attack.
David Luiz: 5.5
Didn’t manage to replicate his attacking threat as he did against Aston Villa. Made some rash tackles and some wayward passes.
Ramires: 6.5
Was a much more significant attacking option in the second half as his strength and pace provided helped Chelsea defensively to break down Pienaar and Osman. Provided a smart cross for Lampard’s header.
Frank Lampard: 8
Apparently surplus to Chelsea’s requirement, the midfield maestro showed what a valuable asset he is. Controlled the game with ease. Rose well to head home his first and did brilliantly well to be at the right place for the second goal.
Eden Hazard: 6
His poor pass led to Everton’s goal. Didn’t offer anything defensively and didn’t exert his usual attacking threat. Was replaced by Moses.
Fernando Torres: 4.5
Couldn’t get past the Everton center halves and had a disappointing touch many times. Didn’t make any significant contributions to the Chelsea attack.
Juan Mata: 8
The little Spanish playmaker was involved in everything good about the Chelsea attack as he drove forward, linking up with Hazard and Ramires. Made many incisive passes and flick but was let down by the lack of finishing.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Ross Turnbull: 6
Smartly kept out a couple of shots directed straight at him but was ably protected by his defensive four.
Victor Moses: 6
Injected pace and strength for the team’s cause. Made light work of his defensive duties and was an ever present threat out wide.
Oscar: N/A
Came on with 5 minutes remaining.