Player Ratings: Chelsea FC 4-1 Norwich

The Blues claimed an important win and 3 points at the weekend’s game against a Cardiff side wanting to close out the opposition and at least looking to get a draw. Their plan looked well on target as Mutch capitalized on Luiz’s defensive blunder to score the opener inside 10 minutes, but a rather controversial goal was scored by Chelsea as Eto’o stole the ball of the keeper’s path while it was bouncing. Then, Hazard put us level into 1-1 and the first half ended with Chelsea dominating the opposition.
2nd half proved another point as Jose rotated the system around like he did against Norwich and his substitutions proved effective as we claimed the all important 3 points to put us 2nd in the premier league table behind Arsenal. Now, before looking at the predictions of Tuesday’s UCL game against Schalke, let’s analyze how the players fared in the game that satisfied Jose and all Chelsea fans who witnessed it.
Chelsea FC
Petr Cech: 8.0 The Czech stopper, playing his 300th game in EPL looked impressive and in assured form despite conceding a goal which was an error from a defender and he couldn’t have done much to prevent it. He also stopped good efforts from Odemwingie and co. to help us claim all 3 points at the Bridge.
Ivanovic: 7.0 The right back was solid and great at stopping dangers coming from their wingers. Brana was also a crucial part of the transition from 4-2-3-1 to the 3-5-2 that Jose opts when we struggle to break down teams that defend too deep.
Terry: 8.0  The Chelsea captain proved the sentiments of the Special One that he has recovered his self-esteem as an important player in pre-match press conference on Friday by delivering a solid and key performance as he marked down Odemwingie to perfection.
Luiz: 6.0 The Brazilian made a crucial error to allow them to score the opener but, worked hard and delivered his trade mark runs in to midfield perfectly. Although we hope to not see it again, the error didn’t lead to us dropping points or losing the game.
Bertrand: 6.0 The English left back didn’t do much on the left hand side to create scoring opportunities or feed Hazard as Jose would have liked and was substituted by Torres as formation changed to a 3-5-2 from a 4-2-3-1.
Lampard: 7.5 We didn’t see much spectacular staff from the midfielder but, Lamps is turning well into a deep lying play maker that is crucial to the transition of the team. And he made some attempts to get on the score sheet by delivering in shots from outside the box.
Ramires: 7.5 Worked well defensively and delivered his energetic runs to the box even though it didn’t lead to a goal scoring opportunity.
Hazard: 9.0  The Belgian managed to get TWO goals in the match to get us the important 3 points and also assisted Samuel Eto’o for his first Chelsea goal.
Mata: 7.0 Didn’t influence the game as he was supposed to from a standpoint of a No. 10 attacking midfielder. Looks like Oscar will continue as the undisputed man for the role behind the striker unless the Spaniard steps up. But, it wasn’t a silent night for Mata as he attempted few times and almost assisted Terry for a header that went wisker wide of the post.
Willian: 7.0 Worked hard rather than smart. Kept the ball well and his full-back occupied, but never found himself in a position to really their defense or create chances for Eto’o
Eto’o: 8.5 Just missed out on man of the match accolade to Hazard despite getting his first Chelsea goal and working his tale off as displayed by the equalizer turned in by Hazard.
 
Substitutes:  
Fernando Torres: 7.0 The Spaniard coming off an injury and a suspension as a substitute for Bertrand made a contribution in the attacking front but, didn’t prove to be any influential as Eto’o was during the 67 minutes he was on the pitch.
Azpilicueta: 7.0 His substitution put Chelsea back to a 4 man defense and that helped control the game in case of a danger counter attack from Cardiff as we took the lead through Eto’o a minute before he came on.
Oscar: 8.5 The Brazilian is well on his way onto being named the player of the year for Chelsea preventing Mata from getting a hattrick of that accolade and off his favored spot in the line up. The diligent effort from outside the box fizzled on to the back of the net as the keeper couldn’t do anything!
Cardiff City:
Marshall: 5.0 Came frighteningly close to handling the ball outside his area early on, and made a schoolboy error to gift Chelsea their equaliser when he dropped the ball with Eto’o still behind him. Also let a savable Hazard shot squirm under his body, though by then the game was over.
Taylor: 6.0 Not beaten too many times by Willian, and will surely be grateful Hazard spent the afternoon on the opposite flank.
Caulker: 6.0 Didn’t do much to prevent Hazard from scoring the 4th goal despite being in a good place to stop the effort.
Turner: 6.5 Made it little difficult for Eto’o in the air despite not preventing Chelsea from scoring all 4 goals. Also frequently troubled by Chelsea’s midfield runners.
Catherine: 6.0 Fared well on his rare forays forward, but had nowhere near enough in his locker to contain the rampant Hazard.
Whittingham: 5.5 His set-piece deliveries caused problems but Ivanovic kept him shackled in open play and put him in the back pocket as the saying goes.
Medel: 6.5 The Chilean did well slightly well in marking down the runs of Lampard and Ramires occasionally from deep midfield but, was silent throughout before being substituted in the 56th min.
Gunnarsson: 5.0 Worked hard in midfield but couldn’t prevent Chelsea monopolizing the possession.
Mutch: 7.5 Showed great anticipation and composure for his goal, but was anonymous thereafter.
Cowie: 6.0 Didn’t give Theophile-Catherine adequate protection against the Hazard onslaught, though it is doubtful even the pair in tandem could have stopped the Belgian in this mood.
Odemwingie: 7.5 Forced one great save from Cech with a flicked header in the first half, but got no real service.
Substitutes: 
Kim: 6.0 Replaced Medel on 56 minutes and looked lively, worrying the Chelsea defense with his enthusiasm and running.
Campbell: N/A Introduced in place of Odemwingie but never found himself in a position to test Cech.
Gestede: N/A Came on with nine minutes left but the game was already lost.
Man of the Match: Eden Hazard – no wonder this decision as the Belgian was on his best form scoring two goals and providing the assist for Samuel Eto’o in a tight area to notch home and give us the lead. His 2nd goal was also a superb individual display similar but, not as powerful as the one he scored against Bayern.
Flop of the Match: David Marshall – was poor in gifting the ball to Eto’o for the equalizer and didn’t do anything to prevent all 3 others from going in especially the 4th one from Hazard.
This was my point of view on how the players performed and you can let me know what you think of my ratings down in comments section. Follow on twitter (@FahmiCFC) for more news and opinions about the mighty BLUES! #KTBFFH