Just 2 days after facing Galatasaray in Turkey, Chelsea had a London derby at Fulham. The first 45 minutes was a very poor showing, but after half time, our attack started to click. A magnificent Andre Schurrle hat-rick was the key highlight of the second half, as well as a great game by Hazard. We had 58% possession throughout the whole game and 17 attempts at goal (although only 7 were on target). Due to Arsenal’s loss to Stoke, we are now clear by 4 points, and we are clear from Man City by 6 points, although they have 2 games in hand.
Here are the player ratings for this match:
Petr Cech- 7.5/10
Petr had a quite game in between the sticks. He only faced the attempts on target from Fulham, and one of those was a scrappy goal of a set piece.
Branislav Ivanovic- 7/10
Brana had an ordinary game by his standards, even though he was hardly tested. He did not join in our attack during the match but played well defensively.
Gary Cahill- 8/10
Gary was by far our best player in the first half of this match. He stood tall and took charge in defence. His dominate displays continued during the second half, however he seemed to receive a little more help from the player around him.
John Terry- 7.5/10
This wasn’t one of John’s better games so far this season. On many occasions, he seemed to have been caught napping but Gary covered him in defence. These two have formed a formidable partnership in defence now however, and has been the key to our success this season.
Cesar Azpilicueta- 7.5/10
Dave had a decent first half; he was flying up and down the flank, covering in defence and was making important challenges. He seemed to however drop his intensity during the second half and put in a but of a lazy performance.
Ramires- 7.5/10
Ramires had an extremely poor start to this game but seemed to improve as the game progressed. He started off sloppily in possession and gave away needless fouls but once Chelsea got their break through goal, he seemed to become more comfortable with the ball.
Nemanja Matic- 8/10
Matic had been a wonderful acquisition this season. He has played very well in the Premier League and it is a massive shame that he cannot play in the Champions League. His tackling was great, contested many aerial duels and won and broke down the opposing attack before it was to threaten our backline.
Andre Shurrle- (subbed off 86th minute for Luiz) 9.5/10
Could this be the end to our striking problems? Andre played magnificently well in the second half, and he deserved his 3 goals. They were all calm finishes, which our strikers have seemed to lack as of late. His ability to get behind the Fulham defence was just amazing and I feel he should be played as a striker.
Oscar- (Subbed off 77th minute for Mikel) 8/10
After have a very bad spell of form lately, Oscar had a good game. It was clear that he was suffering from fatigue, and I feel that if he has a bit more of a break, he will improve more this season.
Eden Hazard- 8.5/10
This was Eden’s worst first half performance of the season. He was getting frustrated, as the Fulham defence would double-team him when he had the ball. He had a great second half however laying off 2 assists for Shurrle, controlling the pace of the game and charging at defenders. He played an amazing ROBONA cross which Torres couldn’t finish off.
Fernando Torres- (subbed of 81st minute for Ba) 7.5/10
This was a rather sloppy performance by Torres. He had the chance to score of Steklenburg’s mistake but couldn’t bury it. He was poor when he had possession of the ball but somehow out-jumped the 6 foot 7 Fulham defender, and played a lovely ball through for Shurrle to score his third.
Used Subs:
John Obi Mikel- 7.5/10
Mikel was substituted on to add extra height in set pieces and to solidify our defence, and that exactly what he did.
Demba Ba – 7.5/10
Demba was given 10 or so minutes to try and score. He ran his heart out though and was nearly rewarded with a goal.
David Luiz- 7.5/10
Luiz was substituted on for the same reasons as Mikel. He did his job well, like Mikel and did nothing notable
Great win from the boys, KTBFFH!
Goooonnnneeeerrrrrsssssssss…… top of the table
I don’t agree with Oscar being good today. He was disappointing yet again
I learnt both Mourinho and Oscar speaks the same language. I guess it will be much better if he speaks with him to ascertain whats happening because his performance has not been nothing to write home about. Am glad Schurrle made use of his opportunity. I prefer him to William.
What about starting Schurrle for the striking position? Not bad idea.
Let him be our top man i.e. He should bench our strikers
Tanx to God mou saw our midfield was about disorganized, nd brought on Luiz.Matic is a very good example of wat a defensive midfielder should do. Mou is the best,Oscar was hardworking, did well fantastic game.
yeah we are 4 points clear.jose got it rite 2day,though schurrle flopped in the 1st half,but he kept faith wit the lad & dat brought out the best from him.jose,just be fair 2 all our players & u wil see them spil their blood 4 cfc.am so happy.
How can you give 7.5/10 to torres. This guy should be left on the bench for the rest of the season, he doesn’t bring anything to the attack.
A goal and an Assist in his last 2 matches says otherwise.
All chelsea players were poor in the first half even schurrle. Hazard played good. Cahill was brilliant. Mou shd consider playing schurrle as a striker. Thatt way, all our attackers can interchange. But the downside is that when we choose to go long, there will be no on up top to win headers for us as schurrle is not particularly strong. Anyway, let’s see what mou decides to do. Up Blues. ktbffh
am yet to see Salah
Where is (what we learned) ? I just come her for that ?
Oooooh. . . . Ma God i so much luv 2day game, pls guys let us mak dem 2 be hapi. I luv ma “HARZND”
the rating was good except 4 torres.the guy should be used only wen we play 4.4.2.hazard’s second half performance was a mixture of class & skill.matic did just great especialy in ariel duels,tackles & in terms dm’s positional awarenes,but he stil needs 2 develop his passing acuracy.ktbffh.
I don’t know why you keep on rating torres above 7 despite of poor performances like yesterday……..!
oscar never had a decent game….. Hez e reason y we were poor in e 1st half.. He lied too deep….. Caesar is a 10 out of 10 performer in all games.. He never sets his foot wrong…. Torres is the weak link of that team… Talking of a goal and assist when he could have scored about 5 clear goals is somehow insane…. Guys shurlee was played as a striker against man u early this season but it never paid off… It doesnt mean if terry scores he have to b a striker… Thatz y u are never coachs. He have to be utelised from e same position…. No switchin.. Salah and ba needs a fair chance….
Top of the table Yeah bt i thnk wat we need is lots of goals to compete with Mancity. . .no more narrow wins came on The blues.
Haz & Schur are z man of z matches ! Good lesson to Jose what Schurrle is. To win title hv to use Schurrle!