Player Ratings: Everton 1-0 Chelsea

Everton
Tim Howard: 6.5
Made a horrible mistake that almost led to a goal but it didn’t, thanks to Gareth Barry’s brilliant block. Saved a few shots and kept his calm throughout the game.
Sylvain Distin: 6.5
Had a good game like the other Everton defenders. Kept Chelsea attackers away from getting a good ball in the box.
Phil Jagielka: 7.5
A captain’s performance. Organised the defense well and kept the defense in shape.
Leighton Baines: 7.0
Not his usual game going forward but done a good job defensively. He had a wonderful free kick blocked from being a goal by the crossbar.
Seamus Coleman: 7.5
Provided the ball that assisted the goal. Done well to minimise the Hazard effect, lots of energy and made some good runs going forward.
Gareth Barry: 7.0
Another debutant. Made a match saving block in the first half. Looked confident when in posession. He should be pleased with his debut.
Leon Osman: 6.5
Linked up the Everton midfield well. Helped the defense in the second half
Nikica Jelavic: 6.0
Assited the goal but apart from that, he looked isolated.
Kevin Mirallas: 6.5
Looked a threat several times. Had a blistering shot saved by Cech.
Ross Barkley: 7.0
Chelsea defenders had a hard time dealing with his pace. Provided a threat everytime he bombed forward. Very good performance overall.
Steven Naismith: 8
Goalscorer and undoubtedly, the man of the match. Made some dangerous passes in to and outside the box. He had been very lively throughout the game until he was substituted.
Substitutes
James McCarthy: 6.0
Came on in the second half to help out in easing pressure from the Everon defense. Made some good challenges but the situation didn’t allow him to play his game.
John Stones: N/A
Didn’t had any time to make an impact.
Gerard Deulofeu: N/A
Didn’t had any time to make an impact.
Chelsea
Petr Cech: 6.0
He couldn’t do much about the goal. Made some decent saves throughout the game. Even though he was helpless, nearly conceded a second goal from a late Baines free kick, thanks to the crossbar.
Branislav Ivanovic: 5.5
Not his day. Had a decent game in terms of defending but offered nearly nothing going forward. His crosses were so wasteful.
John Terry: 5.5
An off game from the Chelsea captain. Improved a bit in the second half.
David Luiz: 6.5
Best Chelsea defender yesterday. Tried to go forward, played like a defensive midfielder and side midfielder several times. Had a fair game defensively even though he could have done better for the Naismith’s goal.
Ashley Cole: 5.0
Terrible performance, both offensively and defensively. He seems to have lost a fair amount of pace. Never looked a threat going forward. Need to up his game considerably.
John Obi Mikel: 7.5
Best Chelsea player yesterday. Stabilised the midfield, did his defensive duties well and provided freedom for Ramires to burst forward. Rarely made a mistake.
Ramires: 6.5
Not a game of his standards but had a good first half. Provided a very good chance for Schurrle which he shot high over the bar. Shifted to the right wing after Lampard was subbed on.
Andre Schürrle: 5.5
Poor game from him. Nothing went right, should have passed the ball quicker to Eto’o for Chelsea’s best chance. His work rate was impressive though. Looked better in the second half but was soon taken off for Oscar.
Juan Mata: 6.0
Still doesn’t look like he is 100%. Not the usual him. But better than half of the Chelsea team.
Eden Hazard: 7.0
He was trying hard to create a chance but couldn’t break the Everton defence. Made good passes and got past several players on several occasions with his skills. Even though not a performance of his usual standard, a good one.
Samuel Eto’o: 6.0
Decent game for a debutant. Maybe he could have done better with the open chance he had but blaming him on missing it will be harsh. Dropped down to help the team with the pressing when out of possession and worked hard to link up the team.
Substitutes

Oscar: 6.0
Tried many twists and turns but couldn’t provide the final ball. Not his usual game.
Frank Lampard: 5.5
Rarely had any effect on the game.
Fernando Torres: 5.0
Rarely seen. Never really touched the ball, didn’t looked like a striker of a team losing 1-0.
MAN OF THE MATCH – Steven Naismith. Scored the goal that won Everton the game and even excluding the goal, the birthday boy produced a man of the match performance.
FLOP OF THE MATCH – Ashley Cole. Never looked like a threat going forward neither did his defensive duties well. He seemed lost. He needs to improve his game considerably if he is to start games regularly.