Premier League player ratings: Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 1 Chelsea FC (Part 2)
Chelsea FC
Petr Cech – 6
Chelsea number 1 could do little to stop Pavlychenko’s excellent opener but apart from that, he was hardly tested as Spurs’ forwards could not shoot on target when presented with the opportunities.
Paulo Ferreira – 7
Ferreira was tipped to be the weak link in the Chelsea back line and the fact that he was up against Gareth Bale, the Welsh winger was expected to have a field day. However, Ferreira put in an impressive display and while he kept Bale under check for much
of the game, the Portuguese even ventured forward to good effect.
John Terry – 6.5
It wasn’t one of his better displays as Terry lost Pavlychenko for the Tottenham opener but to his credit, the skipper tried his best to lead the comeback.
Branislav Ivanovic – 5.5
Not a vintage performance by any means for the Serbian and it was Spurs forwards’ inability to finish the chances that earns him this rating.
Ashley Cole – 6
While Ferreira was having an excellent outing against Bale, it was Cole’s turn to struggle as Aaron Lennon gave the England International a torrid time all night long.
Michael Essien – 6
Chelsea midfield failed to stamp their authority on the game and Essien was the main culprit. The Ghanaian midfield general was below his usually dominating self as he was sloppy in possession and was often second best in his challenges.
Ramires - 5.5
A lot was expected of the Brazilian when he arrived in England but his poor introduction to English football continued last night. To his credit however, he won the penalty in the closing stages that Drogba failed to convert.
John Obi Mikel – 6
A pedestrian in the middle of the park as Palacios and Modric ran the show in the first half. Mikel was taken off for Drogba as Ancelotti went for the equaliser.
Salomon Kalou – 6.5
The Ivory Coast international was presented with three opportunities but failed to trouble the opposition goalkeeper with his headers. Despite the misses, he was best out of a disappointing Chelsea frontline.
Nicolas Anelka – 6
Anelka would have expected a better night for himself but was made to toil in the lone striker’s role for much of the game. Despite his strong running, his passing was woeful at times, particularly towards the end of the game when Chelsea needed more from
the forward.
Florent Malouda – 6
Malouda’s form has taken a dip in recent times and the trend continued last night. The French winger found little joy out of a superbly organized Spurs back line.
Substitutes:
Didier Drogba – 7
The Chelsea talisman came on in the second half and scored with a powerful left footed shot that had too much venom for Gomes. However, the Ivorian turned from hero to villain with a penalty miss in the 92nd minute that would have won the game
for Blues.
Daniel Sturridge – 5.5
A couple of left footed crosses were all Sturridge could muster and was little improvement on Kalou.
Frank Lampard – 5.5
The Chelsea legend made his long anticipated return in this game but was not involved in the action and looked understandably rusty.
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