Fernando Torres and Juan Mata were on top of their games and it was the latter who proved decisive. Part 2 continues the analysis.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Raul-Meireles-c30678 – 6
Was deployed in a defensive role on the evening and did a decent http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684. Covered well sitting right in front of the four-man defence and tracked the opposition wingers well whenever they looked to cut inside. However, it was still not a performance that would
earn him a cemented first team berth. There are better defensive midfielders available in the market – Hint: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniele-De-Rossi-c10112.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707 – 7.5
Goals continue to elude the blonde Spaniard, but he has shown signs of rediscovering his blistering form of old. Drifted wide to receive the ball, sacrificing his goalscoring chances for the team, and was involved in most of the position action from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786
in the first half.
Juan Mata – 9
Hands down man of the match and a contender for the signing of the season in the Premier League. Terrorised the opposition defence with his clever running and never-ending array of tricks and flicks. Send http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ramires-c30523 through on goal with a delightful back heel
only for the Brazilian to miss. It was only fitting that he scored the penalty.
Daniele Sturridge – 6
His form has dropped in recent weeks and he was not his dominating self against QPR either. Went in search of the ball and even tried his luck from long range, but disappointed. However, he did win the controversial penalty that Mata scored with aplomb.
Substitutes:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Essien-c25294 – 5.5
Finally returning to first team fold is the Ghanaian superstar. With defensive option few to choose from for Villas-Boas, his return would be like a super January signing. Replaced the brilliant Mata and was clearly delighted to be on the pitch.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oriol-c28659 Romeu – 5
The midfielder with the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 DNA spent 15 minutes on the pitch and his only major contribution was getting booked for a challenge on Hulse.
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