Samuel Eto’s hat trick enabled Chelsea to continue their imperious run of form as they brushed side a hapless looking Manchester United side by a 3-1 margin in a glittering Stamford Bridge night. Javier Hernandez got a late consolation but United’s title defending aspirations (if at all any) is now well and truly over.
Here are Chelsea’s player ratings from Sunday’s fierce encounter.
Petr Cech: The Czech International had very little to do in the first half except Danny Welbeck’s feeble shot which was straight to him. Cech was calm and composed at the back and his distribution, as again, brilliant, which helped in launching counter attacks. Could do nothing for Hernandez’s tap in late on.
Rating: 2.5/5
Cesar Azpilicueta: The Spaniard was calm and composed in the left flank and was well assured coming up against Anton Valencia, the Ecuadorian who could do very little throughout the match. Azpilicueta surely deserves a starting place in Spain’s squad, albeit his recent performances.
Rating: 3/5
John Terry: Great throughout the match, displayed enormous enthusiasm and denied space to United’s attackers in the final third. A performance which epitomised a captain’s day out.
Rating: 3/5
Gary Cahill: Couldn’t do anything for United’s consolation late on, but yet again he was brilliant throughout the match with John Terry in the heart of Chelsea’s defence.
Rating: 3/5
Branislav Ivanovic: The Siberian was superb and immense at overlapping the wingers up front and provided more numbers up front. Defensively, he was brilliant too, tracking back and displayed great energy throughout the entire course of ninety minutes.
Rating: 3/5
Ramires: The Brazilian was fantastic throughout the match, displayed enormous energy and barged forward at will. His defensive contribution was impeccable too as he almost covered every blade of grass on the pitch.
Rating: 3/5
David Luiz: The Brazilian was reckless at times but yet again showed how versatile he is, playing in the central defensive role. Luiz can certainly improve and now with Nemanja Matic coming from Benfica, he has to up his game to keep his place in the squad.
Rating: 2.5/5
Eden Hazard: The Belgian was simply unstoppable, drafted into pockets behind the United defence and made space for his team mates up front. Could have a got a goal for himself was once again showed what a great player he is already.
Rating: 3.5/5
Oscar: The Brazilian looked off colour today, perhaps one of those games he would want to quickly forget. He has certainly made the number ten his own dislodging Mata, but shouldn’t now take his place for granted.
Rating: 2/5
Willian: The Brazilian as always, displayed great feet and drafted into spaces, making full width of the pitch and barged inside to support Eto’o up front. Looking quite a buy for the London side.
Rating: 3/5
Samuel Eto’o: Star of the day and scored the hattrick to propel Chelsea’s run in the Premier League and continue their impressive home run under Jose Mourinho. The Cameroon international was sublime and was immaculate throughout which surely prolongs Fernando Torres’ stay on the sidelines.
Rating: 4.5/5