Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal - Match Report
Despite the relatively close score line, Chelseas players performed much better than Arsenals as a whole. But both teams had some good and bad performances which defined the outcome of the match. Chelsea The majority of the Chelsea team played very well throughout the match which is why they won. However, the centre-backs didnt put in a convincing performance and the return of John Terry must be eagerly anticipated by Benitez and Chelsea fans. Heres the Chelsea ratings: Petr Cech 7 Performed well but didnt have many saves to make. Effectively dealt with countless Chelsea corners. Cesar Azpilicueta 7 His ball for the first goal was sublime and he was good in both defence and attack throughout the match. Branislav Ivanovic 5 Didnt have much to do in the match but Giroud slipped by him early on and nearly put Arsenal one-up. Ivanovic then struggled to deal with the Frenchmans physicality for the rest of the match. Gary Cahill 5 Like his partner didnt have much to do. But he played Walcott onside for Arsenals opener and was also bullied by Giroud at times. Ashley Cole 6 Wasnt as effective as Azpilicueta but produced one very good foul on Walcott which could have denied the winger a chance to score. Ramires 6 Won the penalty and had a good all-action performance. But he really should have been sent off in the build-up to Chelseas opener and was lucky to be on the pitch at all. Frank Lampard 7 Didnt seem to be in the game much but when called upon stepped up to score the penalty which proved to be the winning goal. Juan Mata 8 The Spaniard was excellent as he set-up Ramires for the penalty win and scored Chelseas first goal. Terrorised Sagna throughout the match. Oscar 6 Didnt do as much as his fellow Amigos but didnt put in a bad performance. Came off with 20 minutes remaining for the more defensive Bertrand. Eden Hazard 7 Showed good ability and left Arsenal walked past Arsenal defenders at times in the first-half. He wasnt as effective in the second but still showed some ability. Came off with two minutes remaining for Marin. Fernando Torres 5 It was a risky decision for Benitez to start with Torres up front and the striker didnt repay his managers faith as he put in a poor performance. Missed a number of chances and was very selfish as well. Was lucky to get 80 minutes on the pitch as Ba looked much better. Subs: Ryan Bertrand 5 Replaced Oscar after 72 minutes but despite being on the pitch for a decent period of time barely got a touch of the ball. Demba Ba 6 Did more in 10 minutes than Torres did in 80 but missed a guilt-edged chance. Marko Marin Came on with two minutes remaining and didnt have the chance to do anything. Arsenal The Arsenal players didnt play as well as the Chelsea players and a number of poor individual performances led to their defeat. But several of them did play well throughout the match and were let down by their teammates. Heres the Arsenal ratings; Wojciech Szczesny 3 Should have done better for the opening goal. Then should have got sent off for his challenge on Ramires before nearly gifting Demba Ba a goal in the second-half. Bacary Sagna 3 Was caught sleeping for Chelseas first goal yet continued to see Mata run away from him throughout the match. A very poor defensive performance and didnt offer anything going forward. Per Mertesacker 4 Was a bit clumsy at times and was very bad in the first-half. Redeemed himself a bit in the second but then nearly gifted Demba Ba a goal. Thomas Vermalen 7 Like the other defenders wasnt very good in the first-half. But he was very good in the second-half as the Chelsea attack struggled to get by him. Goal-line clearance was the peak of his performance. Kieran Gibbs 4 His defending in the first-half was awful but he was ok in the second-half. Didnt do much in attack. Abou Diaby 5 - Nearly gave away a penalty in the opening minutes and was substituted off after 75 minutes. Not a brilliant performance although in fairness he isnt really a holding midfielder. Francis Coquelin 5 Was ok alongside Diaby in midfield but didnt put in a very impressive performance. Substituted for Ramsey after 59 minutes. Theo Walcott 8 Was Arsenals most menacing attacking outlet throughout the match and scored an excellent goal. Jack Wilshere 6 Was relatively anonymous but didnt do too much wrong. Santi Cazorla 7 Didnt have a great first-half but got an assist and was very dangerous in the second. Olivier Giroud 6 Like his Chelsea counterpart, finishing was poor throughout the match. But did trouble the Chelsea defence with his physicality. Subs: Aaron Ramsey 5 Was on the pitch for half-an-hour but didnt seem to contribute anything positive for his team. Andrey Arshavin 6 Seemed to be at the heart of all Arsenals attacks in the last 15 minutes but his overall play wasnt quite as good as it could have been. What did you think of the Chelsea and Arsenal players performances during the match? Tell us in the comments section below.