Chelsea v Manchester United: how the players rated at Stamford Bridge

Jeremy Wilson assesses how players from both Chelsea and Manchester United fared at Stamford Bridge.

Back of the net: Javier Hernandez scored the winner for Manchester United Photo: AP



By Jeremy Wilson

7:37AM GMT 29 Oct 2012


23 Comments



Chelsea


Petr Cech 7


Began with a comfortable catch to deny Van Persie and later also made an outstanding one-handed save from the former Arsenal striker. Was blameless for all three of the Manchester United goals.


Branislav Ivanovic 6


Escaped punishment for a two footed tackle on Evra during the first-half but was then unfortunate to be sent off after inadvertently clipping Young’s heels when the United winger was clear on goal.

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Gary Cahill 6

The Chelsea defence was collectively dysfunctional during a torrid start but Cahill was the least culpable and almost began the fight-back with a towering header that was saved by De Gea’s legs

David Luiz 5

Unfortunate for his own goal, which bounced off his back and into the goal, but should then have more effectively dealt with Valencia for United’s second. Tested De Gea with a dipping second-half free-kick

Ashley Cole 5

Struggled badly at the start of the match and was especially exposed by Rafael and Valencia for United’s second. Improved thereafter although was unable to provide his usual attacking width down the left

Ramires 7

His midfield industry was largely behind Chelsea’s fight-back and, after a flurry of missed chances, he eventually broke forward to head the equaliser. Did also get away with several late challenges

John-Obi Mikel 6

Was bypassed during the first 20 minutes but became increasingly effective in stifling United. Also went close to scoring himself with a shot that was turned onto the post by Evans

Oscar 7

Another who hardly touched the ball for 20 minutes but then grew in stature. Some wonderful moments of skill, notably the cross for Chelsea’s equaliser before being sacrificed when his team lost Ivanovic

Juan Mata 8

A wonderful all-round attacking performance. Scored with a superb curling free-kick, then immediately forced another great save from De Gea and also played a key part in the build-up to Ramires’ goal

Eden Hazard 7

Showed Manchester United numerous glimpses of the quality he could have added to their squad without quite finding a clinical moment. Dragged shots narrowly either side of half-time after fabulous skill

Fernando Torres 5

The least threatening of Chelsea’s attacking players although did force a wonderful save from De Gea with a second-half header. Lucky to only get a yellow for high challenge on Cleverley but then harshly booked for alleged dive

Substitutes: Cesar Aspilicueta and Ryan Bertrand were brought on to replace

Oscar and Mata as Chelsea tried to hold out for a 2-2 draw after Ivanovic’s dismissal. Daniel Sturridge then came on as Chelsea went in search of an equaliser but was starved of meaningful service.

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Manchester United

David de Gea 7/10

Made a succession of saves to deny Luiz, Cahill, Torres and Mata but was then arguably at fault for misjudging Mata’s free-kick. Blameless for the Ramires’ header although invites danger by coming for so few crosses

Rafael 7

Helped terrorise Chelsea down the left at the start of the match, with his pass beginning the move for United second. He then fired in the low cross from which Hernandez scored United’s controversial winner

Rio Ferdinand 6

Booed with predictable relish by the Chelsea supporters in the aftermath of the various John Terry trials but was unaffected in his performance. Made several important interceptions as Chelsea piled on the pressure either side of half-time

Jonny Evans 6

Showed excellent reactions to turn Mikel’s shot onto the post during the second-half but was then fortunate to escape punishment himself after admitting that there he clipped Torres with his late tackle

Patrice Evra 6

Spent most of the match pinned back and trying to contain the dazzling interchange of passing between Hazard, Oscar and Mata. Has had far easier afternoons but his experience was ultimately important in United grinding out their victory

Antonio Valencia 7

Began brilliantly as United reverted to an old fashioned 4-4-2 system and constantly tried to get the ball wide to their wingers. Produced a precise cross for United’s second but was also booked late in the match for exaggerating contact

Tom Cleverley 5

Began brightly as United dominated possession but found himself overrun and bypassed after around 25 minutes. Was sacrificed following the dismissal of Ivanovic as United went in search of a winner

Michael Carrick 6

Some wonderful early passing to set the tempo but United became increasingly outnumbered through the centre of midfield and his influence waned until the two Chelsea red cards

Ashley Young 7

Back for his first match in almost two months and just his presence seemed to upset Chelsea’s gameplan and help hand the early initiative to United. Played a part in the first goal and then his clever run caused Ivanovic to be sent off

Wayne Rooney 7

Began the move for United’s first goal before also providing the cross from which Van Persie shot bounced off Luiz and into the goal. Linked up well with Van Persie and also impressed when he dropped even deeper after Hernandez’s introduction

Robin van Persie 8

Integral to just about all of United’s best attacking moments. Produced the shot that forced Luiz’s own goal, scored the second and then split Chelsea’s defence to provoke Ivanovic’s challenge on Young

Substitutes: Javier Hernandez replaced Cleverley and, although he was clearly offside the goal, his predatory instinct was evident in his precise finish.

The experience of Ryan Giggs, who replaced Rooney in midfield shortly after Hernandez’s introduction, also helped United seal their victory

read more : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/9639575/Chelsea-v-Manchester-United-how-the-players-rated-at-Stamford-Bridge.html