Chelsea Player Ratings vs Hull City – Hazard’s Magic Secures 3 Points For The Blues

Chelsea Player Ratings vs Hull City

Chelsea beat Hull City 2-0, but they were not at their best throughout the game. Hull City went a man down, when Tom Huddlestone was sent off after a horrible tackle on Filipe Luis. The refereeing was inconsistent, to an extent, but yellow cards were given for simulation tactics employed during the game, which kept the players in check. Chelsea looked jaded after constantly playing games, and Jose will have to think about giving some members of the first team a break, before they suffer from burnout. Hull looked like they could have fought in the dying minutes, but if they had not given away the second goal, they might have been able to launch a fightback.

Chelsea:

Player ratings:

Petr Cech – 7/10 – Came out to punt the occasional ball out of the box. Sone Aluko and Gaston Ramirez were the only threats, but a good centre-back pairing ahead of him did not let the ball reach him too many times. Did not have too much to do in his first Premier League start this season, but did a good enough job.

Branislov Ivanovic – 7.5/10 – Kept making runs on the right. Attacked and defended well against Hull’s attacks on the left. Was at his usual best, with accurate passing on most occasions, keeping Hull at bay.

Gary Cahill – 6.5/10 – Was one half of a good centre-back pairing that has shut most teams out this season. Had a decent game, which was partly marred through his yellow card in the first half in his bid to stop Aluko, who was Hull’s major threat.

John Terry – 7/10 – Was good in his leading role, but not at the top of his game. Lacked sharpness at times, as he made crucial clearances, but could have done better. Marshalled the troops during the final minutes of the game when Hull were threatening to score.

Filipe Luis – 7/10 – Shone in his first Premier League start, as he was the victim of a terrible tackle from Tom Huddlestone, without whom Hull lost their main midfield box-to-box player, and lacked power while charging forward.

John Obi Mikel – 7.5/10 – Given a rare start by Jose Mourinho, after numerous opportunities to come off the bench and lock the defence down, he did his job, ensuring that the ball kept moving forward with his level of steady consistency, without attempting anything too flashy.

Nemanja Matic – 8/10 – Played the role of shielding the back-4, but could do it with more ease and freedom to attack, as John Obvi Mikel was also handling defensive duties along with him. Made tackles and kept Hull in check through the game.

Willian – 7.5/10 – Added pace to a dynamic midfield, as he kept tracking back to collect the ball before sprinting past the opposition with the ball on a number of occasions in the first half. Played the role of a box-to-box attacking midfielder, laying off the ball to his fellow attackers.

Oscar – 7.5/10 – Was buzzing all around the pitch, putting in a high work rate, before he was taken off in the end. Made an assist to Eden Hazard to start with, but was largely ineffective on the left wing later, as his crossing lacked accuracy.

Eden Hazard – 9/10 – Got a goal to start with and then got an assist later, as he threaded his way through Hull’s players, as if the pitch was his obstacle course. Also had moments of inertia in some places, as he waited for the others to build the game up. Magical game.

Diego Costa – 8/10 – Grabbed a late goal to end his goal drought after scoring consistently through the first eight games of the season. Was booked for simulation and constantly got into the faces of the opposition to put them off in his aggressive manner.

Substitutes:

Didier Drogba – 7/10 – Was brought on as a late replacement, and kept the Hull defence buzzing, as he got himself into spaces. However, he has lost a considerable amount of pace, as was noticed in his one-on-one duels with Curtis Davies and James Chester, and mostly has depended upon set pieces to trouble the opposition.

Andre Schurrle – 6.5/10 – Made runs into Hull’s defence, and kept the ball when he had to, but lacked incisiveness which could have finished Hull off, as their players were tired and could have fallen prey to a fast run and cross from him for a possible third goal.

Ramires – Cannot be graded, as he took time to settle into the rhythm of the game, by which time, the game had ended.