Chelsea football club started their post-Mourinho era in fine fashion this Saturday. They played Sunderland at the Bridge and ran out 3-1 winners on the night. Ivanovic, Pedro and Oscar were on target for the Blues as they now sit at the 15th place, 4 points away from the relegation zone.
Sunderland with this loss are seriously in the midst of the relegation battle and need some results in the upcoming matches to save their top-flight status. Here are the player ratings for this game:
Chelsea:
T Courtois (3):
The shot-stopper was unlucky to let the goal in after making a brilliant save moments earlier. Was largely comfortable with everything thrown at him.
J Terry (3.5):
The best defender for Chelsea on the night as he dominated his area and also helped his partner out a couple of times.
Azpilicueta (2.5):
Got forward at times but with little effect as he was constantly under pressure on the wing by Watmore.
B Ivanovic (3):
Picked up a goal and an assist but was far from convincing when the visitors tightened the screws.
K Zouma (2.5):
Was shaky at the back under pressure from the Sunderland front line in the second half.
Willian (3):
Easily the best player on the pitch, Willian made it look easy with the ball at his feet and created a number of half-chances.
N Matic (3):
Was caught out at times by the counters but was usually assured in front of the back four.
Fabregas (2.5):
Showed his class at times in the first half but had a dismal start to the second before being subbed off.
Oscar (3.5):
Was persistent all night long as he troubled the Sunderland back line and also tested the keeper on several occasions.
Pedro (2.5):
Struggled in possession when under pressure as he broke up Chelsea’s play up front. But got himself a goal after a defensive mistake let him through.
D Costa (2.5):
Another unimpressive performance from the striker as he bore a lone figure up front and was subbed off to boos from the home crowd.
SUBS:
Ramiers (2.5)
Mikel (3)
L Remy (2.5)
Sunderland:
C Pantilimon (3):
Couldn’t do much to stop either of the first two Chelsea goals but was clumsy in conceding the final goal as he bought Willian down in the box.
B Jones (2.5):
Was caught out at times but was generally solid at the back. Rarely helped his front line on the flank.
J O’Shea (2.5):
Was put under pressure by Costa in the first half but was rarely troubled in the second as Chelsea sat back and defended.
S Coates (2):
Struggled during the whole game as he was beaten far too easily by the likes of Willian. Was subbed off as Sunderland reverted to a back four in the second half.
Y Kaboul (3):
The most impressive defender on the night for the visitors as he put in a great shift and also created the only Sunderland goal in the second half.
P van Aanholt (2.5):
Started poorly on the flank but slowly grew into the game and started to assert his dominance on either end of the field.
D Watmore (3):
An impressive outing for Watmore as he troubled the Chelsea back line all night long with his pace and trickery.
J Rodwell (2):
Did not help his side’s cause as he was sloppy in possession and was also not disciplined when defending.
Y M’Vila (3):
Put in a good shift in the middle of the pitch as he broke Chelsea’s play and started a number of Sunderland attacks from the back.
J Defoe (2.5):
Was hardly seen in the first half but had an improved second half where he tested the Chelsea no.1 plenty of times.
O Toivonen (2):
Lacked the penetration needed to trouble the Chelsea defense as he was hauled off at half-time.
SUBS:
A Johnson (3)
F Borini (3.5):
Added another dimension to the visitor’s game as he picked up a goal and was also pushing hard for more.
D Graham (2.5)