Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool: Key Stats and Player Ratings

Chelsea

Petr Cech (7): Made three saves but was not worked extremely hard by the Reds. Was successful with only 38% of his passing.

Branislav Ivanovic (3): Came off injured early and failed to get in front of Suarez for Liverpool’s opener. Completed twelve of his attempted 13 passes to register a completion record of 92%. Made one clearance and one interception.

John Terry (2): Demonstrated the worth his experience in dealing with Suarez take-ons so well. Completed 87% of his passing, both attempted tackles and made six clearances.

Gary Cahill (8): Gave one of the game’s best performances and executed a magnificent challenge to deny Joe Allen a critical opportunity to score in the first half. He was tidy with his passing completing 91% of them, he also won both his tackles.

Cesar Azpilicueta (9): Was effective going forward down the wings at times and was accurate with three of his attempted four crosses, though only record a pass completion rate of 71%.

David Luiz (-7): For the most part, performed well in what many believe is his ideal position in the defensive midfield role. Completed no tackles, however, and was successful in only 72% of his passing. Made three clearances and was successful in his sole take-on.

Frank Lampard (19): Solid performance. Produced a brilliant save from Simon Mignolet with a mesmerising effort during the first half. Came off for Mikel at half-time. Completed 82% of his passing and two of his four attempted crosses.

Willian (-7): Exhibited a tireless and solid work ethic, tracking back to defend well and attacking with purpose but was not fantastic in his passing accuracy (72%). Completed four out of seven tackles and four out of eight take-ons.

Oscar (-26): Also worked hard and linked up superbly at times with Hazard when attacking through the middle. Again, however, his pass completion was low (70%) and he completed only one of four attempted take-ons.

Eden Hazard: Scored in the 17th minute to draw Chelsea level, gave a wonderful account of himself in terms of performance and was tremendously mobile and dangerous across the Blue’s front line.

Samuel Eto’o (2): Gave Chelsea the lead in the 34th minute but perhaps should have done better one-on-one with Mignolet during the second half. Clocked up a 100% shot accuracy, though only produced two attempts on goal.

Substitutions

Ashley Cole (-14): Replaced Ivanovic early on and was neat in terms of passing (89%). Contributed little defensivly, however, losing all four of his headed duels and winning only one tackle. Also made no clearances.

Fernando Torres (3): Subbed on late in the game for Eto’o to face his former club. Drifted past Sakho to produce a save from Mignolet, his sole one attempt on goal.

John Obi Mikel (7): Came on at half-time for Lampard as Chelsea sought to preserve their 2 – 1 lead. Completed 94% of his passes and made two tackles and two interceptions.

Liverpool

Simon Mignolet (1): Arguably should have done better for Chelsea’s second goal but did produce some quality saves. Completed 67% of his passes with eight from eleven.

Mamadou Sakho (18): Some sketchy moments and his partnership with Skrtel does not seem entirely without cracks, though was involved throughout the match. Completed 23 of 28 passes (82%), two tackles from three, two of three headed duels and made ten clearances.

Daniel Agger (18): Could be criticised for failing to compete physically in the air. Won three out of nine aerial duels, but did complete eight out of ten attempted tackles. Was successful in 75% of his tackles.

Martin Skrtel: Scored early on to give Liverpool the lead and responsible for several instances of heroic defending

Glen Johnson (-17): Posed very little threat down the flanks and failed to notice Hazard’s run for Chelsea’s first goal. Clocked up a passing accuracy record of 83%, completed two of three attempted challenges and won only one of four aerial duels.

Lucas Leiva (18): Put in a reasonably solid performance, but was unable to cope with the pace at which Chelsea moved the middle of the pitch during the first half. Compelted 86% of his passing, won half his attempted tackles (4/8) and the majority of his aerial duels (4/6). Also made eight clearances and was successful in his only attempted take-on.

Joe Allen (-16): Fell considerably short of exerting any kind of control over play from central midfield during his time on the pitch. Replaced by Brad Smith during the 60th minute. Completed only 75% of his passes, failed his only take-on and completed only one of three attempted tackles.

Raheem Sterling (1): Had several bright moments, mostly early on, and made some spectacular runs but often fell short in terms of end product. Accordingly, he completed six of his eight attempted take-ons but found a teammate with only 67% of his passes.

Jordan Henderson (-10): Had a frustrating afternoon and wasn’t up to the standard of what is now expected of the young Englishman. Was successful with only 77% of his passes and attempted only two tackles, one of which failed.

Phillipe Coutinho (9): Was not his usual incisive self and completed only 25 of his attempted 36 passes (69%). Completed two of his attempted three take-ons but only one of his four tackles. Did not track back as effectively as Chelsea’s wingers.

Luis Suarez (28): Was contained well and rendered unable to make the impact usually associated with the player, though was denied what was unarguably a penalty. Produced only two efforts on goal, one of which was saved, the other blocked. Only one of three attempted take-ons were successful and was fouled four times.

Subsitutes

Kolo Toure (4): Came on for Sakho late in the game. Attained 100% pass completion, though only made two, and completed his only tackle.

Iago Aspas (-5): Gave Rodgers no reason to consider giving him a greater role in the squad. Failed both attempted passes.

Brad Smith (-16): Debut for the 19-year-old, but he only attempted four passes, with two being successful.