Chelsea and Manchester United played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge which on the surface looked like a fair result that would have however ultimately left both teams unhappy with the result in this hugely competitive season this year.
Chelsea
Thibaut Courtois – 8/10
Chelsea's best player of the game by far, the Belgian shot stopper made a slew of fantastic saves throughout the game to make sure Chelsea remained in contention during the game.
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Branislav Ivanovic – 6/10
The Serbian right back's season continues to show an upward curve with Ivanovic showing glimpses of his attacking best in recent games. This game was no different where he linked up well with Willian at times but defending against pace reamins his Achilles heel where he was outdone by Martial on numerous occasions.
Kurt Zouma – 6/10
Continues to grow in stature with every passing game. A controlled yet understated performance from the Frenchman who is certainly Chelsea's successor to an ageing John Terry. Chelsea fans will certainly be hoping his injury doesn't keep him out for too long.
John Terry – 6.5/10
The English centre back continues to defy both age and critics with yet another fantastic performance at the back where, after a an edgy start to the game, coolly marshalled Chelsea’s back four - leading by example.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6/10
Chelsea’s Mr. Consistent at the back had another tidy game at the back hwere he managed to control Jesse Lingaard for the majority of the game. Would have liked to have contributed more while going forward however.
John Obi Mikel – 6.5/10
Did his job as “fifth defender” reasonably well enough with some well timed tackles and interceptions during the game however needs to improve his game while pushing ahead creatively.
Nemanja Matic – 7/10
The Serbian holding midfielder was one of Chelsea's standout performers last season but has looked a shadow oh himself this season. However, his performance against the Red Devils marked a return to the Matic of old where he managed to boss the midfield with some fantastic interceptions along with setting up many of Chelsea’s plays at the heart of the field.
Willian – 6.5/10
Chelsea's standout performer this season had yet another good game where he constantly looked a threat while pushing ahead but certainly looked a little jaded from the amount of game time he's been getting.
Cesc Fabregas – 5/10
Largely absent in the first half, the Spaniard looked out of sorts in the first half and didn’t imrpove much as the game went on.
Oscar – 6/10
As usual, Oscar's defensive contributions were as impressive as his attacking exploits where he constantly tracked back to help Azpilicueta in defence while also getting into dangerous goal scoring positions throughout the game.
Diego Costa – 6.5/10
The Chelsea forward certainly worked hard throughout the game and ran the channels well but would have liked to have gotten more support from Chelsea’s creative frontline during the game but finally got his goal through sheer graft at the end.
Substitutes –
Eden Hazard – 6.5/10
Certainly looks like a whole new player now with some fantastic runs both on and off the ball and provided Chelsea with some much needed time on the ball in United's half after he came on.
Gary Cahill - 6/10
The English centre back was unlucky to conceded just as he came on for Zouma but had a decent enough game after that where he liked up well with Terry to marshall the back.
Pedro – 5/10
Pedro has had a largely dissapinting Chelsea career post his dream debut against West Brom and today was no different where he provided nothing concrete while going ahead but did track back well often to help out at the back.
Manchester United
David De Gea – 8/10
While Courtois was having a fantastic game at one end of the pitch, the United goalkeeper was no less impressive on his side where he too made numerous fantastic saves to keep Chelsea out.
Matteo Darmian – 7/10
The Italian provided yet another solid performance at the back where he put an end to numerous Chelsea attacks on the flank with ease.
Chris Smalling – 6/10
Was the better of the two United centre backs but has certainly had better games in the United shirt.
Daley Blind – 6/10
Had a decent enough game with some good challenges at the back marred with some instances of sloppiness at the back. Lucky to gotten away without a penalty.
Curtis Borthwick-Jackson – 6.5/10
The young United wing back showed what he was capable of on many occasions - a quick, talented and skilled wingback who looked is certainly destined to become a regular feature in United's backline in the years to come.
Marouane Fellaini – 6/10
Deployed in his preffered central midfield role, the Belgian was a constant threat during set plays but was largely outplayed by Nemanja Matic in the battle of the big holding midfielders.
Michael Carrick – 6/10
Age certainly looks to be catching up on the United midfielder where he was outplayed for both skill and pace many times during ht egame but still showed glimpses of his creative best at the heart of the the field.
Jesse Lingard – 7/10
The young United forward showed flashes of his creative genius at times with some fantastic shots on goal but was largely controlled with ease by Cesar Azpilicueta for the majority of the game until he managed to get the better of him in the box and score with a delightful finish.
Juan Mata – 6.5/10
The Spainard started the game very well and was involved in all of United’s creative attacks towards the start of the game but faded slightly as the game went on but still remained a constant threat to Chelsea's back four.
Anthony Martial – 7/10
United's brightest player by far in the game. Was a constant threat on the flank and outplyed Ivanoic on many occasions and made numerous inroads into Chelsea's box and looked set to score throughout the game.
Wayne Rooney – 6/10
The United captain has enjoyed a revival of sorts in recent weeks with some good goals for the Red Devils but the English forward provided a rather undercooked performance on th enight against Chelsea where he would have liked to contribute more.
Substitutes –
Morgan Schneiderlin – 6/10
Did a good job sitting in the heart of the United's formation adn controlling the play after coming on for Fellaini.
Memphis Depay – n/a
Ander Herrera – n/a
