Match Day #2 - Ratings ~ Chelsea Fanatic

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Sunday, 22 August 2010

Match Day #2 - Ratings

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    Blues Better All Over The Field

I bet no team would have hoped for such a better start of the season. 12 goals in opening 2 matches of the season, none conceded. Another 6-0 crashing of opponents and that's too away from home. It will help to silent the critics that we score lot of goals only at home. It was all you expect from Champions.When chances come you have to convert them and that's the key point for me under Carlo Ancelotti's side. We have converted good chances into definite chances and then into goal. We have very little misfired on the opponent's goal post.

The match started with pretty much competition. Wigan were all over the pitch, trying to create chances (though most of it were half chances, and trying to break into Chelsea defense, which seems to be little more hard to break these days.

For first 30 minutes, we were more more involved in defensing rather than attacking but inability to convert half chances into goals saw latics drawing on level with us. After that game started to change a bit. Mid-fielding understanding between Mikel, Lampard and Essien was one to admire. Also the connection between defense and Mikel was pretty good. All the mid-fielders were available everywhere whether it was defense or attack. That's the real sign of world-class midfield.

   And finally it came. After one-two, one-two passing between Ashley Cole and Drogba and Malouda, Chelsea broke the Latics defense and Malouda scored the opening goal of the match. Just like he did last week.

Chelsea showed their character in second half. Two quick goals by Anelka in the space of four minutes, saw Wigan ripped apart and now it remained the question, how much Chelsea will score this time around?

   Substitute Kalou scored his season opener at 8th minute and again found the net on 90th minute then new signing Benayoun opened his Chelsea record book with goal on the last minute of injury time.

All in all, despite going on backfoot for opening 30 minutes, Chelsea bounced back with a great attitude and deserved the victory and all the three points.

Goal Summary -

Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka (R) celebrates scoring with Didier Drogba against Wigan Athletic during their English Premier League soccer match in Wigan, northern England, August 21, 2010. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER IMAGES OF THE DAY) NO ONLINE/INTERNET USAGE WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM THE FOOTBALL DATA CO LTD. FOR LICENCE ENQUIRIES PLEASE TELEPHONE ++44 (0)

Lethal Pair.. (courtesy Picapp )

Malouda 34'
Anelka 48'
Anelka 52'
Kalou 78'
Kalou 90'
Benayoun 90+3'

Substiutions -

Ivanovic - Ferriera (63')

Malouda - Kalou (70')

Essien - Benayoun (80')

Bookings -

Ivanovic

Terry

Player Ratings -

Cech - 6 - Sometimes I really forgot that we are playing with goal-keeper. He really had nothing to do apart from one or two very comfortable saves.

Ashley Cole - 8 - Ever present whether it is defense or attack makes him the best LB in the world and he didn't prove us wrong. His run down the left flank made our first goal of the day.

John terry - 8 - He never forgets his duty. Made two good header to stop Wigan from scoring and was strong as castle in front of goal post.

Alex - 8 - Was really strong when it came to defensing. Made two real good clearances. His partnership with JT is really good to admire and I am sure he will not remind Ricci's absence.

Ivanovic - 6 - Was never sparked in the game. Made many bad clearances and seemed little off the balance. Maybe he will need more time to play to settle down.

Mikel - 8 - His through ball to Anelka enabled Chelsea to go on top in the opening of second half. Was really good link between defense and the midfield. He looked like matured player in the game.

Essien - 8 - Another great performance by Bason. His work-rate is is really admirable.

Lampard - 7 - Wasn't involved heavily in the game. but did his duties without any mistakes.

Malouda -8 - He is the player who has been rejuvenated since Carlo took over. His capability to go forward makes him one of the best in the game and was fairly rewarded with the goal.

Drogba - 9 - Though he couldn't become the first player after 1946 to score hat-trick of hat-trick in consecutive matches, still his 3 assists helped Chelsea to thrash the opponents. His unselfish pass to Kalou on 78th minute was really good to watch.

Anelka - 7 - His ability to drop in mid-field and then move forward makes him prolific striker in football and was totally deserving to score 2 goals.

Ferriera - 5 - Apart from one or two passes was never really involved in the game.

Kalou - 7 - Despite coming as a substitute still managed to score two goals with the assists from fellow countryman Drogba.

Benayoun - 5 - Opened his account in Chelsea record book with the goal on 93rd minute. Apart from that, game was finished for Chelsea even before he took the pitch.

Man of The Match -

No wonder Drogba for his 3 assists.