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Chelsea V Liverpool ratings 26/10/08
Goal – Alonso
Assist - keane
Man of the match - Carragher
Reina – 8 didn’t have a save to make but had to be on his toes at all times. Gave his defence a lot of confidence as he came and took crosses or punched them well clear. Also kicked very well
Arbeloa – 8 As a team we defended brilliantly and everyone played there part. Alvaro wasn’t afraid to get forward and I think it was from his throw that we scored and also from his throw and a kuyt flick on that Gerrard volleyed a dipping screamer that was tipped over by Cech. Only blemish was when Deco cut back inside but someone got across and covered.
Carragher – 10 World class performance from Carragher who epitomises the spirit we have shown so far this season. Manned the back 4 admirably, won headers, blocked, tackled, cleared. Left everything he had on the pitch and came away with what he wanted most: 3 points.
Agger – 8 stylish and commanding and put himself in front of anything that came at him. Wasn’t afraid to go forward with the ball himself and also covered well and held a good line.
Aurelio – 8 we just look a much better more solid unit when he plays. Probably because he uses the ball so well. Aurelio and Riera linked well all day and kept the ball very well. Free kicks and corners were abysmal but apart from that he had a really good game.
Alonso – 9 Xabi and Mascherano dominated the midfield and of course Alonso came up with the crucial goal. He has been brilliant so far this season and great to see him get on the score sheet now as well. Almost had another one. Dunno why he doesn’t hit more free kicks.
Mascherano – 9 worked his hoop off tracking back, winning tackles, covering when the fullbacks went forward. He’s great a just getting the ball and running as far away from goal as possible with it when you need a break near the end.
Kuyt – 8 won a couple of flick ons that led to the goal and Gerrards effort. Gave his all as ever and must be one of the first names on the team sheet at the moment. Had a shot that wasn’t that far wide.
Gerrard – 8 That’s the second time Cech has denied him a volley into the roof of the net. He’s bound to score one at some stage. I thought some of the football we played was sensational yesterday and a lot of it came through stevie. One moment of stroppiness almost cost us, he lost the ball to deco, threw a wobbler and then chased deco who was already at the edge of out box shooting. He made up for it though getting through a mountain of work. Corners were shocking
Riera – 9 Is this guy the fabled missing link? He is so hard to get the ball off. So skilful but also not afraid to take on a defender and get to the line. Linked very well with Aurelio. The more I see of him the more I like him.
Keane – 7 knocked the ball down for alonso to score but often after we put together a string of passes it got to Robbie and it broke down. Worked his arse off and defo a better option than crouch up front as we don’t really have to change our system to accommodate him.
Subs:
Babel – 7 if that shot had have gone in it would have been one of the best goals I’ve ever seen. Dynamite off the bench.
Lucas n/a think he came on for kuyt and got involved late on
Hyypia n/a on to win headers and done that
Rafa – 10 how sweet it must be to beat united for the first time and then beat Chelsea away and end a 2 year unbeaten home record. We’ve always been close but didn’t get the luck. Got the luck all the hard work deserved and now we’re in a great position. One game at a time sweet Jesus but I’m excited.
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