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Player Ratings: FC Porto 0-1 Chelsea

Anelka makes the decisive contribution as Chelsea top Group D...

Nov 25, 2009 10:00:26 PM

CL: Radamel Falcao Garcia - Deco, Porto - Chelsea (Getty Images)

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CL: Radamel Falcao Garcia - Deco, Porto - Chelsea (Getty Images)

Teams

By Alex Dimond

FC PORTO

Beto - 6.5 - Made a couple of decent saves on his Champions League debut. Commanded his box well, but could do nothing for the goal he conceded.

Cristian Sapunaru - 5.5 - Looked slightly uncomfortable throughout against an in-form Malouda. Eventually the Frenchman got the better of him, setting up Anelka's goal on Sapunaru's side of the field. Withdrawn as Porto chased the game.

Rolando - 6.5 - A giant presence at the back for Porto, in partnership with Alves he kept Drogba very quiet. Will be frustrated at the way Anelka eventually beat him.

Bruno Alves - 6.5 - Powerful at the back, the Portuguese international did well to break up danger as it came his way.

Alvaro Pereira - 6.5 - Occasionally struggled to deal with Ivanovic as he broke forward, but caused the Serbian equal problems going the other way. An athletic presence up and down the flank, creating space for Rodriguez to utilise.

Cristian Rodriguez - 7 - Lively throughout. Was a constant worry to the Chelsea defence, as he looked to get beyond them and provide a telling contribution. Didn't deserve to be on losing side.

Raul Meireles - 5.5 - A subdued effort from the bearded midfielder. His set-piece delivery was good, but he was defensively a bit poor and really didn't open up Chelsea going forward.

Fernando - 6.5 - Put in a hard shift as the enforcer in midfield. Hassled and harried opponents as they tried to break forward. Passed the ball around well as he tried to give his creative team-mates room to prosper.

Silvestre Varela - 6 - A decent display on his return to the first team. Worked the right flank well, giving his team options and always looking to create something. Withdrawn on the hour for Hulk.

Fernando Belluschi - 6.5 - Rattled the bar with an early drive. Was a tricky proposition throughout the game, although his final ball wasn't always up to scratch. Withdrawn after Chelsea's goal.

Radamel Falcao - 6 - Playing up front alone against Chelsea has proved difficult for any attacker this year, and Falcao did not fare much better. Only occasionally threatened Cech's goal

SUBSTITUTES

Hulk - 6.5 - Will have been disappointed to start the game on the bench, after troubling Terry last time the two sides met. Got in dangerous positions and troubled opponents with his power and skill.

Freddy Guarin - 6 - Added a bit more steel in midfield, but couldn't unlock a resilient defence.

Ernesto Farias - 5.5 - Chelsea coped comfortably with the attacker's presence, and he hardly got involved in the game.

CHELSEA

Petr Cech - 6 - Tested frequently in the first half, and made a number of solid saves. Was beaten by Belluschi's drive, but fortunately the bar saved him.

Yuri Zhirkov - 7 - Played a part in the build-up to Anelka's goal, and after a tentative start developed into a decent attacking outlet for his side. Doesn't convince defensively, but made a number of important interventions — including great work to deny Hulk an easy header.

John Terry - 6.5 - A solid display, kept Falcao quiet and cleared any aerial threats that came his way. Troubled again by Hulk, however.

Ricardo Carvalho - 6.5 - Would have perhaps expected to be troubled more than he was, but his former club's threat was mainly in wide areas. Anticipation prevented Blues from getting in any real trouble.

Branislav Ivanovic - 6 - A typical performance from the Serbian, no-frills at the back and little more going forward. Was given a bit of a run-around by Rodriguez, however.

John Obi Mikel - 6 - Decent shield in front of the Chelsea defence, but he doesn't influence the game like Essien and contributes too many little fouls.

Michael Ballack - 6 - Solid if unspectacular performance from the German. Covered well defensively for his side, but barely roamed forward. Ancelotti took him off early, no doubt with an eye on the weekend.

Florent Malouda - 7.5 - Made the one quality pass of the evening to provide Anelka with the simplest of chances. Looked capable of making something happen all night, and is clearly full of confidence.

Deco - 5.5 - A few misplaced passes on a return to his old stomping ground. Still seems short of form, and will be sweating on his position come the Emirates on Sunday.

Nicolas Anelka - 7 - Roamed in an unfamiliar position on the left in the first half, but was still dangerous on a number of ocasions. Moved to a more traditional support striker role in the second half, and responded with a game-winning header.

Didier Drogba - 6 - A rare demotion to the supporting cast this time for the Ivorian. His presence may have created space for others to occupy, but the striker's individual contribution was limited.

SUBSTITUTES

Michael Essien - 6 - A coincidence that Chelsea scored soon after his introduction? Probably, but the Ghanian proved his fitness for the weekend with a solid 25 minutes.

Joe Cole - 6 - Replaced Deco midway through the second half, but struggled to have any more of an impact than the Portuguese maestro.

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