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Premier League Player Ratings: Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool

Chelsea take the spoils thanks to two second half strikes...

Oct 4, 2009 7:21:16 PM

EPL: Nicolas Anelka, Chelsea - Burnley (PA)

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EPL: Nicolas Anelka, Chelsea - Burnley (PA)

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By Neil Jones

CHELSEA

Hilario - 7 - Surprisingly hassle-free afternoon, but handled well and did what he had to. Wasn't tested enough by Liverpool.

Branislav Ivanovic - 7 - Not as threatening going forward as Bosingwa, but defended well and battled for every ball.

Ricardo Carvalho - 8 - Was very much on top in his duel with Torres, and looks back to his very best form.

John Terry - 7 - Dealt with most things with minimum fuss, and was often well placed to clear any danger.

Ashley Cole - 7 - Coped with Kuyt well, but was unable to offer much going forward.

Michael Essien - 7.5 - Did his job in covering Gerrard's roaming runs, and got better as the game progressed.

Michael Ballack - 6 - Quiet by his standards. Looked a little lost on the right hand side and was handled effectively by Liverpool's left hand side.

Deco - 6.5 - Started brightly, but his impact was minimal until a neat pass allowed Drogba to set up the opening goal.

Frank Lampard - 6.5 - Unable to get the goal he desired, but worked hard and it was his tackle which began the move for Anelka's goal.

Nicolas Anelka - 7 - Very quiet, but like all great strikers, took his chance when it arrived. Dealt with an awkward ball superbly to beat Reina.

Didier Drogba - 8 - He is very much Carragher's bete noire, and his presence was vital again for Chelsea. Created both goals with perfect crosses, but spent a lot of time on the ground.

SUBSTITUTES

Florent Malouda - 7 - Kept the ball well when he came on for Deco, and was well placed to wrap the win up in stoppage time.

LIVERPOOL

Pepe Reina - 7 - Helpless for the goal, and handled everything else with his usual class.

Glen Johnson - 6.5 - Defending has been questioned, but he did well today. Crossing was a bit hit and miss though.

Martin Skrtel - 6.5 - Aerially did very well, still suspect with the ball at his feet but was a lot better today than he has been lately.

Jamie Carragher - 6 - He swept up well, but looked very susceptible to the pace of Anelka and the power of Drogba.

Emiliano Insua - 7 - Defended as well as anyone in red, handling the physical presence of Ballack excellently and did his bit going forward.

Javier Mascherano - 7.5 - One big mistake in the build up to the goal, but was excellent in the holding role and shored up a midfield that was under scrutiny.

Lucas - 7 - Competed very well in midfield, but was not as incisive with the ball as the game needed him to be.

Dirk Kuyt - 6 - Very quiet, lost his battle with Cole and struggled to assert himself. Wasted a few good crossing positions.

Steven Gerrard - 6.5 - Was very good in the first half with his energy and use of the ball, but faded in the second. Still offered a big threat throughout but could do with working on his set-piece delivery.

Albert Riera - 7 - Positive in possession, as he looked to run with the ball and shoot, but faded fast and was a little sluggish to close down players.

Fernando Torres - 6 - Was given a rough time by Terry and Carvalho, who were in his face at every opportunity, but still saw a few good chances go begging. Not his best game at all.

SUBSTITUTES

Yossi Benayoun - 7.5 - As usual, Liverpool looked a better side when he arrived. Was unlucky not to start.

Ryan Babel - 6 - Introduced to add some zest going forward, he troubled Cole more than Kuyt had, but with little end product.

Fabio Aurelio - n/a - Late introduction for Insua.

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