The keeper made a good save with his feet from Lampard midway through the first half and again from Ba 10 minutes later but he could do nothing about the opening goal that whistled past him from close range. The second own goal was also past him before he could react and Lampard’s penalty was emphatically put away. Could do nothing with Hazard's wonder strike.
He dealt with the threat of Chelsea’s attacking players well and made some fantastic challenges to deny Hazard and Bertrand when in threatening positions. His delivery in attacking positions lacked precision for Jones to threaten and allowed Ivanovic to clear well.
Given the job of marking Ba and he handled the striker well, challenging for every header with him and generally coming off better than the Senegal international. He was harshly adjudged to have brought Mata down in the 65th minute which led to Chelsea’s third goal.
He marshalled the defence excellently, always talking to his team mates and ensuring they can handle any threat Chelsea might pose. Made some crucial interceptions from low crosses into the penalty area and showed his strength to hold off Ba on a number of occasions.
Solid at full-back, he made good challenges and kept up with whichever of Chelsea’s attacking forwards he was up against, and made a sensational block to deny Ramires in the first half.
He battled hard in the midfield with N’Zonzi and it was fairly even in the opening half but it became harder in the second as Chelsea began to break quickly. His passing was always very neat and he made some good interceptions.
The threat of Hazard, Mata and Lampard gave him plenty to deal with and he had to be alert at all times to deny them any chance to create chances for Ba. He stuck to his task well and was unlucky not to level the scores with a rasping drive early in the second half.
He gave good support in defensive postions to his midfield but in his role of supporting Jones he was not as effective. He was replaced by Whitehead late on.
Had a successful afternoon against Azpilicueta, regularly getting past the full-back but he was unable to find Jones with his crosses. He caused problems throughout but was never able to test the Chelsea defence.
Often isolated against the Chelsea defenders he was frustrated and struggled to get into the game, there were a few crosses he looked to get on the end of but usually a defender cleared before he could pounce. He had one chance in the opening half but dragged his shot wide of Cech’s left-hand post. He was replaced by Jerome late on.
Possibly the worst day of his career as he scored two own goals and missed a late penalty. He actually had some success down the right-hand side against Bertrand and Cole, was able to win the ball in the air and deliver some dangerous crosses into the penalty area.
Replaced Adam in the 79th minute but had little impact.
Replaced Etherington late on.
Replaced Jones in the 79th minute but had little impact.
A reassuring presence for the Blues and he had a solid game dealing with everything that Stoke threw at Chelsea, dominated his penalty area well, claimed crosses and made saves when required to deny Whelan.
Was always well positioned to deal with what Stoke delivered into the penalty area and made headed clearance after headed clearance to restrict the chances Jones had to work with.
Had a busy afternoon against the lively Walters, often gave the winger too much room to cross and was lucky his fellow defenders were able to clear.
Back as a centre-half he played well alongside Ivanovic, won headers when he needed to, kept possession well and handled Jones easily.
Had a good battle with Etherington, the winger’s pace often led him to race past the full-back and deliver towards Jones and the Spaniard was lucky the chances were not converted.
Worked hard down the left-hand side and battled well against Walters. He did not get forward as much as Benitez would have wanted though.
Solid in the midfield, he did a lot of the running for Lampard and gave Chelsea a solid base from which to attack.
He strolled through the game and was impressive throughout. He did not have much impact in the first half but was excellent in the second, and he put his penalty away well.
He was full of energy, skills, flicks and tricks throughout. They got him into some good positions but his final delivery was intercepted. He ended the game with a sensational strike from 25 yards.
Busy in behind Ba, linking up play nicely with Hazard and Lampard, always looking for the ball to open up the Stoke defence but unable to find it.
Showed good movement and challenged well in the air but he never got a clear sight of goal. He was replaced by Torres late on.
Replaced Azpilicueta late on.
Replaced Ivanovic in the 79th minute and gave away a penalty which he will have been relieved to see Walters miss.
Replaced Ba in the 71st minute but did nothing.
| Tournament | |
| Position | |
| Ranking |
| Rank/Player | Position | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Luis Suárez | Striker | Liverpool | 3.52 |
| 2. Coutinho | Midfielder | Liverpool | 3.42 |
| 3. Juan Mata | Striker | Chelsea FC | 3.37 |
| 4. Marouane Fellaini | Midfielder | Everton | 3.35 |
| 5. Santi Cazorla | Midfielder | Arsenal FC | 3.33 |
| 6. Carlos Tévez | Striker | Manchester City | 3.27 |
| 7. Robin van Persie | Striker | Manchester United | 3.26 |
| 8. Leighton Baines | Defender | Everton | 3.25 |
| 9. C. Benteke | Striker | Aston Villa | 3.24 |
| 10. Eden Hazard | Midfielder | Chelsea FC | 3.24 |
| 11. Tomas Rosicky | Midfielder | Arsenal FC | 3.22 |
| 12. Gareth Bale | Midfielder | Tottenham | 3.21 |
| 13. Romelu Lukaku | Striker | West Bromwich Albion | 3.20 |
| 14. Phil Jagielka | Defender | Everton | 3.19 |
| 15. David Silva | Striker | Manchester City | 3.19 |
| 16. Leon Osman | Midfielder | Everton | 3.18 |
| 17. Daniel Sturridge | Striker | Liverpool | 3.18 |
| 18. Kevin Mirallas | Striker | Everton | 3.17 |
| 19. Shinji Kagawa | Midfielder | Manchester United | 3.15 |
| 20. Theo Walcott | Striker | Arsenal FC | 3.15 |
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie Striker Manchester United |
26 | 3 |
|
Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
|
Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
|
C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |
