Sunderland

2.36

• 
  14

  2

  3.00

  Simon Mignolet

  Made two great saves to deny Torres and Hazard early on. Distribution was slightly off as his kicking was often short of its target. Could not do a thing with any of the Chelsea goals.

• 
  5

  8

  1.50

  Phil Bardsley Flop of the Match

  Poor decision making and control led to him giving the ball away for Torres' opener. Was troubled by the pace and skill of Hazard and never really got to grips with the Belgian. This made him reluctant to push forward to support Johnson. Poor control led to Chelsea's third as his lapse fell straight to Torres.

• 
  6

  6

  2.00

  John O'Shea

  Not his best game as he struggled with the pace of the Chelsea attack. He failed to pick up the movement of Torres for the first goal. His lack of pace was exposed too often as Chelsea dragged him out of position with clever balls to the wings on the counter.

• 
  2

  5

  2.00

  Carlos Javier Cuéllar

  The Spaniard had a decent game as he won his fair share of headers and intercepted the ball on occasions but like his fellow defenders was outpaced by the Chelsea attack on the break. With little support at the back they were picked off at ease.

• 
  9

  4

  3.00

  Danny Rose

  The on-loan full-back had a good game as he pushed Branislav Ivanovic back and did not allow the Serbian to break upfield, however his delivery in the final third could have been better. Defensively he was one Sunderland defender who looked sound and stood up well to the challenge of facing Mata and Moses.

• 
  9

  2

  1.50

  Sebastian Larsson

  Struggled in his role of defensive midfielder as he often gave away cheap free kicks in dangerous areas. His positioning at times left his team open at the back as he failed to cut off Chelsea moves at the crucial moment something the absent Lee Cattermole thrives at. Silly foul on Ramires gave away costly penalty.

• 
  5

  4

  2.00

  Craig Gardner

  Did not get to grips with the Chelsea midfield at all as he and Larsson were over-run. Took himself out of the game defensively with a silly challenge which got him booked in the first half, meaning he could not put himself about as much as he would have liked in the second.

• 
  19

  5

  3.50

  Adam Johnson

  Had a very good first half as he gave Ashley Cole a really tough time down the Sunderland right, at times Cole had no answer for his trickery and if not for some resolute defending in the penalty area it could have been costly for Chelsea. Probably his best game since his move from Manchester City in August and proved that with a wonder strike.

• 
  5

  3

  2.00

  James McClean

  The Irishman was full of effort but his crossing was inconsistent as he often found the gloves of Petr Cech rather than his team-mates. He tried to help Rose out defensively as much as he could as they looked to double up on Victor Moses.

• 
  7

  6

  2.50

  Stéphane Sessegnon

  Had an inconsistent day and did not quite have the impact in the game he would have liked as often he tried to do too much and ended up losing possession in dangerous areas. Was unlucky to see a shot well saved by Cech. Frustrating afternoon for the Benin international.

• 
  6

  4

  3.00

  Connor Wickham

  The striker gave as good as he got in a good battle against Luiz. He used his physical presence to get in front of his man which helped support his team-mates pushing forward and gave them a target to hit.

Substitutions

• 
  2

  8

  Jack Colback

  Was neat and tidy in possession but could not help his team get back into the game.

• 
  2

  6

  Louis Saha

  On late and did not have enough time to make an impact on the game.

Chelsea Fc

3.15

• 
  73

  9

  3.00

  Petr Cech

  Made several crucial interventions to maintain Chelsea's lead throughout the first half, including one excellent stop from Sessegnon. Could do nothing to stop Johnson's strike.

• 
  56

  10

  3.00

  Branislav Ivanovic

  Had a solid game defensively against McClean but he was not called upon too often to perform his defensive duties at the back. He was prevented from pushing forward as much as he would have liked by the threat of Danny Rose. Won everything in the air at the back, especially from corners.

• 
  53

  6

  2.50

  Ashley Cole

  Had a difficult time of it against Adam Johnson and did not look convincing against the former Manchester City man as he was beaten down the left on a few occasions. When Chelsea were in full flow he attacked with menace and supported Hazard as they looked to double up against Bardsley.

• 
  52

  12

  3.00

  David Luiz

  Had a tough battle against Wickham which he did not always come out best in, but he stuck to his task against the England Under-21 international and prevented him from making a meaningful contribution to the game. His heading at corners especially

• 
  48

  6

  3.00

  Gary Cahill

  Was a solid presence at the back as he was often allowed to roam free to break up and intercept Sunderland passes, which he did with ease. His reading of the game was top class as he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.

• 
  45

  14

  3.00

  Oriol Romeu

  Took a knock early in the game which he could not shake off and was replaced by Oscar.

• 
  55

  10

  3.00

  Ramires

  Efficient performance by the midfielder. He drove forwards whenever he could and one of these raids forward resulted in him winning a penalty late in the first half. His passing was accurate and he always found a team-mate. Showed great tenacity in the tackle.

• 
  63

  11

  3.00

  Victor Moses

  The former Wigan midfielder went about his business quietly but was very effective during his time on the pitch. When he drove at the Sunderland defence they backed off which opened up space for the Blues' other attacking players. Was unlucky not to get on the score-sheet himself as he fired an effort just off target.

• 
  85

  13

  3.50

  Eden Hazard

  The Belgian was a thorn in the side of the Sunderland defence all afternoon and should have had a penalty earlier after he was dragged back when through on goal. Played a lovely ball to Torres for the first goal of the afternoon. Gave Bardsley an absolute torrid time as he just ran past him time and time again.

• 
  151

  13

  4.00

  Fernando Torres

  Made up for an early miss with a wonderfully taken finish to give his side the lead. His movement caused the Sunderland defence problems all afternoon. He moved seamlessly about the pitch with ease as he used his intelligence to find space whenever he needed it.

• 
  106

  17

  4.00

  Juan Mata Top of the Match

  Had an excellent game as he pulled the strings for Chelsea in midfield, it seemed everything they did going forward went through him. His movement and his precise passing around Sunderland players allowed Chelsea to hit the Black Cats on the counter at ease. He showed predatory instincts to nab the third for the Blues.

Substitutions

• 
  43

  12

  3.00

  Ryan Bertrand

  Tried to double up on Johnson with Cole and helped restrict the winger's movement.

• 
  45

  13

  Frank Lampard

  On late and did not have enough time to make and impact. Chelsea did not miss his influence today.

• 
  56

  12

  3.00

  Oscar

  Had a good game as he disciplined himself from pushing forward to often from centre midfield. His distribution was first rate as he looked to bring Mata into the game whenever he could which enabled the speed of Chelsea's counterattacks. Tackled surprisingly well in midfield as Sunderland upped the ante late in the game.