Chelsea FC

3.04

• 
  45

  5

  3.00

  Petr Cech

  Couldn’t be blamed for conceding the equaliser from Newcastle, with Gutierrez’s deflection altering the direction of Ryan Taylors free-kick and into the back of his net. Comfortable in genereal otherwise, although did misjudge a free-kick 5 minutes after the goal, and was beaten easily in the air by Ameobi forcing the defence to clear the ball away from their open goal.

• 
  107

  3

  3.50

  Branislav Ivanovic

  The full-back was awarded the Chelsea Supporter’s Clubs player of the season award before the game, and justified the accolade within two minutes, latching onto a Torres flick on to scramble the ball home. Was defensively solid and nearly scored again, only to see his effort from the edge of the box drag wide across the face of the goal.

• 
  63

  6

  3.00

  Alex

  Good return to the Chelsea starting XI for the Brazilian central defender as his headed effort secured all three points with 10 minutes left to play. Some signs of rustiness when he brought down Lovendkrands and was duly given a yellow card, but otherwise solid.

• 
  58

  12

  3.50

  John Terry

  The Chelsea captain was untroubled by the Newcastle attack throughout, and nullified any threat posed by Ameobi from the very start of the game.

• 
  61

  9

  3.50

  Ashley Cole Top of the Match

  Provided a constant attacking option down the left as per usual, whilst also dealing comfortably with the fairly blunt Newcastle attack. Was unlucky not to see his superb first half through ball to Ivanovic converted by the full back. Great chance to score 15 minute from time, but wrongly opted to pass across goal.

• 
  34

  28

  2.50

  Ramires

  Sat back and anchored well, always providing a safe option. However had a tendency to give the ball away cheaply, whilst was also weak in the challenge at times. Replaced by Drogba with 25 minutes left to play.

• 
  138

  11

  3.50

  Josh McEachran

  Chelsea fans will not be looking at Torres but young McEachran as they anticipate what the future holds at Stamford Bridge. The midfielder at first appeared flustered by the occasion, but grew well into the game, displaying his vision and ability to pick a well placed through ball. Replaced by Essien with twenty five minutes left to play.

• 
  42

  23

  3.00

  Frank Lampard

  Provided the corner which led to Chelsea’s opening goal, yet his further deliveries were poor and failed to threaten the Newcastle box. Was lucky not to be booked for a late challenge through the back of Joey Barton.

• 
  27

  39

  2.50

  Yossi Benayoun

  Great first time ball from the Israeli provided Torres with an opportunity to double Chelsea’s lead in the opening ten minutes. Other than that had a quiet afternoon, failing to really get a grasp of the game from midfield. Replaced by Florent Malouda twenty minutes into the second half.

• 
  31

  30

  3.00

  Nicolas Anelka

  Linked play well, although failed to test Newcastle keeper Tim Krul with his shots from distance. Also struggled to form any sort of understanding with Fernando Torres.

• 
  83

  81

  2.50

  Fernando Torres

  Was involved early, flicking on Lampards free-kick to provide Ivanovic with the assist that led to the opening goal. Whilst it may continue to be flabor of the month to criticise Torres, the Spaniard’s inability to link up with his own team mates and even to control the ball at times is a real worrying factor.

Substitutions

• 
  48

  19

  3.00

  Michael Essien

  Replaced McEachran 20 minutes into the second half, and was industrious as usual in the middle of the park

• 
  37

  31

  3.00

  Florent Malouda

  Replaced Benayoun and helped to shore up the game

• 
  53

  14

  3.00

  Didier Drogba

  Replaced Ramires with 25 minutes play, almost creating space for Ashley Cole to win the game.

Newcastle

2.75

• 
  5

  25

  2.50

  Tim Krul

  Nearly a solid showing from the Dutch stopper, who was unable to prevent Ivanovic from scoring from close range after just two minutes. Recovered well, dominating his box in both the air and on the ground, until he scuppered a performance that would have no doubt brought him plaudits when he was beating by Alex in the air for Chelsea's winner.

• 
  6

  17

  2.50

  Danny Simpson

  Beaten a bit too easily at times by both Cole and Anelka on the left hand side. Whilst the former Manchester United man provided an attacking outlet throughout, very rarely provided the output needed to threaten the Chelsea backline.

• 
  15

  17

  3.00

  Steven Taylor

  Fairly solid at the back in comparison to Colocinni, apart from opening Chelsea goal which seemingy caught the entire Newcastle defence off guard. Headed in to the near post a minute from the end to secure a point

• 
  11

  20

  2.50

  Fabricio Coloccini

  The Argentine’s suspect marking allowed Ivanovic the yard of space which led to the opening goal, and the central defender continued to look shaky, getting caught out in possession and failing to clear at times.

• 
  10

  23

  2.50

  José Enrique

  Beaten easily at times by Ivanovic down the right hand flank, and lost possession cheaply at times. The Spaniards mind could well be elsewhere at the moment, with a sub standard performance suggesting it is not fully on the pitch.

• 
  11

  15

  2.50

  Ryan Taylor

  Lined up in an unusual central midfield role today, and was fairly absent. Provided a genuine threat from set-pieces, with his effort from 25-yards defelcting off Jonas Gutierrez after ten minutes to grab the equaliser.

• 
  12

  15

  3.00

  Shane Ferguson

  The young winger initially looked out of his depth in the opening minutes as he struggled to get a foot in the game. Improved as the game went on however, with his pace and vision meaning he was central to much of Newcastle’s attacking play. Replaced by Lua Lua due to injury with 20 minutes left to play.

• 
  17

  11

  3.00

  Jonas Gutierrez

  A quiet start from the winger who found himself alongside Ryan Taylor and Joey Barton in the unfamiliar position of centre midfield. Grabbed an albeit fortuitous equaliser after ten minutes, and also began to take the initiative and drive forward as the game progressed. Replaced by Ranger with 15 minutes to play.

• 
  8

  14

  3.00

  Joey Barton

  The Newcastle captain’s distribution was a bit loose at times, although was possibly a reflection on the lack of options available up top for Newcastle. Not afraid to lead on the field, and certainly prepared to put his foot in to win t back possession.

• 
  8

  16

  2.50

  Shola Ameobi

  Had a difficult time leading the Newcastle forward line by himself, and failed to pressurise the Chelsea defence, allowing them far too much time on the ball. Worked back more as he became increasingly frustrated with the lack of service.

• 
  15

  17

  2.50

  Peter Lovenkrands Flop of the Match

  Lost the ball unnecessarily in the opening minutes and possily allowed Anelka and Cole too much space to double up on right back Danny Simpson at times. Used his pace to drive the game forward for Newcastle, but missed presence of mind to pick the right pass.

Substitutions

• 
  9

  9

  3.00

  Kezenga Lualua

  Replaced Ferguson with 20 minutes to play and provided an option that was never really used down the left hand side.

• 
  5

  12

  3.00

  Nile Ranger

  Replaced Gutierrez with 15 minutes left on the clock.

• 
  14

  15

  3.00

  Sammy Ameobi

  Replaced Lovenkrands with 10 minutes left to play, meaning both the Ameobi brothers were on the pitch at Stamford Bridge today.