1. THIBAUT COURTOIS - GK | 8.6 |
Minutes played90
Touches49
Distribution21/33
Saves4
Three in a row then for young Thibaut Courtois. Four in his last five starts. Six in his last nine. Nine on the season, as many as Eden Hazard. I'm talking Man of Match awards of course.
Courtois could've basically taken whole the second half off -- Southampton had just three shots after the break, one of which flew well wide and the other were blocked -- but in the first half, he kept us in the game with saves from Mane (twice), Tadic, and Alderweireld. He even got his shoelaces on the penalty kick: just a millisecond off from keeping a clean sheet.
Unfortunately, his first half was one-upped by Fraser Forster's second half and thus we had to settle for the draw.
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2. EDEN HAZARD - AM | 8.2 |
Minutes played90
Touches89
Passes52/66
Shots1/1
Take-ons10/11
Fouls drawn4
While the rest of his teammates are taking turns in switching off (apparently not even Nemanja Matic is exempt from that), Eden Hazard continued his remarkably consistent run of performances with yet another game-changing one. It was Ivanovic who picked up the assist on Chelsea's only goal -- and full credit to him for a lovely cross -- but the chance was created mostly by Hazard's run that terrified half the Southampton team, left Ivanovic wide open, and allowed Costa to lose his primary marker as well.
The only thing missing from another perfecto from Eden was a better finish on his chance from a few yards out. Or better finishes from the likes of Oscar on chances created for them by our Magic Man.
Also:
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3. DIEGO COSTA - FC | 7.7 |
Minutes played90
Touches51
Passes21/32
Shots1*/7
Aerial duels3/4
Diego Costa hadn't scored since the 5-0 demolishing of Swansea -- the goal in the League Cup final was most likely an own goal for Kyle Walker -- and it was starting to become concerning. Concerned no more! HE'S BACK! And he was unlucky to not get a second, even, with his deflection popping up onto the post rather than into the back of the net in the second half.
Costa's 18th league goal of the season puts him back on top of the Premier League Golden Boot race as well.
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OTHERS:
Azpilicueta (6.8), Terry (6.5), Cahill (6.2), Ivanovic (6.3), Fabregas (5.3), Matic (5.6), Oscar (5.5), Willian (6.1)
SUBS:
Ramires (6.7), Cuadrado (4.6), Remy (5.9)