How Chelsea’s heroes rated - 7M sport

How Chelsea’s heroes rated



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Posted Wednesday, April 25, 2012 by The Sun

How Chelsea’s heroes rated
POINT PROVED ... Didier Drogba

SHOWED why he is rated one of the best keepers in the world when he denied Messi with an outstretched leg when the Argentine was clean through.

Used all his experience to slow the game down and frustrate the crowd and his long kicks were a useful let-out to ease the almost relentless pressure.

Deserved lucky break when Messi hit the bar from spot, then tipped shot from Argy onto post. Booked.

BRANISLAV IVANOVIC — 7

STARTED off at right-back but moved inside to partner JT after Cahill’s injury.

Huge throw-in was one of Chelsea’s key attacking weapons but it was the Serb’s last-ditch defending that was so important last night.

Might not be the quickest but he times his tackles to perfection and made a magnificent last-ditch block to defy Iniesta. Booked. Misses final.

GARY CAHILL — 5

KEY part of Chelsea’s defensive plans after his huge contribution to last week’s shut-out at Stamford Bridge.

But the England star was injured after just six minutes when he fell awkwardly stretching to block a shot from Alexis Sanchez.

Tried to battle on but was clearly struggling with his hamstring and had to make way for Jose Bosingwa.

JOHN TERRY — 3

ON a night when Chelsea needed their captain to set an example, Terry was found wanting as he was sent off for kneeing Sanchez off the ball.

Blues fans will complain about the decision but ref Cakir went on his assistant’s advice and he was right.

JT left his team-mates in the lurch for more than an hour and will take a long time to get over this blow. Sent off. Misses final.

ASHLEY COLE — 8

THIS might not have been his finest season but Cole’s performances in recent weeks have confirmed he is still one of the world’s best full-backs.

Always in the right place when Barca threatened down his flank and can be proud of the way he stood up to Xavi and Cuenca down Barca’s right.

Impeccable timing with his challenges in the area and so alert to the dangers.

RAMIRES — 9

DREAM TEAM STAR MAN. Started off on the left wing but drafted in as emergency right-back after the dismissal of Terry.

Refused to let his head drop even when he picked up a booking which would rule him out of the final.

And he then stunned the Nou Camp into silence when he scored a crucial away goal just before half-time with a superb chip over the head of Valdes. Booked. Misses final.

JOHN OBI MIKEL — 6

ROOTED to the edge of his own penalty area for most of the match to force Barcelona to play out wide.

Inhibited by an early booking for a foul on Sanchez and was guilty of standing too far off the opposition after that.

Caught in possession on the edge of his own area and was grateful that Cech was on hand to save Isaac Cuenca’s shot. Booked.

FRANK LAMPARD — 8

JUST when Chelsea were desperately in need of a lift, his magnificent ball to set up Ramires’ goal was confirmation of just how much quality he brings to this team.

Managed to upset Fabregas but he was the calming influence when all around him were losing their heads.

No one deserves to win the Champions League more than him. Booked.

RAUL MEIRELES — 7

MUST be suffering from double vision after a night of trying to keep a check on the blurring movement of Xavi, Iniesta and Messi.

Worked so hard alongside Mikel but was forced deeper and deeper by Barca’s non-stop pressure and ended up virtually playing in his own area.

Defended for his life and made so many important clearances and blocks. Booked. Misses final.

JUAN MATA — 6

THE little Spanish international has not looked so effective since being moved out wide to the right and was chasing red and blue shadows the entire night.

Ran himself into the ground even if he rarely saw the ball before being replaced by Kalou for the final half an hour.

Looks like he needs a rest but hard to see where it’s going to come from.

DIDIER DROGBA — 8

NO surprise when he was declared fit after missing Saturday’s trip to Arsenal with a knee injury.

Terrified Barca’s back three with his sheer physical power and relished every opportunity to test the Spaniards’ stomach for a fight.

Unlucky to concede the penalty — but rolled his sleeves up and played most of the second half at left-back to help out.

BLUES SUB & MANAGER

JOSE BOSINGWA (Cahill 12) 6

Defended bravely with his team-mates.

SALOMON KALOU (Mata 58) 6

Missed a half-chance but looked bright.

FERNANDO TORRES (Drogba 80) 7

Settled tie with great breakaway goal.

ROBERTO DI MATTEO 8

Proudly lead Blues to the promised land.

Not used: Turnbull, Essien, Malouda, Sturridge.

BARCELONA

Valdes 6, Puyol 6, Pique 5 (Alves 5), Xavi 7, Mascherano 6, Busquets 8, Iniesta 8, Cuenca 6 (Tello 5), Fabregas 6 (Keita 5), Messi 7, Sanchez 8. Subs not used: Pinto, Thiago, Keita, Pedro, Adriano.

REF: C Cakir 7

Ratings: MARK IRWIN



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