[Player Ratings] Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal: How The Blues Players Rated In Six-Goal Rout

Chelsea battered 10-man Arsenal 6-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon to cement their place at the top of the Premier League. Here, Joe Carroll gives his player ratings for Jose Mourinho’s men.

Chelsea showed their ruthless streak in the hunt for the Premier League title by thrashing title pretenders Arsenal 6-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Arsene Wenger’s 1000th game in charge of the Gunners started badly when Chelsea took a two goal lead inside seven minutes through Samuel Eto’o and Andre Schurrle.

And it did not get any better as the Frenchman saw his side concede a penalty after 17 minutes when Eden Hazard’s shot was handled by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Kieran Gibbs was subsequently and mistakenly dismissed on Chamberlain’s behalf; referee Andre Marriner getting the decision horribly wrong.

Not to be denied, Hazard stepped up comfortably to dispatch the penalty. Oscar soon added his first of the game to ensure the hosts took a 4-0 lead into the half time, converting Fernando Torres’ cross.

Wojciech Szczesny fluffed his lines in the second half to allow a straight-forward Oscar shot to go through his hands before substitute Mohamed Salah  added the final bit of gloss to a devastating scoreline.

The thrashing was the first time a Chelsea team under Jose Mourinho has scored six goals in a home Premier League game and has extended their lead over Arsenal to seven points.

Player Ratings

Cech- 7- despite the overwhelming victory and clean sheet, Cech was at his best to deny a couple of Arsenal chances.

Azpilicueta- 7- a very dependable performance from the Spaniard.

Terry- 7- hardly had to leave 1st gear in keeping the Gunners from breaching his backline.

Cahill- 7- showed early aerial dominance that gave the England defender confidence for the rest of the game.

Ivanovic- 7- attacking presence down the right side. Defended well.

Luiz- 7- surprise inclusion for many but the Brazilian always shows his class in center-midfield. Very positive.

Matic- 7- cleaned up well and protected his defence.

Schurrle- 8- extremely positive performance from the German. Showed he can turn up for the big games and was full of energy. Also dangerous in the attacking third.

Oscar- 8- starting to perform by the high standards he set earlier in the season. Pulled the strings in in midfield and made things happen in the Arsenal half.

Hazard- 7- not quite his glittering best but an integral part of the team and he played his part in an emphatic win. His shot was saved by the hand of Oxlade-Chamberlain and the Belgian coolly slotted the penalty.

Eto’o- 7- shame the striker was forced off with injury as he set the Blues on their way to victory with the opening goal.

Subs

Torres- 7- replaced Eto’o and showed glimpses of his old (or European) self. Good game, shame he couldn’t grab a goal.

Mikel- 6- on for Luiz on 72 minutes and made his presence felt in the middle.

Salah- 7- on for Oscar. Took his goal well and looked busy.

Watch the goals from Chelsea’s 6-0 win over Arsenal

How pleased are you with the 6-0 thrashing of London and title rivals Arsenal?…Chelsea stormed into a 2-0 lead but was the sending off and penalty a crucial moment?…How pleasing is it to see so many different goalscorers?… Are Chelsea now favourites for the Premier League title?…please leave your comments below…