-zuco-
24-05-2008, 02:48 AM
Player Ratings: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United (6-5 pen.)
Ewan Macdonald rates the individual performances in Wednesday's
showpiece Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester United...
Van der Sar - 7.5: Slipshod at times, which can't have inspired the back four,
although that was a mutually reciprocal relationship occasionally. All that
changed during the shoot-out, where he was an absolute titan: if that could
be rated alone, it would be a 9.
Brown - 7: A bit nervy at times in defence to start, but a tremendous
influence going forward: his cross for Ronaldo was well-placed, for example.
Overall it was a good showing.
Ferdinand - 6.5: A couple of errors that could have proved costly aside,
Ferdinand was a positive influence for United. Set-piece defending was
strong.
Vidic - 7: A very nervous beginning, but he improved considerably as the
game progressed. Began to play with brash confidence towards the 90
minute mark and was integral in keeping Drogba crowded out. Temper ran
high at the end.
Evra - 8: Grew into the game well as it progressed. Enabled by Ronaldo to
come forward to decent effect. Seldom found wanting in terms of position.
Hargreaves - 7: An energetic start, and one that repaid Fergie's faith in him.
Adjusted well to the tactical alterations as the game went on.
Carrick - 5.5: Started well, but practically vanished after the 30-minute
mark - something United paid a heavy price for. Lost Frank Lampard for
Chelsea's goal, and was overrun for much of the second half. Wasteful with
his "killer" passes.
Scholes - 6.5: A cynical challenge on Makelele early in the first half very
nearly put paid to his evening as he came off worse - he made up for it by
playing Brown through to set up Ronaldo for the first goal. A very
experienced showing although he trailed off badly. Probably kept on
longer than he should have been.
Ronaldo - 7: An absolutely beautiful header to open the scoring: his
positioning and jump were both sublime. Faded as Chelsea changed their
shape in the second half. Handed a massive reprieve in that his penalty miss
will not haunt him forever, but detractors will have found more to sink their
teeth into.
Tevez - 6: Anonymous, except when he hit one shot Cech-wards and slid in
to miss another. Credit to him for twice getting into a good position but
otherwise he did little. Should have closed the game out really, and could
have paid the ultimate price.
Rooney - 6: Quiet overall in the first half, but capable of some magical play
nonetheless: his diagonal long ball to Ronaldo was utterly perfect. Looks
comfortable at the very highest level - sometimes too comfortable.
Goal.com
Ewan Macdonald rates the individual performances in Wednesday's
showpiece Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester United...
Van der Sar - 7.5: Slipshod at times, which can't have inspired the back four,
although that was a mutually reciprocal relationship occasionally. All that
changed during the shoot-out, where he was an absolute titan: if that could
be rated alone, it would be a 9.
Brown - 7: A bit nervy at times in defence to start, but a tremendous
influence going forward: his cross for Ronaldo was well-placed, for example.
Overall it was a good showing.
Ferdinand - 6.5: A couple of errors that could have proved costly aside,
Ferdinand was a positive influence for United. Set-piece defending was
strong.
Vidic - 7: A very nervous beginning, but he improved considerably as the
game progressed. Began to play with brash confidence towards the 90
minute mark and was integral in keeping Drogba crowded out. Temper ran
high at the end.
Evra - 8: Grew into the game well as it progressed. Enabled by Ronaldo to
come forward to decent effect. Seldom found wanting in terms of position.
Hargreaves - 7: An energetic start, and one that repaid Fergie's faith in him.
Adjusted well to the tactical alterations as the game went on.
Carrick - 5.5: Started well, but practically vanished after the 30-minute
mark - something United paid a heavy price for. Lost Frank Lampard for
Chelsea's goal, and was overrun for much of the second half. Wasteful with
his "killer" passes.
Scholes - 6.5: A cynical challenge on Makelele early in the first half very
nearly put paid to his evening as he came off worse - he made up for it by
playing Brown through to set up Ronaldo for the first goal. A very
experienced showing although he trailed off badly. Probably kept on
longer than he should have been.
Ronaldo - 7: An absolutely beautiful header to open the scoring: his
positioning and jump were both sublime. Faded as Chelsea changed their
shape in the second half. Handed a massive reprieve in that his penalty miss
will not haunt him forever, but detractors will have found more to sink their
teeth into.
Tevez - 6: Anonymous, except when he hit one shot Cech-wards and slid in
to miss another. Credit to him for twice getting into a good position but
otherwise he did little. Should have closed the game out really, and could
have paid the ultimate price.
Rooney - 6: Quiet overall in the first half, but capable of some magical play
nonetheless: his diagonal long ball to Ronaldo was utterly perfect. Looks
comfortable at the very highest level - sometimes too comfortable.
Goal.com