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Chelsea logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 16, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 

4-0

Willian (15'), Oscar (45' pen.), Costa (58'), Fabregas (78')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Player Ratings: Chelsea 4-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv

Sports Mole looks at who impressed during Chelsea's comprehensive 4-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in their Champions League Group G clash at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea picked up just their second win of the season in all competitions this evening, opening up their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 triumph over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Eden Hazard missed an early penalty for the home side, but they took the lead through Willian less than 10 minutes later, before Oscar converted a second spot kick on the stroke of half time.

Diego Costa made it three with a stunning volley after the break, while Cesc Fabregas capped off the scoring 12 minutes from time with a simple tap-in.

Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out at Stamford Bridge.


Chelsea's Bosnian goalkeeper Asmir Begovic (L) stands with his team mates as they pose for a picture ahead of the UEFA Champions League, group G, football match between Chelsea and Maccabi Tel Aviv at Stamford Bridge in London on September 16, 2015© Getty Images

CHELSEA

Goal

Asmir Begovic: A very quiet evening for the stand-in stopper. Only had one shot on target to face all evening, and that was a simple one for him to save. (6/10)

Defence

Cesar Azpilicueta: Switched over to right-back and looked just as at home there as he has at left-back over the past few seasons. (6/10)

Kurt Zouma: Rarely troubled in a defensive sense, but did make one fine challenge on Zahavi to atone for giving the ball away moments earlier. (6/10)

Gary Cahill: Captain for the night and, while he is unlikely to have ousted Terry from the lineup for good, this solid performance should give him confidence following a shaky start to the season. (6/10)

Abdul Baba Rahman: In for his full debut and put in a positive display down the left flank. His passing and crossing was found wanting at times, but there were encouraging signs. (7/10)

Midfield

Cesc Fabregas: Ended the match with a goal and an assist to his name, tapping home his side's fourth into an empty net and providing the cross from which Costa volleyed home. Still not as influential as he was last season, though. (7/10)

Ruben Loftus-Cheek: The man of the match. Booked inside the opening minute but that was about the only blotch on his copybook. Confident and assured in the middle of the park as Chelsea dominated that area of the field. (8/10)

Willian: Forced off with a hamstring injury midway through the first half but had already left his mark on the game, winning a penalty for his side and scoring the opening goal. (7/10)

Oscar: Tucked his penalty neatly, sending the keeper the wrong way. Unable to come up with much in terms of penetrative play, though, despite Chelsea's dominance. (6/10)

Eden Hazard: Still nowhere near his best. His penalty was a shocker early on, particularly considering how unerring he was from 12 yards last term. Showed a couple of glimpses of his old self as the match wore on, but once again he was below par. (5/10)

Attack

Loic Remy: Started up front but was soon moved to the right when Willian was forced off injured. Played his part in the fourth and final goal but not much to shout about other than that. (6/10)

Substitutes

Diego Costa: Still doesn't quite look like the player who terrorised defences last season, but this was a step in the right direction. Replaced the injured Willian and went on to win a penalty and score a stunning volley, although some of his link-up play was unconvincing. (7/10)

Ramires: Replaced Oscar in the 65th minute of the contest and slotted into midfield seamlessly as Chelsea cruised to full time. (6/10)

Bertrand Traore: On for Loftus-Cheek and almost marked his debut with a goal when he sent a curling effort inches past the far post from the edge of the box. (6/10)


Maccabi Tel Aviv's Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic (2R) watches the ball as Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (2L) mises from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League, group G, football match between Chelsea and Maccabi Tel Aviv at Sta© Getty Images

MACCABI TEL AVIV

Goal

Predrag Rajkovic: Gave away the first penalty and was lucky to stay on the field. May feel that he should have done better for Willian's free kick, which flew straight in, but there was nothing he could do about the other goals and he made a few good interventions over the course of the match. (5/10)

Defence

Yuval Shpungin: Conceded the free kick that led to Willian's goal, but can hardly be blamed for his side falling behind from that. Dealt with the threat of Hazard well. (6/10)

Tal Ben Haim: Gave away the second penalty for a foul on Costa, although he will argue that he got a toe to the ball. Wasn't overrun by the Chelsea attack at any point, but still conceded four goals. (5/10)

Eitan Tibi: Had his lack of pace exposed on one or two occasions but ultimately did a decent job considering the relentless Chelsea pressure that came his way. (5/10)

Omri Ben Harush: Barely got any chances to venture past the halfway line having been kept busy by Willian, Remy and Azpilicueta throughout the course of the match. (5/10)

Midfield

Tal Ben Haim: Stuck to his defensive duties well, which was the bulk of his job tonight. Unable to make any impression in the final third, though. (5/10)

Nikola Mitrovic: Chasing shadows for the vast majority of the match as Chelsea dominated possession. Part of a midfield that was outplayed and outclassed by Chelsea. (5/10)

Gal Alberman: As guilty as anyone for Maccabi's poor ball retention. They struggled to get possession and then were far too wasteful with the ball to create Chelsea any major problems. (5/10)

Nosa Igiebor: Put plenty of effort in for his side but that touch of quality was missing from his game - as shown by him missing an absolute sitter at the back post late on. (5/10)

Avi Rikan: Had very few opportunities to get up in support of Zahavi, with Chelsea winning the ball back too quickly for Maccabi to build any meaningful attacks. (5/10)

Attack

Eran Zahavi: Isolated and ineffective for the most part. Should have done better with a header in the first half that he sent over the crossbar, but aside from that he barely had a sniff of goal. (5/10)

Substitutes

Dor Miha: Introduced shortly after the hour but failed to change the course of the match with his side already three goals down. (5/10)

Dejan Radonjic: Made an impact with his physical presence when he came on and had his side's only shot on target, but he was never going to spark a comeback. (6/10)

Dor Peretz: Introduced for the final 20 minutes at right-back and didn't make much of a splash during his cameo. (6/10)


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Manager Jose Mourinho of Chelsea reacts on the touchline during the UEFA Chanmpions League group G match between Chelsea and Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2015
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