Fabregas is firing again as he eyes big reunion
JOSE Mourinho kept faith with a number of his stars for last night’s crucial game, but who did enough to stay in the Chelsea side to play Arsenal at the weekend?
CESC FABREGAS
FINALLY made an impact on the game when he was given too much time outside the area to make one of his distinctive, lofted passes into the path of Diego Costa. it was a classy touch, the kind of pass that only players with his pedigree can pull off during key moments in matches. Chelsea have been missing those touches in recent weeks, but he will not be given that much time on the ball in the centre of the pitch when Arsenal are snapping at his heels. Here he had to act as Ruben loftusCheek’s minder, but expect nemanja Matic to be restored alongside him for the visit of Arsenal. Fabregas claimed the fourth goal to round off a slick break. IN OR OUT FOR ARSENAL? Against his old club, Fabregas has to play.
EDEN HAZARD
WHAT was he thinking when he lazily sent Chelsea’s fifth-minute penalty over the crossbar above Maccabi tel Aviv goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic? it was sloppy and careless from a classy player. it seemed strange that he spent so long looking at the goal during his run up instead of concentrating. He was hugged by Chelsea coach Silvio louro as he came off the pitch at half-time, but this was a long way short of the performances that saw him crowned PFA player of the year. IN OR OUT? On his day, still up there.
OSCAR
SUCCEEDED from the penalty spot four minutes into first-half stoppage time when he casually but confidently swept the ball beyond Rajkovic. When he scored against Swansea City on the opening day of the season the Brazilian curiously did not celebrate his strike. this was his first appearance in the team since that 22 draw, but we saw a re-invigorated Chelsea forward after taking up his favoured position behind the front man. the game can come alive when Oscar is on the ball and his little touches around the corner can turn passive moments in play in to a surprise attack. Saved his legs for Saturday when he was replaced by Ramires in the 64th minute. IN OR OUT? Must start.
WILLIAN
EASILY Chelsea’s best forwardthinking player before he was forced off with a hamstring injury midway through the first half. By then he had won an early penalty when he was brought down by Maccabi’s keeper and scored Chelsea’s opening goal with a soft free-kick from long range. this has not been an easy period for Chelsea’s attack-minded players, but Willian was easily the most adventurous player before he was substituted in the 23rd minute. IN OR OUT? Would be a nailed- on starter, but unlikely to be fit.
DIEGO COSTA
REPLACED Willian after 23 minutes and went on to win Chelsea’s second penalty when tal Ben Haim sliced through him deep into first-half injury time. He then scored Chelsea’s third when he volleyed Fabregas’ lofted pass beyond Maccabi’s hapless keeper in the 50th minute. IN OR OUT? Has to start.
GARY CAHILL
MADE captain in the absence of John terry, he took command of Chelsea’s defence. IN OR OUT? Worth his place.