Newcastle Chelsea (in brief)

By far the weekends most entertaining game,(apologies Blackburn & Yakubu) Chelsea were more than flattered by the final scoreline. And as Deyan feared, with the news of Steven Taylor lost for the season, Newcastle are officially fucked and the scrap for survival begins. Chelsea are floundering still, but have the depth in their squad to mount a title challenge yet. With the brutal christmas games to come, anything can happen.

Newcastle

Krul - 9 - Incredible stuff from the young dutchman, stecklenberg has to be looking over his shoulder.

Coloccini Inc- Hopefully he'll only miss a week.

S.Taylor -7.5- Outstanding. Will be sorely missed.

Perch - 3.5 - With his awareness and Mertesacker's speed, I think we've found our ideal center-half.

Simpson - 5.5- Mata absolutely undressed him with that one turn, go back and watch it.

R. Taylor - 4.5 - I empathize here severely, because it's not fun to be slow, white, and out of position when you're playing full back.

Guthrie - 7- Really liked what I saw from Jeremy's non-morman cousin. Creative tattoos as well.

Cabaye - 6 - useful on the ball, useless in defense. conceded the pen, and was at fault for the goal, all in a days work.

Obertan - 5- Looks like Shane Battier, plays like J.R. Smith.

Lovenkrands - 7.5 - Economical in possession and incisive with his runs. Had no idea he was such a versatile player, I'll look out for him in the Danish team.

Ben Afra - 5.5 - Trying to do too much with too little of the ball.

Ba - 8 - Excellent. Deserved better.

The Ameobi Brothers - 6 - Sammy still has a lot to learn from big bro.

Chelsea

Cech - 5 - John Olereud is getting worse.

Terry - 8.5 - Who are you, and what have you done with the new, ridiculous JT?

Luiz - 4.5 - He is a bit unlucky at times, but he puts himself in bad situations.

Cole/Ivanovic - 5.5- Job done for the fullbacks, but never can I remember either player being less involved in attacking buildup, esp Ca$hley.

Ramires - 8 - Brace face was all over the place again. Unlucky not to score. Great player to have in your team.

Romeu - 5 - I was less than enamored with Alpha Romeu's play. Take your pick between him and Mikel.

Lampard - 5 - Poor penalty, not his best game. He'll score a penalty on tuesday night though, book it.

Mata - 8.5 - He's playing on a different cerebral level than the others.

Sturridge - 6.5 - Could have had about 10 goals. Will he partner/(deputise for the suspended) Rooney in Poland?

Drogba - 6 - He's lost that fire from a few years ago.