Footytube.com – Latest Football Video Highlights | Champions League final player ratings

Champions League final player ratings

May 22nd, 2008 . posted by admin

AFP

Published:May 22, 2008

MOSCOW – Match ratings from yesterday’s Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester United here in Moscow.

VIDEO: Watch the dramatic penalty shootout

Chelsea (4-3-3)

Petr Cech — 8

Had no chance with Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal but kept Chelsea in the match with a brilliant double stop to deny Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick.

Michael Essien — 6

The Ghanaian midfielder filled in at right back and struggled to contain Ronaldo, who outjumped him for the opening goal. Partly redeemed himself with that shot that led to Frank Lampard’s equaliser.

Ricardo Carvalho — 8

Another imperious show from the Portugal defender despite the back injury that sidelined him for a week.

John Terry — 7

The Blues skipper commanded the back four and kept Carlos Tevez on a tight leash. Produced a brilliant headed clearance to deny Ryan Giggs but missed the penalty that would have won the Cup.

Ashley Cole — 6

Passed fit after his ankle injury scare but found it hard to escape Owen Hargreaves’ attentions and joined attacks only occasionally.

Claude Makelele — 6

Spent half his time arguing with the referee but managed to focus enough to subdue United’s midfield in the second half.

Frank Lampard — 8

The England midfielder was rewarded for another trademark surge into the penalty area as two fortunate deflections allowed to tuck home the equaliser. Unlucky to hit the bar in extra-time.

Michael Ballack — 7

After a quiet start the German star imposed himself with a typically elegant display and helped Chelsea take control.

Joe Cole — 5

Plenty of perspiration but precious few moments of inspiration from the winger. Never got into the game and came off in extra-time.

Didier Drogba — 6

Flounced through the match before suddenly coming to life and hitting a post. Then became only the second player to be sent off in the Champions League final after needlessly tapping Nemanja Vidic in extra-time.

Florent Malouda — 4

Preferred to Salomon Kalou but the French winger did little to repay Avram Grant’s faith in him. A performance that summed up his lacklustre season.

Substitutes:

Salomon Kalou — 6

Sent for Malouda earlier in extra-time and gave new energy to Chelsea with his bursts forward.

Nicolas Anelka — 5

The French striker was stuck out on the right wing and found it hard to adjust to the match in extra-time. His spot-kick miss in the shoot-out handed United the trophy.

Juliano Belletti — 6

Came on for Makelele in the final minute of extra-time and scored his penalty in the shoot-out.

Manchester United (4-4-2)

Edwin van der Sar — 8

Could do nothing about Lampard’s goal but ended the hero as he produced a brilliant decisive save to keep out Anelka’s penalty.

Wes Brown — 7

The right-back looped in a perfectly flighted left-foot cross for Ronaldo’s goal and enjoyed a solid, no-frills display.

Rio Ferdinand — 8

Led United with the kind of mature display that showed why he is considered favourite to become England’s long-term captain.

Nemanja Vidic — 8

The Serbian centre-back won the physical battle with Drogba for long periods as he underlined his growing reputation as one of the best defenders in Europe.

Patrice Evra — 7

Kept his France team-mate Malouda under wraps with his combination of pace and poise, as well as making several incursions down the left flank.

Owen Hargreaves — 6

Surprisingly deployed by Ferguson as a right winger, the versatile England star successfully stopped Ashley Cole marauding forward.

Michael Carrick — 7

Always composed on the ball, the England international picked out his passes at will for a while but was gradually squeezed out by Chelsea’s muscular midfielders.

Paul Scholes — 6

Linked up with Brown for the opening goal and directed the midfield traffic in the first half but the veteran playmaker faded after the break.

Cristiano Ronaldo — 7

Started superbly and looked like finally taking centre stage on the big occasion when he headed United in front. Found it harder to dominate after the break and saw his penalty saved in the shoot-out.

Wayne Rooney — 6

A tenacious display that epitomised Rooney’s will to win. But although he harried and chased, he never got a real sight of goal and was replaced in extra-time.

Carlos Tevez — 7

Like Rooney, he covered every blade of grass in his unstinting efforts to unsettle Chelsea’s back-four but was denied the service to make a real impact.

Substitutes:

Ryan Giggs — 7

The Welsh midfielder broke Bobby Charlton’s United all-time appearance record, setting a new high of 759, when he replaced Scholes in normal time.

Nani — 5

Didn’t get a chance to display his flicks and tricks after coming on for Scholes.

Anderson — 6

Replaced Brown to give United another penalty option and converted from the spot.