Everton - Team Rating - 8: A great performance from a depleted side shows just how much the team have developed. Unlucky today and didn't deserve to lose!
GK: Howard - 7: A good performance from the American stopper - unlucky with the two goals and made some good saves in the 2nd half.
RB: Jagielka - 7: Played out of position but didn't give Hazard a sniff all afternoon. Brilliant cross for the Everton goal in the 1st minute and made some decent runs.
CB: Heitinga - 6: A solid performance from the dutch man but made mistakes when going forward and switched off in January. Seems likely to leave in January.
CB: Distin - 8: Powerful and strong at the back. Only made one mistake and recovered well. Made up for errors from his teammates and made a brilliant sliding tackle to deny Torres a late goal.
LB: Baines - 8: Another great performance. Linked up well with Pienaar and was superb going forward. A bit hesitant when defending but was solid throughout. Put in a brilliant cross for both of Jelavić's chances in the 2nd half.
RM: Naismith - 5: Largely ineffective today against Cole. Made some decent passes and worked hard, but isn't a winger.
CM: Osman - 6: Not his best game but worked hard as always. Looked dangerous going forward but seemed to stay on the ball for too long. Had two good efforts stopped by both Cećh and Turnbull. Should have been awarded a free-kick late on in the game.
CM: Hitzlesperger - 6: Steady performance but was slack with his passing on occasion. Good option to have as back-up but with Gibson being injured, David Moyes should be looking to recruit another central midfielder in January.
LM: Pienaar - 8: Brilliant performance from the South African. Cut Chelsea apart in the 1st half and kept composed for his early goal. Defended well and wasn't given anything by Referee Howard Webb. Booked.
ST: Jelavić - 7: Good work rate and was extremely unlucky not to score. Hit post and bar with a brilliant free-kick and superb header respectively, while Cećh made a great save to deny him in the 1st half. Missed a brilliant chance to equalise at the end. Needs to find some scoring form soon.
ST: Anichebe - 6: Finally decided to play to his strengths when he chose to run at and out-strength defenders. Superb header that hit post - leading to the Pienaar goal. Didn't have too many chances afterwards and tired after 70 minutes.
Subs:
Vellios - 6: Showed good control and awareness. Worked hard when he came on and helped push Chelsea back. Provides a good alternative up front.
Barkley - 5: Looked rushed on the ball in the middle of the park and gave the ball away too easily, nearly resulting in a Chelsea 3rd. Struggled to have an impact but tried hard to get into the game. Would like to see him loaned out again if Everton manage to bring in a midfielder in January.
Oviedo - 6: Used his pace well to provide another option going forward.
Manager: David Moyes - 8: Organised and inspired his team brilliantly with the players he had available. Made the best subs he could have done given the circumstances.
Chelsea - Team Rating - 7: Never really kicked into top gear but Benitez has managed to get his team grinding out results, albeit relying on the seemingly departing Frank Lampard.
GK: Cećh - 7: Made some brilliant saves in the first half after a shaky start. Injured and went off at halftime, or rating would be higher.
RB: Azpilicueta - 6: A bit of a culture shock for the Spaniard and didn't handle the pressure from Everton and the crowd well when defending. However, he improved as the game went on and showed promise going forward.
CB: Ivanović - 7: Solid enough at the back after Chelsea sustained the pressure in the 1st half. A quality defender and a threat from set-pieces.
CB: Cahill - 6: Battled well with Jelavić and brought the ball out well for Chelsea from the back using his pace and power. Booked.
LB: Cole - 6: Outshone by Baines - proving who is the better player. However, still defended well and was never threatend by Naismith. Switched off allowing Jagielka to cross for Everton's goal. Had a chance to score late in the 1st half. Booked.
CM: Luiz - 6: Looks a lot better in a defensive midfield role, bringing the ball out from the back. By no means a majestic passer, but used his strength well to stop Anichebe from bullying the Chelsea defence. However, he was rash in tackles and struggled to cope with Pienaar, and was lucky not to receive a second booking. Booked.
CM: Lampard - 8: Given this rating for his two clinical finishes - right place in the right time - as always with Lampard. Inspired Chelsea to a victory today.
RAM: Ramirez - 8: Bombed forward with real pace, relieving Chelsea from the pressure they were under on more than one occasion, often starting an attack. Put in a good cross for Lampard's 1st goal. Reliable and consistent performance from the Brazilian and always a threat.
CAM: Mata - 6: Not at his best today, but still looked a threat when on the ball. Some brilliant link up play with his attacking-line teammates.
LAM: Hazard - 6: Didn't really get into the game and was shut out well by Jagielka. Was involved in the Lampard winner, but subbed off soon after.
ST: Torres - 6: Distin had him under control all game. Had a good shot saved by Howard midway through the second half. Should have scored late on, but denied by a brilliant Distin block.
Subs:
Turnbull - 6: Was only really tested once by Everton after coming on, but was beaten by Jelavić's header. Good save from an Osman effort early in the second half.
Moses - 6: Used his pace well to stop Jagielka from pressing high up the pitch in the last 15 minutes. Didn't get on the ball much but looked dangerous when he did. Starting to look a quality player.
Oscar - 5: Brought on for Mata late on to kill time more than anything. No real effect on the game.
Manager: Rafael Benitez - 6: Obviously organised his team more for the 2nd half, but didn't have a need to make any smart or crucial subs. Left it to his players, specifically Lampard.
Referee: Howard Webb - 6: Let the game flow but some poor decisions went against The Toffee's, who're used to not getting the rub of the green from the officials this season - they must have used up all of their luck in the Wigan game last week.
