Napoli v Chelsea: Rating the Chelsea Players in Champions League First Leg

Attempts at damage control are already under way.

In the immediate aftermath of Chelsea's 3-1 loss at Napoli on Tuesday, goalkeeper Petr Cech defended Andre Villas-Boas, saying the Portuguese manager was not to blame.

Cech may or may not be right, but Villas-Boas made a few strange decisions with his team selection. With captain John Terry injured, AVB opted to leave experienced players like Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard out of the lineup.

Both found their way into the match. Cole replaced the injured Jose Bosingwa—who was playing on the side opposite his normal position—early in the first half, and Lampard entered when the Blues were losing by two goals.

Cech said the players must accept responsibility, and the goalkeeper may be right. Several of his teammates had less-than-excellent outings.

Player ratings are below.

Goalkeeper

Peter Cech: 6.5

Cech really can't be faulted for any of the goals, though some may question his decision to come off his line ahead of Napoli's third strike. Regardless, Cech made a pair of excellent saves in the first half that kept Chelsea within striking distance.

Defenders

Jose Bosingwa: no rating

Bosingwa left the match early in the first half with an injury.

Gary Cahill: 4.5

Cahill's ill-advised attempt to catch Edinson Cavani with the offside trap failed in the 10th minute, and the Uruguayan nearly scored the opener because of it. Cahill was obviously nervous in his Champions League debut, and he struggled throughout.

David Luiz: 4.5

Luiz was responsible for the third goal. Only he'll know how he let Cavani take the ball from under his nose. The Chelsea defense was disorganized throughout, and as the senior central defender, Luiz must shoulder some of the blame for that.

Branislav Ivanovic: 4.5

Ivanovic was caught ball-watching late in the first half. Cavani took advantage, flying past the fullback and scoring a dubious go-ahead goal. Ivanovic also struggled all night with Ezequiel Lavezzi, who was the best player on the pitch.

Midfielders

Ramires: 5.0

Ramires gave away the ball repeatedly in the middle, often giving Napoli scoring chances.

Raul Meireles: 4.5

Meireles didn't look comfortable in the holding role directly in front of the back line. It cost Chelsea a goal in the first half. In the 38th minute, Lavezzi took advantage of Meireles inexplicable decision to back off the Napoli forward just outside the box.

Florent Malouda: 5.0

Malouda wasn't much of a factor on the wing.

Forwards

Juan Mata: 6.5

Mata took his fortuitous chance well and as usual was Chelsea's most creative attacking force

Didier Drogba: 6.0

Drogba flashed a few moments of excellent hold-up play but didn't pose a consistent threat. Then again, the midfielder and forwards struggled to find any sort of cohesion.

Daniel Sturridge: 6.0

Sturridge found some space down the wing and provided a few quality crosses. Like Drogba, though, he struggled with consistency.

Substitutes

Ashley Cole: 5.5

Cole was guilty of careless defending shortly after coming on, and it nearly led to a Napoli goal. But he made an excellent goal-line clearance in the second half.

Frank Lampard: 5.0

Lampard's introduction was strange. If Villas-Boas wanted experience in the squad, Lampard should have started. But Lampard came on when Chelsea were already trailing by two goals and struggled to make an impression.

Michael Essien: 5.5

Like Lampard, Essien came on at a strange time—with Chelsea losing by two goals. Bringing on a striker probably would have been more effective.