MOTM Drogba. Worked hard, got on the end of everything and nice finish for his goal. Good performance in the target-man role from the old guy.
Cahill had a dodgy start but grew into it, while Zouma was immense for an hour then seemed to slip into sloppy habits (it doesn't matter how incredible your physicality is, you have to get into position before going for the ball; something Mangala is finding out in much more spectacular fashion over at City).
Luis again looked good; there will be a real battle between our LBs this season as both are excellent (if very different) footballers.
Good to see Ake and Christensen getting 90 minutes. Neither looked out of place. They are young players who are of the quality to hold down a squad place, and have the potential to be more. Good to see.
Those criticising the lack of other young players may have a point, but I feel you would have seen more had we been at home; today showed that any away tie in English football can be tough and Jose was probably right to show as much respect to the opponents as he did with his selection. Shrewsbury were organised and worked hard, they were tough, physical, fearless and played their game; so credit to them for making the game as hard as it was.
The subs made an instant difference without either having to do anything particularly outstanding at all, which is probably more a criticism of the players who were replaced. Both will have to improve if they want to stay at the club, because that double sub showed the difference between players who are good enough for our first team and players who are making up the numbers.
Good to see Willian getting a vital assist in a game. End product is the (completely fair) knock on him, and given his quality he should be making the difference more often. So again, good to see.
