TERRY-FIC CHELSEA

garylim@sph.com.sg

TOP TEAM: CHELSEA

Arsenal were sublime in their 4-1 win over Sunderland, but Gus Poyet's men were atrocious on that day.

Chelsea, though, were dogged and tireless, showing the kind of persistence required of champions in their 1-0 victory against a determined Everton side last Saturday.

Make no mistake.

The Blues did not exactly terrorise Roberto Martinez's men at the Stamford Bridge.

Everton's high-tempo pressing game denied Chelsea time and space, and at the same time posed plenty of problems for the home defence.

Chelsea struggled, to be honest. Their footballing performance left much to be desired.

But you have to admire their mental strength.

Jose Mourinho can be proud of his team's response to Everton's stiff resistance.

They dug deep, ran their socks off, and kept at it all the way to the end.

And they were finally rewarded in injury time, as Everton's players felt the effects of a physically sapping game.

The Manchester United sides under Sir Alex Ferguson had this ability to grind out victories late in a match.

Mourinho seems to have instilled the same winner's mentality in his men.

TOP DEFENDER:

JOHN TERRY

(CHELSEA)

The calls to persuade Terry to return to the international fold are intensifying and England could indeed do with the influential centre back.

He epitomises the never-say-die spirit of this Chelsea team.

Against Everton, he defended solidly, and was always a threat at set-pieces.

So, who else, but Terry to come to the Blues' rescue in injury time with his winning goal - a slight touch on a fine Frank Lampard free-kick?

TOP ATTACKER:

DANIEL STURRIDGE

(LIVERPOOL)

Liverpool kept pace with the leading pack with a thrilling 4-3 win over Swansea on Sunday, although it was clear their defence contributed little to the victory.

It was the frontline, thriving under manager Brendan Rodger's offensive system, which earned the Reds a hard-fought win.

Sturridge (right) was the Swans' chief tormentor, scoring two goals and setting up another to deflate the visitors, who lost the game despite equalising twice. With 18 Premiership goals under his belt, he is fast closing in on top scorer Luis Suarez (23 goals).