Chelsea v Arsenal player ratings
Chelsea missed out on the Double as Arsenal beat them in the FA Cup final at Wembley. Here’s how we rated the Blues players in the 2-1 defeat.
Thibaut Courtois: 7
The Belgian was kept unusually busy, making several vital first-half saves and keeping Chelsea in the game with a couple of equally important stops after the interval as gaps opened up in defence. Had no chance with either Arsenal goal.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 7
Never stopped running and led the way with the Blues down to 10 men, steaming forward and setting a tremendous example. Has had a brilliant season.
Gary Cahill: 7
Made two stunning clearances to prevent goals in the first half when Chelsea were rattled and Arsenal were well on top, and also made a couple of brilliant blocks. Lost concentration for a brief second for Olivier Giroud’s run for the winner but it was a fine run and Cahill was hardly at fault.
David Luiz: 6
Was caught napping on more than one occasion by the clever movement of Alexis Sanchez as he and his fellow defenders struggled to cope with Arsenal’s flying start.
Victor Moses: 5
Did he dive or did he fall? He shoudn’t have given referee Anthony Taylor the option just as he had become a serious attacking threat following a quiet opening 30 minutes. Almost scored with a fine low strike shortly before his dismissal.
Nemanja Matic: 5
The Serbian looked laboured and was often out-manoeuvred in the first half. His work-rate was impressive, but with the game stretched he was often bypassed and had little influence.
N’Golo Kante: 7
Covered a phenomenal amount of ground, and started taking the game by the scruff of the neck just when Chelsea most needed it when they were down to 10 men. Unfortunate to be on the losing side.
Marcos Alonso: 6
Made very little impression going forward, but was steady enough in defence.
Pedro: 7
Relentless throughout, Pedro had a fine game but missed a sitter of a first-half chance. He was also unlucky with a measured strike on goal after the break and remained a central figure with Chelsea on top until Moses was sent off.
Eden Hazard: 6
Anonymous for 30 minutes but, along with Pedro, he then started to seize control. Just as he was looking like a potential match-winner, Chelsea found themselves down to 10 men.
Diego Costa: 7
Desperately unlucky not to score after muscling his way through before the interval. Scored in the second half, almost netted again late on and was as big a nuisance as ever.
Cesc Fabregas: 5
Brought on in the second half, his touch too often deserted him and, uncharacteristically, he gave the ball away cheaply on several occasions.
Willian: 6
Replaced the impressive Pedro with around 20 minutes remaining. Found Costa for the leveller and made several darting runs without being able to create many chances.
Ongaria Cathbert
16/08/2017 @ 9:51 am
Conte, We Need Costa By All Means