Chelsea v Bournemouth player ratings
Alvaro Morata’s injury-time winner – just after Bournemouth had equalised – took Chelsea through to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup in dramatic fashion. Here’s how we rated each Blues player in the 2-1 win.
Willy Caballero: 6
Barely troubled before being beaten by Dan Gosling’s late strike. Before that, the stand-in keeper cut out a low cross from Callum Wilson as Chelsea absorbed pressure.
Antonio Rudiger: 7
Did well at the back. Reacted quickly to race across and thwart Jordon Ibe on one of the very rare occasions Ethan Ampadu needed some help after being caught out.
Ethan Ampadu: 8
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A terrific performance from the 17-year-old at the heart of the Blues defence. He settled after picking up a yellow card after just 90 seconds for a challenge on Jermain Defoe and did very well indeed. His reading of the game is excellent for someone so young and he was well placed to produce a number of blocks and interceptions. In the first half he dispossessed Adam Smith after the Bournemouth wing-back had got away from Gary Cahill. And, when Ibe burst through after Willian stopped because he expected a foul to be awarded, Ampadu stood his ground, narrowing Ibe’s options before the striker fired wide of the near post. Impressive.
Gary Cahill: 7
That first-half error aside, Cahill gave an assured performance alongside the youngster, particularly during a spell of second-half pressure from Bournemouth.
Davide Zappacosta: 6
Solid defensively and got forward often, especially in the first half. His chances to attack in the second were limited as Bournemouth took the game to Chelsea.
Danny Drinkwater: 6
Simple but effective in midfield. Used the ball sensibly and protected his defenders well.
Cesc Fabregas: 7
Set up the opening goal with a composed pass to Willian. Worked hard off the ball in the second half as the visitors pushed forward.
Kenedy: 6
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Involved in the first goal, putting Fabregas through with a back-heel. He showed plenty of enthusiasm on the left but the end product was often lacking.
Willian: 6
Scored and was lively in patches. But handed Bournemouth a first-half chance and another defensive lapse in the second half prompted boss Antonio Conte to prepare a double substitution in which the Brazilian was taken off.
Pedro: 6
Quiet before being replaced along with Willian just after the hour mark.
Michy Batshuayi: 5
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Started the move which led to the goal, when he found Kenedy with a clever reverse pass. But overall the striker struggled to make an impact before being withdrawn. A couple of chances fell to him in the box in the first half but he could not react quickly enough to take advantage.
Tiemoue Bakayoko: 6
Has looked much-improved in his last couple of appearances. He was neat and tidy after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Eden Hazard: 7
Brought on along with Bakayoko when Chelsea were being pinned in their own half. The Belgian certainly made an impact, delightfully setting up the winner with a back-heel to Morata.
Alvaro Morata: 7
Showed his quality – and his importance to Chelsea – by scoring the winner straight after Bournemouth’s equaliser. Whereas Batshuayi laboured, Morata made no mistake when a chance came his way.
