Goals from N’Golo Kante and David Luiz gave Chelsea a stunning victory over the champions at Stamford Bridge. Here’s how we rated each Blues player in the 2-0 win.
It was a sign of how well marshalled the defence was in front of him that he had few direct shots to cope with. Had a routine save to keep out a Kyle Walker free-kick and another from Gabriel Jesus at the end, after his own careless piece of play.
Class act. Stayed glued to Leroy Sane in the first half – giving the German no time on the ball and getting in the way of one of the winger’s goal-bound efforts. Then superb at subduing Raheem Sterling. In-your-face football at its best.
Made a vital early block to halt Sane inside the box. Caused some palpitations with some forward sorties, but mostly for Maurizio Sarri rather than Pep Guardiola, one suspects, until the moment he guided in Hazard’s corner for 2-0.
Good presence in the air, but had much to do on the deck too, and did it so well, ensuring that City’s free-flowing football ran aground for once.
Had his hands full in the first half, with Riyad Mahrez and Sterling both targeting his flank. Looked far more comfortable after the break as City ran out of ideas.
An excellent demonstration of the holding midfielder arts. Patrolled in front of the back four with impressive concentration and discipline. Some vital interceptions. Booked after a scuffle with Walker.
Usual prodigious amount of running to close lines of attack. Picked up a knock just past the hour and had to go off.
Had tended to run into a thicket of City players and was not in the game until the moment, just before the break, when he was in the right place to thump in Hazard’s cross. Far better second half.
Scampered around tirelessly, to implement the pressing game Sarri demanded. Plenty of tracking back was required. Had one on-target shot from distance. First booking of the season hardly mattered.
The spearhead of a front three operating without a conventional number nine. It is not his natural position but even if starved of the ball for periods, laid on the goal for Kante with a cute cross and managed increasingly to wander off with the ball to frustrate City.
The Brazilian forced Walker to go long several times and much of his work was more defensive than usual. But his free-kick almost made it 2-0 at the start of the second half, Ederson saving, and was set up by Kante for another crack at goal.
Replaced an injured Kovacic on 64 minutes and did his bit in stifling any hopes the champions had of mounting a fightback.
Off the bench on 75 minutes, replacing Willian. Some confident carries into enemy territory. So difficult to shake off the ball.
This post was last modified on 09/12/2018