Chelsea v Huddersfield player ratings
Chelsea’s hopes of snatching a Champions League spot are hanging by a thread after a disappointing draw with Huddersfield. Here’s how we rated each Blues player.
Willy Caballero: 5
At fault for Huddersfield’s goal. He came charging off his line before colliding with Laurent Depoitre on the edge of the box. The Terriers forward stayed on his feet and tapped into an empty net.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 7
Commanded the Blues backline as usual. Set up the equaliser with a drilled cross from the right that bounced around the Huddersfield box before flying in off Marcos Alonso.
Andreas Christensen: 7
Played well after being recalled. Often left as the last man and made a number of covering challenges as his team-mates pushed up the pitch. Also had a header tipped onto the post late on.
Antonio Rudiger: 5
Missed a number of chances that could have seen Chelsea win the game. The German got into attacking positions and could have had at least two goals, missing a tap-in at the far post early on before heading well over in the second half.
Davide Zappacosta: 5
Found himself pushing forward throughout the first half, which allowed him to swing in a number of dangerous balls, but none were turned in. Replaced by Olivier Giroud on 53 minutes as Chelsea chased their equaliser.
Cesc Fabregas: 7
Played well and started a number of his side’s attacks. The Spaniard had a lot more time on the ball than he did against Liverpool, which allowed him to combine well with his team-mates on numerous occasions.
N’Golo Kante: 7
Became a rare attacking threat throughout the game. Slipped in Alvaro Morata early on after bringing the ball past three players, but his good work went unrewarded as the striker’s heavy touch took him too wide to score.
Marcos Alonso: 6
Scored the equaliser but probably knew little about it. Worked tirelessly up and down the left wing and provided crosses that were turned away time and time again.
Willian: 5
Failed to influence the game as he came up against a well drilled Huddersfield defence. Limited to playing around the box rather than in it, meaning he struggled to create anything of note.
Pedro: 5
Did not take his chance after being recalled by Antonio Conte. Struggled to create any space and was always swamped by Huddersfield defenders. Replaced by Eden Hazard after 58 minutes.
Alvaro Morata: 5
Had a few chances to impact the game. Along with rounding the keeper, he also came close in the first half by diverting a Fabregas cross on target but struggled to really test Lossl in the Huddersfield goal. Saw even less of the ball after Giroud was brought on to partner him.
Olivier Giroud: 6
Held the ball up on a number of occasions and combined well with Hazard. The Frenchman had a few half chances after coming on but could not do enough to force a winner.
Eden Hazard: 6
Like the rest of Chelsea’s forwards, he struggled to impact the game in such a tight space around the box. Showed glimpses of quality driving at the Huddersfield defence from deep but they stood firm.
