Man Utd v Chelsea player ratings
Chelsea paid the price for some wayward finishing and sloppy defending as they began their season with a 4-0 defeat against Manchester United. Here’s how we rated each Blues players at Old Trafford.
Kepa Arrizabalaga: 6
His distribution was calm and solid and he stood no chance with any of the goals. But the Blues keeper does continue to look shaky on crosses.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 5
Caught the wrong side for the third goal, which saw Marcus Rashford as good as wrap up United’s win. Like the majority of his team-mates, was otherwise very good until the final stages when the game was lost and the side totally lost their shape.
Andreas Christensen: 7
The Dane had a more than decent game, particularly considering the struggles of his centre-back partner. He showed good pace, read the game well, was strong in the tackle and used the ball sensibly.
Kurt Zouma: 5
A miserable performance from the Frenchman who could easily have set up an opening United goal before he did just that with an awful foul for the penalty. He was also booked in the first half and will need to show far greater discipline and belief if he wants to stay in the side.
Emerson: 7
He got forward well down the left, posing problems with his positive running and pace. He was dreadfully unlucky not to score with a near-post first-half strike and also tested keeper David de Gea with another effort.
Mateo Kovacic: 6
Neat, tidy and an integral part of a fine display that then went terribly wrong just after the hour. He kept plugging away and his individual performance was solid.
Jorginho: 7
Like Kovacic, he was very good in the first period, linking play and setting up numerous attacks even when all hope had died. He maintained his work-rate but was not as effective as the game wore on.
Ross Barkley: 6
He looked sharp and had a decent first half, taking up some clever positions in an energetic midfield. Barkley didn’t show much after the break and was replaced just before the hour with Chelsea chasing the game.
Pedro: 5
The Spaniard was always industrious and effective in creating space, but was far too sloppy in possession – notably in the build-up to the first-half penalty – and failed to make the most of some excellent attacking situations. A below-par display.
Mason Mount: 7
A performance without fear that showed his talent and confidence and fully justified the obvious faith that is forthcoming from boss Frank Lampard. He made and found space, could easily have scored, but will need to show greater conviction in the final third in a very unforgiving league.
Tammy Abraham: 6
The third of Chelsea’s starting youth-team products had a more than an encouraging but mixed first Blues start. He was desperately unlucky not to score with a rasping first-time shot inside five minutes and had some good touches.
Christian Pulisic: 6
Pulisic came on at 1-0 down and within five minutes the match was done at 3-0. He showed glimpses of his pace.
N’Golo Kante: 6
Made some typically crucial challenges and got important match time.
