WHAT A GAME! Chelsea extended their winning streak to eight games on the bounce after a crucial 1-3 comeback victory over title contenders Manchester City at Etihad Stadium today! We remain at the top of the league with a four-point margin to Liverpool and City, and it couldn’t get any better than that!
Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 system is still going strong invulnerable, and passed its biggest test yet today. Goals from Diego Costa, Willian and Eden Hazard decided it all for the Blues, with two sending offs to Man City’s way at the end as well.
Here are the ratings of how well each player from Chelsea performed today:
Starting Eleven:
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois – 7
Couldn’t do anything with Cahill’s own goal, but pulled off a few quality saves to deny Sergio Aguero from close-range. Great performance, but even better celebrations after Willian’s goal.
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Defence
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
Good block from the line to deny Aguero’s goal, otherwise a solid game as well.
David Luiz – 7
He was the man on the hour – a bit more often than needed even – but did brilliantly in the heart of the defence. Could’ve got sent off on the first half, but instead, got Aguero red carded after the Argentine fed up with the Brazilian’s dominating play and decided to tackle him knee-high. Luckily our man’s fine now.
Gary Cahill – 4
Awful effort with his clearance at the end of the first half proved costly. Lots of negatives from the own goal, and was often ran over on the flanks. Bad day at the office but it’ll get better here on out!
Midfield
Victor Moses – 6
Was well marked by the City defence, but the highlight of his game was his sliding challenge to deny a certain tap-in goal from Aguero. Good game.
Cesc Fabregas – 6
Was pretty invincible throughout the game, but did what he does best assisting Diego Costa’s equalizer with a world-class long ball over the top. Perhaps the assist of the season so far! Also frustrated City’s Fernandinho enough to get the Brazilian sent off late on.
N’Golo Kante – 7
Yellow carded, but did important defensive runs up and down. Saved Chelsea from a few threatening positions inside the box and had a lot more to cover today with Nemanja Matic missing out by his side.
Marcos Alonso – 6
Was good overall. Important figure for the Chelsea side today.
Attack
Pedro – 6
Did well defensively today, but didn’t really hand a boost in the attack. Subbed off early in the second half due to a minor injury.
Diego Costa – 9 (MOTM)
What a second half from the Spaniard. He did not only prove how well his sportsmanship and discipline has developed under Conte, but also fired his 11th goal and 5th assist of the season. First took his chance brilliantly to level it up for Chelsea in a battle between him and Nicolas Otamendi, and then set up Willian for the winner just moments after. Definitely, today’s man of the match! Replaced by Nathaniel Chalobah after 85 minutes.
Eden Hazard – 8
Missed a great chance to go for goal in the first half, but was overall a key player in the victory causing a lot of havoc for the City defenders. Got a goal for himself as well in the end to seal the deal for the Blues. City defenders did their best to keep up with the lad, but the further the game went on, the more unplayable he was. Replaced by Michy Batshuayi on the 90th minute.
Subs:
Willian – 7
Came on and decided the game with a quality goal! He’s hungry for minutes, and what’s a better way to get them than place yourself on the scoresheet?
Nathaniel Chalobah – N/A
Did well to defend Luiz after Aguero’s horrific challenge, but got booked for the offense. Didn’t really have time to affect the game.
Michy Batshuayi – N/A
Only featured for the final few minutes. Hoping to see more of him in the future.
