Despite not showing their best side on the pitch today, Chelsea extended their lead on top of the Premier League table to eight points following a 2-0 victory over Hull City at Stamford Bridge!
Diego Costa seemed like he never missed a game, suffered a back injury or had a bust-up with the boss as he went on to score his 15th Premier League goal of the season on his 100th Chelsea appearance.
Gary Cahill doubled the scores ten minutes before the full-time whistle to put an end to a game which was starting to slip away from the Blues’s grasp when the match got closer to an end.
But, here are our Chelsea player ratings in full…
Starting Eleven:
Thibaut Courtois – 7 – Did very well between the sticks, saving each shot he faced! Most of which were from a long way out, though. Earned his 13th clean-sheet of the campaign.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 8 – Solid performance. Made a ton of important interceptions and tackles. Key piece of today’s victory – yet again!
David Luiz – 7 – Great tussle with the Hull defenders time after time. Defenders keep scoring and assisting, but Luiz is still yet to find his name from the score-sheet. The day will come, though!
Gary Cahill – 9 – Had a big clash of heads with Ryan Mason inside the first 15 minutes, but was fortunate to be able to resume. Sad to see the Hull defender being carried away on a stretcher though. Was a key piece of the puzzle as well, and scored his third goal of the season with a great header from Cesc Fabregas’ cross ten minutes before full-time. Captain material!
Victor Moses – 8 – Huge threat for the visitors all-game long and did well to find Costa with his low cross for the opening goal of the game. Some flawless skill moves were also part of his match performance, but so was a foul throw-in, which to be frank wasn’t his first one of the season.
N’Golo Kante – 7 – Was very fast setting the team on a counter every time the chance opened up, and furious when Hull players won possession and seemed like taking advantage of it.
Nemanja Matic – 7 – Played a great, secure game, but ran into some trouble inside the last 20 minutes of the game following a few careless fouls. All forgiven following the three points though!
Marcos Alonso – 6 – Was lucky to escape a few silly mistakes such as a clear foul inside the penalty area, which the ref luckily didn’t penalize. Did all right on aerial duels and interceptions though. Good game.
Pedro – 6 – Wasn’t playing as well as he usually does at Stamford Bridge today. His corners were way off and he struggled to make use of the ball in quite a few chances. Replaced by Willian 20 minutes before the end of the game.
Diego Costa – 9 – MOTM – Was great to see him back and being cheered for on his 100th Chelsea appearance, and he did quite superbly on this comeback of his! His first ‘goal’ was wrongfully ruled offside (classic Premier League referees), but he found the net at the end of the first half from Moses’s great pass! Went close to his second on the second half as well, but was denied by a few wonderful stops from Jakupovic between the Hull sticks. Deservedly the man of the match!
Eden Hazard – 6 – Worked some lovely link-up plays with Costa but wasn’t exaclty as good as he could’ve been today. Got knocked on his heels time after time and was subbed off for Fabregas after 70 minutes of play.
Subs:
Cesc Fabregas – 8 – Magnificent assist for Cahill’s glancing header. Keeps reminding Conte how he still has the ability to both start and clinch the games for our side.
Willian – 7 – Won the free-kick which led to the second goal, and was very good overall during his 20 minutes on the pitch. Could’ve started over Pedro I think, but it’s always hard to make a clear call between those two!
Michy Batshuayi – 6 – A few nice twists, turns and link-up plays between Willian at the top. Didn’t have much time to prove himself, but was close to set up Willy with a lovely through ball, but keeper was quickly off his line in that case.
