Chelsea squeezed out a 2-1 win over Manchester City in an incredibly tight game at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues took the lead through a deflected Eden Hazard shot, before conceding thanks to an error from Thibaut Courtois.
They were soon back in the game thanks to their Belgian number 10 again, as he dispatched the rebound of a penalty won by Pedro.
The Blues then clamped down the second half to earn a colossal 3 points.
Here are our ratings from today’s featured Chelsea players…
Starting Eleven:
Thibaut Courtois – 7 – Gave the ball away from nowhere to gift City a route back into the game, but then blocked Leroy Sane’s 1 on 1 perfectly. Well protected in the second half but came and claimed vital crosses and corners.
Kurt Zouma – 6 – Did not do a huge amount right or wrong in the first half before being unceremoniously in a tactical reshuffle.
David Luiz – 8 – Charged out of his defensive line a little rashly in the first half and handed Sergio Aguero a chance. Improved in the second half and made important interventions and clearances as the team dropped into a low block and by the end was making vital header.
Gary Cahill – 8 – Did a good job against a very dangerous City attack, covering well for Luiz on several occasions and kept the team calm at crucial points. As the team sat deeper in the second half he made more and more exceptional tackles and blocks.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7 – Looked immediately comfortable in another new position and was effective pressing high up early on. Dropped back into the centre in the second half and once again owned his zone against the constant threat of Sane.
N’Golo Kante – 6 – Didn’t look comfortable in the first half and gave away possession dangerously early on. In the second half sat deeper and pressed well but didn’t have his usual dominant effect in midfield.
Cesc Fabregas – 8 – Made an important early stop covering for Kante and played the smart ball through the defence which lead to the penalty. Kept disciplined in the second half and played countless clever passes and interceptions.
Marcos Alonso – 7 – Not involved a great deal in the first half but got further up in the second and was cool under pressure as Chelsea defended.
Pedro – 7 – Very busy as always and did his job well defensively but contributed little offensively until he won the penalty with a superb change of direction. Wasn’t entirely comfortable back at right wing back but crucially did not let the side down there.
Diego Costa – 7 – Fluffed an early shot and then gave away an idiotic free kick just as Eden Hazard was bursting into the City box. Continued to chase and disrupt for the rest of the game and won important physical battles.
Eden Hazard – 7 – Was lucky with the deflection on his vital early goal but did well to test a keeper who is known to be dodgy. Excellent counter attacking play almost got Chelsea a second after twenty minutes. Then turned in his own rebound from the penalty to get Chelsea back into the lead. Lost a couple of soft balls in the second half but also created some vital breaks to relieve the pressure. Should have scored a hattrick.
Substitutes:
Nemanja Matic – 7 – Added steel to Chelsea’s midfield immediately when brought on at half time and played an important role as the Blues looked to clamp down on the game.
