Chelsea ended a reasonably successful year in style with a win over Crystal Palace away from home. The Blues started to put pressure on the hosts from the word go, but the Eagles resisted well until the 51st minute as N’Golo Kante found the back of the net. Conor Wickham blasted one over the post in the dying minutes as the scoreline remained unchanged till the final whistle.
Here is how the Chelsea players were rated in their win against Crystal Palace.
Kepa Arrizabalaga: 7
Had a rather quiet game in the goal with most of the action happening on the other end of the pitch.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 7
Defended valiantly and went up the pitch a few times with the ball as well.
Antonio Rudiger: 6
Kept the opposition attackers at bay and the goal safe. Looked a bit shaky in the second half.
David Luiz: 7
An out-and-out solid performance from the Brazilian as he did not let anyone get the better of him throughout the match. Provided the assist for the only goal of the game.
Marcos Alonso: 6
Kept threatening the opposition defenders with his darting runs down the flanks.
Jorginho: 7
A solid performance in midfield as he kept fighting against Cheikhou Kouyate and Luka Milivojevic for the ball and got the better of the two on most occasions.
Ross Barkley: 7
Kept his composure throughout the match and passed the ball well.
N’Golo Kante: 8
Seems to be settling down in his new role as he ran forward with the ball on a number of occasions and created a lot of space in the danger area. Topped it off with a goal in the 51st minute.
Eden Hazard: 7
Deceived Aaron Wan Bissaka on a number of occasions and kept cutting inside with the ball.
Willian: 6
Made a few good runs into the danger area but with no final results.
Olivier Giroud: 6
His physicality kept Mamadou Sakho on his toes, but the Frenchman could not get anything past the keeper.
Substitutes
Alvaro Morata: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
Emerson Palmieri: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
Mateo Kovacic: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
