Chelsea faced off against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park earlier tonight as they looked to secure maximum points in this London derby. The Blues made a quick start to the game and took the lead in the 8th minute when Kai Havertz scored with a brilliant finish. Christian Pulisic doubled his team’s lead with an impressive finish just two minutes later before Kurt Zouma added another goal in the 31st minute to put daylight between the two sides at half-time.
Christian Benteke pulled a goal back for the Eagles when he found the back of the net with a powerful header. However, any hopes of a comeback from the home team were extinguished when Pulisic scored again in the 78th minute. The contest finished with the West London outfit coming away with a dominant 4-1 win from South London.
Let’s take a look at how each Chelsea player performed during the match against the Eagles.
GK: Edouard Mendy – 6/10
The Blues keeper was hardly troubled during the game but will be disappointed for conceding a goal in the second half.
CB: Cesar Azpilicueta – 7/10
The Spanish defender kept a good shape at the back and passed the ball accurately out from the defence.
CB: Kurt Zouma – 8/10
Zouma was a real powerhouse at both ends of the field as he won plenty of aerial duels and even managed to get a goal to his name in the first half.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – 7/10
The French centre-back made a couple of crucial interceptions and was not shy about clearing his lines when called into action.
RM: Callum Hudson-Odoi – 8/10
The English youngster didn’t have to do too much defending and caused all kinds of problems for the Palace defenders with his pace and creativity.
CM: Jorginho – 7/10
Jorginho kept things tidy in midfield but was substituted at the hour mark.
CM: Mateo Kovacic – 7.5/10
The Croatia international engineered some decent chances for his teammates in the final third and was strong in the air.
LM: Ben Chilwell – 7/10
Chilwell gave a good account of himself in the attacking third and was solid inside his half as well. However, he was left helpless in the air against Benteke in the lead-up to Palace’s goal.
LAM: Christian Pulisic – 9/10
Pulisic was a constant nuisance for the Eagles defenders and scored two great goals today to make the difference for his team. He deserves to be named the man of the match.
RAM: Mason Mount – 8.5/10
Mount set up quite a few meaningful chances for others around him and ended the game with an assist to his name. He did everything but score tonight.
ST: Kai Havertz – 8.5/10
The German attacker had one of his best games in a Chelsea shirt so far. He gave the Blues an early lead with a stunning finish and was also the one responsible for setting up Pulisic’s first goal.
Substitutes:
CM: N’Golo Kante – 6/10
He energized Chelsea’s midfield and made one good interception after coming off the bench.
RM: Reece James – 6/10
James didn’t offer much in the final third.
CAM: Hakim Ziyech – N/A
He hardly had any time to influence the game.
