1. MORGAN ROGERS (8.8, sub)
Rogers himself put it best, captioning a post on Instagram, that shows him entering the pitch at half time, with “plot twist”. Chelsea were subpar in the first 45, but after Xabi Alonso’s quadruple change, we were exceptional — certainly in attack. The defense (and midfield) remain a work in progress, but when you score 15 goals in four games and the vibes are this high, you can afford to concede a few. (And when you can’t score that many, you lose, like we did against Arsenal.)
Our record signing
picked up the assist on four of the six second-half goals we scored. Somebody on Twitter claimed that the last player to do that for us was Gianfranco Zola, in a6-1 win against Spurs at Three Point Lane back in 1997. Legendary moment, that, and definitely not a bad example to follow for Rogers, but Zola actually “only” got three in that game. Either way, nicely done, by Rogers. Especially enjoyed the little flick off his backside for Palmer’s equalizer. Eden Hazard would be proud.
2. COLE PALMER (8.8, sub)
There was plenty of lighthearted banter post-match between the good friends about who deserved the Man of the Match award. Palmer got it, officially, but the voters have sided with Rogers — although just by couple hundredths. Both fully deserved it of course, and it’s wonderful to see them having fun together on the pitch.
If they keep firing, we’re going to be putting up a lot of crooked numbers on the scoreboard this season. And they can keep bantering about who should get the Man of the Match awards.
3. PEDRO NETO (7.5, sub)
Neto has now fully embraced his wing-back role, as he joked with former teammate Conor Coady on Sky’s post-match show.
vs. LEEDS UNITED (LC, H, W 6-3)
EXCEPTIONAL (8.5-9.5): —
EXCELLENT (7.5-8.4): Rogers (8.8, sub), Palmer (8.8, sub), Neto (7.9, sub), Welbeck (7.5)
GOOD (6.5-7.4): Barco (7.2), James (6.7, sub), Chavarría (6.5)
AVERAGE (5.5-6.4): Penders (6.1), Fofana (6.1, sub), Acheampong (6.0), Lacroix (5.7), Watson (5.6)
SUBPAR (4.5-5.4): Estêvão (5.2), Colwill (5.2), Gittens (4.5)
BAD (3.5-4.4): Gusto (4.1)
TERRIBLE (2.5-3.4): —
OVERALL
