Robin Roefs: 7/10
Didn’t have an awful lot to today but was very proactive when dealing with balls around him, a little too much at times as he was far too quick to make an optimistic throw to Meunier near the end.
Thomas Meunier: 8/10
Defended so well all game, can see how much experience he has with how he always tended to be in the right place to make a big defensive contribution. Absolutely full of running.
Nordi Mukiele: 9/10
How we missed Nordi at the back, has such a big will to win that it spreads to the other players. Too big, fast and strong for
any Chelsea player to get the better of him all afternoon.
Luke O’Nien: 7/10
Just about got something on the ball when Palmer went down for a potential penalty, a seriously risky challenge though. Always willing to throw himself in a challenge or go for a header any time Chelsea threatened.
Reinildo: 8/10
Chelsea kept trying to go down our left but Reinildo gave them absolutely no room to breathe, quick to close players down and then get in front of them and force them to bring him down.
Granit Xhaka (C): N/A
Got injured almost as soon as the game started and had to be replaced.
Noah Sadiki: 9/10
Stepped up brilliantly after Xhaka went off, won so many balls in and around our own box and was quick to burst forward when the opportunity arose.
Trai Hume: 6/10
Did a good job defensively, helping out Meunier throughout. Barely anything going forward though, with one blocked shot early on the highlight. Did make one run in behind and picked out O’Nien brilliantly but was correctly called offside.
Enzo Le Fee: 7/10
Didn’t have as much influence on the ball today but scored the penalty that put us 1-0 up and picked out Isidor for his great chance in the second half. Dropped deep most of the game to make a midfield 3 and kept the ball well.
Chemsdine Talbi: 8/10
Worked incredibly hard down the left side, up and down the line all afternoon and his pace was a great outlet for us. Almost scored a screamer with his last touch of the game, flying forward, cutting inside and whipping an effort just wide and put a chance on a plate for Brobbey with a great early cross.
Brian Brobbey: 9/10
Bullied the Chelsea defenders all afternoon and they couldn’t cope with his powerful running either. Won the penalty after turning his man and should have got on the scoresheet himself with a couple of first half efforts. Missing a sitter from close range that flashed past the post and then firing over after a run from his own half.
Substitutes
Jules Ahoka: 9/10
Stepped straight in after Xhaka went off and was great once again, showed quick feet and a good range of passing. Put himself about physically and once again belied his experience with a mature performance.
Wilson Isidor: 6/10
Gave us a bit more pace up top as the game drew to a close, really should have finished the game off when the ball bounced to him free in the box.
Nilson Angulo: 6/10
Did a really good job for us after replacing Talbi. Clever on the ball but was a physical nuisance to Chelsea.
Chris Rigg: 6/10
Replaced Le Fee as we looked to close the game out.
Man of the Match: Nordi Mukiele
There were plenty of options today for man of the match, Brobbey, Ahoka and Sadiki in particular were all superb but it’s not a coincidence that Mukiele comes back into the side and we suddenly look like the Sunderland of old. Was absolutely every defensively and still found time to get forward whenever he had the chance.
