1. REECE JAMES (7.1)
Back-to-back Man of the Match awards for Reecey, though unlike against Newcastle the weekend prior, this time he alone was not enough to get us at least a point. With better finishing we of course would
be looking at three points easily (probably), but that’s a story for another day. That said, our lone goal in this one would eventually be credited to João Pedro — though not that he knew much about it.
James has stepped up this season as a leader on an off the pitch. He acknowledged after this one that Chelsea should’ve been able to deal with Villa’s second half challenge just as well as we had with their first half one.
“We dominated 60, 65 minutes of the game. We came out sharp with the way we set up, we got off on the front foot and in the right way. In the first 60 minutes they didn’t create any chances, and then they get one and the dynamic changes.
“We knew they’d make substitutions and the shape changed slightly but it was nothing we shouldn’t have been able to deal with. We understand the style and the way they want to play. We have ourselves to blame. […] It was two slight errors from us and we got punished. This is why it’s the toughest league in the world. It’s always disappointing to lose at home.”
-Reece James; source: Mirror
2. ROBERT SÁNCHEZ (6.9)
Not much he could’ve done about either goal, and he made a couple excellent saves along the way. Bob’s been in great form, though he cut it a bit close a couple times with (almost?) carrying the ball out of the box.
3. MOISÉS CAICEDO (6.1)
When in doubt, vote Caicedo.
vs. ASTON VILLA (PL, H, L 1-2)
EXCEPTIONAL (8.5-9.5): —
EXCELLENT (7.5-8.4): —
GOOD (6.5-7.4): James (7.1), Sánchez (6.9)
AVERAGE (5.5-6.4): Caicedo (6.1), Cucurella (6.0)
SUBPAR (4.5-5.4): Chalobah (5.4), João Pedro (5.4), Palmer (5.3), Neto (5.2), Enzo (5.0), Garnacho (4.9), Estêvão (4.5, sub)
BAD (3.5-4.4): Gittens (4.3, sub), Gusto (4.2, sub), Badiashile (4.2)
TERRIBLE (2.5-3.4): Delap (3.2, sub)
OVERALL
