Chelsea ratings: Strong defence, worrisome midfield, subzero officiating

ByHugo Amaya|
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 11: Theo Walcott of Everton battles for possession with Marcos Alonso of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC at Stamford Bridge on November 11, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 11: Theo Walcott of Everton battles for possession with Marcos Alonso of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC at Stamford Bridge on November 11, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
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chelsea, alvaro morata
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 11: Yerry Mina of Everton and Alvaro Morata of Chelsea react during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC at Stamford Bridge on November 11, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Willian, right wing: 4.0

Not a good game for the Brazilian as he afforded no real contribution to the team. Willian hesitated too often on making passes during the build-up play. He cornered himself into positions where not much could have been done, with or without the ball, and never looked to be a threat against Everton. On the one chance he had on a breakaway, instead of passing to the unmarked Morata in the middle, he chose to take a shot himself. He missed by aiming low at the opposite post with no angle. It is difficult to see Willian starting the next few matches given his recent poor performances.

Alvaro Morata, striker: 4.5

Morata had a disappointing match to say the least. The Spaniard spent a lot of the time on the ground, a habit we’ve all thought to be forgotten. However, many calls did not go his way, in particular a penalty shout in which Yerry Mina took hold of him inside the box without even facing the ball.

But more importantly and even more infuriating, Morata was caught offside five times: the most by any player in a single Premier League game this season. Most of these were good goal-scoring opportunities that, because of his negligence to look at the defensive line, were not converted. Surely Maurizio Sarri will make him work on that, as well as better decision-making in the dying minutes of the game.

Eden Hazard, left wing: 7.5

For the first half, Eden Hazard was quiet and very well marked. The opposition marshalled him tightly, restricting his movement and passes. However, Chelsea’s No. 10 left the hazardous show for the second half. He commanded the offensive side of the field by going into pockets of space to try to create something. Unfortunately for him, it was too little too late as Everton were already sitting deep.

Hazard was creative with his passes and took three shots, of which two looked to be certain goals. However, Jordan Pickford and the rest of the Everton defense denied the Belgian the chance to win the game. Nevertheless, Hazard was the most influential player in the attack.

Cesc Fabregas, midfielder (64′): 6.0

Fabregas replaced Jorginho for obvious reasons. The Spaniard was meant to control the midfield and find the forwards. Although he found himself in open spaces plenty of times to move the ball around, finding the forwards did not happen for the magician today. The one throughball he made to N’Golo Kante at the edge of the box was as threatening as it got for him. Clearly Fabregas needs to get his fitness back, both mentally and physically, in order to earn more minutes.

Pedro, right wing (67′): 5.5

Pedro was Chelsea’s ”wild card,” which says a lot about how the game was going for the Blues. During his time on the pitch he did not have much of an impact on the game. He made no attempt to play forward and run at the opposition. Rather, he passed back too often or found himself in positions with no way out. Not the performance the team needed from him under the circumstances.

Ross Barkley, midfielder (81′): N/A

He clearly was not ready for this game, both mentally and physically. The England international was more focused on being the hero instead of being the man to open up the opposition. He was set on scoring so much that his first real action in the game was to have a wild shot at goal. If anyone needed to be kept on the bench, it was him.

Kevin Friend, referee: -6.0

Kevin Friend lost the control of the match in the first half, allowing plays to go on when Chelsea should have been awarded free-kicks. Booking Antonio Rudiger for getting head-butted – yeah, just like it sounds – while having his back to the altercation was completely disastrous, leaving Chelsea vulnerable for the rest of the game.

Furthermore, Alvaro Morata had several appeals for penalties. At the very least, two should have been given, especially when Yerry Mina held Morata, without even looking at the ball. He just wrapped his arms around the Spaniard.

The first half saw five players booked between the teams. It was perhaps out of fear that he neglected to make the correct calls in the second.

Chelsea were not at their best against Everton, but surly Kevin Friend’s performance made it extra difficult to get the right result. So, congratulations to him if that is what he was trying to achieve.