Chelsea vs Fulham player ratings: Kai Havertz nets brace in Blues win

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Chelsea’s English defender Ben Chilwell leaps into the arms of Chelsea’s German midfielder Kai Havertz as they celebrate after Havertz scores their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Fulham at Stamford Bridge in London on May 1, 2021. – RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Justin Setterfield / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN SETTERFIELD/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Fresh off a fantastic performance in Madrid, Chelsea took on rivals Fulham in the Premier League, hoping to increase the gap between themselves and the chasing pack. The Blues were fourth before the ball was kicked off at Stamford Bridge – three points above fifth-placed West Ham United.

Chelsea survived a Fulham onslaught early in the match before taking the lead themselves. Mason Mount brought down Thiago Silva’s long ball with a brilliant first touch before playing in Kai Havertz. The German attacker got ahead of his man and rolled the ball past Alphonse Areola in goal. At the other end of the pitch, Edouard Mendy made three sensational stops to maintain his team’s lead at the break.

Havertz scored again shortly after the restart to give Chelsea a two-goal lead. The German’s run was spotted by Ben Chilwell who picked him out with a perfect long-range pass. He then combined with compatriot Timo Werner on the edge of the Fulham box before ghosting past the defense and netting his second goal of the night. The Blues did not score again but claimed all three points thanks to two early goals in either half. Here’s how the players fared in this one.

Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): 8.5/10

The Chelsea shot-stopper had an excellent first half, as he made three significant saves. The first one from Antonee Robinson early in the match denied the Cottagers the lead. Meanwhile, the subsequent saves from Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina preserved the Blues’ lead going into the break. He had little to do in the second half as Fulham barely threatened his goal.

Andreas Christensen (Centreback): 8/10

There haven’t been any contract renewal talks with Chelsea as per Christensen. However, if he continues to play like he is now, those talks can’t be too far away. The Dane extended his amazing run of late by keeping yet another clean sheet. He dealt with the Fulham attackers with ease, allowing Lookman and Co. no room to play their natural game.

Thiago Silva (Centreback): 8/10

The Brazilian defender put in a solid performance as he helped his side keep yet another clean sheet. Silva was composed on and off the ball and made some key interceptions from opposition passes. He barely allowed the Fulham attackers a sniff at the goal, as a consequence of which, they tried their luck from distance.

Kurt Zouma (Centreback): 7/10

Zouma has lost his place in the starting XI since the arrival of Tuchel. However, the Frenchman was handed a start against Fulham in place of Antonio Rudiger, who sat the match out due to a minor injury. As a unit, the Chelsea defense was solid on the night and kept another clean sheet. However, Zouma did have some vulnerable moments individually and was even booked in the first half.

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