Under the shining sun, inside a packed Stamford Bridge, amid loud roars, Chelsea players entered the pitch for their league opener. The European champions were greeted by returning crowds at the Bridge after months of empty seats and made-up noises. The cheers alone must’ve played heavily on the minds of Crystal Palace players, who, under the tutelage of Patrick Vieira, looked to embrace a new, post-Roy Hodgson era.
Chelsea clearly did not get the memo, and instead, stifled Palace’s attempts to play through the lines by timely interceptions and high pressures. At the other end, the Blues struggled initially to break the Eagles’ stern defense which featured former academy player Marc Guehi. However, Thomas Tuchel’s men did eventually get the breakthrough which arrived courtesy of Marcos Alonso’s magnificent left foot. The Spaniard curled a stunning freekick into the top right corner in the 27th minute.
Christian Pulisic doubled the Blues’ lead in the 40th minute, as he fired in a loose ball off the crossbar following a good cross from Mason Mount. The moment of the match came in the 58th minute when Trevoh Chalobah – making his first league start for his boyhood club – collected the ball inside the Palace half before slamming a fierce shot from distance past the goalkeeper.
We rate the Chelsea players on the back of a comfortable win in their league opener.
Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): 7/10
Mendy barely had anything to do for the majority of the game, but when called upon – as he was briefly during a Palace corner – he was alert. The Senegalese’s distribution from the back was flawless as usual, and so was his command of the area.
Trevoh Chalobah (Centerback): 9.5/10
For Chalobah, a Chelsea academy graduate and someone who has been with the Blues since he was eight, his goal was a moment to remember. The 22-year-old – no longer a surprise pick given his display against Villarreal – barely made any mistakes throughout the game. He was solid defensively and looked to progress play while in possession through long diagonals out to Azpilicueta on the right or by carrying the ball up field himself. His goal, of course, was the cherry on top. His muted celebration, almost in disbelief of what he had done, was a poignant moment during an otherwise thrilling evening.
Andreas Christensen (Centerback): 8/10
Christensen looked home in the middle of the back three and was barely troubled by the Crystal Palace attackers. The Dane looked comfortable on the ball, as he helped his team build from the back with short, crisp passes into the feet of his midfielder or long diagonals out wide.
Antonio Rudiger (Centerback): 8/10
Rudiger complimented his UEFA Champions League Defender of the Year nomination with a commanding display in defense. The German started slowly and almost looked lethargic at times – understandable, given that he played the entire 120 against Villarreal on Wednesday. However, he took hold of the game midway through the first half and barely put a foot wrong after that.
Cesar Azpilicueta (Right wing-back): 8/10
In his tenth season at the club and solid as ever; Azpilicueta continues to prove himself to be amongst the very best players in Chelsea’s history. The club captain put in another good shift on opening day, in which he was as solid at the back as he was decisive going forward. The Spaniard combined well with Mount down the right side and delivered some dangerous crosses into the box. He was replaced by Reece James in the 67th minute.
Jorginho (Central midfielder): 8.5/10
Jorginho ensured that Chelsea did not miss N’Golo Kante in the middle of the park with his impressive display. While he was not as effective as the Frenchman usually is, Jorginho did a good job breaking down opposition attackers and intercepting loose balls. His passing was impeccable – as usual – and he constantly kept play moving.
Mateo Kovacic (Central midfielder): 8.5/10
A new season, a new number, a new Kovacic? The Croatian took on Chelsea’s infamous number 8 shirt during pre-season and put in a performance deserving of it against Crystal Palace. Working well in tandem with his midfield partner Jorginho, Kovacic stopped the Eagles from playing through the lines. While in possession, he ensured that the play kept moving at the right pace.
Marcos Alonso (Left wing-back): 9/10
It was through an Alonso special that Chelsea took the lead against Crystal Palace. The Spaniard scored a sensational free-kick in the 27th minute, which left a hapless Vicente Guaita rooted to his spot. Alonso then stung Guaita’s gloves in the second half from a tight angle and was constantly involved in the Chelsea attack.
Reece James (Right wing-back): 7/10
James entered the pitch in the 67th minute, replacing his captain Azpilicueta. While he was deployed as a centerback towards the end of last season by Tuchel, the Englishman got to play in his preferred position for the remaining twenty minutes of the match. Nonetheless, he put in a good shift in those twenty minutes, contributing to both ends of the pitch.
Emerson (Left wing-back): N/A
Emerson replaced Alonso in the closing stages of the game and defended his part of the pitch well against the likes of Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha.
Christian Pulisic (Forward): 8/10
Pulisic started the game slowly, losing the ball on several occasions, failing to make more of a teammates’ pass, and at times, losing his footing. However, the American international grew into the game and was rewarded for it with a goal in the 40th minute. He was a constant threat for Palace to deal with in the second half and was replaced by Kai Havertz in the 80th minute.
Timo Werner (Forward): 7/10
Werner made some good runs in behind the Eagles defense but was largely left frustrated on the night. Part of that has to do with the fact that he barely received the ball in central areas and was often forced to drift out wide. The German was presented with two half-chances during the ninety minutes, one which he hit the side netting with and one he skewed wide.
Mason Mount (Forward): 9/10
Mount picked up where he left off last season and showed any remaining critics why he deserved to be Chelsea’s player of the season. The Englishman was everywhere in attack and linked especially well with Azpilicueta down the right to great effect. He created several good opportunities for his teammates, including the two from which they scored in the first half. Another top-notch display from someone who is quickly becoming Chelsea’s talisman.
Kai Havertz (Forward): N/A
It was an impressive cameo from Havertz, who replaced goal scorer Pulisic with ten minutes left to play. The German got in behind the Crystal Palace defense on a few occasions and had some neat touches on the ball.
How would you rate everyone in this match? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!