The Pride of London
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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings: FA Cup disappointment

By Joseph Joe

Chelsea's Spanish defender Marcos Alonso (L) and Chelsea's German defender Antonio Rudiger (R) applaud Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta (C) eventhough he missed to score during the penalty session of the English FA Cup final football match between Chelsea and Liverpool, at Wembley stadium, in London, on May 14, 2022. - - NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's Spanish defender Marcos Alonso (L) and Chelsea's German defender Antonio Rudiger (R) applaud Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta (C) eventhough he missed to score during the penalty session of the English FA Cup final football match between Chelsea and Liverpool, at Wembley stadium, in London, on May 14, 2022. - - NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Diogo Jota of Liverpool and Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on May 14, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Diogo Jota of Liverpool and Antonio Rudiger of Chelsea during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on May 14, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) /

Chelsea slumped to another FA Cup final defeat against Liverpool after playing 0-0 and losing 5-6 on penalties at Wembley Stadium. The Wembley curse seems likely not to end anytime soon as the Blues could not banish the memories of the Carabao Cup final in February. They tasted defeat from 12 yards out against Jurgen Klopp’s men yet again on Saturday as the Reds earned their second decisive trophy win over Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

It was one way traffic from the onset with Chelsea having to batten down the hatches to endure constant pressure from the Merseyside outfit. But the best chances actually came via Christian Pulisic and Marcos Alonso, serving a timely reminder of the Blues’ threat on the counter. The affair ended goalless at the interval, with both teams having a case of feeling like they should have taken the win one way or the other.

Things turned around as the game-play was reversed after the break. The World Champions were pulling the strings on big chances, including a free kick from Alonso that hit the bar with Alisson Becker well beaten out. However, it didn’t last long with the Reds hitting the woodwork twice in a matter of minutes as regulation time drew close. The certainty of extra time became brighter and brighter, and after a quiet thirty minutes from both sides, it was time for the game to be decided by penalties. The unexplainable happened, with Alisson denying Mason Mount in sudden death.

Read. Why have Chelsea fans villainized high-volume crossers?. light

It was a real tough pill to swallow for Tuchel’s men, here’s how The Pride of London rated the players’ performances in the FA Cup Final:

Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): 8/10

Edouard Mendy has a big save early in the game to stop Luis Diaz from opening the scoring. He showed confidence in this match and he was confident whenever the ball was at his feet. Mendy made a fine stop to deny his countryman—Sadio Mane—on penalties.

Trevoh Chalobah (Right centerback): 8/10

Trevoh Chalobah was given a tough assignment against Columbian forward Diaz, who made darting runs behind far too often. Suffice it to say, the young lad did exceptionally well. The English international made a vital tackle on the Colombian in the first half to go with some top last ditch defending late on. Chalobah was neat in possession and tidy all game, it was good to see the Blues’ future is in safe hands. He was brought off for Cesar Azpilicueta late on.

Thiago Silva (Centerback): 7/10

In the early stages of the game, there were worries the Brazilian ace would have to be withdrawn early in another big final, but he shook it off to put in a steady performance against a scintillating Liverpool side. Thiago Silva made blocks left and right, and he was one of the reasons Chelsea kept a cleansheet in the contest.

Antonio Rudiger (Left centerback): 8/10

The German was in his usual brilliant form. He showed why Real Madrid gave him a four-year contract and added a heavy release clause to his contract, even at his age. Antonio Rudiger was always in the thick of the action and not afraid to get stuck in. He kept a steady head and kept Mohamed Salah—and later Diogo Jota—in check. Rudiger wasn’t given enough space to break into the opposition half and make his usual shot or runs down the middle, but he was impressive overall on the biggest stage once again.

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