Chelsea ended their Premier League season by sealing a 2-1 win over Watford late at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. There was nothing new about the performance as it was the same old story that has been seen for majority of the season. The Blues—once again—threw away a lead late against an opponent that rarely threatened, but a header at the death from Ross Barkley meant that the home team took all three points.
Kai Havertz netted home a well-taken cross from the lesser spotted Kenedy in the 11′ to set the Pensioners on their way. The former Bayer Leverkusen star would go on to miss several chances before the halftime whistle brought the first period to a close. After getting the early goal, it was definitely a thing of surprise as to how Thomas Tuchel’s side had not extended its lead bearing in mind that it had all the advantages, even letting the visitors have a decent spell of their own in the first 45 minutes.
The second half sparked into life very late with a Dan Gosling’s diving header almost snatching a point for Watford in the 86′. However, Barkley gave Chelsea the edge with one of his own in stoppage time. A late win was welcomed as the fans paid their final goodbyes to Antonio Rudiger and a number of other players likely to have played their last game at Chelsea. In other news, the Roman Abramovich era is slowly nearing it’s end as Todd Boehly was there to witness the win.
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Here’s how The Pride Of London rated the Chelsea players in their last game of the season:
Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): 7/10
Seeing as it was the last game of the season, a majority of the fanbase expected Tuchel to give Kepa Arrizabalaga a shot in goal, but the gaffer chose to stick with his trusted No. 1. The Senegalese, however, had little to do in the match with the Hornets having very little sting. He was never expected to have a busy afternoon, and he did well when called upon. He made a smart—and probably routine—stop to prevent Kiko Femenia from scoring at the near post, probably being the only real task of note for his duration in goal.
Cesar Azpilicueta (Right centerback): 5/10
While a decision over his future is far from settled, there would be nothing wrong if Cesar Azpilicueta decides to ultimately depart the club after nine years of faithful service and winning every possible trophy in a royal blue shirt. If that should happen, it may be the best decision for both parties involved, with the club captain again having a couple of sloppy and nervy ‘half moments’ that are slowly but surely creeping into his game on a more regular basis. Nearly whipping the ball into his own net was pretty careless from him too. You can easily tell that teams with more quality and experienced forwards than Watford—with all due respect—will have more and more good times against the Spaniard in future.
Thiago Silva (Centerback): 8/10
Chelsea’s fine wine. As far as getting the job done is concerned, O Monstro does it easily without even breaking a sweat. This is especially true when he is tasked with keeping the young Joao Pedro at bay. The only time he had to get out of second gear was to prevent a calamitous own goal from his skipper—simply impressive.
Antonio Rudiger (Left centerback): 8/10
The most painful thing about the German ace in this match was that there was no trademark long-range effort, at least as a parting gift from him. However, Antonio Rudiger was as dependable as ever at the left centerback position and richly deserved his plaudits as he left the field for the last time at Stamford Bridge.
Malang Sarr (Left back): 5/10
Malang Sarr was brought on for an injured Kenedy. He was a prime suspect as he had hands in Watford equaliser. The Frenchman really needs to work on his defensive awareness if he is to have a place in Chelsea starting XI in the upcoming season.
Reece James (Right wingback): 8/10
After a star-studded show against Leicester City this past Thursday, this was an unusually quiet turn up from one of the Chelsea’s best performers this season. That was at least until his last minute assist on Barkley’s winner. Most of the positive attacks of the Blues came through the opposite flank, with only glimpses of the young Englishman’s powerful surges on display—which includes his great cross for the winner. Let’s not also forget, he gave the sumptuous cross too for the equalizer against Leicester.
N’Golo Kante (Central midfielder): 7/10
Tuchel’s key player has had a hard time lately with injuries hampering his form and age taking its toll. With nothing much to lose on the day, he was scarcely troubled by a poorly organized Watford midfield. It allowed the Frenchman to go about his business and register a Kante-like performance on the day.
Saul (Central midfielder): 7/10
The Atletico Madrid loanee has definitely not given the Chelsea board any reason to retain him during his loan spell in west London, despite arriving to great fanfare. Yet, he got better and better with every appearance he made and the player fans saw on Sunday is a far more developed one than the man who was a disaster against Aston Villa on his debut. The Spaniard kept things neat and tidy and showed a lot of battling ability.
Kenedy (Left wingback): 8/10
The Brazilian left-footer was given a rare start, which surely raised a lot of eyebrows, but it didn’t take long before he justified his inclusion in the starting XI. He ran rampant down the left flank and demonstrated that his left leg could be pretty potent tool in his arsenal on a good day. Kenedy most notably capped his performance by assisting the opener. It was definitely not the toughest defence he is likely face, for sure, but you can only play who is in front of you.
Ben Chilwell (Left wingback): N/A
Ben Chilwell made his triumphant return to football in the 89′ following his ACL tear.
Hakim Ziyech (Right winger): 7/10
Kenedy wasn’t the only blessed left-footed player in the Chelsea’s starting XI on the afternoon. The man affectionately known as “The Wizard of London” conjured up a couple of excellent chances throughout the day, at the cost of one of his colleagues, who was totally off the mark with his finishing. Hakim Ziyech constantly tried to exert a positive influence on the game and he did well in being proactive, which was pleasing to see.
Kai Havertz (Centre forward): 7/10
The German is naturally not the most clinical of players, as a wasted early one-on-one chance proved to almost be the difference at the end, and it didn’t just end there. Kai Havertz’s wastefulness in front of goal went on and on on a number of occasions. Chance after chance was being squandered, but he eventually made amends by being well positioned to net it home. This was an attestation to his instinct and intelligent movement of the ball that gave the Hornets’ back line a persistent headache, even if his shooting was way of the mark.
Mason Mount (Left winger): 7/10
One of Chelsea’s standout players for the season was Mason Mount, who ended up taking home the club’s Player of the Year award. This season is definitely a career-best for the Chelsea talisman, who capped it off with an impressive display against Watford. Mount was lively enough—which is usually a characteristic of his game—without really threatening the visitors’ goal.
Ross Barkley (Central attacking midfielder): 7/10
Barkley was brought on for Rudiger in the 66′. He had a decent half-cameo that was elated by the all-important winner. The forgotten Englishman deserves a lot of credit for being positive and showing intelligence to be in the right place at the right time.
What rating would you give to each of the players? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!