Chelsea welcomed a struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers side at Stamford Bridge. And along with that, a familiar face in Diego Costa started as Wolves striker.
From the start, the hosts dominated the game and created multiple chances. The likes of Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz, and Conor Gallagher all had chances to put CFC in front but couldn’t take their chances. It was only in the dying minutes of the first half that Kai Havertz gave
Chelsea the lead.
Wolves came out in the second half with a point to prove but Christian Pulisic doubled the Blues‘ lead in the 56th minute to put the game beyond them. But the cherry on the cake came right at the end of the game when the Albanian striker Armando Broja scored his first senior goal for the west London outfit to finish the game at 3-0. Here’s how each Chelsea player fared against a struggling Wolves side at Stamford Bridge:
1. Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga (Goalkeeper): 7/10
With the team completely dominating the first half, Kepa had very little to do and
was involved only once when Moutinho took a free-kick. In the second half too, the
Spaniard didn’t have much to do apart from collecting a few crosses. Another
encouraging display from Kepa and another clean sheet.
2. Marc Cucurella (Left Back): 7/10
Marc Cucurella came back to the starting line-up after recovering from an illness that
kept him out for a couple of games. And start from the get-go, the Spanish defender
had to deal with the pace and physicality of Adama Traore. And in that aspect,
Cucurella had a mixed game as the winger got the better of him sometimes. But in
the end, decent enough game of Cucurella.
3. Trevoh Chalobah (Centerback): 7/10
Trevoh Chalobah had another strong outing for the blues starting in the line-up for
the second time this season. Graham Potter will be reassured by the performance of
the 23-year-old as he showed great confidence on the ball and while carrying the ball
forward. Not his most difficult of tests but a positive start.
4. Kalidou Koulibaly (Centerback): 7.5/10
The Senegalese international carried on his good performance against AC Milan to
this clash against Wolves. Koulibaly was a big presence in the defense winning the
tackles and defending the goal, giving the Wolves attackers no sniff of the goal.
5. Cesar Azpilicueta (Right Back): 8/10
Chelsea’s captain for today, Cesar Azpilicueta was given acres of space on the right
side and had a field day attacking the Wolves’ half. The Spanish international helped
put in quite a few enticing crosses, one of which was almost scored by Christian
Pulisic. Defensively too the Spaniard was solid but a bit unfortunate to get booked in
the first half.
6. Ruben Loftus Cheek (Central Midfielder): 6.5/10
Ruben Loftus Cheek playing a bit deeper today alongside Jorginho meant that the
Englishman would not be involved that much in the attacking half, but his physicality
was used to its fullest to defend against the likes of Adama Traore. And throughout
the time Loftus Cheek was on the pitch, he looked very calm and secure. Loftus
Cheek was replaced by Mateo Kovacic in the 66th minute.
7. Jorginho (Central Midfielder): 6/10
Playing alongside Ruben Loftus Cheek, the Italian midfielder was tested physically a
lot by Matheus Nunes but dealt well with the Portuguese midfielder. In the second
half, a tactical tackle on Nunes meant that Jorginho got into the book but apart from
that, the Italian was solid in possession and build-up play.
8. Conor Gallagher (Attacking Midfielder): 7.5/10
Conor Gallagher got into the starting line-up following multiple changes by Graham
Potter and the young English midfielder had an amazing game all around. Fully of
energy, Gallagher was involved in both ends of the pitch and came close to scoring in
the opening few minutes only. Physically brilliant and tracking back whenever
needed made his game more impressive. Gallagher was replaced by Chukwuemeka
in the 86th minute.
9. Mason Mount (Right Winger): 9/10
The England international was heavily involved throughout the game and was the
main creative outlet of Chelsea. Mount did have a few chances when in front of the
goal but dragged his effort wide every time. But right at the stroke of half-time, a
brilliant cross from Mount meant Chelsea took the lead through a looping Havertz header.
Again, in the second half, a good pattern of play with Christian Pulisic meant Mount
assisted the American’s goal doubling CFC’s lead. Mount was replaced by
Armando Broja in the 72nd minute.
10. Kai Havertz (Striker): 7/10
Kai Havertz was heavily involved in the attacking build-up play and even had a few
chances but didn’t convert them. But just when it felt like the half would end all
square, Havertz looped a brilliant cross from Mount over the head of Jose Sa to give
the hosts the lead. In the second half, the German international could have doubled
his tally but couldn’t lob his effort over Sa. Havertz was then replaced by Hakim
Ziyech in the 86th minute.
11. Christian Pulisic (Left Winger): 7.5/10
The American international was finally in the starting line after so long and had
multiple chances to open the scoring but the lack of confidence is very much evident
in his play.
But as the game went on his heavy involvement in the final third meant that it was only a matter of time before Pulisic scored. And just under 10 minutes after the start of the second half, Pulisic doubled Chelsea’s lead with a good finish over Jose Sa. Pulisic was replaced by Reece James in the 72nd minute.
12. Armando Broja (Striker): 8/10
Armando Broja came on for Mason Mount in the 72nd minute and gave Chelsea a
focal point up top and troubled the Wolves defense. The Albanian international
finally got his senior goal Chelsea late in the game through a great effort.
13. Mateo Kovacic (Central Midfielder): 7/10
Mateo Kovacic came on for Ruben Loftus Cheek in the 66th minute and dictated the
play well from the deep. The Croatian helped Chelsea control the game and provided
the assist to Broja’s goal.
14. Reece James (Right Wingback): 6/10
Reece James came on for Christian Pulisic in the 72nd minute and had a very limited
impact on the game but was solid.
15. Carney Chukwuemeka (Central Midfielder): NA
Carney Chukwuemeka came on for Conor Gallagher in the 86th minute to make his
CFC debut but had very little time to have an impact on the game.
16. Hakim Ziyech (Right Winger): NA
Hakim Ziyech came on for Kai Havertz in the 86th minute but didn’t have enough time
to impact the match.