Chelsea v Leeds player ratings
Chelsea squandered a 2-0 lead from a position of utter dominance and had to settle for a point as Leeds fought back at Stamford Bridge. Here’s how we rated each Blues player in the 2-2 draw which ended boss Liam Rosenior’s four-game winning run in the Premier League.
Robert Sanchez: 6
“Big Bob” had nothing to do in the first half and very little to do in the second apart from pick the ball out of the net twice in a matter of six minutes.
Malo Gusto: 7
The French full-back was booked early on, but managed to avoid a second caution and was solid in defence and effective in attack, creating space for others and causing problems with his willingness to charge forward.
Trevoh Chalobah: 7
Chalobah was assured, reliable and unflappable. He never over-complicated when in possession and had an effective evening.
Josh Acheampong: 6
Given his chance to impress at centre-half – his best position according to Rosenior, Achaempong had a more than steady first hour, which included one stunning run from deep in his own half. But his indecision cost Chelsea dear for the Leeds leveller and he was replaced soon after.
Marc Cucurella: 8
Busy and pest-like as ever, Cucurella had a fine first half, providing a constant attacking threat and defending effectively. But, seemingly, he was replaced at the break to manage his minutes – not surprising given his work rate and the physical effort he puts in game after game.
Andrey Santos: 8
Chelsea’s standout player. Santos is becoming a crucial part of the Rosenior plan and is fully justifying the manager’s faith. His positional play was Caceido-esque and he brings confidence to the defence and his fellow midfielders, providing a solid base and using the ball simply.
Moises Caicedo: 6
A quietly impressive performance for the most part, but a daft challenge gave the visitors a lifeline from the penalty spot and was the spark for the comeback.
Enzo Fernandez: 7
Fernandez looked sharp and creative playing further forward because of the inclusion of both Santos and Caicedo. But the Argentine faded a bit after the break.
Cole Palmer: 7
Chelsea’s talisman is showing signs of his best form, finding space between the lines where there is hardly any and using it to great effect with typical vision and quality of pass. His penalty was beautifully struck but his finishing was way below par – long before his glaring, barely believable, injury-time miss.
Esatavao: 7
The Brazilian had a quiet start but was then increasingly involved, causing havoc and panic in the Leeds defence both sides of the interval. He could easily have scored after being played in by Palmer, but his low strike was just off target.
Joao Pedro: 8
Joao scored a delightful opener, racing onto Palmer’s exquisite pass and dinking the ball home. He missed a couple of difficult chances but his link-up play and deftness of touch was a feature of a good team display – until the panic-filled final quarter.
Wes Fofana: 7
Introduced late on for his experience, Fofana did reinstate some calmness to the backline after a woeful spell gifted Leeds their goals.
Jorrel Hato: 6
Brought on at half-time for Cucurella, Hato did well but the Spaniard was missed in an attacking sense.
Pedro Neto: 6
Lively but had limited impact, aside from one delightful cross that eluded all in the box but drifted a fraction wide of the far post.
Liam Delap: 6
He struggled to get into the game but one moment where he won possession on halfway and strode forward could easily have led to a winner.
