Chelsea v Bournemouth player ratings
Eden Hazard’s late goal took Chelsea through the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. Here’s how we rated each Blues player in the 1-0 win against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.
Kepa Arrizabalaga: 7
Made a crucial save to keep out Lys Mousset’s long-range effort in the first half that was destined for the far corner, and was quick off his line to stop Bournemouth several times late in the game.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 8
Had more touches of the ball than any other Chelsea player as he marauded up and down the pitch both defending and attacking for his team. Made an essential block on Ryan Fraser late on to stop a shot that looked like it was going in.
Antonio Rudiger: 6
Was commanding in the air but got caught out by Callum Wilson’s strength and change of pace several times – and boss Maurizio Sarri had to roar at him from the touchline at one point in the second half.
Andreas Christensen: 6
At times struggled to cope with Bournemouth’s runners into the box, but made more clearances than any other Chelsea player.
Emerson: 6
Gave a solid performance and often outsmarted his marker, doing so once as the last defender to fool two attackers and prevent Bournemouth getting in on goal. His crossing was also decent.
Matteo Kovacic: 7
Showed his intelligence with a number of key passes, and his clever flick played Ruben Loftus-Cheek into space to set up Willian for Chelsea’s best chance of the first half.
Cesc Fabregas: 7
On point with his passing, instigating a number of attacks from deep midfield, and he helped create two chances by finding Loftus-Cheek and Willian on either wing.
Ross Barkley: 6
Had a good early effort from distance saved by Artur Boruc and he played a role in most of Chelsea’s build-up in the first half before being replaced by Hazard on the hour-mark.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: 8
Good penetrating run early on. Played a good pass to Willian for best FH chance. Brilliant piece of skill to beat two players and shoot just wide. Great stuff.
Willian: 6
Should have scored an opener in the first half when he was put through one-on-one by Loftus-Cheek, but his effort was saved from close range by Boruc. Was quieter afterwards and was taken off for Pedro on 54 minutes.
Olivier Giroud: 5
Had a decent effort saved from close range on 20 from a Willian pass. Showed some nice touches but never really threatened to score on a rare outing. Missed a sitter to make it 2-0 in stoppage time.
Pedro: 7
Replaced Willian on 54 minutes and made the incisive run into the box for the goal, back-heeling to Hazard, whose deflected effort found the corner.
Eden Hazard: 8
Replaced Ross Barkley on 60 minutes and was his usual dangerous self before staring off the move that led to his goal – a bullish hack on target that found the corner via a deflection and won the game.
