West Brom v Chelsea player ratings
Chelsea were 4-0 winners at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, a result that lifted them up to second in the Premier League. Here’s how we rated the champions in their stroll at The Hawthorns.
Thibaut Courtois: 7
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Rarely troubled by a fairly blunt West Bromwich Albion attack, but he will have been glad to have seen the assistant referee flag for offside when he failed to stop Salomon Rondon’s header from going in.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 7
Has played every minute of Antonio Conte’s 50 Premier League games. Early good defensive work set the tone for a no-fuss performance that not even a late error could spoil.
Andreas Christensen: 8
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After Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Manchester United, Conte described Christensen as “the present and the future”. An excellent display from the Dane at The Hawthorns backs that up – David Luiz should be concerned.
Gary Cahill: 7
Won several aerial battles and was busy with clearances as West Brom attempted to unsettle the Blues’ back four.
Davide Zappacosta: 7
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Made more tackles than any other Chelsea player and swung in several crosses, but few found their target. May need to do more to keep his place when Victor Moses is available again.
Cesc Fabregas: 8
Set up goals three and four with expert deliveries – a free-kick for Marcos Alonso and a lofted pass for Eden Hazard – and was involved in the second. The one blot was a yellow card for diving, though that seemed harsh. All that came in two-thirds of a game, at which point he was replaced by Danny Drinkwater.
N’Golo Kante: 8
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In his second appearance since returning from injury, he reminded fans of what he does best – energetic, good judgement on and off the ball and swept up well. Replaced by Willian.
Tiemoue Bakayoko: 7
Perhaps overshadowed by Kante and his more creative colleagues, but did a solid job in the middle of the park. Used the ball well and had an early shot blocked.
Eden Hazard: 9
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Outstanding. Four shots, all of them on target, two goals – and one of the other efforts created Alvaro Morata’s opener. Always looking to be a threat with the ball. The one minus was a booking for a foul on Grzegorz Krychowiak, frustration writ large after he failed to get a free-kick. Replaced by Pedro.
Alvaro Morata: 8
The goal that took to him eight in 12 Premier League appearances was fairly simple – reacting quickest to net the rebound after Hazard’s shot was saved. But his flick that repaid the compliment for the Belgian was anything but. Had a couple of other chances and was carded late on for a trip on Claudio Yacob.
Danny Drinkwater: 6
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Was perhaps unfairly criticised for refusing an England call-up while he felt as though his injury issues were still not over. This will have been a useful 25 minutes under his belt.
Pedro: 6
Just 10 touches of the ball in his 20 minutes on the pitch.
