Chelsea start the festive period in the right way, with a superb 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
Goals from Nico Jackson, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer secured the points, as well as a first league clean sheet in some time!
Robert Sanchez – 7
Actually very tidy today, and to my memory, only really made one poor pass. Aside from that, knew where he wanted to be for crosses, a couple of decent saves throughout and his distribution was pretty good.
Moises Caicedo – 9
Absolutely incredible today, and for me, my player of the match. He’s everywhere on a football pitch, fantastic off the ball and feels like a cheat code off of it. Not only that, but today played a role outside of his normal position, off the ball.
Wesley Fofana – 7
Not too bad, though had a tough afternoon thanks to Ollie Watkins. Misplaced just two passes, but covered the right side well at most points. Only concern is his hamstring injury.
Levi Colwill – 8
Looked like a man on a mission to not let a goal in today. I liked it, a lot. All the way up until the late Pau Torres chance at 3-0. Really starting to become a fantastic centre back.
Marc Cucurella – 8
Again, incredible. An assist for Jackson (at least I thought!) And appeared to be everywhere down the left hand side today. Having a truly superb season and is a huge part of why we’ve been so good for this period so far.
Romeo Lavia – 6
Decent afternoon today, nice on the ball and worked hard off of it. I don’t think he stood out in comparison to some others but certainly a solid afternoon at the least.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
Continuing his resurgence with another goal, and what a goal too. Kept his game quite simple as well, which actually proved effective for us today.
Jadon Sancho – 6
Effective on the left, offered a threat for us and did cause Villa a couple of problems in the hour or so that he played. He definitely lacks the explosiveness that some of our other wingers have but he does offer a lot by way of close control.
Cole Palmer – 8
A goal and an assist, normal service resumed some would say, especially with the quality shown with his second goal, a stunning curled effort into the top left hand corner.
Pedro Neto – 6
A threat at points but I did find he phased out of the game a little here and there. Definitely didn’t play poorly though, just hoped for maybe a little more. It was his first game back though.
Nicolas Jackson – 7
Another game, another goal for Nico but he’d have hoped to have had more with the chances he didn’t make enough of with. That said though, can’t really fault his performance, very good.
Substitutes:
Benoit Badiashile – 6
Slotted in well next to Colwill, coming into the game where maybe he didn’t expect he would.
Christopher Nkunku – N/A
Noni Madueke – N/A
Malo Gusto – N/A
Joao Felix – N/A
Enzo Maresca – 8
Fantastic again and, I’ve really warmed to Maresca, much faster than I expected I would. We’re playing like a really good team now and it’s so, so good to watch. Onwards and upwards!
