Chelsea will feel fortunate to have beaten West Ham 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, after VAR controversially ruled out a late West Ham equaliser. Substitute Ben Chilwell scored and then assisted goals, which saw the Blues overturn a 1-0 deficit to snatch all three points.
Edouard Mendy- 4/10
Mendy has had a very concerning start to the season and was lucky to be on the winning side in another shaky performance today. For West Ham’s opener, the Senegalese keeper’s poor punch from a cross gifted the Hammers a goal. He was fortunate as West Ham saw their equaliser ruled out by VAR for an alleged foul on Mendy.
Wesley Fofana- 7/10
Some strong signs from new signing Wesley Fofana who started for the Blues only a few days after officially signing for the club. The Frenchman looked composed on the ball and completed three tackles in the game. A promising start for the young centre-back.
Thiago Silva- 7/10
Another brilliant performance from Silva, something that has become the norm for his time at Chelsea. Strong defensively, a brilliant pass completion percentage, and a perfect assist to find Ben Chilwell for Chelsea’s equaliser. The Brazilian only gets better and better each week.
Kalidou Koulibaly- 6/10
The weakest performance of Chelsea’s centre-backs today, but by no means a bad one. The Senegalese defender made five clearances for his side, more than any other Chelsea player on the pitch. A few poor passes leaves room for improvement in his game.
Reece James- 6/10
Reece James will be the most relieved man in the stadium following the Chelsea game today. An awful header back to Mendy looked to have cost Chelsea the win and two points but for a controversial VAR decision to rule out the goal. Other than that, James put in a few good crosses, but struggled to create any major chances.
Marc Cucurella- 5/10
The Spaniard has cemented his place as starting wingback over the past few weeks, but he struggled to have an impact going forward today. Some very infuriating corners early on which were easily cleared by the first man underlined a difficult game.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek- 6/10
A mixed bag from Loftus-Cheek today. Some very good dribbling early on and some neat passes in the middle of the park. The Englishman needs to take more risks and move the ball a bit faster, however, if he wants to keep his place in the side. Sometimes Ruben fails to play an early pass and kills the momentum of the Chelsea attack.
Mateo Kovačić- 6/10
The Croatian making his first start for the club this season had a quiet game in the centre of midfield. Chelsea struggled going forward and Kovačić struggled to create anything before being subbed off in the 70th minute.
Connor Gallagher- 5/10
Gallagher doesn’t look like he’s settled into the Chelsea side so far. He put in another hard-working shift, tracking runners and winning the ball back. Going forward, however, he needs to take more risks if he wants to earn a place in the side.
Christian Pulisic- 5/10
Given a rare start in the team, Pulisic struggled to have any real impact going forward. Chelsea’s attack looked toothless in the opening 60 minutes, and Pulisic was a part of that, not creating any strong chances at all. The American will be disappointed with his performance today.
Raheem Sterling- 7/10
Another strong performance from Sterling as he stood head and shoulders above the two attackers that started with him on the pitch. The only player who looks like he could create something going forward for the Blues at times. He put in some very dangerous crosses that could have led to a goal on another day.
Subs
Armando Broja- 6/10
Another positive performance from the Bench from Broja today, who surely deserves to be starting a game soon. The Albanian is a true striker, and thus, draws in defenders towards him, which gives the wingers more space to operate with the ball. Having recently signed a new long-term contract, the young man looks quick, strong, and hungry to earn that striker role.
Mason Mount- 6/10
Mount has had his worst start to a season since he first started playing for the club, failing to score or assist a goal in his opening five games, and he found himself in the unusual position of the bench today. He came on with 30 minutes to go, and despite some positive passing, struggled to get into the game.
Ben Chilwell- 9/10
What a performance from Ben Chilwell from the bench today. Brought on with 20 minutes to go and Chelsea finding themselves 1-0 down, Chilwell completely turned the game on its head. A brilliant goal snuck through Fabianski’s legs drew the Blues level, before an inch-perfect cross found Havertz who put Chelsea ahead with only minutes left. A perfect London derby performance from Chilwell.
Kai Havertz- 7/10
A man who has struggled in front of goal this season, and who also found himself on the bench, gave Tuchel a sign that he is worthy of being in this Chelsea side. A fantastically taken volley which was hammered past Fabianski in the 87th minute ensured the Blues walked away from the game with a much-needed three points.
Jorginho- N/A
Thomas Tuchel- 6/10
Tuchel will feel fortunate to have turned the game around today against rivals West Ham. A really toothless first half performance, especially in attack, showed that perhaps his starting lineup was too negative to open up a very defensive West Ham side. Credit, however, goes to his substitutions, with Chilwell and Havertz both being brought on, and both scoring to put the Blues 2-1 ahead.
Twitter- @Kieranroy1
