Trevoh Chalobah stellar, 0/10 pointless – Chelsea player ratings vs Man United
Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Man United at Old Trafford on Saturday in what was an action-packed encounter right from the first whistle.
Chelsea’s evening got off to the worst possible start as Robert Sanchez received the quickest red card in Blues’ Premier League history after five minutes for bringing down Bryan Mbeumo.
Bruno Fernandes quickly took advantage of the decision with a well-taken opening goal not long after, and Casemiro doubled their lead in the 37th minute with a header after he had been left unmarked.
Casemiro was then also sent off by referee Peter Bankes for a second yellow card in first-half added-time, but that was where the excitement ended as the hosts controlled the majority of the second period.
Trevoh Chalobah got Chelsea back into it in the 80th minute with a good header from a teasing Reece James cross, but it ended 2-1 to the hosts as each side had chances to score late on.
Robert Sanchez has a nightmare
Robert Sanchez – 0
Shocker. Sanchez’s performance will go down as one of the shortest and worst in Premier League history by a goalkeeper, and he could lose his place in the starting XI for good as a result.
Reece James – 7
Chased loose balls like a real captain should and drove his side forward when they needed it most. His cross for Chalobah’s goal was a beauty.
Wesley Fofana – 5
Didn’t play too badly given the circumstances, and definitely benefitted from playing next to two centre-backs rather than one. Rightly taken off for an attacker on the hour mark.
Trevoh Chalobah – 8
Chalobah gave Chelsea hope of a point with a strong header that left Altay Bayindir with no chance late on, and he deserves top marks for that alone.
Marc Cucurella – 5
Ran ragged by Noussair Mazraoui and Mbeumo in the first half and was booked for a bad tackle on the former, too.
Midfield struggle in testing conditions
Enzo Fernandez – 4
Another who was booked for a late challenge, Fernandez did not cover himself in glory and seemed to be bogged down by the near-waterlogged Old Trafford pitch when trying to progress the ball.
Moises Caicedo – 4
Also struggled to make things happen and stop numerous United attacks from materialising into genuine chances. Has played a lot, lot better in nearly every game of his Blues career.
Cole Palmer – 5
Palmer went off injured against Man United after just 21 minutes of the game, but he did little in the opening stages, regardless, as Chelsea had to constantly defend
Attackers given little time to shine for the Blues
Estevao – 5
The exciting Brazilian was a victim of Sanchez’s red card as he was sacrificed to make way for Filip Jorgensen in the sixth minute.
Pedro Neto – 5
Neto also left the field immediately after the early dismissal as Tosin came on to shore up the Blues’ backline, in an evening to forget for many.
Joao Pedro – 6
Pedro put in a decent shift as he was often isolated in attack due to being a man down, and he came into the game more late on when it stretched with both teams having 10 players.
Substitutes
Tosin Adarabioyo (on for Neto 6′) – 4
Had a pretty poor game after being called upon, likely much earlier than expected. Allowed United’s attackers way too much time on the ball to make stuff happen.
Filip Jorgensen (on for Estevao 6′) – 4
Again called upon in a tough moment, but should have been a lot more commanding for United’s second as he stood on his line and chose not to try to grab the ball out of the air.
Andrey Santos (on for Palmer 21′) – 7
Decent. Santos added some grit to Chelsea’s midfield that was surprisingly lacking, and threatened in attack with some progressive chances and a late shot that was well-blocked.
Tyrique George (on for Fofana 61′) – 5
Failed to deliver in a game that could have proved to be a big one for his career, with Estevao and Neto both sacrificed early. Booked just eight minutes after coming on for a late challenge on Bayindir.
Malo Gusto (on for Cucurella 61′) – 5
Did more than his Spanish teammate in terms of helping the attack, but also struggled to contain Man United’s own attempts to score with Matheus Cunha looking lively late on.