Chelsea player ratings: Levi Colwill’s sluggish performance saved by Pedro Neto’s best showing in a Blues shirt
CHELSEA capitalised on the failures of their rivals to move up to fourth in the Premier League with a 2-1 win over West Ham. Chances came and went for The Blues in the first half, with the two best falling to Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernandez, both of whom missed the target. GettyCole Palmer played a big role in the winner[/caption] GettyPedro Neto inspired Chelsea to three points after coming off the bench[/caption] ReutersLevi Colwill had a moment to forget as he gifted West Ham the opening goal[/caption] And just when it looked to be a half of missed chances, a Levi Colwill backpass rolled straight into the path of Jarrod Bowen who dispatched his shot perfectly into the bottom left corner on his return from injury. A host of changes from Enzo Maresca upped the tempo in the second half, and they paid dividends with Pedro Neto driving home an equaliser in the 63rd minute after a shot from Fernandez. Fans grew optimistic as the home side grew into the game, which culminated in a deflected Cole Palmer effort sending the Bridge into raptures as they went 2-1 up. Only Tottenham have dropped more points from winning positions than Chelsea this season, but they managed to cling onto this one to put them into a Champions League spot once more. Here is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated Chelsea’s performance. Filip Jorgensen – 7 It would’ve been a tough task to disappoint Chelsea fans after what they have seen from Robert Sanchez in recent weeks. There wasn’t an awful lot he could do about the opener, and actually made some pretty good stops to prevent his side being more than one goal down at the halfway point. Those saves proved vital, and he should expect to start against Brighton up next. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Noni Madueke’s best moment was knocking over the ref GettyJarrod Bowen opened the scoring[/caption] AlamyNicolas Jackson had a game to forget before being substituted[/caption] Reece James – 6 His crosses from the right were good throughout the first half, but there was no one clinical enough in the box to grab him an assist. Strong defensively, but ultimately didn’t have much to do in that aspect with Chelsea dominant on the flanks. Tosin Adarabioyo – 7 Strong in the air and pretty good across the ground. Perhaps could have done a little more to prevent Bowen opening the scoring as he seemed to stand and watch him shoot, but overall was good and is growing into a good, consistent Premier League centre half. His vital block in added time might well have been the difference between three points and one. Levi Colwill – 3 His awful backpass rolledBowen in perfectly to give the Hammers the lead just before first half-time. A lousy and sluggish performance improved in the second half after his side took the lead, but he was fortunate not to cost his side points tonight. Marc Cucurella – 7 Inverted well from left back into midfield in a role that looks made for him, he was strong in his tackles and good in the air from start to finish. Got into dangerous positions going forward, but couldn’t add the finishing touches to his game on this occasion. Moises Caicedo – 7 Tenacious tackling and energy is what the home fans have become accustomed to seeing from their Ecuadorian destroyer. Glimpses of that in the first half extended into a mature and controlled second 45 minutes where he looked to have Mo Kudus’ number. Enzo Fernández – 5 Missed a huge chance to give Chelsea the lead which he rolled past the left hand post from a few yards out. It was his blocked effort which bounced out for Neto to level the scoring, but overall the Argentine looked a bit off the pace in midfield. Noni Madueke – 4 Perhaps should’ve had a goal and assist in the first half an hour as he was set up by Nicolas Jackson and put the ball on a plate for Fernandez, but neither chance was converted. His best moment of the second half was when he bodied the referee, before being subbed for Christopher Nkunku. Cole Palmer – 7 A quiet first half had the travelling fans comparing him to Andy Irving, but he soon showed them up. Almost scored a free-kick similar to the one we saw against Brighton this season, but it was well saved by Alphonse Areola. It was his deflected effort that put his side in the lead as he grew into the game more and more. Jadon Sancho – 4 His quick feet made him a threat on the left-hand side in the first half, but again his end product or lack thereof would’ve cost Chelsea if his replacement didn’t bail them out. Was subbed five minutes into the second half for Pedro Neto. Nicolas Jackson – 3 Showed some promising signs early on with a good ball into Noni Madueke, who narrowly missed the goal. Aside from that, he looked
CHELSEA capitalised on the failures of their rivals to move up to fourth in the Premier League with a 2-1 win over West Ham.
Chances came and went for The Blues in the first half, with the two best falling to Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernandez, both of whom missed the target.
And just when it looked to be a half of missed chances, a Levi Colwill backpass rolled straight into the path of Jarrod Bowen who dispatched his shot perfectly into the bottom left corner on his return from injury.
A host of changes from Enzo Maresca upped the tempo in the second half, and they paid dividends with Pedro Neto driving home an equaliser in the 63rd minute after a shot from Fernandez.
Fans grew optimistic as the home side grew into the game, which culminated in a deflected Cole Palmer effort sending the Bridge into raptures as they went 2-1 up.
Only Tottenham have dropped more points from winning positions than Chelsea this season, but they managed to cling onto this one to put them into a Champions League spot once more.
Here is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated Chelsea’s performance.
Filip Jorgensen – 7
It would’ve been a tough task to disappoint Chelsea fans after what they have seen from Robert Sanchez in recent weeks.
There wasn’t an awful lot he could do about the opener, and actually made some pretty good stops to prevent his side being more than one goal down at the halfway point.
Those saves proved vital, and he should expect to start against Brighton up next.
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Reece James – 6
His crosses from the right were good throughout the first half, but there was no one clinical enough in the box to grab him an assist.
Strong defensively, but ultimately didn’t have much to do in that aspect with Chelsea dominant on the flanks.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 7
Strong in the air and pretty good across the ground.
Perhaps could have done a little more to prevent Bowen opening the scoring as he seemed to stand and watch him shoot, but overall was good and is growing into a good, consistent Premier League centre half.
His vital block in added time might well have been the difference between three points and one.
Levi Colwill – 3
His awful backpass rolledBowen in perfectly to give the Hammers the lead just before first half-time.
A lousy and sluggish performance improved in the second half after his side took the lead, but he was fortunate not to cost his side points tonight.
Marc Cucurella – 7
Inverted well from left back into midfield in a role that looks made for him, he was strong in his tackles and good in the air from start to finish.
Got into dangerous positions going forward, but couldn’t add the finishing touches to his game on this occasion.
Moises Caicedo – 7
Tenacious tackling and energy is what the home fans have become accustomed to seeing from their Ecuadorian destroyer.
Glimpses of that in the first half extended into a mature and controlled second 45 minutes where he looked to have Mo Kudus’ number.
Enzo Fernández – 5
Missed a huge chance to give Chelsea the lead which he rolled past the left hand post from a few yards out.
It was his blocked effort which bounced out for Neto to level the scoring, but overall the Argentine looked a bit off the pace in midfield.
Noni Madueke – 4
Perhaps should’ve had a goal and assist in the first half an hour as he was set up by Nicolas Jackson and put the ball on a plate for Fernandez, but neither chance was converted.
His best moment of the second half was when he bodied the referee, before being subbed for Christopher Nkunku.
Cole Palmer – 7
A quiet first half had the travelling fans comparing him to Andy Irving, but he soon showed them up.
Almost scored a free-kick similar to the one we saw against Brighton this season, but it was well saved by Alphonse Areola.
It was his deflected effort that put his side in the lead as he grew into the game more and more.
Jadon Sancho – 4
His quick feet made him a threat on the left-hand side in the first half, but again his end product or lack thereof would’ve cost Chelsea if his replacement didn’t bail them out.
Was subbed five minutes into the second half for Pedro Neto.
Nicolas Jackson – 3
Showed some promising signs early on with a good ball into Noni Madueke, who narrowly missed the goal.
Aside from that, he looked like a striker utterly devoid of any confidence and was poor before being hooked for 18-year-old Marc Guiu.
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Marc Guiu (Nicolas Jackson, 51) – 5
Didn’t really do a lot wrong or right after coming on for Nicolas Jackson.
Certainly looks more confident in the Conference League, but Premier League minutes in the tank will do him good.
Pedro Neto (Jadon Sancho, 51) – 8
His best performance in a Chelsea shirt since he joined.
A composed finish saw him level the scoring before more great work in the build up sawPalmer rifle home a deflected effort.
Great energy, work rate, and end product from Maresca’s own Portuguese magnifico.
Malo Gusto (Reece James, 60) – 6
Was energetic and strong after replacing captain Reece James, also playing a part in the goal that put his side in the lead.
His passing was good and he looked more like the player who became a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge last campaign.
Christopher Nkunku (Noni Madueke, 60) – 5
Did a job for the team out of position on the left-hand side in Jadon Sancho‘s position.
Not overly effective though, and you feel sorry for him a bit that a player as good as Palmer occupies his best space.
Also looks like a player lacking confidence.
