FRANK LAMPARD admitted he would not be making “huge judgements” even if Chelsea fell short against Manchester City.
But Gareth Southgate was in the crowd to keep an eye on his England youngsters as Pep Guardiola’s men knocked the Blues back down to size at the Etihad.
Three Lions youngster Tammy Abraham failed to produce the goods against CityCredit: Reuters
Chelsea took the lead after N’Golo Kante broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, but their joy was short-lived.
Kevin De Bruyne scored the equaliser just eight minutes later before Riyad Mahrez bagged the winner.
Here’s how SunSport’s Joe Miles rated Lampard’s men during the 2-1 defeat.
Kepa – 4
Very little he could do about Kevin De Bruyne’s equaliser after it took a nasty deflection off Zouma.
But he failed to deny Mahrez’s strike as it flew in at the far post and he almost gifted Manchester City their third goal when he recklessly laid the ball off to Sergio Aguero.
Luckily for him, the Man City ace hit the crossbar.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
Added another attacking element into Chelsea’s game as he pressed up the pitch behind Willian and whipped balls into the box.
Made a great sliding clearance on the line to deny City their third goal.
Kurt Zouma – 6
De Bruyne’s opener rebounded off the 25-year-old’s and flew past Kepa and into the back of the net.
Defensively he held his own against Sergio Aguero and Co, but there’s room for improvement when he has the ball at his feet.
Fikayo Tomori – 6
Considering the attackers he was up against, the 21-year-old managed to put in a good shift at the back. He made his share of interceptions, tackles and clearances to ease the pressure on Kepa.
Emerson Palmieri – 3
He struggled to handle the blistering pace of Mahrez out wide.
The former Leicester man was cutting inside every single time, but the Italian was on the back foot throughout. Looked way off the pace.
N’Golo Kante – 7
Scored the opener on his 150th appearance for the Blues.
The French World Cup winner scored his third goal in six Prem games after he latched onto a through ball and poked it past Ederson.
Another impressive display from the fan favourite.
Jorginho – 5
Tried to over complicate things when he was in possession – which resulted in him losing the ball more often than not.
He was left in a heap on the floor after De Bruyne turned him inside out before his equaliser. He’s had better days.
Mateo Kovacic – 6
Played an incredible ball through to Kante for Chelsea’s opener.
Looked particularly menacing as he charged up the pitch with the ball glued to his feet. Certainly did not lack confidence.
Willian – 5
Came close to breaking the deadlock for Chelsea after he glided past Ben Mendy, but his effort flew just wide of the woodwork. An incredibly mediocre display from the Brazilian.
Tammy Abraham – 4
Southgate was in the crowd watching at the Etihad, but Abraham failed to produce the goods.
Admittedly he had very little service from the midfield, but he dropped deep too often, looked clumsy in possession and was marked out of the game at times.
Christian Pulisic – 5
Struggled to get out of second gear in the first half. Failed to make his mark on the game after shaking off a hip injury.
Created a late chance for Willian, but it was turned over the bar by Ederson.
N’Golo Kante led by example for Chelsea in the defeat to Manchester CityCredit: AP:Associated Press
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard admits that he could never go and manage Tottenham
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
