GOALKEEPER Kepa Arrizabalaga turned shootout hero after winning the Super Cup on penalties.
The Spaniard was brought on for Edouard Mendy just before spot-kicks – two years after infamously refusing to come off himself.
But it proved an inspired sub as he saved two kicks on the way to winning the trophy after a tense shootout.
Here is how Simon Phillips rated Chelsea’s performers.
Edouard Mendy – 7
He was called upon on a few occasions despite playing against a low-block team, and he made some good saves to keep Chelsea in the game when he was needed.
Despite his save, his distribution was dodgy in the second half and he was VERY lucky not to concede from one of them and did well to save the shot.
Trevoh Chalobah – 9
He certainly doesn’t look out of place at all out there and was very comfortable on the ball and good defensively.
Used his body very well and made some great last-ditch tackles and blocks in the second half. Great performance from the youngster.
Kurt Zouma – 7
Used his experience well in the centre of a middle three and was calm and solid when called upon.
He was much busier in the second half when Villarreal came at Chelsea more.
Antonio Rudiger – 7
Very harshly booked in the first half for a superb tackle, and had a solid game at the back as the team got busier defensively, and his bursts forward with the ball are very effective.
Scored a penalty in the shootout.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 6
There were a few occasions where you wanted to see him try and do more to beat his man or get to the by-line.
Other than that his pace and work rate was a constant threat for Villarreal and he got a lot of the ball down the right.
N’Golo Kante – 9
The selected captain of the night took his role seriously and he bossed the midfield for Chelsea once again.
Given a well-deserved rest midway through the second half.
Mateo Kovacic – 6
He was pinging some beautiful long range passes around and as always, he was excellent on the ball most of the time.
He did provide a couple of frustrating moments though when he missed a through ball or gave the ball away in a dangerous area. Also guilty of not tracking the runners on occasions.
Marcos Alonso – 8
It was another good comfortable showing from the Spaniard, and he also could have and maybe should have got on the scoresheet.
Always looks much better in a more advanced role. He was really Chelsea’s best attacker on the night and also scored his penalty in the shootout!
Hakim Ziyech – 8
He took his finish well inside the box and cannot stop scoring in pre-season right now.
Gutted to see him get taken off with a shoulder injury at the end of the first half.
Timo Werner – 6
He is always much more effective against teams who press and push high so he can exploit them on the counter-attack, not against low-blocks.
Having said that it certainly wasn’t a poor display from Werner and he was actually unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
Kai Havertz – 7
Another majestic performance from him without really getting out of third gear.
Nice on the ball and used it well. Great pass to setup Ziyech for the opening goal. Missed his penalty in the shootout, poor pen.
SUBS
Christian Pulisic for Ziyech (42 mins) – 5
Wasn’t overly lively when he came on, grew into the game a bit, but nowhere near enough for Chelsea’s liking. Scored his pen in the shootout though!
Mason Mount for Werner (64 mins) – 7
Took a while to get involved but he soon started to get involved a bit more as it went on. Scored a very composed penalty in the shootout.
Jorginho for Kante (64 mins) – 6
Looked rusty when he came on and gave the ball away poorly which led to the Villarreal equaliser. Scored his penalty in the shootout.
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Andreas Christensen for Zouma (64 mins) – 6
Also looked a bit rusty and could have done more for their equaliser.
Cesar Azpilicueta for Hudson-Odoi (81 mins) – 6
Tried hard as always but made little difference really. Scored his penalty in the shootout.
Kepa Arrizabalaga for Mendy (119 mins) – 10
Bought on for penalties and saved two to see Chelsea win the Super Cup!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
