Chelsea ratings: Marcos Alonso impresses in FA Cup final but Romelu Lukaku offers nothing in Wembley defeat

LIVERPOOL lifted the FA Cup after beating Chelsea on penalties at Wembley for the second time this season.

After normal time and extra time ended goalless thanks to some smart goalkeeping and countless near-misses from both teams, penalties beckoned for these two sides for the second time this season.

Chelsea watch on as Liverpool celebrate their winCredit: EPA

After Cesar Azpilicueta had hit the post with his penalty, Edouard Mendy denied Senegal teammate Sadio Mane the chance to win the Cup with a superb save, only for Mason Mount’s effort to be saved by Alisson.

Here is how SunSport’s Jack Rosser rated Chelsea…

EDOUARD MENDY – 6

Made some important stops in normal time and saved Sadio Mane’s spot kick, but it wasn’t enough.

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Liverpool dealt huge blow as Van Dijk AND Salah both off injured at Wembley

TREVOH CHALOBAH – 6

Drew the shortest of straws in having to deal with Diaz at full-pelt all afternoon.

Just about managed to hang in there and cleared an effort of his off the line inside the first ten minutes.

Trevoh Chalobah battles with Luis DiazCredit: AFP

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THIAGO SILVA – 6

Battled back from an early knock with a typically intelligent performance.

Kept Sadio Mane quiet for the most part and did his best to help Chalobah fend off Diaz.

ANTONIO RUDIGER – 7

How Chelsea will miss the German.

The most composed of the back three and ensured there was not much to be seen from either Salah or Diogo Jota down his side.

REECE JAMES – 7

Struggled early on but dropped in a dealt with Diaz well after the frantic start.

Got forward well after the break and delivered some wicked crosses for his teammates in the middle – though none could convert them.

Cool as ice over his penalty.

Reece James tussles with Roberto FirminoCredit: EPA

JORGINHO – 6

Took a Salah shot straight to the face after just five minutes and gave good protection to the back line throughout.

Kept a cool head following the poor start and gave Chelsea some composure as they got back into the game.

MATEO KOVACIC – 7

Passed fit to play after his injury at Leeds. Dragged Chelsea back into the game after a terrible start and impressed before tiring and being replaced just after the hour mark.

MARCOS ALONSO – 8

Kept Salah quiet before the Egyptian was forced off and dovetailed superbly with Christian Pulisic going forwards.

Took a very composed penalty to get things going.

The Spaniard got in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold time and again and caused plenty of problems.

Marcos Alonso has a pop at goalCredit: AFP

MASON MOUNT – 7

With tired legs all around him, the Cobham graduate never stopped running and working – desperately unlucky to be the one whose penalty cost Chelsea the Cup.

CHRISTIAN PULISIC – 6

The American was a constant danger throughout but proved very wasteful with a number of efforts sent narrowly wide.

American Christian Pulisic has a crack at goalCredit: Reuters

ROMELU LUKAKU – 5

A frustrating afternoon with little service for the striker, but he offered far too little himself.

Sent his best chance, a first time effort under pressure from Virgil van Dijk, well over the bar.

SUBSTITUTES

N’Golo Kante (for Kovacic, 66) – 7

Added plenty of energy and pace to the Chelsea midfield.

Covered well at the back and constantly looked to drive forward on the ball from deep.

Hakim Ziyech (for Lukaku, 85) – 6

Took a superb penalty but struggled to make a real impact during normal and extra time.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (for Pulisic, 106) – 6

Showed his versatility once more by coming on at centre-forward – though he was hooked after only 14 minutes on the pitch.

Cesar Azpilicueta (for Chalobah, 106) – 6

Added some experience to the back line to ensure Liverpool couldn’t find a late winner during extra time but clattered his penalty against the post.

Ross Barkley (for Loftus-Cheek, 120) – 7

Sent on to take a spot kick in his first appearance since January 8 and hammered it home past Alisson.

Subs not used: Kepa, Werner, Saul, Sarr

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk