CHELSEA’S woes continued as Reece James was forced off with injury in the 2-0 defeat to Everton.
Mauricio Pochettino made four changes to the side that lost to Manchester United in mid-week as Raheem Sterling dropped to the bench.
Conor Gallagher was brought back into the side following his suspension and the England star’s performance was one of few positives Pochettino can take from the match.
Mykhailo Mudryk was a constant menace with his pace but could not produce the quality needed to find a way past Everton’s stubborn defence.
Armando Broja was handed a rare start but failed to take advantage as Blues recorded their first blank in seven matches.
Moises Caicedo went missing for large parts in the game while Chelsea may have got something from the game if Enzo Fernandez had his shooting boots on.
Chelsea have now won just one of their last five matches and here is how SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rated the players’ display on another day to forget for Blues.
Robert Sanchez – 6
Was very good on the ball and made a brilliant save low down to his right to deny Dwight McNeil.
He also pulled off an incredible stop from Dominic Calvert-Lewin but the ball fell to Abdoulaye Doucoure who made no mistake with the rebound.
Limped off the pitch in the last ten minutes after sustaining an injury earlier in the match.
Most read in Football
Reece James – 6
Started brightly before yet another injury forced him off in the 27th minute.
Alex Disasi – 6
Was mostly solid at the back in and out of possession and organised the backline well in the absence of Thiago Silva.
But he allowed McNeil far too much time on the ball which meant the winger had no trouble playing in Calvert-Lewin in the build-up to the goal.
Benoit Badiashile – 7
A strong presence at the back which was needed to combat Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Won a lot of headers and comfortable in possession, a good outing considering how long he has been sidelined with injury.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Started at left-back but switched to the right following James’ injury and looked assured up against Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil.
Moises Caicedo – 4
Struggled to influence the game which is becoming a recurring theme for the £115million man.
Deserved to be substituted as he contributed very little in possession and nothing in the attacking final third.
Conor Gallagher – 6
Provided plenty of energy as usual but also made clever use of the ball and always picked the right pass.
Perhaps lacked a bit of creativity to open up a stubborn Everton defence.
Enzo Fernandez – 5
Spurned two early opportunities to score. Helped to control midfield alongside Gallagher and put Blues on the front foot.
Was taken off just after the hour mark after fading quickly in the second half.
Cole Palmer – 6
Almost opened the scoring with a rasping shot from distance that was well saved by Jordan Pickford.
But other than that he wasted the half chances he was presented with, firing multiple shots high and wide.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 7
He was Chelsea’s biggest threat as he used his speed to break in behind the Everton defence on and off the ball.
His composure and quality in the final third let him down on occasion but there were several positive signs on display.
Armando Broja – 5
He proved a tricky customer thanks to his runs in behind but his team-mates let him down by not providing him with goalscoring opportunities.
Hooked shortly after the hour mark with Pochettino searching for a bit more presence up-front.
Subs
Levi Colwill (for James, 27 mins) – 6
Solid if unspectacular, needs to offer more going forward if he is to make the position his long-term.
Raheem Sterling (for Fernandez, 67 mins) – 6
Was very lively when he came on which made his omission even stranger. Should have come on earlier as Chelsea never looked like scoring without him.
Nicolas Jackson (for Broja, 67 mins) – 4
Had a good chance to score immediately after coming on but he curled his shot some way off target.
Read more on The Sun
Dorde Petrovic (for Sanchez, 84 mins) – 6
Did very little apart from picking the ball out of his own net after Lewis Dobbin fired home from a last-minute corner.
Ian Maatsen (for Cucurella, 84 mins) – 5
Was not given enough time to influence the match.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
