NICOLAS JACKSON’S late hat-trick finally sank nine-man Tottenham – yet it was still a mixed night for Chelsea’s costly signings.
Spurs deserved their early deflected opener from Dejan Kulusevski – but their two sendings-off understandably turned a game of non-stop drama.
Cristian Romero’s reckless red-card challenge sparked Cole Palmer’s penalty leveller, before Destiny Udogie picked up his second careless yellow on 55 minutes.
Jackson finally eased his own struggles for the season and Chelsea‘s on the night by slotting home on 75 minutes – before completing a counter-attacking treble and 4-1 Prem away win with a double in stoppage time. Here’s how the Blues rated on an incredible evening.
ROBERT SANCHEZ – 6
Helpless for the opening goal but looked nervous early on and was guilty of dodgy distribution more than once. But made a decent late save in stoppage time to stop Son Heung-Min equalising.
REECE JAMES – 6
Happy to see Brennan Johnson sacrificed after Cristian Romero’s red card and took advantage of having less to worry about at the back by getting forward more. Went close just before the hour mark.
AXEL DISASI – 6
Didn’t look happy under the early Spurs pressure and fortunate Son Heung-Min strayed just offside for what would have been 2-0. But grew into the game as his side enjoyed a man advantage.
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THIAGO SILVA – 7
The most composed member of the Blues’ defence, but that wasn’t saying much at times in the early stages. Gave his team stability and calm when they needed it in a match which was utter chaos at times.
LEVI COLWILL – 4
Horrible opening 15 minutes capped by turning his back on Dejan Kulusevki’s shot and so wrongfooting Sanchez with half-hearted block. Got in a row with Pape Matar Sarr and was hooked at half time for his own good.
MOISES CAICEDO – 7
Typified Chelsea’s approach with some very robust challenges, on James Maddison in particular. On a night that called for hard running and some dark arts, he was more than happy to do his bit. 7
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 5
Lost track of Pape Matar Sarr in build-up to opening goal and mostly looked nothing like a £100m midfielder. Caught horribly by Romero’s follow-through for the penalty and didn’t last long in second half.
COLE PALMER – 6
The calmest player on the pitch when converting his penalty after 20 minutes of madness. Did not have loads of touches, but barely wasted one. Should have put second-half effort on target and faded after break.
CONOR GALLAGHER – 8
Lined up in a No 10 position but did his best work off the ball, and it was no surprise to see him moved back into a deeper role when Fernandez went off. But still had energy to set up Jackson’s second to kill the game.
RAHEEM STERLING – 8
Up for it from the start, running past Pedro Porro for fun and creating chances for himself and others. Didn’t always make the right decision or pass but kept asking questions all night and then set up second goal.
NICOLAS JACKSON – 8
It sounds mad, but until he put in a match-winning hat-trick, another performance to suggest he is not a first-choice PL striker, with a host of chances missed including a point-blank-range header, Maybe this is the turning point, for him and Chelsea.
SUBS
MARC CUCURELLA (for Colwill, half time) – 5
Had some trouble with Kulusevski and failed to convert a really good chance to make it 2-1.
MYKHAILO MUDRYK (for Fernandez, 58) – 4
Coming on against nine men was a golden opportunity that he didn’t take.
MALO GUSTO (for James, 77) – 5
Gave away needless free kick in dying minutes that almost cost his team.
LESLEY UGOCHUKWU (for Sterling, 90+1 ) – 5.
Not used: Petrovic, Badiashile, Madueke, Ugochukwu, Maatsen, Washington.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
