MAURICIO POCHETTINO got the stirring response he demanded to Chelsea’s 5-0 loss at Arsenal – with captain Conor Gallagher leading by a glorious, thunderous example.
Gallagher’s brilliant late finish capped the Blues’ 2-2 comeback draw at fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Marc Cucurella’s early own-goal and a fierce near-post shot from Morgan Rogers had rewarded Villa’s handful of dangerous counter-attacks before the break.
But as Chelsea turned possession into real pressure after the interval, Noni Madueke drilled them back into it before Gallagher rasped his equaliser.
And there was controversy after that – with the Blues’ 90th-minute sub Axel Disasi bundling a “winner” only for VAR to rule it out for a push.
Here’s how Pochettino’s men rated individually after believing they deserved more than the point they took.
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DJORDE PETROVIC – 7
Beaten unluckily by an own-goal deflection off Cucurella, then slightly unsighted when Rogers whistled Villa’s 20-yard second goal past him low at the near post.
Untroubled for large spells due to Chelsea regularly bossing possession.
But the Serb had to plunge down quickly to palm out Ollie Watkins’ rapier shot – before kicking the loose ball away.
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TREVOH CHALOBAH – 6
Looked comfortable defensively coming in at right-back for his fifth Prem start this season.
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But nothing to suggest he’ll be a long-term challenger to currently-injured Reece James in that position – with central defence a more likely option.
Replaced by Disasi in the 90th minute.
THIAGO SILVA – 6
Returned to the backline, and in fact was thwarted by Watkins when he had surprise sniff of goal in the first half.
Did nothing wrong after that – but was also rarely involved.
BENOIT BADIASHILE – 6
Stretched to flash an early volley well wide before appearing nervy as Chelsea briefly faced pressure.
Steady enough after that, however, although not a towering presence.
MARC CUCURELLA – 5
Floundered early on when Villa poured forward, which left him operating more like an orthodox left-back.
Indeed, was all over the place on the way to his own-goal in the fourth minute.
But once the Blues settled he linked up busily on the touchline much further forward – in his more comfortable wing-back role.
Delivered the fine cross from which Jackson headed off the post on 34 minute.
MOISES CAICEDO – 6
Dodgy start, but then, just like his team, grew into it.
Won a few challenges in advanced positions and neatly fed Jackson for a decent 29th-minute chance that was blocked.
Booked soon after the break after reacting angrily to Luiz grabbing hold of him.
Then wriggled free to tee up scorer Madueke for a half-chance – before Chelsea got their leveller.
CONOR GALLAGHER – STAR MAN 8
Seemed set for a typical display – nothing spectacular but non-stop workrate to help drive the Blues’ forward.
But then cut in for a screamer into the far bottom corner on his weaker, left foot for an 83rd-minute equaliser.
Before that, had kept possession steadily enough but not always with the creativity Chelsea craved.
NONI MADUEKE – 7
Showed up well on the right touchline, looking busy and willing.
And just when he was struggling to conjure any direct threat, Chelsea were rewarded for feeding him more and more in the second period.
The winger neatly let the ball run across him before he rifled the Blues back into it with a classy left-footer on 63 minutes.
Just seconds later he scythed through the middle of Villa’s defence, only to be brought down inside the penalty area D.
COLE PALMER – 7
Fit to return – and fizzing to trouble Villa.
Made space for himself for two fierce long-range left-footers before the break.
Perhaps not involved enough early in the second half, considering he was Chelsea’s main man whenever he did have the ball.
Screwed an inviting free-kick wide just after Chelsea had cut the deficit.
Then flashed a low first-timer from further out inches off target.
And in stoppage time he squirmed through for what seemed a certain winner, only for his sidefooter to be blocked behind.
MYKHAILO MUDRYK – 5
Appears to still lack total belief as well as a regular end product.
Operating inside of Cucurella on the left, showed flickers of promise.
A classic example came when he followed up a deft first touch by flailing a shot from distance out for a throw-in.
An iffy first touch then ruined his chance of a late winner inside a congested box.
Replaced by Casadei on 90 minutes.
NICOLAS JACKSON – 6
Defied the common perception that he’s a poor finisher with a Drogba-style three-touch dispatch into the net on 16 minutes, only for VAR to rule him narrowly offside.
Was then unlucky to head a Cucurella cross onto the foot of the post and drove in from the right to drill a left-footer wide.
Still not looking like the all-round talent to make him a top-class Prem striker.
At times appeared a mobile menace, but one or two heavy touches marred his influence.
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SUBS
Axel Disasi (for Silva, 90 minutes).
Cesare Casadei (for Mudryk, 90 minutes).
Tactics Exposed: Why Kai Havertz is Arsenal’s most important player
By Dean Scoggins
KAI HAVERTZ endured a difficult start to life at the Emirates after his big-money move from Chelsea.
But has now well and truly found his feet.
The German, 24, has found his scoring boots in recent weeks, including his double against his old club.
But Havertz has been providing much more than goals in recent months.
In fact he has become Mikel Arteta’s most important player as Arsenal go for the title.
That’s after the Spanish boss made a genius tactical switch.
Click here to read all about it.
Or to watch the brilliant video in full on YouTube.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
