Chelsea produced a brilliant display to down Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night in definitely their best performance of the season to date. Alvaro Morata headed in an equaliser after Antoine Griezmann’s penalty but it was Michy Batshuayi who will grab the headlines with the winner with the last kick of the game.
Thibaut Courtois – 7
An assuring display in between the sticks against his former club as he held a number of long-range Atletico shots. You can never expect a goalkeeper to save a penalty so the blame can’t be put on the big Belgian for Griezmann’s goal.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7.5
Dealt with the threat of Yannick Carrasco in typical style as he gave his Belgian opponent no time and space to get in behind and cut out any balls that were heading in his directions. Every time they sent the ball over to the right side of Chelsea’s defence, Dave was there to cut it out.
David Luiz – 6
A moment of madness cost his side a goal just before half time and it wasn’t what the team deserved after a promising 40 minutes up until then. He lost Lucas Hernandez at an Atletico corner and proceeded to tug at his shirt, bringing his man down as Thibaut Courtois punched the ball clear. It was he who inspired the Chelsea comeback though as his cross-field ball found Eden Hazard and the Belgian crossed it in for Morata to equalise.
Gary Cahill – 7.5
A brick wall at the back for Chelsea as he was reinstated into the back 3 after being dropped at the weekend. Griezmann tended to pull over to him in an effort to isolate and unsettle Chelsea’s captain but it didn’t work because Cahill didn’t give him an inch and stopped him in any way possible.
Victor Moses – 6.5
A persistent threat on the right-hand side as he always is and, alongside many other of the Chelsea players, was involved in the build-up to the Batshuayi’s winner. At every available opportunity, he pulled out to the touchline which allowed N’Golo Kante and Eden Hazard to roam in the space inside of him.
N’Golo Kante – 8
An impressive all-round performance from the Frenchman in a more advanced midfield role which allowed him to press from the front and win the ball back higher up the pitch. In the second half he almost put Chelsea ahead after he cut inside onto his left foot and sent a low drive just wide of the near post.
Tiemoue Bakayoko – 8
A bustling, powerful presence in midfield and dealt with the threat of Koke in a subtle but effective way and Thomas Partey was no match for him physically. A cute flick set up Marcos Alonso to cross for Batshuayi’s winner so without him, the Blues probably wouldn’t have won.
Cesc Fabregas – 7.5
Played deeper in the midfield in order to outnumber Atletico’s two-man holding midfield but also found pockets of space that allowed Chelsea to play the ball forward and into more threatening positions. Should’ve put Chelsea ahead just after Morata’s equaliser but could only divert his shot wide from right in front of the goal.
Marcos Alonso – 7
Always involved in attacks and instrumental in Batshuayi’s winner as he provided the cross across goal allowing the Belgian to tuck home. Like Moses, he hugged the touchline, which meant Hazard could get in those pockets and work his magic.
Eden Hazard – 9.5 – Man of the Match
A think it’s safe to say his recovery is well and truly complete. It was a dazzling performance from the tricky winger who caused the Atletico defence, always so solid, all sorts of problems. He had a deflected long-range effort ping back off the post after it looked for all the while that it was heading into the top right corner. It was his whipped cross from which Morata headed home to spark Chelsea’s deserved comeback.
Alvaro Morata – 9
Diego Godin will be having nightmares about Chelsea’s Spanish striker after he gave him a torrid time at the Wanda Metropolitano. He went close on a number of occasions either side of the break, seeing three or four of his efforts trickle wide after good individual work to set up the opportunity for himself. Took his goal well and it proved to be influential in getting all three points on Spanish soil and in enemy territory for Morata, who was booed heavily by the home crowd – a sign of the damage he’s just caused them.
Substitutes:
Willian – 6.5
Opted to take the free kick short and it ended with the ball in the back of the net so should be praised for being brave.
Michy Batshuayi – 7
Got the crucial winning goal with a clinical finish at the near post and once again he makes his mark when given the chance.
Andreas Christensen – N/A
Brought on to sure up the Chelsea defence late on.