It was an evening to forget for the Blues as Manchester City turned up at Stamford Bridge and continued their fine start to the season with a dominant victory. Ex-Chelsea player, Kevin De Bruyne, got the winner in the latter stages of the second half which gave City the result they deserved. But who were the standout performers for the home side and what positives can Antonio Conte take from their performances? Here are your nominations for Man of the Match.
3. Antonio Rudiger
If you’re a bit baffled by this selection – I had to find 3 players and it wasn’t easy. The German defender played on the right of the back 3 and was consistent and solid at the back and was unlucky not to keep a clean sheet. Even when Leroy Sane did get in behind him, he recovered well with some important sliding tackles. He kept Chelsea in the game when he made an impressive goal line clearance from Gabriel Jesus. Jesus was all alone at the back post and volleyed the ball past Thibaut Courtois but there was Rudiger to bravely head clear. I’ll admit he was a bit careless in possession but he made this shortlist for his good defensive display alone.
2. Thibaut Courtois
Had it not been for the Belgian goalkeeper, the score line would’ve looked a lot worse for Chelsea (although it wouldn’t have flattered City). He was called into action on a number of occasions as City dominated the play and created chances often. Fernandinho forced him to make a brilliant point-blank save from his header. Courtois also dealt with David Silva’s venomous shot a few minutes later. But there was a nervy moment for Courtois as he almost cost his side a goal against City for the second season in a row. He delayed his clearance inside his 6-yard box and Gabriel Jesus pounded to block it but, luckily for Courtois and Chelsea, it rebounded inches past the post and into the crowd. Other than that, a necessarily important performance from Chelsea’s number one.
1. Andreas Christensen
His best game in a Chelsea shirt to date against the toughest opponents he’s faced. Says it all about the way he can raise his game against the better sides. It was a classy performance from the Dane in the middle of Chelsea’s back 3 in the absence of the suspended David Luiz. And, it has to be said, Luiz may find it difficult to dislodge his teammate in the starting line-up. He made a string of important blocks and tackles that kept a powerful City attack at bay. There was particular highlight for the youngster – it was his consistency that impressed the fans the most and earned him Man of the Match here. He almost capped off his excellent display with a goal but couldn’t get his header on target from Cesc Fabregas’s free kick late-on.