Chelsea held onto top spot in their Champions League group by the skin of their teeth as they were second best to Roma in a 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge. David Luiz and Eden Hazard goals put the Blues 2-0 up before Aleksander Kolarov and Edin Dzeko inspired a Roma comeback. It was Chelsea’s little Belgian who headed in an equaliser but neither team could find a winner before the final whistle. On a less than impressive evening for Chelsea, who lived up to expectations and who didn’t – find out in a midweek version of player ratings.
Thibaut Courtois – 7
Despite conceding 3 goals, the Belgian kept the Italian opposition at bay for much of the game as Roma peppered his goal with shots. He denied Radja Naingollan with his foot with his compatriot clean through on goal and was useful with his feet as his studs deflected a cross just past Edin Dzeko who was waiting to tap into an open goal.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 5.5
Another unusually below-par performance from Chelsea’s most consistent player as the threat caused by Aleksander Kolarov proved a bit too much for the Spaniard who played on the right of Chelsea’s back 3. Azpilicueta was far too square-on when facing up to Kolarov and the Serbian simply pushed the ball past him and smashed it into Courtois’ net.
Andreas Christensen – 6
Couldn’t cope with an in-form Edin Dzeko who bullied the young Dane for large parts of the second half. Also didn’t come across to cover Azpilicueta when Kolarov rushed through and ended up deflecting the ball over his own keeper.
Gary Cahill – 6
Prepared to put his head where it hurts and ended up having a bandage wrapped around his head because of a cut on his chin. Roma didn’t have much joy down his side and that is testament to his solid defending. Could’ve scored right at the death but his looping header didn’t drop under the crossbar in time.
Davide Zappacosta – 5.5
Much more effective going forward than when Kolarov was bearing down on him. Lacked any sort of assortment in dealing with the attacking left back but did offer something down his right-hand side with a couple of exciting runs and crosses.
Cesc Fabregas – 5
Passive for much of the game as Roma dominated midfield and could not dictate the tempo as well as he’d like because the lack of possession his team had.
David Luiz – 6.5
Curled in an absolute beauty from just outside the area to put Chelsea a goal up and was a real enforcer after being moved into midfield in the absence of N’Golo Kante. Picked up a knock in the first half and, after a surging run through the middle of the pitch, he was taken off as a precaution after a spell in the second half.
Tiemoue Bakayoko – 6.5
Provided some strength and pace in midfield which was useful in turning defence into attack. Helped his centre backs when they were outnumbered against the Roma attack and was an asset in his own box.
Marcos Alonso – 6
Couldn’t get out of his own half, his attacking threat that characterises his style of play was smothered by a smart Roma side who pressed high. The Spaniard sent a long-range effort just wide of the first post with his weaker foot but that was his only sight of goal.
Eden Hazard – 8
Bagged his first two goals of the season in Chelsea blue. The first came to double his team’s lead as he slotted home from close range after Alvaro Morata’s deflected into his path and Hazard hit the ball on the bounce past Becker in the Roma goal. The second was a cute header that he guided into the far post after Roma had gone in front and so he contributed to the most crucial point of the game, certainly not for the first time this season.
Alvaro Morata – 6.5
Didn’t get the service and when it did come, he didn’t stick. Chelsea’s record signing did show sparks of brilliance with a couple of neat turns but didn’t have a clear chance. The closest he came was a shot on the edge of the area where he could only place it straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
Substitutes:
Pedro – 5.5
Couldn’t get involved and dropped far too deep to have an impact in the attacking third. Provided a well-weighted ball for Morata but his compatriot couldn’t covert after rounding Becker.
Antonio Rudiger – 6
Stemmed the flow of Roma’s attacking threat down the left-hand side and almost grabbed the winner against his old side but could only divert a header wide of the back post.
Willian – 4
Lost the ball almost every time he had it and provided very little attacking quality with his crosses.