The Champions League returned to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening as Chelsea saw off minnows Qarabag 6-0 in a routine victory over the Azerbaijani side. Pedro and Michy Batshuayi grabbed their first goals of the season while new signings Davide Zappacosta and Tiemoue Bakayoko got off the mark for the Blues. Cesar Azpilicueta and an own goal completed the scoring under the lights in West London as it was the perfect start to Chelsea’s Champions League campaign. Here are the player ratings for a much-changed Chelsea side.
Thibaut Courtois – 6
Might’ve had to buy his ticket. Complete bystander. Actually managed to claim an assist for Davide Zappacosta’s goal in the first half.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7
Not much to do defensively and was heavily involved with building from the back against a deep Qarabag team. Took his goal well after Cesc Fabregas reacted quickly to cross to his Spanish teammate, who headed home from close range. He doesn’t score many, but when he does, it’s a great sight to behold.
Andreas Christensen – 6
Dealt with the miniscule attacking threat from Dino Ndlovu comfortably and never really looked like letting his South African opponent off the leash.
Gary Cahill – 5.5
Again, not needed in defence so contributed frequently to attacks and was a threat during set pieces. Booked for a rash challenge on Pedro Henrique that almost forced the Brazilian off with injury.
Davide Zappacosta – 8.5
A very impressive full debut from the Italian who scored an assisted from the right wing-back position. His goal was something sublime, even if it was a cross. It flew into the back of the net at some pace from the right wing after doing it all himself beforehand. Won possession late on to cross for Maksim Medvedev to put the ball into his own net. Victor Moses will be looking over his shoulder with some worry after that performance.
Cesc Fabregas – 7
Had so much time with the ball in midfield that he could virtually pick any pass he wanted. Eventually ended up with assist with an accurate cross, with the outside of his boot, to Cesar Azpilicueta who headed in to put Chelsea 3-0 up.
N’Golo Kante – 6
A couple of exciting breaks forward but wasn’t needed as Qarabag rarely had enough men ahead of the ball to mount an attack.
Marcos Alonso – 6.5
Peppered the goal early on and it looked like he could score a hattrick but his influence on the game dwindled as his attacking threat was smothered slightly by the Azerbaijan champions.
Willian – 7
A typical Brazilian performance from Willian – a few flicks and tricks but added that incisive final ball to get an assist for the opening goal. His close dribbling was too much at times for the Qarabag defenders but the goal was the only thing missing from his game.
Pedro – 7
Set the ball rolling with an excellent finish from the edge of the box after just 5 minutes and Chelsea never looked back. Linked well with Alonso on the left wing but made way for the returning Eden Hazard on the 58-minute mark.
Michy Batshuayi – 7.5
A tireless performance for the Belgian striker who would’ve been low on confidence going into the game. Had to wait for his goal but took it well when it came late on. Unlucky to be denied a brace after his second goal was deemed an own goal but it looked like it would’ve been harder to miss for Michy had Medvedev not intervened.
Substitutes:
Eden Hazard – 7
Looked like a kid in a candy shop when he came on before the hour mark and looked to dribble his way through the Qarabag defence. A couple of shimmies and turns thrilled the Chelsea faithful and it looks like he’s getting back to his best. Should be able to start the game against Arsenal after some more minutes in the tank.
Tiemoue Bakayoko – 6.5
An able replacement for Kante and grabbed his first Chelsea goal in the process. His deflected shot found the back of the net after Eden Hazard’s cross wasn’t cleared properly.
Antonio Rudiger – 5
Allowed Qarabag in a couple of times and looked shaky when in possession but nothing major to worry about.