Full Time: Chelsea 2-1 Everton
Chelsea managed to pull off a shaky 2-1 win against Everton in the Carabao Cup last night. Antonio Rudiger opened the scoring as the Blues gleefully dominated the visitors. Come half-time, it looked extremely unlikely for Everton to cause trouble but then they looked like a different team in the second half. They came close to equalising on several occasions before Willian doubled Chelsea’s lead in stoppage time.
It was too little too late for Everton as Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a goal for Everton right before the final few minutes. All in all, it was not a bad day for the Toffees but it was not something to be proud of either.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Willy Cabellero – 8/10
Deployed ahead of first-choice Courtois, Caballero seized the opportunity to show what he can do. He made a string of excellent saves to deny Everton in the second half.
Antonio Rudiger – 8.5/10
He opened the scoring for Chelsea and was solid at the back as well. He picked up a yellow card, but besides that the player did his duty quite well.
Andreas Christensen – 6.5/10
Christensen was composed in the first-half but he was hardly tested then. After the break is when the player had to do well but unfortunately that was when his power started fizzling out.
Gary Cahill – 5/10
Cahill succumbed under pressure once more. As soon as the Toffees changed the course of their attack, Cahill started struggling.
Davide Zappacosta – 7.5/10
His runs down the flank were aggressive and well-timed, and he also linked up well with Willian. A little less effective in the second-half, but it was a solid display nevertheless.
Danny Drinkwater – 7/10
Drinkwater’s Chelsea debut took its own sweet time and when it actually happened, the player did a decent job. He acted as an experienced foil for Ampadu, and did show some encouraging signs.
Ethan Ampadu – 9/10
Shockingly just 17 years of age, Ethan Ampadu put in a brilliant performance. He played deft touches, made solid tackles and had an eye for position that often drew applause from the home crowd.
Kenedy – 6.5/10
Kenedy did show some excellence initially but it almost seemed like he failed to make much of an impact considering the Everton players kept him at bay.
Willian – 8.5/10
Although he has been criticised endlessly in recent times, Blues’ fans will be happy after his performance last night. He scored the winning goal for Chelsea, and also offered attacking threat while going forward.
Charly Musonda – 7.5/10
He was quite effective on the ball in the first-half, and carried his brilliance forward after the break as well.
Michy Batshuayi – 6/10
Although he created space by dropping deep, Batshuayi provided very little service. Expectations were high from him but Batshuayi barely got close to scoring, barring maybe one attempt towards the end.
Subs:
Cesc Fabregas – 8/10
Replaced Drinkwater and provided the crucial assist for Willian’s winning goal.
Pedro – 6/10
Pedro came on for Musonda but it was at a time when Everton were desperately attacking, which minimised the player’s opportunities with the ball.
Alvaro Morata – N/A
The player was brought on for a last-minute wonder but he came on way too late.