Brighton & Hove Albion v Chelsea player ratings

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Mathew Ryan - 6

Not much the Australian goalkeeper could do for either of the Chelsea goals.

Martin Montoya - 6

Tough game up against Chelsea’s front line. His cross led to Solly March scoring from Bernardo's header back across goal to make it 2-1.

Leon Balogun -5

Gave the ball away which led to Chelsea doubling their lead in the first half.

Lewis Dunk - 6

Booked early in the second half for a challenge on Kovacic. Late header went just wide as Albion were pushing for an equaliser.

Bernardo -8

His header back across goal provided Albion with hope when March knocked the ball in. Impressed up against Chelsea's attacking threat of Hazard, Pedro and Willian. Sponsor's man of the match.

Anthony Knockaert - 6

Looked lively in the opening quarter of an hour but struggled to get past the firm Chelsea defence.

Dale Stephens - 6

A few misplaced passes on his return to the starting line-up.

Davy Propper - 7

Spread the play well in the second half, his vision by picking out Knockaert on the right led to Albion pulling a goal back.

Solly March - 8

Albion’s best player even before he scored. Showed a lot of creativity all game before smashing home Bernardo’s headed cutback.

Pascal Gross - 5

Disappointing performance from the German attacking midfielder. His dead-ball deliveries were not up to his usual standard and he failed to provide the creative spark for Albion to get back into the game.

Glenn Murray - 6

Caught offside on many occasions in the first period. Subbed on the hour mark. A frustrating afternoon for Albion’s leading scorer.

SubsFlorin Andone - 6

Used his pace to make a nuisance of himself. Booked.

Yves Bissouma - 7

Worked hard in midfield. Through ball could have led to a goal had Alonso not brought down March.

Jurgen Locadia N/A

Came on late in the game.

Unused: Jason Steele, Bruno, Gaetan Bong, Beram Kayal.

CHELSEA

Kepa Arrizabalaga - 7

Did well to stop and hold March’s long range effort in the first half. Booked for time wasting in stoppage time.

Cesar Azpilicueta - 7

A tough afternoon for the Spaniard up against Albion’s best player in Solly March. A good battle between the two down the left.

Antonio Rudiger - 7

Bullet head just wide towards the end of the opening 45 minutes. Solid in defence.

David Luiz - 8

Had an early long range free kick straight at Ryan. Commanded the Chelsea backline. Strong performance.

Marcos Alonso - 7

Unlucky not to score when his 25-yard shot smashed the post. Brought down March and was fortunate to only see yellow as it looked as though the Albion winger was clean through.

N'Golo Kante - 6

Some nice driving runs from midfield but not too much of an attacking threat.

Jorginho - 6

A quiet game in the middle of the park.

Mateo Kovacic - 6

Won a few fouls in dangerous positions, kept the passes ticking over in Chelsea’s midfield.

Pedro - 7

Opened the scoring from close range after being teed up by Eden Hazard.

Eden Hazard - 8

Wiggled his way through the Albion defence before his pass across goal was tucked home by Pedro. Doubled Chelsea’s first half lead after being set clean through.

Willian - 8

Intercepted Balogan’s wayward pass and set Hazard clean through on goal to make it 2-0. Carried the ball forward in dangerous positions and was always a threat at set pieces.

Subs

Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 7

Looked bright, had a couple of opportunities where the midfielder carried the ball in dangerous positions.

Ross Barkley N/A

A late substitute, blasted a shot into Row Z.

Olivier Giroud N/A

A late substitute to hold up play towards the end.

Unused: Willy Caballero, Cesc Fabregas, Andreas Christensen, Emerson.

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