Chelsea ratings: Tyrique George breaks deadlock with first Blues goal but tired Cole Palmer hooked at half-time
CHELSEA took control of their Europa Conference League quarter-final tie against Legia Warsaw after a 3-0 win in Poland.
The Blues had to deal with a raucous atmosphere from the Polish crowd with pre-game pyrotechnics leaving a heavy cloud of smoke in the visitor’s defensive end at the start of the game.
The home crowd were certainly up for the clash and sang throughout the game, despite precious little happening in the first half.
Enzo Maresca clearly gave his side a wake-up call at half-time with the Blues looking energised after the break before Tyrique George reacted quickest to a Reece James shot to break the deadlock.
Noni Madueke then grabbed the second a few minutes later as Chelsea made the most of a counter-attack.
Madueke added a third, again set-up by Jadon Sancho, 25 seconds after Christopher Nkunku saw a penalty saved. Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Blues in Poland.
Filip Jorgensen – 6
Not tested in the first half with Chelsea dominating the ball.
Looked set to not change second half until he had to save a vicious Patryk Kun shot from close range in the 90th minute.
Joshua Acheampong – 6
Played more like a third CB with Gusto more advanced inverting from LB and looked comfortable enough in the role. Stepped into a more conventional role and won the ball back high leading to the game’s first shot on target from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Grew in confidence on the ball and was more involved second half.
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Tosin Adarabioyo – 5
Made some clever line-breaking passes to set the Chelsea attackers away at the Legia defence.
Taken off at half-time for Levi Colwill.
Benoit Badiashile – 5
Showed good strength against the Legia attackers.
Nodded down a cross into a dangerous area which needed last-ditch defending to clear.
Malo Gusto – 6
Playing at left-back today and looked out of sorts after giving the ball away cheaply on a few occasions. Grew into the game and was better with his crosses.
Replaced by Mathis Amaugou after the third goal went in.
Reece James – 7
Back in midfield for the clash and looked comfortable spraying passes about even if he was rarely tested on the ball. Showed some good strength when asked to do his defensive duties.
Curled a lovely cross into Dewsbury-Hall just after the break but his midfield partner fluffed his header. Saw shot a shot rebound out for George to score the rebound.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 6
Often found himself drifting out to the right-hand side to support Sancho. Had a curling shot palmed away by the goalkeeper for the first shot on target before missing an open header in the middle of the area on the stroke of halftime.
Had another superb chance just after the break after ghosting into the box to head a James cross.
Cole Palmer – 4
Popped up all over the pitch to get on the ball but struggled to find his range, with one pass to Nkunku on a promising counter-attack going behind the striker.
Looked tired and was hooked at half-time for Madueke.
Jadon Sancho – 7
Saw a lot of the ball in the early stages with little tangible output. Seemed to lack either the bravery or know-how to beat his defender, despite often being isolated one-on-one.
Moved to the left wing after the break and looked brighter pairing with Gusto. Set up Madueke to score the second goal of the evening. Set up Madueke again 25 seconds after Nkunku’s saved penalty with a good low cross to the far post.
Christopher Nkunku – 3
Wasted a dangerous counter-attack by dragging a shot wide in the 15th minute, though in his defence the pass he was fed by Palmer was behind him. Put a ball on a plate for Dewsbury-Hall to score but he miscued his header.
Moved behind George after the break and looked more interested in the game thereafter. Was just his luck when he won a penalty before seeing the spot-kick saved, with Madueke then scoring 25 seconds later.
Tyrique George – 7
Quiet in the first half but then scored his first senior goal just after the break as he was first to react on a rebound from a James shot when he was moved into the central striker role.
Taken off after 75 minutes. But showed bright spots after his move inside.
Subs
Noni Madueke (for Palmer, halftime) – 9
Made an impact straight away when he took on his man and managed to send them pedalling backwards. Rewarded for his positive play with a goal set up by Sancho on a Chelsea counter-attack.
Added a second seconds after the penalty save as he tapped in a Sancho cross at the far post.
Levi Colwill (for Adarabioyo, halftime) – 6
Solid defensively on the rare occasions he was tested, but was most impressive spraying passes out of the back line.
Marc Cucurella (for James, 58 mins) – 5
Almost caught out within moments of coming on after Kun got behind him, only to fire the ball out of play.
Mathis Amougou (for Gusto, 75 mins) – 6
Made his European debut coming on in Poland. Not much to note after that.
Shumaira Mheuka (for George, 75 mins) – 5
Saw some powerful bursts into the box late on but was let down by a poor pass or touch.