Chelsea found the London stadium too cold to put their foot in, as they dropped all three points to a West Ham side that looked like it had no answers to anything happening on the football pitch a couple of weeks ago.
Right from the start, they were way off the pace. Although they held their shape, the Blues couldn’t track the runs down and were left too static at times. While going forward, in spite of having a large fraction of the total possession, apart from a chance from Hazard and the miss from Morata, it never looked like the Champions could find their way back into the match. Hence, it now looks like it’s all over for the Champions.
Here are the ratings:
Thibaut Courtois: 6/10
There was literally nothing else apart from the goal to test him due to West Ham’s indecisive passing in the final third as the game went on.
Davide Zappacosta: 3/10
He just hugged his touchline, had nothing more to show. Neither was he sharp in putting in crosses nor was he switched on or strong enough high up the pitch.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 7/10
A decent display, especially when he had to use his strength. He got into advanced positions to put in the crosses and diagonals.
Andreas Christensen: 8/10
Chelsea’s best player at the back by some distance. If not for him, Antonio and Arnautovic, with their physicality, could have mauled Courtois’ goal. He was calm, collected and composed, with and without the ball.
Gary Cahill: 5/10
Cahill was bamboozled by Antonio’s strength and couldn’t handle him breathing down his neck. Not expected from the Chelsea captain, this isn’t how the senior most defender sets an example.
Marcos Alonso: 4/10
Alonso looked off his colour. He was ordinary going forward or while providing a delivery into a dangerous area.
N’Golo Kanté: 5/10
Offensively, he got away from players and exploited the space, but while defending, he put no pressure on Lanzini and when the one-two was being played for the goal. Uncharacteristic.
Cesc Fabregas: 5/10
He worked extremely hard but couldn’t find a pass that could open up the defence.
Tiemoue Bakayoko: 5/10
It was too easy to get past him. How could he be asleep while Arnautovic was playing the one-two? The doubts about him are just going to increase after this one. Offensively, his first touch was wayward.
Eden Hazard: 7/10
The only one who looked like making something happen. But the movement in front of him was lacklustre and he couldn’t find a pass.
Alvaro Morata: 5/10
He gave away the ball, lost possession and put his team under immense pressure. Not just once or twice, Morata’s passing was woeful. To end it, he made one of the misses of the season.
Substitutes
Pedro: 7/10
Enjoyed some time to dribble. A fine performance when compared to his teammates.
Willian: 6/10
Showed good feet but couldn’t find the right ball into the 6-yard area. He didn’t run in behind the defence either.
Victor Moses: 5/10
Again, provided nothing into the box. Moses looked slow and didn’t run at or take on any defender.