Chelsea took on Burnley at Stamford Bridge in a midday game on Sunday that saw them come out 2-0 winners.
It was a big three points for the Blues, and it marks Thomas Tuchel’s first win as manager. Following the 0-0 draw on Wednesday against Wolverhampton Wanderers, it was vital to see a better result today.
With this win, it means we are yet to concede under Tuchel and have picked up four from a possible six points, which is a very good sign for the future.
Let’s look at who impressed the most today:
Edouard Mendy
It was another very quiet day at the office for Mendy, with Burnley not registering a single shot there is not really anything he can be judged on. This makes it nine clean sheets for the season so far for him, which we delight him and the defence. Rating – 6
Cesar Azpilicueta
A great performance from the captain today, he did not put a foot wrong. When we were looking the stronger side in the first half, we needed a breakthrough, and he was the man to provide it. The goal itself was excellent but he was also solid at the back and helped to keep a clean sheet. Rating – 8.5
Thiago Silva
Another strong display from Thiago Silva at the back, having a player of that experience at the centre of the defence benefits us hugely. He made some good challenges and did not let Burnley have any opportunity of getting something from this match. His consistency this season has been extremely helpful. Rating – 8.5
Antonio Rudiger
There cannot really be any complaints about Rudiger’s performance today, despite there being many doubters about him starting, Tuchel clearly has faith in him, and he is part of a defence that now has back-to-back clean sheets. All-round it was a tidy game for him, and he was not troubled. Rating – 7
Marcos Alonso
Not many people would have expected to see this man on the team sheet today, having been left out of the team since all the way back in September he had to prove himself, and that is exactly what he did. It is clear the wing-back role is where he is most comfortable, and although he was not necessarily having an amazing game, he scored a beautiful goal to secure the 2-0 win. Rating – 7.5
Jorginho
From my viewpoint, Jorginho had a very solid game today, there were times when he did slow the game down but that is what we have come to accept by now. He made some very nice passes, and it might not have been a particularly standout performance he is proving his worth. Rating – 7
Mateo Kovacic
The Croatian midfielder put out a great display today and is really beginning to look more and more like the Kovacic of last season. He drove forward with the ball very well and was one of the most creative players on the pitch, especially in that first half. If he can build from these recent games and continue this sort of form, I cannot see him falling out of the team. Rating – 8
Callum Hudson-Odoi
With an excellent display against Wolves on Wednesday, it was always likely that Hudson-Odoi would play a key role in this game, and he was brilliant again. So much of the play went through him and he provided a beautiful assist for the opening goal. This wing-back position seems to be working wonders and he just is constantly involved in anything good we do going forward. Rating – 8.5
Timo Werner
Werner may really be struggling to find the net at the moment, but that does not mean he is not putting in good performances. Some of the runs he made today were excellent, and you cannot criticise his positioning. If he can manage to pick up one goal, it will boost his confidence and if he continues getting into the positions he is it will eventually happen. Rating – 7
Mason Mount
Having been arguably our best player of the season so far, it was a bit surprising to see Mount not start against Wolves, but he was handed the opportunity today and he took it extremely well. It was another excellent match for the 22-year-old with him the centre piece of Chelsea’s attacking threats. He could not connect with any of the shots he had but put in a quality performance. Rating – 8
Tammy Abraham
Abraham is another who did not start against Wolves and would have hoped to impress more than he did today. He did not manage to get involved that much in the first half, and was substituted at half-time, there was never really an occasion where a shot opportunity opened up for him and unfortunately, he could not really get much going. Rating – 6
Substitutes: Christian Pulisic – 7, Reece James – 6.5, Kai Havertz – 7
This was a massive three points for Chelsea, and with a big game against Tottenham Hotspur approaching next week it was vital to pick up some momentum. Tuchel is probably starting to get more of an idea of what his first choice starting XI is and which players are the ones to rely on.
A great performance today, as a team should play to the strengths of its component parts, so 3 at the back for Chelsea is the way forward. Azpi playing in the 3 allows for James to play to his own strengths, going up and down the line, and with CHO… Read more »