Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Chelsea struggle despite 7/10 Kante's display

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Saturday, 23 November 2019 11:43

Chelsea were leapfrogged by Manchester City into third place in the Premier League after surrendering an early lead to lose 2-1 to the Citizens at the Etihad on Saturday evening.

N'Golo Kante opened the scoring for Frank Lampard's side as he squeezed the ball past the onrushing Ederson after 21 minutes, but a reply of two goals in eight first-half minutes from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez saw City take all three points.

Positives

Despite going into the break behind, it was an excellent first-half showing from the Londoners, as they harried their hosts into mistakes, whilst offering a constant threat on the break.

Negatives

In becoming a much more expansive attacking unit, Chelsea have relinquished some of the defensive solidity of years gone by, and there is still an air of naivety among a backline that hasn't had a huge amount of game time together.

Manager rating out of 10

6, -- Lampard looked to contain City and catch them on the counter, and it worked a treat for the first 25 minutes, but after his side went behind, they struggled to provide a sustained threat.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Kepa Arrizabalega, 6 -- The Chelsea stopper could do nothing about either of City's goals, but was hugely fortunate not to hand Sergio Aguero one of his own when he passed the ball straight to the forward as he attempted to clear his lines.

DF Emerson, 5 -- The left back wasted a promising opening when he shot straight at Ederson in the City goal when there were better passing options available, before defending poorly as Mahrez cut inside the Brazilian and fired home to put City ahead. Replaced by Reece James after 58 minutes.

DF Fikayo Tomori, 6 -- Unlucky not to open the scoring in the opening quarter of an hour when he screwed a left-footed shot wide from a Chelsea corner, but the centre half should've dealt better with a loose ball in the build-up to de Bruyne's goal for 1-1.

DF Kurt Zouma, 6 -- An unfortunate deflection off the Frenchman wrong-footed his goalkeeper and gave the hosts the leveler, but the former Everton loanee looked the more assured of Chelsea's central defensive pairing.

DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 6 -- Kept Raheem Sterling on a tight leash on City's left flank as he quietly went about his business, before switching to left back as Chelsea brought on the more attacking-minded Reece James.

MF Jorginho, 6 -- Played his part in the opener with a neat return pass to Kovacic, but the Italian needlessly gave away possession on the halfway line, allowing City to break away and equalize just before the half-hour. Booked for blocking off a de Bruyne run on the hour, and subbed off for Mason Mount after 74 minutes.

MF Mateo Kovacic, 7 - Some fabulous play from the former Real Madrid man saw him provide a lovely glided ball over the top of the City defence to release Kante for the game's opening goal.

MF N'golo Kante, 7 -- There was a small slice of luck in the Frenchman's opener, but a dogged run from deep created the chance for him to poke the ball home, and it was a typically busy performance from Chelsea's number 7.

MF Christian Pulisic, 5 -- The former Borussia Dortmund man never really got into the game after seeing plenty of the ball in the opening stages.

MF Willian, 6 -- Really should have done better when he shot wide in the penalty area following good early work from Tammy Abraham, and nearly found the net with a rasping volley from the edge of the box in the final 15 minutes.

ST Tammy Abraham, 6 -- The England man worked hard and got himself into plenty of good positions, but will be disappointed he didn't see enough of the ball from his attacking colleagues. Replaced by Michy Batshuayi for the final quarter of an hour.

Substitutes

Reece James, 6 -- Got forward well from right back as Chelsea pushed for an equalizer.

Michy Batshuayi, N/A -- Unable to find a late leveler.

Mason Mount, N/A -- Fired a late free kick narrowly wide from distance.

Read 384 times

Soccer

Five sentenced after Ajax, Maccabi fan clash

Five sentenced after Ajax, Maccabi fan clash

EmailPrintAn Amsterdam District Court Tuesday sentenced five men to up to six months in prison on Tu...

Pep: City must use struggling Haaland better

Pep: City must use struggling Haaland better

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester City manager Pep Guardiola has defended star striker Erl...

Maresca: Mudryk to 'disconnect' amid drug probe

Maresca: Mudryk to 'disconnect' amid drug probe

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsEnzo Maresca has said Mykhailo Mudryk needs to "disconnect" from Ch...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Doncic nets 27 in 'OK' return, Mavs beat Blazers

Doncic nets 27 in 'OK' return, Mavs beat Blazers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDALLAS -- Luka Doncic returned from a two-game absence because of a...

Wolves' Edwards fined again for criticizing officials

Wolves' Edwards fined again for criticizing officials

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was fine...

Baseball

Trading for a superstar -- and then dealing away an MVP? What to make of Cubs' confusing offseason

Trading for a superstar -- and then dealing away an MVP? What to make of Cubs' confusing offseason

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- For consecutive offseasons, the Chicago Cubs have given...

MLB, umpires reach tentative deal for new CBA

MLB, umpires reach tentative deal for new CBA

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMajor League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Umpires Associa...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated