Chelsea ratings: Alonso poor before his late winner and Pedro shows Hudson-Odoi should start against Liverpool

MARCOS ALONSO was Chelsea’s unexpected saviour on a night when boss Maurizio Sarri was given more questions than answers.

Wing-back Alonso hit the only goal late in a dour Europa League quarter-final first leg at Slavia Prague – but few of the Blues’ fringe men impressed. Here’s how they fared.

KEPA ARRIZABALAGA

Two poor kicks early on set tone for his poor distribution all night. Spilled a first-half shot but made a good, important save from Ibrahim-Benjamin Traore in the second and another from Jan Boril to redeem his own error.

CESAR AZPILICUETA

A lot of Slavia’s attacks came down his flank in the first half and he just about dealt with them. Had to lead a rearguard action for a period in the second half and at least Chelsea did not concede.

ANTONIO RUDIGER

Started unconvincingly but made two important interventions towards the end of the first half to snuff out danger. Then forced Ondrej Kolar into his first save of the night before returning to defensive duties.

ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN

Looked the calmer and more authoritative of the Blues’ centre backs for much of the first half. Had to be on his toes as Slavia stepped up the pressure in the final quarter of the game, and stood firm.

MARCOS ALONSO

Played like someone lacking confidence after losing his place in Sarri’s first 11, sometimes unsure at the back and tentative going forward. His late goal won’t stop him being on the bench for the Liverpool game.

MATEO KOVACIC

Did a lot of dirty work tidying things up in his own half, but lacked effectiveness at the other end, as per usual. Little surprise that he was replaced by N’Golo Kante with just over 20 minutes to go.

JORGINHO

Did little wrong, but the action seemed to be going on around him much of the time, rather than him setting the tempo. A rare foray forward saw the ball in the net but his late strike was rightly ruled out for offside.

ROSS BARKLEY

Like his team, the England man found it hard to make his presence felt in the opposition half. Found himself replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek with 15 to go and sholkd perhaps lose his place to him for Sunday.

PEDRO

Had little impact going forward and made a good case for Callum Hudson-Odoi to start against Liverpool. Certainly deserved to be replaced by Eden Hazard early in the second half.

OLIVER GIROUD

Made his frustration about his lack of service clear as Chelsea struggled to produce in the final third. Did little to help himself, however, and could have few complaints if Gonzalo Higuain returned on Sunday.

WILLIAN

Had plenty of joy down the left in the first half, but his final ball left a lot to be desired. Did hit the bar with a fierce shot, though, and went close early in the second before providing the cross for Alonso’s late winner.

SUBS

EDEN HAZARD (for Pedro, 59)

Found it hard to force his way into the game from a standing start in a team that was lacking inspiration.

N’GOLO KANTE (for Kovacic, 69)

Brought his characteristic energy to his cameo role without threatening to make a decisive contribution.

RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK (for Barkley, 75)

Not given much time to make a difference and found his team very much on the back foot.