Chelsea ratings: Kovacic produces midfield masterclass but Aubameyang is well off the pace in Salzburg win
CHELSEA booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 2-1 win over RB Salzburg in Austria.
Mateo Kovacic gave the Blues the lead in the 23rd minute when his sumptuous left-footed strike from the edge of the area flew into the top corner.
Salzburg levelled things up shortly after the break as whipped a wonderful ball in for Junior Adamu to tap home.
But Kai Havertz whipped a wonderful 20-yard winner into the top corner in the 64th minute to give Chelsea all three points.
The result sees Graham Potter‘s men move four points clear of Salzburg with just one round of fixtures remaining.
And they will be confirmed as group winners providing AC Milan avoid defeat against Dinamo Zagreb.
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Here is how SunSport’s Dylan Terry saw the performances of the Chelsea players.
KEPA ARRIZABALAGA – 7/10
Wasn’t really stretched in the first 45 but made a comfortable save to keep out Salzburg’s only shot on target.
Could do little about Adamu’s classy finish for the Salzburg goal.
Then made a string of smart stops in the closing stages to ensure Chelsea kept hold of their slender lead.
TREVOH CHALOBAH – 8
Looked composed and assured on the ball as he linked well with Pulisic down the right when the back three split.
Made a few goal-saving headed clearances in the second half as Chelsea were put under pressure from set-pieces.
THIAGO SILVA – 8
A class act at the heart of Chelsea’s back three. Positioned himself brilliantly to mop up.
His experience typified by his last-gasp clearance, sweeping up behind Kepa when the keeper failed to claim a high ball.
MARC CUCURELLA – 7
Has been harshly substituted in each of his last three games, but made sure that wasn’t going to be the case on this occasion as the Spaniard produced a mistake-free display.
He also looked to be the centre-back who tried to start the attacks and engaged with the midfield.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC – 6
Was energetic and vibrant without really offering any sort of end product.
Raced through with the score level at 1-1, but the ball wouldn’t quite come down for the American.
JORGINHO – 7
Started a brilliantly slick Chelsea move that carved Salzburg open, only for Aubameyang to be thwarted by Kohn.
Came within a whisker of putting Chelsea 2-1 up with a great header but it was cleared off the line in the nick of time.
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MATEO KOVACIC – 9
Fired a delicious opener into the top corner with his “weaker” left foot after a superb start to the game from the Croatian midfielder.
Ran the middle of the park and looked a class above everyone around him.
Made way for Loftus-Cheek with 22 minutes of the 90 remaining.
CONOR GALLAGHER – 6
Clipped an inch-perfect cross in for Havertz whose header was too close to the keeper.
His running and energy cannot be sniffed at, but that final pass is something he still seems to be missing at the top level.
RAHEEM STERLING – 6
Just nine days on from Potter’s failed wingback experiment in the win over Aston Villa, Sterling was asked to play there again.
And it’s safe to say he still looks exposed defensively when playing that role, but going forward he is a superb outlet – linking up well with the front two when drifting inside.
KAI HAVERTZ – 8
Should have doubled Chelsea’s lead nine minutes before half-time but his close-range header was tame enough for Kohn to gather.
Then netted the goal of the night with a breathtaking effort which clipped the underside of the bar on its way into the top corner. Majestic.
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG – 4
His deflected header was brilliantly kept out by Kohn, before he wasted a gilt-edged chance in what would have been a breathtaking team goal.
These are the sort of games you would be expecting Aubameyang to find the back of the net in.
Now without a goal in four matches in all competitions.
SUBSTITUTES
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK (FOR KOVACIC, 68) – 6
Doesn’t provide the same level of quality as Kovacic but is a real physical presence in midfield – something which should not be underestimated when trying to see out a game late on.
CESAR AZPILICUETA (FOR PULISIC, 75) – 6
His leadership was evident in the closing stages as he barked orders and organised Chelsea’s defence when Salzburg put pressure on them from set-pieces.
ARMANDO BROJA (FOR AUBAMEYANG, 75) – 6
Looked isolated up front as Chelsea attempted to cling onto their lead late on.
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HAKIM ZIYECH (FOR GALLAGHER, 88) – N/A
MASON MOUNT (FOR STERLING, 88) – N/A
Unused subs: Bettinelli, Mendy, Azpilicueta, Chilwell, Zakaria, Chukwuemeka, Mount, Ziyech, Broja.