Chelsea player ratings: Abraham takes chance to impress Tuchel as Ziyech fails to get going
CHELSEA overcame a nervy encounter against Barnsley to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals. Tammy Abraham scored the only goal of the game as Thomas Tuchel’s Premier League giants were given a run for their money by the mid-table Championship outfit. Chelsea will now take on Sheffield United in the next stage for a place in […]
CHELSEA overcame a nervy encounter against Barnsley to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Tammy Abraham scored the only goal of the game as Thomas Tuchel’s Premier League giants were given a run for their money by the mid-table Championship outfit.
Chelsea will now take on Sheffield United in the next stage for a place in the semis.
Here, Simon Phillips delivers his player ratings on the night…
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7/10
Kept Chelsea in the game early on with a point blank save from close range.
Dealt with a couple of awkward crosses well.
Kurt Zouma – 6
Looked a bit uncomfortable in the middle of the back three and struggled with the high press.
Much more comfortable in a back four when it was switched at half time.
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Andreas Christensen – 5
Also some very uncomfortable moments from him, looked panicked on the ball on occasions and could not settle into the game.
Replaced by Rudiger at half time.
Emerson Palmieri – 6
Probably didn’t do too much to help his cause for more minutes, but then he has probably never played as a centre back before.
Moved to his more familiar left back in the second half and was a bit better.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 8
Chelsea’s liveliest attacker in the first half – but that wasn’t hard among his lacklustre team mates.
He continued to threaten with his direct style of play and pace and helped Chelsea finally get their win.
N’Golo Kante – 6
Some tidy touches and important interceptions, but he never looked comfortable receiving the ball in tight areas as Chelsea were very heavily pressed.
Billy Gilmour – 8
Very smart and tidy play from him, and very comfortable on the ball.
Made a good pass for Abraham in the first half that almost led to a penalty.
Great work to get the pass off to James who setup Abraham to score the opener.
Marcos Alonso – 4
Bit lost out wide really and many sloppy touches from him.
Didn’t involve himself enough and was taken off at half time.
Hakim Ziyech – 4
A few decent touches and long passes from Ziyech, but wasn’t really doing enough to help his team play out from deep and was a bit too weak on the ball.
His second half turned into a real nightmare and he couldn’t put a foot right.
Removed for teenager Tino Anjorin before 70 minutes.
Christian Pulisic – 4
Looked very sloppy in the first half and didn’t bring enough to the table.
Like Ziyech, he was a poor outlet to play out to and didn’t do enough with the ball when he did get it.
Tammy Abraham – 9
Bit better than his fellow attackers at holding the ball up and looked a constant threat.
Won two clear penalties, neither of which were given by the referee.
Held the ball up very well and got the opening goal.
His defensive contributions were also very important – saved a clear goal when he headed off the line late on.
SUBS
Antonio Rudiger for Christensen (HT) – 7
Calmed Chelsea down a little and almost scored with a header.
Reece James for Alonso (HT) – 8
Gave Chelsea a lot more balance after he came on.
Great work down the right to set Abraham up to score and automatically made the Blues look a lot more stable in possession.
Faustino Anjorin for Ziyech (68 mins) – 8
Physically great on the ball and made a positive impact when he came on.
Mateo Kovacic for Pulisic (79 mins) – N/A
