Chelsea put on a show in London on Saturday afternoon and sailed to an emphatic 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The Blues ran into two goals in 10 minutes, after Kai Havertz curled a clever shot into the far corner of the net, and Christian Pulisic blew home from a close angle. Havertz added almost a third shortly after, but Vicente Guaita clawed away his low effort.
?? Class by Kai! ??
This is how Kai Havertz opened the scoring for Chelsea, cool as you like …?
? Watch Sky Sports PL? Follow #CRYCHE here: https: //t.co/iaAuJRcqnS? Download the app @SkySports! pic.twitter.com/BZYz0YKEQl
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 10, 2021
The Spanish stopper could to a small extent deny Kurt Zouma cutting a third on the half-hour mark, as the defender drove home a high head from a glorious Mason Mount cross. Antonio Rudiger almost managed to score another goal for Palace, but his header was tipped over the bar by the visitors’ keeper.
Chelsea were in pace at the start of the second half and watched to add more goals, Ben Chilwell shooting at his weaker right foot. The visitors got a chance to pulling one back after 63 minutes, due to a defensive blunder leaving Christian Benteke completely unmarked.
But the result was beyond doubt with just over ten minutes left when Reece James picked out Pulisic at the far post, and the American stopped his second match to finish all three points.
Right, let’s continue with the players’ ratings.
Watch them fly in | Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
Vicente Guaita (GK) – 5/10 – Could do a little when the defense in front of him differed as the Red Sea and left the Spaniard terribly exposed. Who would want to be a goalkeeper in this team?
Joel Ward (RB) – 5/10 – Unable to live with Pulisic’s power and was overwhelmed by Chilwell’s attacking movement. Abandoned possession too often.
Cheikhou Kouyate (CB) – 5/10 – Booked early and could not get close to her husband when he marked on the corners. Caught in possession and gave the ball away a lot.
Gary Cahill (CB) – 5/10 – Did not frustrate his old employers as he had hoped. Astonished by Havertz’s movement and technical ability. A tough day at the office.
Patrick van Aanholt (LB) – 6/10 – Stranded on the left side and could not stop Chelsea from doubling on their flank.
Hands on head | Pool / Getty Images
Jordan Ayew (RM) – 5/10 – I barely noticed that he was on the field. Miles of pace, and contributed nothing in any third of the plan.
Luka Milivojevic (CM) – 6/10 – Fought and outclassed by Kovacic and Jorginho, who passed the Serb to death. A passenger in the middle.
Jairo Riedewald (CM) – 5/10 – The game completely passed Riedewald. Next to every ball and never close to winning it back for their teammates.
Ebere Eze (LM) – 5/10 – Set the tone for the match, hit the ball just outside their own penalty area and lose possession. He paid the price, and it has been up since then. A steep learning curve.
The face you draw when you have to play in this team | Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
Christian Benteke (ST) – 7/10 – Poped up to make a ball head in the second half, which gave the hosts some hope. Not much else to cheer on.
Wilfried Zaha (ST) – 5/10 – Rattled from the beginning. Looked tired and as if he wanted to be somewhere other than playing in this team and the system. Tried to start on Mount, one of football’s nice boys.
From the bench | Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
Jeffrey Schlupp (LM) – 7/10
James McCarthy (CM) – 7/10
Andros Townsend (RM) – 6/10
Party time | Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
Edouard Mendy (GK) – 6/10 – Could have booked days off to watch golf, if he likes that kind of thing. Not a single shot to save during the first half.
Cesar Azpilicueta (CB) – 7/10 – Very little defensive work to do, leaving the attacking malarkey to the young whippersnappers.
Kurt Zouma (CB) – 8/10 – Step to the top to go home Mount’s delicious swinging free kick. No stopping for that one. Little to do in the way of defending.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) – 7/10 – Almost agreed with Zouma on the points side, but his head was pushed off the line. Defended sensibly.
Airborne | Pool / Getty Images
Callum Hudson-Odoi (RWB) – 8/10 – Enjoy the freedom of the entire right flank. Bombed on, slalom through tackles and plays nice passes to give and go. Got the assistant to the opener.
Jorginho (CM) – 7/10 – In the right place at the right time to catch passports and get Chelsea to move. Clean the ball and also on hand to do defensive things when needed. Cut out many passes on the edge of their own box.
Mateo Kovacic (CM) – 8/10 – Set the tone with his pressure on midfield and hunger to win back the ball. Played through the lines to feed Havertz and the others forward. Did not have a proper opponent, in fairness.
Ben Chilwell (LWB) – 7/10 – Another commanding display to accompany his Champions League heroes. Went excellently, but jumped off Benteke for comfort. Not his fault, really.
The boys | Pool / Getty Images
Mason Mount (RW) – 8/10 – Exchanged with his attacking teammates wonderfully, drifting around and appearing in dangerous positions to damage Palace. Helped the third with a beautiful cross.
Kai Havertz (ST) – 8/10 – He’s finally here! Produced a nice finish to open the score, helped the other with great awareness and almost did again with a magical swing over the defender’s head.
Christian Pulisic (LW) – 8/10 – Rifled home from Havertz pass to double the lead early. An angry finish from a man who has not been able to show his skills too late. Deadly to bag his second afternoon too.
Impact sub | Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Ngolo Kante (CM) – 6/10
Reece James (RWB) – 7/10
Hakim Ziyech (RW) – 6/10
