Chelsea player ratings - Morata scores a 6 and Fabregas gets a 4

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  • Morata has never settled in England.

    Chelsea were undone by a Marko Anautovic early goal as they suffered a 1-0 defeat away to West Ham.

    The Premier League champions were frustrated as David Moyes’ side defended stubbornly to maintain a clean sheet.

    Here, we rate the Chelsea players.

    CHELSEA

    THIBAUT COURTOIS: Didn’t have much to do apart from conceding the opener. Denied Arnautovic from a one-on-one but the flag was already raised for offside. 5

    CESAR AZPILICUETA: Was squared up for the goal, allowing Arnautovic a yard to shoot far too easily. Looked off the pace and struggled to cope with Arnautovic and Antonio. 4

    GARY CAHILL: Played almost as midfielder for most of the game as Chelsea pressed up the pitch. 5

    ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN: Stepped up intelligently to play offside a couple of times. Shuttled to the right and covered for Azpilicueta. Had a good effort blocked in the second half. 6

    DAVIDE ZAPPACOSTA: Relentlessly tried to offer an attacking threat down the right but was denied space to run into. Managed a few decent crosses and adapted well to switching to the left-side in the second half. 5

    N’GOLO KANTE: Had to sweep up largely on his own in midfield every time the hosts broke and he did that reasonably well. Created the best chance of the game which Morata squandered. 6

    EDEN HAZARD: Pulled the strings in the final third but struggled to carve West Ham open. Went close with a strike across the face of goal. Was Chelsea’s chief threat. Had his best chance late on from outside the box but fired it over. 6

    TIEMOUE BAKAYOKO: Drove forward at every opportunity and had a couple of shots. Subbed off at half-time as Conte brought on Pedro to tweak his system. 5

    CESC FABREGAS: Saw plenty of the ball but was a little hit and miss. A couple of fine passes but some over hit ones as well. Difficult with no space in behind. 4

    MARCOS ALONSO: Picked up an early booking. Spent most of the game in the final third but to no effect. 4

    ALVARO MORATA: Kept the centre-backs busy but needed to be stronger on a few occasions. Had a header go wide in the first half. Missed a great chance late on and set up Hazard for another just after. 6

    Eden Hazard

    Eden Hazard

    SUBSTITUTES

    PEDRO (for Bakayoko 46′): Was introduced to make inroads in the defence but lost possession too often. Was a bit selfish as well, taking on shots or trying to dribble when there were better options available. 4

    VICTOR MOSES (for Alonso 55′): Offered a bit more going forward. 5

    WILLIAN (for Zappacosta 64′): Provided more threat going forward but like his teammates, couldn’t make it through the West Ham wall. 5

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