Chelsea player ratings as Eden Hazard stars with a 9 and youngster Charly Musonda impresses

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Too good: Eden Hazard.

    Chelsea recorded their first victory of 2018 with what was a convincing 4-0 success at Brighton on Saturday in the Premier League.

    Eden Hazard and Willian both scored sublime first-half goals, before the brilliant Belgian added a third late on and Victor Moses netted, as the Blues secured an important win on a rain-soaked south coast.

    Here, we look at how Antonio Conte’s players rated:

    CHELSEA

    Willy Caballero: Very fortunate not to have given away a penalty when he clearly brought down Ezequiel Schelotto. Looked shaky on his league bow for the club but did produce outstanding saves to deny Tomer Hemed’s header and later Schelotto. 6

    Cesar Azpilicueta: His usual reliable self in the backline and was very much the leader for the Blues. 7

    Andreas Christensen: Took a heavy blow on the head in second-half collision and probably shouldn’t have played on. Substituted for Luiz, but before that, committed as ever to the cause. 6

    Antonio Rudiger: Schelotto caused both him and Marcos Alonso plenty of problems down the left but he showed good composure in the back three to keep Brighton at bay. 6

    Victor Moses: Excellent pull-back for Eden Hazard to emphatically score the opener and was a marauding force down the right. His late goal was icing on the cake. 7

    N’Golo Kante: No thrills in the middle of the pitch and held his central position as ever to protect the away side’s defence. 6

    Tiemoue Bakayoko: Could have conceded first-half penalty on Schelotto but recovered well and did a lot of the unnoticed engine room running that frustrated the hosts. 6

    Chelsea's Argentinian goalkeeper Willy Caballero reacts during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on January 20, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

    Argentinian stopper Willy Caballero had a tricky Premier League debut.

    Marcos Alonso: Not his best game and his ball-watching could have proved costly when Schelotto caught him on his heels and went through on goal. Caballero, though, made a fine save. Taken off with 15 minutes to go. 5 

    Willian: Scored a stunning second after driving at the hosts and playing neat triangles with Hazard and Batshuayi. Involved in the opener, too – plus his second-half free-kick hit the post. Set-up Hazard’s second. Bundle of energy. 8

    Michy Batshuayi: More than played his part in Chelsea’s decisive double on six minutes and led the line well against a physical Seagulls defence. Should have impressed Conte. 7

    Eden Hazard: Showed world-class ability to compose himself and finish beautifully for Chelsea’s first goal. His dribble and finish for his brace was quality too. A constant menace and the most talented player on the pitch. 9

    BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Willian of Chelsea (L) scores their second goal during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea at Amex Stadium on January 20, 2018 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

    Willian hammered-home Chelsea’s second goal.

    SUBSTITUTES

    Charly Musonda: Given ten minutes to impress Conte when Willian’s legs were spared and did exactly that. Perfect assist for Moses with a clever lofted through ball. 7

    Davide Zappacosta: Entered the fray to shore things up but his job was made easier when Chelsea got the third goal. 5

    David Luiz: Could it be his last appearance in a Chelsea jersey with a January move beckoning? Brought on for injured Christensen and slotted in without too much fuss. 6

    Recommended