Manchester United and Chelsea player ratings as Romelu Lukaku shines for hosts in 2-1 win

Sport360 staff 21:43 25/02/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard were on target for Manchester United as Jose Mourinho’s men steered themselves to a 2-1 win against Chelsea.

    Here we take a look at the player ratings from what was an entertaining Premier League clash.

    MANCHESTER UNIED

    David de Gea: Disappointed to be beaten by Willian’s powerful first-half effort. The goalkeeper was not his sturdy self. 6

    Antonio Valencia: Normally an exciting, marauding option, he was not at his best and his crossing was a little off. 6

    Victor Lindelof: Guilty of the odd clumsy moment but a largely solid display. 6

    Chris Smalling: A few hairy moments such as missed challenge on Alvaro Morata but held it together when it counted. 6

    Ashley Young: Trusted for another big match ahead of Luke Shaw, he did well up against Victor Moses. 7

    Nemanja Matic: The former Chelsea defensive midfielder was guilty of some clumsy early play and irked Jose Mourinho with his passing. He was brighter after the break. 6

    Nemanja Matic (C)

    Scott McTominay: Improved as it went on having initially veered from sturdy to rudderless when trying to keep tabs on Eden Hazard. 6

    Paul Pogba: Back in the team and beaten in the air at the start of the move that saw Willian score. Showed quick feet and got better. 6

    Anthony Martial: Did well on the left and got an assist, yet Mourinho took him off in search of victory. 6

    Alexis Sanchez: Still trying to be too much to too many at United. Worked hard and tracked back. 6

    Romelu Lukaku: Smart strike drew United level and provided a lovely cross for Jesse Lingard’s winner. Highly encouraging. 8

    SUBSTITUTES 

    Jesse Lingard (for Martial, 64): Added intent and guile, turning home Lukaku’s cross with a decent header. 7

    Eric Bailly (for Sanchez, 81): Helped steady the ship and get the three points. 6

    Jesse Lingard of Manchester United

    CHELSEA

    Thibaut Courtois: Given no chance with either goal and produced a fine stop to keep out Lukaku’s volley from United’s only other serious effort on target. 7

    Cesar Azpilicueta: Chelsea’s defence were on top for much of the game but became exposed as United grew in dominance in the second half. 6

    Andreas Christensen: Impressive in the centre of Chelsea’s defence for most of the match but beaten for both goals. 6

    Antonio Rudiger: A solid display from the defender but he might have done better as Lukaku crossed for the winner. 6

    Victor Moses: So at home at wing-back these days, this was another decent performance from Moses. 6

    Marcos Alonso: An important figure for Chelsea at both ends of the pitch. His brilliant volleyed cross from which Alvaro Morata struck the bar early on deserved a goal. 7

    N’Golo Kante: Chelsea dominated the midfield for the first hour, with Kante a central figure, but was unable to stop United taking control late on. 7

    N'Golo Kante 1

    Danny Drinkwater: A boost for the former Leicester man to start such an important game. Did not let Antonio Conte down but perhaps did not impose himself enough. 6

    Willian: The Brazilian clearly did not deserve to be on the losing side. Started and finished a brilliant counter-attack for Chelsea’s goal and was the stand-out player for an hour before fading. 8

    Eden Hazard: Played a superb defence-splitting pass for Chelsea’s goal. Looked to have picked up a knock and was substituted early. 7

    Alvaro Morata: Back in the starting line-up, the Spaniard should have scored early on when he volleyed against the bar. Comprehensively outshone by Lukaku. 6

    SUBSTITUTES 

    Pedro (for Hazard, 73′): Came on just before United scored and could not affect the game. 5

    Olivier Giroud (for Moses, 78′): Sent on to try to find an equaliser but Chelsea could not apply enough pressure.

    Cesc Fabregas (for Drinkwater, 81′): Made no real impact. 5

    Olivier Giroud 4

    Recommended