Chelsea suffered a shock 0-1 home loss against West Ham United on Saturday afternoon.
A goal early in the second half from Hammers left-back Aaron Cresswell was the difference between the two sides and also inflicted a second successive defeat on Frank Lampard’s side.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
Produced a brilliant reflex stop to deny Michail Antonio in the first half and made another one in the second half to deny Balbuena. He could do nothing to stop Cresswell’s curling strike but Lampard will be worried about his form this season.
Reece James – 6
Got forward really well and his delivery was as good as we can come to expect from the 19 year old. However, he was beaten too easily by Cresswell for the West Ham goal and it is a mistake the youngster must learn from.
Kurt Zouma – 5
Kept his place in the side despite a below par performance against Valencia but did little to justify his selection.He was slow to react when Cresswell cut inside and curled home and was lucky to see Antonio’s goal ruled out after losing him.
Fikayo Tomori – 5
Back in the starting XI having been benched against Valencia, Tomori was his usual composed self in possession but was caught out defensively on more than one occasion.Will need to raise his game to keep his place after Rudiger returns from injury.
Emerson Palmieri – 6
Came back In the side after being benched for Chelsea’s trip to Valencia, constantly got forward and delivered balls into the box but there were no forwards to get behind his crosses
Jorginho – 6
Huge show of faith by Lampard to hand him the captaincy with Azpilicueta on the bench Yet this was one of Jorginho’s less influential games. His passing was safe and he did not look for a defence splitting pass more often.Not much of a surprise when he was substituted with Chelsea chasing the game.
Mateo Kovacic – 6
Much was expected from the Croatian after his impressive performance against Valenica but he looked tired and lacked the incisiveness he showed in midweek. Played a lot of passes sideways and didn’t get into the box as often as he should have.
Mason Mount 5
Playing in the number ten role, but nothing really went for him as he failed to really link up with the front men or provide much impetus.
In the second half nothing went for him at all. Some really sloppy passes that broke up play and meant that the Blues couldn’t really get any fluidity.
Christian Pulisic 6
Looked the liveliest of the forward players in the first half, looking to be threatening on the ball and getting at the defence. But lacked that quality in the final third.
Faded more in the second half. Tried to make things happen but was hounded out a lot. Missed the best chance of the game.
Pedro 5
Made his first start for Chelsea since October 30. Some good link up with James at times, but didn’t provide any threat in the first half.
Offered nothing in the second half unlikely to keep his place in the side when Willian and Hudson-Odoi returns.
Olivier Giroud 5
Provided very little in the first half, not really getting into the game and having nothing in the way of chances.
It was much the same in the second half, with the Frenchman getting no opportunities and not effecting the play
