Chelsea eased to a crucial and sensational 3-0 win at home to AC Milan, after their Champions League status had been in the balance after a dismal start to Group E.
Wesley Fofana, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Reece James got on the scoresheet against the Italian giants who were dominated at Stamford Bridge.
It sees the Blues rise off the bottom of the group to go above both Dinamo Zagreb and Milan into second place. They now have trips to Milan, Salzburg and a home match with Dinamo to close out the group.
Here’s how Nizaar Kinsella rated the Chelsea players...
Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6
Chosen ahead of the fit-again Edouard Mendy, he saved Charles De Ketelaere’s solitary first-half shot on target. He barely touched the ball for the rest of the match, claiming a few crosses as Chelsea dominated.
Wesley Fofana - 7
The 21-year-old had the difficult task of marking Rafael Leao and the Portuguese winger had the beating of him early on. He also gave the ball away but, with him still growing into a club of this stature, his cool finish may help him build confidence.
It was a massive goal that was well taken after Milan looked panic-stricken in their box. Unfortunately went off with a knee injury towards the end of the first half.
Thiago Silva - 8
Wearing the captain’s armband, the legendary ex-AC Milan defender mopped up a Fofana error to trigger his chant in the 19th minute. He followed it up with two good headers from set pieces, before doing exactly that seconds later which led to Fofana’s goal.
He was dominant and excellent throughout.
Kalidou Koulibaly - 6
Koulibaly gave three fouls away in the first 150 seconds of the match. It was clear that he was trying to impress but he looked overzealous at times.
Eventually, he settled down as Chelsea began to dominate.
Reece James - 9
Typically, James was involved in a goal setting up Aubameyang’s crucial second and smashed in the third. He is now the youngest player to ever score and assist for Chelsea in the same Champions League match.
This all alongside his usual brilliant crosses, defending and dribbling from the right wing back role.
Mateo Kovacic - 6
An unremarkable performance as Chelsea’s tempo setter in the midfield build-up. He was eventually substitued.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 7
Earned Krunic a booking with his powerful dribbling. He was tidy in midfield, perhaps showing that he is ready to take a more prominent role in the future.
Mason Mount - 7
Mount had a wonderful shot well saved by Ciprian Tatarusanu for the first Blues effort of the game. He could have ended the match with a goal or an assist and was a constant threat.
Ben Chilwell - 6
Chilwell’s two good successive set-piece deliveries led to Fofana’s goal. He gave the ball away to allow Milan’s last-minute chance in the first half that was blazed over by Krunic.
Raheem Sterling - 7
Sterling was well involved in the build-up play in the first half, but he laboured his finish late in the first half. He had a half-chance to get on the end of one of many James crosses but blazed over.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 7
He set up Mount’s early shot and looked fitter and brighter than his earlier showings at Chelsea. Aubameyang ended the match with another goal, tapping in a good James cross.
Substitutes
Trevoh Chalobah - 6
Making just his second appearance of the season, Chalobah slotted in neatly and even attempted an overhead kick as he tried to make a statement.
Conor Gallagher - 6
The matchwinner against Crystal Palace got another run-out, coming on with Jorginho in the 65th minute. He was aggressive and earned important minutes in Europe’s elite competition.
Jorginho - 6
Immediately took the captain’s armband from Silva after coming on. He was steady as the match ebbed to a malaise as both teams accepted the scoreline.
Armando Broja - N/A
Kai Havertz - N/A
Unused: Marcus Bettinelli, Edouard Mendy; Cesar Azpilicueta, Marc Cucurella; Denis Zakaria; Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech.
