Kepa Arrizabalaga
The first thing of note the Spaniard had to do was to collect the ball from his own net after Macaulay Gillesphey glanced home a free-kick to give the visitors a shock lead.
Kepa wasn't truly tested for the remainder of the first half but was busier in the second and had to produce a smart stop to deny Ryan Hardie.
The Spaniard was put under pressure from set-pieces in extra time but handled that well and then came his crowning moment as he produced a fine stop to save Ryan Hardie's late penalty. 7
Cesar Azpilicueta
The Blues' club captain had very little defending to do across the 120 minutes and was more involved in the Plymouth penalty area.
It was his smart back-heeled finish that brought Chelsea level after a hugely poor 40 minutes and Azpilicueta did have the ball in the net again in the second half but saw his effort ruled out. One of the few to step up. 7
Andreas Christensen
Back in the starting XI for only his third start since the turn of the year, Christensen was composed in possession but struggled physically against Plymouth forward Jordon Garrick.
The Dane was brought off at half time as Chelsea reintroduce him slowly after his bout of Covid. 5
Antonio Rudiger
The German started on the left of central defence and then moved over to the right in the second period after Christensen was replaced.
Didn't have a great deal do to given Chelsea dominated possession, but was reliable when called upon and produced a couple of trademark random moments. 6
Malang Sarr
Used on the left of a back four in the opening period, Sarr appeared uncomfortable on the ball and Chelsea's possession game suffered a as result.
He was switched to centre-back after the break but still was loose with his passing and in the late stages of extra time, he brought down Ryan Hardie having gifted the ball to Argyle.
Fortunately for Sarr, Kepa stepped up to save. 4
Jorginho
Used at the base of a midfield three, Jorginho struggled against the physicality of Plymouth's midfielders and forwards in the early stages of the game.
The Italian began to get a grasp on proceedings as the game progressed but he lacked his usual incisiveness with his passing, with possession surrendered far too often. 5
Mateo Kovacic
Given that the Croatian has been one of Chelsea's standout performers this season, there was no surprise he started in midfielder once more. Kovacic looked sharper than many of his colleagues and was unfortunate to strike the crossbar and post with well-taken shots in the first half.
He continued to probe in the second period and was one of Chelsea's better performers against the League One side before being brought off late on. 6
Mason Mount
Used as attack-minded eight, Mount had plenty of licence to roam into the space left by Ziyech and Lukaku and it was his cross that Azpilicueta turned home in the opening period.
There was one nice flick that opened up the Plymouth defence for Hakim Ziyech to cross for Romelu Lukaku after the break but the Belgian couldn't finish and it was Mount who forced an excellent stop from Mike Cooper as Chelsea pushed for a winner.
Appeared to go off with an injury in extra time. 6
Hakim Ziyech
There was no surprise to see Ziyech start again given his excellent performance against Tottenham before the break. Yet Plymouth proved a more troublesome opponent for Chelsea.
There were some nice touches from Ziyech throughout but the visitors were able to limit his threat to shots from distance. The once clear chance he did fashion wasn't finished by Lukaku. 6
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Handed another start on the left, the 21-year-old was far too easily contained by Joe Edwards in the opening period. Hudson-Odoi more of a threat after the interval but his most important contribution came in defence as he made a vital interception to stop Panutche Camara from breaking through. 5
Romelu Lukaku
It is no exaggeration to state the first half performance produced by Lukaku was his worst in a Chelsea shirt. He looked sluggish, devoid of belief, and posed no threat.
The Belgian looked sharper in the second 45 minutes and almost touched home a Ziyech cross. He also put Timo Werner in on goal with a pass the German didn't race on to. However, the Blues need far, far more from their club-record signing going forward. 4
Substitutes:
Marcos Alonso (for Andreas Christensen, HT) - 6
Introduced at the half-time interval to give Chelsea a greater threat from left-back; scored what proved to be the winner in extra time. 6
Kai Havertz (for Callum Hudson-Odoi,64) - 5
A few neat touches and a shot into the side netting, but didn't have a huge influence from the bench. 5
Timo Werner (for Mateo Kovacic, 81) - 4
His introduction was called for by supporters but Werner made no impact beyond hitting a couple of shots into defenders. 4
Saul (for Mason Mount, 97) - 5
Chalobah (for Azpilicueta, 111) - N/A
