Aston Villa beat Chelsea 2-0 in a mid-table table to pile the pressure on Graham Potter and see his side drop down to a dismal 11th place.
Ollie Watkins and John McGinn scored at Stamford Bridge in a match that makes European football next season even less likely for the Blues and raises the possibility that the club could register its lowest finish in the Premier League era.
The main highlight for a wasteful Chelsea was the return of N’Golo Kante for the first time since August 14, playing for Potter for the first time.
Nizaar Kinsella was at Stamford Bridge watching another terrible result for the Blues...
Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6
Kepa wasn’t busy but still had to pick the ball out of his net twice. The two goals weren’t his fault, one a great one-on-one finish and the other a powerful drive into the corner from 25 yards.
Reece James - 5
As centre-back, the England international did well in his one-on-one duels but it was poor organisationally from the unit at the back. He rarely ventured forward.
Kalidou Kouliably - 4
Koulibaly was Chelsea’s sole threat in the box for their many corners and free-kicks and was unlucky not to score a header. Unfortunately, he looked shaky at the back, making errors and couldn’t stop Watkins from running through to score the opener.
Marc Cucurella - 3
Cucurella was the player most at fault for Watkins’s goal. His front-footed defending just saw him out of position all too often.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 4
The midfielder-turned-wing back gave the ball away too regularly and, at times, stunted attacks with his lack of crossing ability. In fairness, it isn’t his position as he tried to do a job for the team.
Enzo Fernandez - 6
In his typical way, ran the midfield with his impressive passing range and wonderful touch. He did, however, fail to protect his back four alongside Kovacic.
Mateo Kovacic - 5
Attempted to recreate his phenomenal goal against Liverpool with another scissor kick from 25 yards. Some great balls in behind but struggled defensively in transition.
Ben Chilwell - 6
One of Chelsea’s better performers, almost winning a penalty early on and finding the back of the net with a header that was harshly ruled out for a push on Ashley Young.
Mykhailo Mudryk - 3
Mudryk was able to do everything right until he got into a goal scoring position in his 57-minute appearance. He saw a tame shot saved one-on-one by Emiliano Martinez after catching Boubacar Kamara in possession, while a shot shortly after was even worse.
Kai Havertz - 6
Very unlucky not to score from a good flicked effort at a set-piece which followed a good chest and volleyed effort that was saved. Played well but had nothing to show for it.
Joao Felix - 6
Joao Felix was very dangerous in the final third and with his energetic pressing. He saw several shots saved by Martinez and dragged another wide from a corner in the 37th minute.
Substitutes
N’Golo Kante - 6
The midfielder returned for the first time in over seven months, temporarily lifting the mood in west London. He looked understandably rusty, dragging a big chance wide in the 65th minute.
Noni Madueke - 6
Excelled going forward as a right wing-back, creating chances for others and having a shot just wide but didn’t offer much defensively.
Conor Gallagher - N/A
Christian Pulisic - N/A
Unused subs: Bettinelli, Badiashile, Chalobah, Mount, Chukwuemeka
