Meslier 8: Solid throughout. His positioning was top notch today, punched and claimed in the air and other than a few loose kicks his distribution was safe and a couple of routine save to boot.
Ayling 8: Bounced back really well today Ayling, especially back to his best attacking down the right. There was a moment where Chelsk's attack broke down and Meslier got the ball and within seconds Ayling was back on the half way line ready to attack again.
Llorente 8: Another solid display today from Llorente. He showed more of his defencive qualities today and he stood up well again a probing Chelski side. With Koch back its getting competitive at CB and they stepped up today.
Struijk 9: His best game for me at CB. I thought he was outstanding today. Last ditch challenges, aggressive, interceptions, useful in the air at both ends of the pitch. His confidence levels have gone thru the roof, he now plays like he belongs and on that performance it would be silly to drop him.
Alioski 8: Solid professional shift from Ali, got caught out a few times by really good players but stood up well and made some good tackles. Like the rest of the lads he was up for it today.
Phillips 8: Got deeper as the game wore on, it was a scary moment early on when he looked like he may have picked up a injury. Aggressive and dependable as always.
Raphinha 7: Overall possibly his quietest game but still had a big chance which the keeper got a hand to. I think Chelski did i good job in keeping him quiet.
Dallas 7: With Phillips dropping deeper Dallas did get exposed a bit in midfield. Today he got turned a couple of times too easy in the tackle and that leave the midfield exposed. Has we know its a unforgiving position to play in the Middle because of the lack of cover. Did lots of good work aswell.
Roberts 9: Great game by Roberts. Unlucky with the offside, unlucky with his effort coming back of the bar and that bit of skill on the wing where he turned out of a tight defencive position into attack was great. He was involved in most our best moves. A little sloppy when laying the ball off with his back to goal.
Harrison 7: I must admit i was a little surprised to see him substituted as i thought he had a good first half. Worked his socks off and put the ball in the box which i felt Bamford should have dived for.
Bamford 7: Lovely unselfish pass to Roberts for the offside goal. Maybe he knew. As above i think he should have been a bit more Mick Jones, Allan Clarke, Lee Chapman and dived in front of the defender but i have only seen it once.
subs
Rodrigo 6: Should have scored with the free header. Lacked a bit of desire in a frenetic game i'm hoping there is lots more to come.
Costa 6: Did ok when he came on.
Meslier...8.5 Rock steady today... Commanded his area, positional sense spot on, distribution was good, and another clean sheet for him.
Ayling...7.5 Docked 1/2 a point for the first 20 minutes, but recovered as a professional should and played a blinder from then on.
Llorente}
..........}Both players 8.5, both solid, looked comfortable together finally, with Kock back & Coops...choice !
Struijk..}
Alioski...7 Asked to do a big job today and worked his boots off to do it.
Phillips...8.5 Commanding and solid, still not sure why he is not the skipper, directs everyone around him.
Raphinha...7 Perhaps his quietest game so far, but still a presence at times.
Dallas...8 Mr. Versatile, rock steady as ever.
Roberts...9 (MotM) Unusual to give a forward MotM in a 0-0 game, but his performance today fully deserved it. Pleased for the lad he needed it for his confidence.
Harrison...6.5 Put out yet again, but just seems so innefective at times...hope he finds his Mojo real soon.
Bamford...Fingers crossed not a serious injury
subs
Rodrigo...6 Still working towards full match fitness, picking up the yellow card didnt help in him being taken off, but IMO MB was looking to next week if Paddy is not available, and protecting a needed player.
Costa...7 Another good cameo by Costa...
Klich (Not applicable)
Meslier - 7.5 - Anxiety free perfomance
Ayling - 8 - Usefull
Llorente - 8.5 - Class
Struijk 7 - Solid
Alioski - 5 - Sadly, the weak link
Phillips - 7.5 - did what he does
Raphinha - 6.5 - So much of what he did looked great but created nothing
Dallas - 8 - Looking more like a Prem player every week
Roberts - 8 - Very Promising indeed (but needs to turn that into more)
Harrison - 6 - Workman like.
Bamford - 7 - Lets hope he is not out for long.
Rodrigo - 5.5 - Didn't look fit
Costa - 7.5 - He stopped them attacking down the wing and kept them honest
Every game I predict a 3 - 1 Leeds win, I am traditional like that.
Meslier - 8 - looks so comfortable at this level for a young keeper, another excellent display although didn't get pressured at free kicks and corners as some teams do
Ayling - 8 - captain's display and should be captain every week, leads by example and talking all the time
Llorente - 7 - pretty solid game and didn't get tested aerially as against West Ham, surprised Tuchel didn't try and expose that part of our game and play Giroud at some point
Struijk - 7.5 - starting to look the part, nice accomplished performance considering the opposition
Alioski - 6.5 - better than I thought he would be when I saw Chelsea line up, a few good things when going forward, still don't trust him at left back
Dallas - 7.5 - one performance just seems to merge in to the next with Dallas, what an invaluable squad player !
Phillips - 8.5 - my MOM today, thought he was excellent in everything he did
Roberts - 8 - steadily improved with each game lately, maybe he has got what it takes, we'll wait and see
Harrison - 7 - worked hard and surprised to see him taken off, think 90 minutes would have been a real boost for him
Raphinha - 7 - faded a bit as the game went on and couldn't just seem to find that break he needed
Paddy - 7 - played well up to injury, hope it's not too serious
Subs
Klich - 5 - didn't quite get Bielsa's thinking here but didn't really get involved much
Costa - 5 - still a FLAT WHITE
Rodrigo - 6 - not back up to speed yet but didn't see the point in taking him off
Meslier 7 - No big saves. Did his job well. Did put his defenders under pressure with his pass selection a couple of times
Ayling 7 - Shaky start, surprisingly gave ball away a couple of times. But was solid as ever after first 20 minutes. Good leadership too.
Llorente 8 - Cleaned up everything at the back. Even managed to skillfully deflect that Ayling clearance onto the crossbar and prevent a goal
Struijk 8 - Quiet but confident game. Never looked in trouble and carried ball out well from back. Can't be far away from surpassing Cooper in the peckig order
Alioski 7 - Busy game. He was comfortable with everything at LB and part of most of our good moves going forward (contributed more going forward than Harrison)
Phillips 7 - Nice to see him imposing the midfield at the start. Then moved to the back and was very quiet. Part of a solid defensive effort. Great to have him back.
Raphinha 7 - An ok game for Raph, but don't feel like he had much of an influence
Dallas 8 - Looks great in that mid-midfield role. Better option than Klich because he plays a little deeper, especially when we've got a striker as the other midfielder. Covered a lot of ground and involved in most of what we did
Roberts 8 - Best game of the season for him. Unlucky not to have a goal for the 2nd game. Fantastic effort hit the bar. Scored but Bamford was offside. Showed great skill and creativity several times. Hopefully this is the Tyler of the future
Harrison 5 - Just not involved at all. He was one of our best players in the first 20+ games. Not sure why he's slipped. With 4 first team wingers, and Summerville breaking through, you have to wonder if he's still worth triggering
Bamford 7 - A generous 7 for 35 minutes but he was really lively. Willing to drop back and was part of a few of our best moves in the first half
subs
Rodrigo 6 - Not a major impact but played his part. No worries about the substitution as he's been working his way back to fitness since covid in December
Costa 6 - An ok game. Offered a little more than Harrison when he came on
Klich (Not applicable) - Kind of a spare part that doesn't fit right now. He's going to have to learn to play the role Dallas played today and not just an attacking mid. It will get him games against the bottom 6. But obviously Bielsa likes Dallas better against dangerous opposition
Meslier - 8 - Solid all game. Took command on corners
Ayling - 8 - excellent from Luke
Llorente - 8.5 - Getting better with every game.
Struijk - 8 - solid all day; his presence is a big help on set pieces
Alioski - 6.5 - Pulisic fairly undressed him early on and his hot-headedness almost cost us dearly at the end.
Phillips - 8 - everywhere we needed him when we needed him there
Raphinha - 7 - we're going to have to get used to other teams collapsing on him
Dallas - 8 - see Phillips
Roberts - 8.5 - Best game I can recall him having for us. Dreadfully unlucky not to have scored
Harrison - 6 - Spent so much energy defensively didn't have anything going forward
Bamford - 7 - Praying it's only a knock
Rodrigo - 6.5 - still finding his sea legs
Costa - 7.5 - Neutralized the threat on the Chelsea left and created a couple of opportunities. Some of his best work of late
Meslier - 7.5 - Decent today
Ayling - 8 - The main reason we kept a clean sheet
Llorente - 7 - Good game struggles in the air and positioning is still shaky
Struijk - 8 - Really should be our #1LCD going forward
Alioski - 7 - Really good game and contained his man for a lot of the time and that is no mean feat.
Phillips - 8 - Getting back to his best as he gets more consistant game time
Raphinha - 7 - Unlucky not to score but held onto the ball too much or tried to do a little too much
Dallas - 8.5 - Needs to stay in midfield now he's figured it out, much better there than he is at wing back
Roberts - 8.5 -
Harrison - 7 - We needed his defensive work today imo, there was that one delicious cross that should have ended up in the back of the net
Bamford - 6
subs
Rodrigo - 5 - Liked he found room for the header even if he muffed his lines. There's quality hetre just needs game time
Costa - 7 - Super sub for the future maybe, seems to play better off the bench
Klich -
"Never debate an idiot, they'll only drag you down to their level and they have the advantage of experience"
Meslier - 8 Assured performance
Ayling - 7.5 Captain's innings
Llorente - 8 Getting close to the player we bought
Struijk - 7.5 Looking stronger every game
Alioski - 6 not a full back - not really a winger - Pulisic had him on toast
Phillips - 8.5 back to his best defensively
Raphinha - 7 not as much guile as normal and should have scored
Dallas - 7.5 consistent again
Roberts - 8 unlucky with some of his attempts generally good all-round performance
Harrison - 6.5 hard work and counted 2 decent crosses
Bamford - 6.5 usual effort until injured at least he cant be blamed for not scoring
subs
Rodrigo 6.5 expected more but MB says he is not at full fitness
Costa - 7 definitely an impact player
