Chelsea player ratings: Tammy Abraham had a tough afternoon against Manchester City (Image: GETTY•buildlineup.com)
Chelsea slipped off the pace in the Premier League after a 2-1 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad.
The Blues took the lead through an excellent goal from N’Golo Kante, with the Frenchman breaking from midfield and tucking away Mateo Kovacic’s pass, but City equalised through Kevin de Bruyne’s deflected finish.
Riyad Mahrez then jinked his way through the Chelsea defence to finish beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga and make the points safe for Pep Guardiola’s men as both sides cancelled each other out after the break.
Express Sport have rated how the Chelsea players performed against Manchester City, but do you agree?
Chelsea player ratings vs Manchester City – Premier League
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
Got away with one terrible pass straight to Sergio Aguero and was left stranded by De Bruyne’s deflected effort.
Also unsighted for Mahrez’s effort but then showed lightning reactions to tip over the Algerian’s second-half drive.
RB: Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
Shackled Raheem Sterling for much of the first half and broke forward well to set up Kante for an effort.
Switched to left-back in order to deal with Mahrez and pulled off an excellent block to Fernandinho’s strike from close range.
Chelsea player ratings: Cesar Azpilicueta kept Raheem Sterling quiet for much of the match (Image: GETTY)
CB: Kurt Zouma – 5
Looked laboured in possession and had trouble keeping tabs on Aguero.
His deflection diverted De Bruyne’s shot beyond Kepa.
CB: Fikayo Tomori – 6
Guilty of not closing down Mahrez quick enough for City’s second, with the whipped finish going through his legs on its way into the bottom corner.
Otherwise reasonably solid.
LB: Emerson Palmieri – 4
Had real trouble keeping up with the lively Mahrez, allowing the winger inside too easily for the winner and was withdrawn before the hour.
Chelsea player ratings: Emerson Palmieri had a tough evening up against Riyad Mahrez (Image: GETTY)
CM: Jorginho – 7
Excellent in the opening stages, offering himself in tricky situations and taking responsibility in possession.
Linked well with Mateo Kovacic and got through plenty of defensive work as Chelsea bossed the midfield for large periods.
CM: N’Golo Kante – 8
A real threat breaking from midfield, running beyond Tammy Abraham and showing a striker’s finish to open the scoring after he outmuscled Benjamin Mendy.
Had another effort well saved by Ederson.
CM: Mateo Kovacic – 8
Like Jorginho, Kovacic was excellent as he consistently went looking for work.
Provided the link between the Chelsea rearguard and their attacking options while the Croation carried the ball well.
Chelsea player ratings: Mateo Kovacic was excellent in central midfield (Image: GETTY)
RAM: Willian – 5
A frustrating afternoon for the Brazilian who was starved of service and got little change out of the City defence.
Went close in the opening minutes and sent another volley fizzing over the bar but that was as good as it got.
LAM: Christian Pulisic – 6
Showed some really nice touches in the first half, driving at the opposition back line without really carving out any chances.
ST: Tammy Abraham – 4
A difficult game for the England international who never had a sight of goal and looked slightly off the pace all evening.
Found himself dropping deeper and deeper to get involved but to no avail.
Chelsea player ratings: Do you agree with our ratings for the Blues against City? (Image: buildlineup.com)
SUB: Reece James (on for Emerson, 59 mins) – 5
Stood up well to Sterling.
SUB: Michy Batshuayi (on for Abraham, 72 mins) – 4
Fell over when played in on goal.
SUB: Mason Mount (on for Jorginho, 73 mins) – 5
Played Batshuayi in.