MAURICIO POCHETTINO got the stirring response he demanded to a 5-0 loss at Arsenal – with captain Conor Gallagher leading by a glorious example.
Gallagher’s thumping finish capped the Blues’ deserved 2-2 comeback draw at fourth-placed Aston Villa.
ReutersConor Gallagher rifled a late equaliser to reward Chelsea’s improvement[/caption]
ReutersNoni Madueke cut Chelsea’s deficit to 2-1 with this fine finish[/caption]
Marc Cucurella’s early own-goal and a fierce near-post finish from Marvin Rogers had rewarded Villa’s handful of dangerous counter-attacks before the break.
But as Chelsea turned their possession into decent pressure after the break, Noni Madueke drilled them back into it before Gallagher rasped a lat equaliser.
And 90th-minute sub Axel Disasi bundled a stoppage-time “winner” ruled out by VAR.
Here’s how Pochettino’s men rated man by man.
DJORDE PETROVIC – 7
Beaten by an own-goal deflection off Cucurella for Villa’s opener, then slightly unsighted when Rogers whistled a 20-yard secnd goal past him low at the near post.
Untroubled for large spells due to Chelsea regularly bossing possession.
But had to plunge down quickly to palm out Ollie Watkins’ rapier shot – before kicking the loose ball away.
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TREVOH CHALOBAH – 6
Looked comfortable defensively coming in at right-back for his fifth Prem start this season.
But nothing to suggest he’ll be a long-term challenge to Reece James in that position – with central defence a more likely option.
THIAGO SILVA – 6
Returned to the backline and in fact was thwarted by Watkins when he had surprise sniff of goal in the first half.
Did nothing wrong after that – but was also rarely involved.
BENOIT BADIASHILE
Stretched to flash an early volley well wide before Chelsea faced pressure and seemed nervy.
Steady enough after that, albeit not quite a towering presence.
MARC CUCURELLA – 5
Floundered early on when Villa poured forward – which left him operating as an orthodox left-back.
Was all over the place on the way to his own-goal in the fourt minute.
But once the Blues settled he linked up busily on the touchline much further forward – in his more comfortable wing-back role.
Hung up the cross from which Jackson headed off the post on 34 minute.
MOISES CAICEDO – 6
Nervy, clumsy start, but then, just like his team, grew into it.
Won a few challenges in advanced positions and neatly fed Jackson for a decent 29th-minute chance that was blocked.
Booked on 49 minutes after reacting angrily to Luiz grabbing hold of him.
Then wriggled free to tee up scorer Madueke for a half-chance
CONOR GALLAGHER – STAR MAN 7
Seemed set for a typical display – nothing spectacular but a non-stop workrate.
Then cut in for a scintillating 25-yard thumper into the far bottom corner on his weaker, left foot for an 83rd-minute equaliser
Kept possession steadily enough – but from positions where Chelsea ideally needed something more creative and penetrating.
NONI MADUEKE – 7
Showed up well on the right touchline, often looking busy.
And just when he was struggling to conjure any direct threat Chelsea were rewarded for increasingly feeding him in the second period.
The winger neatly let the ball run across him before he rifled the Blues back into it with a classy left-footer on 63 minutes.
Just seconds later he scythed through the middle of Villa’s defence, only to be brought down inside the penalty area D.
COLE PALMER – 6
Fit to return – and fizzing to trouble Villa.
Made space for himself for two fierce long-range left-footers before the break.
But perhaps not involved enough in the second half, considering he was Chelsea’s main man when he did have the ball.
Screwed an inviting 22-yard free-kick wide just after Chelsea had cut the deficit to 2-1.
Then flashed a low first-timer from further out inches wide.
And in stoppage time squirmed through for what seemed a certain winner – only for his sidefooter to be blocked.
MYKHAILO MUDRYK – 5
Appears to still lack total belief as well as a regular end product.
Operating inside of Cucurella on the left, showered flickers of promise.
A classic example came when he followed up a neat first touch with a shot from distance flailed out for a throw-in.
An iffy first touch ruined his chance of a late winner inside a congested box
NICOLAS JACKSON – 6
Defied the common perception that he’s a poor finisher with a Drogba-style three-touch dispatch into the net on 16 minutes, only for VAR to rule him narrowly offside.
Unlucky to head a Cucurella cross onto the foot of the post, then drove in from the right for a left-footer wide.
Still not looking like the all-round talent to make him a top-class Prem striker.
At times appeared a mobile, muscular menace – but one or two heavy touches .
SUBS
Axel Disasi (for Silva, 90m)
Cesare Casadei (for Mudryk, 90m)