REECE JAMES ensured Chelsea will have a lead to defend at Stamford Bridge next week despite not being at the races.
Enzo Maresca would have been scratching his head at half-time after the Blues put in one of their worst first half performances of the season.
RexReece James celebrates putting Chelsea 1-0 up[/caption]
ReutersEnzo Fernandez scored after coming on at half-time[/caption]
GettyCole Palmer looked out of sorts again[/caption]
The Chelsea boss wrung the changes at the break and they paid off instantly as James opened the scoring from 30 yards.
It was a stroke of genius from Maresca to play James in the midfield – he would not have been in the position to score otherwise.
The skipper battled brilliantly in the middle of the park and his ability to pick out a pass meant his display was a rare positive to take from this clash.
Cole Palmer again looked lethargic while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall looked out of his depth – as did Shim Mheuka making his full debut.
Fellow youngster Tyrique George looked bright while Christopher Nkunku and Marc Cucurella made impacts from the bench.
But in truth Chelsea were lucky to escape Parken with a win.
Here is how SunSport’s Kealan Huges rated the Blues display.
Robert Sanchez – 7
Nothing he could do to stop Gabriel Pereira’s thumping header.
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Much better than he has been in recent weeks. Made saves with minimal fuss and for once did not put his own team-mates under pressure when playing it out from the back.
Trevoh Chalobah – 7
Solid performance but he isn’t really a right-back so struggled to get forward in support of George.
Good in the air and generally kept possession well.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 7
Another assured performance but yet again part of a defence that failed to keep a clean sheet.
Copenhagen got in down his side early in the second half and hit the post.
Saw a lot of the ball and completed a staggering 131 passes.
Benoit Badiashile – 6
Battled well at the back and made good use of his physicality.
Kept the ball well too but was hooked at half-time.
Malo Gusto – 6
Was forced off injured midway through the first half. He initially went down and had his foot well strapped but was unable to continue.
He had looked sharp before that and blocked a few crosses.
Reece James – 9
Opened the scoring with a daisy-cutter that caught out the goalkeeper.
Looked a little lost operating in the No8 role in the first half but moved into Caicedo’s position after he went off and looked much more comfortable.
He snubbed out attacks and sprayed passes across the pitch, providing a focal point for his side in the middle.
Moises Caicedo – 7
Chelsea’s standout performer. As effective off the ball as he was on it, which was crucial as his side struggled to get a foothold in the first half.
Taken off at half-time which was a bold move from Maresca.
Tyrique George – 6
Tried to beat his man when he got on the ball. Picked up some clever positions.
He showed good composure and awareness to pick out a pass for Fernandez to score when he was quickly being closed down in the box.
Cole Palmer – 4
Where is the real Palmer? It is now eight games without a goal and 15 without an assist for the Chelsea talisman.
Sent one long-range effort past the post and that was as close as he came before being subbed with 20 minutes to go.
He appears to have lost his influence and was in and out of the game. Perhaps it is time he was moved back to the right flank where he thrived last season.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 3
Given a rare start but he gave the ball away countless times.
He does not fit into this Chelsea team, certainly not on the left wing where he started the match.
Moved to the right in the second half but looked equally as lost there. Bizarre he played there when Palmer was ineffective through the middle.
Shim Mheuka – 4
He became Chelsea’s youngest-ever starter in European competition but it is difficult to explain Maresca’s thinking behind his inclusion.
The 17-year-old fed off scraps such was the lack of service to him and struggled to make the ball stick – but it is difficult to criticise the youngster given his age and lack of experience. Lasted until half-time.
Subs
Marc Cucurella (for Gusto, 25mins) – 7
He was the Energizer Bunny for his first 20 minutes as he frantically tried to close down every opposing player on the pitch for reasons only he can explain.
Showed quick thinking to pick up the ball and square it for James, who had space and time to pick his spot.
Levi Colwill (for Badiashile, half-time) – 5
Caught ball watching and lost track of two runners at the back post, one of which was Pereira who headed in.
Very assured and composed on the ball as always.
Enzo Fernandez (for Caicedo, half-time) – 7
Scored with a clinical finish. He did well to open his foot up and side foot into the far corner.
Played a nice ball in behind the defence but Cucurella headed wide and was offside anyway.
Booked late on for a coming together with Amin Chiaka at a set-piece.
Christopher Nkunku (for Mhueka, 45mins) – 7
Helped to set-up the second goal as he harried a defender with Cucurella and won the ball back before feeding George with a clever pass.
Did well for the first goal too and generally showed good link-up play.
Jadon Sancho (for Palmer, 72mins) – 5
Ineffectual, barely got on the ball. Although Chelsea were under pressure for pretty much the entirety of the time he spent on the pitch.
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