CHELSEA made hard work of scraping past Aston Villa to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round.
The Blues needed penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes with Reece James sticking away the crucial kick.
Earlier on, Timo Werner had opened the scoring with a back-post header.
But Aston Villa youngster Cameron Archer simply went even better with a stunning header into the top corner – however, his side’s wasted chances came back to haunt them on when it went to spot-kicks.
Here’s how Simon Phillips rated Thomas Tuchel’s men…
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 9
He made a couple of fantastic saves to keep Chelsea in the game in the first half and was good at coming to claim the ball from crosses.
Made a great save in the shootout as well.
Reece James – 8
Playing as a centre-back he looked very comfortable there, good on the ball and made some great recovery tackles.
He provided a beautiful cross for the opening goal. Scored the final penalty to send Chelsea through!
Trevoh Chalobah – 8
So calm as the main central defender and played with so much confidence.
He made some excellent tackles and interceptions in the first half, but he did struggle a little with Archer in the second half.
Malang Sarr – 5
Shaky at times and got booked midway through the first half.
Some good touches on the ball and comfortable most of the time but he did give the ball away a few times.
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Callum Hudson-Odoi – 7
Needed to try and beat his man more but he had some very good moments out wide on the right linking with Reece James, and defensively he worked hard as well.
Had Ashley Young riled up for the majority of the second half.
Saul Niguez – 5
Another shocking first 45 minutes from the Spaniard that pretty much mirrored his Chelsea debut to be honest, constantly giving the ball away and not really looking up to it.
He did improve significantly in the second half and made some important tackles.
N’Golo Kante – 5
It was a rare poorer showing from Kante in the first half, being unable to hit simple passes and losing the ball more often than he is used to doing.
Tonight’s captain was subbed off at half-time, probably more to keep him rested for the weekend though rather than his performance.
Ben Chilwell – 7
Some sloppy moments from him early on, but then he hasn’t played for such a long time – this was his first start since the Champions League final.
He started to grow into it a little more as the game went on and he played with much more confidence and energy up and down the flank.
Crashed his penalty against the bar when a goal would have sealed the victory.
Hakim Ziyech – 5
Another very frustrating first half from him, and a lot like Saul, he kept giving the ball away or wasting chances not being able to hit a simple through ball.
He was slightly better in the second half but still not good enough.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 10
Chelsea’s best player on the pitch, pure class on the ball and so confident and calm.
He was asked to play in the holding role tonight, which is very unfamiliar for him, but he was superb.
Timo Werner – 7
A lot like Ziyech’s performance, Werner was very frustrating to watch once again in the first half.
He came alive a bit more in the second half and got a nice headed goal to put Chelsea 1-0 up and played much better using the ball a lot better and being a real threat.
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Mason Mount for Kante (HT) – 8
Certainly made a big difference when he came on at half-time, adding energy and intensity. Slammed in his penalty.
Romelu Lukaku for Ziyech (75 mins) – 7
Was his usual nuisance to defenders when he came on. Scored his penalty with confidence.
Ross Barkley for Saul Niguez (75 mins) – 7
Added some good energy and direct play plus one superb sliding tackle. Also scored from 12 yards.
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