Kepa the star man vs Al Hilal as Blues struggle to put away Saudi champions

CHELSEA edged via to the Membership World Cup closing with a decent 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia champions Al Hilal.

They usually have been indebted to their man between the sticks after Kepa Arrizabalaga pulled off a sequence of necessary second-half saves to ship them via.

Up entrance, star striker Romelu Lukaku bagged the essential aim however struggled to have an effect as strain on the Blues mounted after the break.

Right here’s how SunSport’s Simon Phillips rated the Chelsea line-up in motion at Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.

KEPA ARRIZABALAGA – 9/10

Not a lot for the Spaniard to do between the sticks within the first-half however something that did come his means he dealt with properly – and he was good together with his ft taking part in out from deep as soon as once more. Made a pair huge saves after the break to maintain Chelsea within the lead.

ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN – 6

Suspect to start out with, giving the ball away on a few events, however he quickly settled and put in some good tackles and stored his focus on the again.

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THIAGO SILVA – 7

Class as at all times and even put in a few good first half challenges. Performs deep like a sweeper and sees all the things earlier than it occurs. Was beneath much more strain within the second-half and handled it properly.

ANTONIO RUDIGER – 7

Good simple sport for him on the again within the first-half. It was a special story within the second as Chelsea misplaced management and he needed to defend for his life on a couple of events.

CESAR AZPILICUETA – 7

He was taking part in very superior and fairly inverted on events for Chelsea as they managed the sport. Needed to defend much more within the second-half although and did his job properly.

MATEO KOVACIC – 9

His drive ahead with the ball helped arrange Chelsea’s aim at a time once they actually wanted to interrupt the impasse. Class efficiency from the Croatia worldwide who was one of many Blues’ higher gamers.

JORGINHO – 7

As normal, labored properly in partnership with Kovacic to regulate the sport in midfield for Chelsea. He was rested at half-time and got here off for Kante.

MARCOS ALONSO – 5

OK within the first half, trying to get entangled in assaults as usually as doable. However his frailties on the again have been clear to see as he was simply overwhelmed on a number of events when Al-Hilal began to activate the strain.

HAKIM ZIYECH – 8

One other vivid sport as a whole lot of what Chelsea did properly in assault got here via the Moroccan. He got here off within the second-half for Mason Mount because the Blues seemed for extra management.

KAI HAVERTZ – 7

Mixed properly with Lukaku and Ziyech up high and arrange the Belgian’s aim. A pleasant technical sport and will have gotten a aim himself however was wasteful within the closing third.

ROMELU LUKAKU – 6

The aim gave him some much-needed confidence and he seemed comparatively snug. He nonetheless wasn’t concerned anyplace close to sufficient and pale significantly within the second half.

SUBS

N’Golo Kante on for Jorginho (HT) – 6

Some sloppy passes from Kante however apart from that he labored laborious and put in a couple of good tackles.

Mason Mount on for Ziyech (72 minutes) – 6

Tried to inject some power and achieve management, however Chelsea continued to wrestle.

Malang Sarr for Alonso (86 minutes) – N/A

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