Yahoo Finance Chelsea player ratings vs Fulham: Mason Mount bails out Blues flatlining forwards
Chelsea needed Mason Mount’s late goal to squeeze past Fulham and earn a 1-0 win in Saturday’s west London derby.
Here’s how Frank Lampard’s team rated at Craven Cottage…
Edouard Mendy 6
A spectator for the most part despite Fulham’s decent first-half showing as Cavaleiro fluffed best chance to test him.
Cesar Azpilicueta 4
Looked exhausted after 20 minutes against the lively Robinson and would have been glad to see the back of him, albeit having taken a hefty challenge. Almost beat Mendy with bizarre backless.
Thiago Silva 6
As reliable as ever, even with Azpilciueta regularly exposed on his outside.
Antonio Rudiger 6
Surprise inclusion was untested defensively but went close to opening the scoring with first-half header and produced a superb cross to create a terrific chance for Abraham.
Ben Chillwell 6
Underused, particularly given Fulham spent much of the second-half with Decordova-Reid at right-wing-back, but proved his class by creating the winner.
Jorginho 5
Did little wrong, but didn’t offer much in the way of creativity either and eventually deemed surplus to requirements after Fulham went down to ten.
Mason Mount 7 - Star man
Sharp as ever and looked the one player capable offending space in a congested midfield. No surprise when he popped up with the winner.
Mateo Kovacic 6
Grew more adventurous after half-time but difficult to see exactly what his role was, particularly against ten men.
Hakim Ziyech 6
One smart piece on link-up play with Giroud in the first-half that forced Areola into a save, but wasted several good shooting opportunities around the box. Brilliant cross for Pulisic deserved finishing.
Christian Pulisic 4
Virtually anonymous in the first-half and perhaps on his heels when unable to convert from Ziyech’s cross in the second. Improved late on but still well short of his best.
Olivier Giroud 5
Decent half-volley strike forced Areola into first-half save but Blues rarely played to his strength. Relieved to see flag up after scuffing a glorious second-half chance.
Substitutes
Tammy Abraham 5
Steered header straight at Areola soon after introduction and slipped when well-placed late on.
Timo Werner 4
Squandered chance to seal result on the break with heavy touch before passing up a sitter at the death.
Callum Hudson-Odoi N/A
Had little impact.
Unused: Kepa, Zouma, James, Emerson, Gilmour, Havertz.
