EPL 2016-17: Chelsea 3 - 0 Leicester City - Player Ratings
The first fixture of this week's Premier League pitted the champions of the last two seasons – Chelsea and Leicester City – against each other at Stamford Bridge. The Blues were utterly dominant in the first half, taking a comfortable 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Diego Costa and Eden Hazard.
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Leicester improved in the second half but couldn't find a way back into the game and Chelsea killed the game off with a third by Victor Moses with 10 minutes to go.
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Let’s take a look and how the players performed.
Chelsea
Thibaut Courtois – 8/10
The Chelsea keeper was a virtual spectator for the first half and might as well have pulled out a chair and sat down. He was given some work to do in the second half but was largely comfortable and will really enjoy his clean sheet.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7.5/10
Playing on the right-hand side of a back three, the Spaniard proved once again why he is considered so important to Chelsea. A solid performance by the versatile defender who is quickly becoming an excellent centre-back to go along with his abilities at full-back.
Gary Cahill – 7.5/10
The Englishman had a great game and really seems to be taking to the back three system as he completely shut Musa and Vardy out in the first half. Was given a few problems after the break but had a largely comfortable game.
David Luiz – 8/10
Luiz operated like a quarterback, pinging out passes and operated as freekick taker in chief. He hit the crossbar with the first one he took before drawing out a great save from Schmeichel with the second one. The Brazilian tracked Vardy well all game long and it was his last ditch defending that saw him prevent a tap-in for the Englishman when he intercepted Drinkwater's cross onto the post.
Marcos Alonso – 7/10
The Chelsea new boy had a solid first half, operating as a wing-back and linking up well with Eden Hazard on the left. His crosses and set-piece deliveries are a real threat and he should cement his place in the team if Conte sticks to the 3-4-3 formation.
Nemanja Matic – 7.5/10
The Serb's flick from Hazard's corner saw Diego Costa score the opener. Completed bossed the midfield and looked more like the player who was such a vital member of Chelsea's title-winning squad.
N'Golo Kante – 8.5/10
The former Leicester man did his old team no favors as he put in yet another tireless display. Kante also showed a new dimension to his game with improved vision and could have had a couple of assists if his teammates finished better. He almost scored himself and it was a certainly a performance that deserved a goal.
Victor Moses – 8/10
Moses has received a new lease on life under Antonio Conte and has repaid his manager's faith in spades. Looks really at home as a wing-back and gives Chelsea an extra option going forward while proving to be solid in defense. He scored a fabulous third to round things off and was promptly subbed off to a standing ovation.
Pedro – 7.5/10
The Spaniard had a lively start game replacing Willian who was given compassionate leave following the death of his mother. Pedro linked up really well with the Chelsea attack and provided a great assist – from the floor – for the second goal of the game. He was always a threat before he was subbed off for Chalobah.
Diego Costa – 7.5/10
Costa showed why he is the league's most in-form striker as he put in yet another aggressive display. It was smart movement from the Spanish international to get around the back and thump home Chelsea's opener. Costa consistently held the ball up and combined really well with the rest of the Chelsea attack.
Eden Hazard – 8/10
The Belgian really grew into the game after a sloppy start to the game. Hazard tormented the Leicester defense and he scored a beautiful second goal after his corner had led to Diego Costa's opener. He was a constant thorn in Leicester's side until he was replaced after Chelsea's third.
Substitutes
Nathaniel Chalobah – 7/10
The 21-year-old replaced Pedro in the second half, racking up more important minutes with the first-team. He showed off his quality with a great range of passing and an incredible backheel assist for Chelsea's third.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – NA
He was brought on for the last 10 minutes as Chelsea just looked to close out the game as he replaced Eden Hazard.
Ola Aina – NA
Aina was given a 10-minute outing with the first team as Chelsea coasted home.