CHELSEA slumped to a shock home loss to Nottingham Forest.
Ex-Manchester United star Anthony Elanga‘s second-half winner was enough to separate the sides.
ReutersChelea slumped to a shock loss to Nottingham Forest[/caption]
And despite knocking on the door, Chelsea failed to get back on level terms.
Here is how Jordan Davies rated the Blues’ players from Stamford Bridge.
ROBERT SANCHEZ – 6
Nothing to do in the first half. Yet to be seen whether he is good enough on the ball out from the back after a few nervy moments holding onto possession for far too long. Not a lot he could do for the goal.
AXEL DISASI – 6
Pochettino spent most of the first period screaming at him for his poor distribution to his nearest full-back. Nevertheless, he looked solid whenever called into action.
THIAGO SILVA – 7
Allowed the through ball to slide between his legs as Elanga grabbed the opener, but can hardly be blamed. Attempted to push Chelsea higher up throughout and nullified several Forest attacks.
LEVI COLWILL – 6
Could not get back into his position in time to stop Forest taking the lead. Looks to still be adapting to playing on the left of Chelsea’s back three.
ReutersMalo Gusto is improving massively with every outing[/caption]
MALO GUSTO – 7
Improves massively with every outing. Showed great pace and strength to deal with Forest on the counter and linked up well with Sterling down the right. Failed to reproduce that when Sterling switched flanks after the break.
MOISES CAICEDO – 5
Produced glimpses of the dirty work that will have pleased boss Pochettino, but on the ball the Ecuadorian was sloppy, and was at fault for Forest’s opener after the break. For the talent he is, let’s say this was a bad day at the office.
CONOR GALLAGHER – 6
Grew into the match, but remains a frustrating player to watch at times. Erratic on the ball and rash off it, picking up a needless first half yellow, before losing it early in the second half as Forest pounced and scored.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 6
A few good spins in the middle of the pitch set up some attacks, but he struggled to have a real impact in the first half. A curling effort from outside the box cleared the bar, but that was about as good as it got.
ReutersBen Chilwell was unlucky to be taken off on the hour mark[/caption]
BEN CHILWELL – 8
A constant source of irritation for Forest with his storming runs down the left, as well as several crosses that should have been turned goalwards. Unlucky to be taken off on the hour mark.
RAHEEM STERLING – 7
Great chance to opening scoring inside two minutes, but continues to be Chelsea’s best player by a mile. No wonder he is fuming over his England squad snub. Was suffocated out of any real space or chances in the second half.
NICOLAS JACKSON – 5
Snatched at a few half chances at the start of the game and never looked entirely composed, summed up when he missed a sitter inside the six-yard box in the dying moments. Unlike in previous weeks, his hold-up play was lacking too.
ReutersNicolas Jackson missed a sitter for Chelsea[/caption]
SUBS
COLE PALMER (61, CHILWELL) – 6
Lively enough, but was crowded out by a stubborn Forest low block. Had a couple of opportunities to shoot but opted to pass instead.
NONI MADUEKE (61, GALLAGHER) – 6
Brought energy down the right, and threatened greatly cutting in onto his left foot yet failed to unleash it when it mattered.
MYKHAILO MUDRYK (77, GUSTO) – 5
Barely got a sniff. Tasked with lumping balls into the box, and almost cost his side another goal with a lazy pass. Looks lost in a Chelsea shirt right now. Needs a run of games to properly get into the groove.
IAN MAATSEN (77, CAICEDO) – 6
A few nice bursts from deep, nothing more. Perhaps should have been brought on earlier.
AFPMudryk looks on in frustration[/caption]