I’m not going to dress any of that up. It was awful and I can’t wait to get home.
The referee was awful and ruined the game. Cahill should have been sent off with Costa. The linesman didn’t know how throw-ins worked and that gave us a few laughs. Well, if you didn’t laugh, you’d cry, it was that type of day.
Although that doesn’t take away any blame from the main culprit, Koeman. His selection of Calvert Lewin over Lookman was again a big mistake. It went downhill from there. Subs should have been made at half time following a sorry spell. They weren’t. They were made 20 minutes too late. Then followed the most uninspiring, clueless sub I’ve seen from Koeman. Enner Valencia, who at that point was threatening heavily the Chelsea defence, was brought off for the dead man walking Arouna Koné. He was awful, shockingly enough.
His instructions left too many players out of their depth and his subs left the fans out of the stadium.
Anyway. I said I wasn’t going to dress it up so here’s the ratings.
Maarten Stekelenburg - 2
It was a mistake to start him and Koeman needs to swallow his pride and leave Joel in goal.
Leighton Baines - 6
One of the very few who remain with dignity after these type of games. Looked dangerous on the left.
Ashley Williams - 3
Couldn’t cope with anything Diego Costa threw at him and looked like a a headless chicken when it came to set pieces.
Phil Jagielka - 4
Incredibly similar to Williams although he did put in a few good tackles. Overall though still nowhere near good enough.
Mason Holgate - 2
Absolutely found out by Hazard. Granted, he’s man marking the best player in the league. Still though, it’s a learning curve that he failed to navigate.
However steep that learning curve was.
Idrissa Gana Gueye - 5
Another average display from Gana who as of late is losing his energy in midfield. He is tiring.
His passing was slow and decision making seemed lacking.
Tom Davies - 8
Tom was let down completely by his teammates today as he tried to drive the team forward with phenomanal tackles and brilliant movement.
He made up for the rest of his teammates folding up and giving the game to Chelsea. He wasn’t having it.
Ross Barkley - 1
Ross is again entering his useless mode. He did absolutely nothing besides frustrate today. If his attitude is going to be to only turn up when he feels like it, Koeman can’t ship him off quickly enough.
He’s had too many like this, a game where he’s completely ineffectual and yet fans defend him to the last because he gets ‘victimised’.
Pack it in Ross. You’re not good enough to decide when you want to sulk or not.
My two cents on that one anyway.
Enner Valencia - 7
Another energetic display from Enner who should have by now convinced the Gwladys that he’s worth that 12m in summer.
Dominic Calvert Lewin - 5
While not awful today, He simply didn’t offer enough. He’s going to be a very good player in the future, but he’s not quite ready for these games.
Romelu Lukaku - 7
A good display of hold up play from Rom as he hassled his future past teammates with his strength and doggedness.
He was largely left isolated, as usual, and had to feed on scraps, as usual.
Subs
Arouna Koné – 2
Don’t even start. He’s finished.
Kevin Mirallas – 5
Given nowhere near enough time to make an impact on the game.