Another disappointing result on a day where we desperately needed to make up some ground on our competitors for that 7th spot. There were some decent performances dotted throughout the team, no prizes for guessing who was the star yet again, but we still seem to miss the player that can take over a game void in creativity and make it his own.
Richarlison tries but hasn’t yet got the close-control ability of his compatriot in Neymar, for example. Bernard isn’t the full package in the opposition box due to his slight stature, Dom’s finishing and decision making isn’t up to where it should be for a European-contending team, and Gylfi drifts in and out of the game far too much to be a persistent threat for 90 minutes.
It looks like European adventures will have to wait for the time being, but there are real signs that the Blues will be very good, very quickly.
Jordan Pickford - 5
Not a single shot on target in the first half from Palace meant quiet proceedings once more for Jordan.
Seamus Coleman - 6
Some chances created, and taken on, going forward couples with some solid defensive efforts, but nothing enough to change the game from Seamus like we’ve seen in recent weeks.
Michael Keane - 7
Michael Keane was as terrific in the air as he has been all season, limiting Christian Benteke to minimal chances all throughout the 90 minutes.
Kurt Zouma - 7
Calm on the ball once again, Zouma was pinpoint in our efforts to play it out from the back. He had a relatively simple time dealing with Benteke.
Lucas Digne - 8
Another excellent display, even if it didn’t result in much this time around. He continues to be the player to take over the game when we can’t seem to create anything, which is what we’d expect from one of our attacking threats, but it seems to be our left-back, week in-week out.
Idrissa Gana Gueye - 7
Gana was the outlet for our short passing game today, rather than Morgan Schneiderlin. He did well in bringing the game to his tempo, even if we would have benefitted from a more upbeat flow when we were on top from time to time.
Morgan Schneiderlin - 5
A quiet game for Morgan, who needed to be the playmaker Andre Gomes is, but fell short.
Gylfi Sigurdsson- 5
Some chances created, but Gylfi was in the game far less than he found himself chasing shadows, which still remains my major criticism of him.
Bernard - 6
Bernard looked crisp in and around the box today, which while not resulting in his second goal for the Blues, did show good signs to come.
The big question mark by Bernard’s name this campaign has been his end product, and he looked much better in that regard this afternoon.
Richarlison - 7
Richarlison was the best of the front four today, as he looked to be the only real threat for large parts of the game down that right-hand side.
There certainly wont be any questions over his fitness.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 6
Dom had another of his average games. Those being where he wins plenty of duels and appears to hold the ball up fairly well, but can’t have that moment to change the game like his top six contemporaries seem to be able to.
Subs -
Cenk Tosun – 6
A good chance midway through the second half from Coleman’s cross, but not much else to report on for Big Cenk.