PLAYER RATINGS: CHELSEA

Sunderland beat the champions of the world by two goals to one on their own patch after going behind within the opening five minutes. Around halfway into the first 45, Wilson Isidor grabbed an equaliser and it looked for a while that we’d be more than happy with just the point. In second half stoppage time however, Brian Brobbey latched onto to a long ball, held it up brilliantly and passed to Chemsdine Talbi. The Moroccan put it home, sparking wild celebrations from the travelling support behind the goal. Here’s how our Lads rated out of ten.

ROBIN ROEFS: 8/10

I think he should have stopped their goal but after that he was brilliant at shot stopping and commanding his box. Six saves in total and one of them close to the break was particularly impressive. Distribution could have been better at times.

TRAI HUME: 8.5/10

He took a little while to adapt to Chelsea but once he did, he was fantastic.

NORDI MUKIELE: 8.5/10

Similar to Hume, did really well once he got used to Chelsea’s players.

DAN BALLARD: 10/10

Ballard didn’t put a foot wrong defensively and almost put us ahead in the opening seconds. He won practically every header available to him.

LUTSHAREL GEERTRUIDA: 9/10

Did really well at the back and put in a fantastic ball to Brobbey that caused the winner.

REINILDO: 9.5/10

Won the ball basically every time he went for it and burst forward on a number of occasions to relieve pressure.

BERTRAND TRAORE: 8/10

Much improved from his performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers. I’d still like him to drive at his opponents more but he held up the ball well, drawing several fouls. Also, he contributed to our first goal after his shot was put in on the rebound.

GRANIT XHAKA: 9/10

Solid in the middle of the park, constantly in communication with his teammates and helped out going forward. He should have passed to Talbi at one point though, rather than taking it on himself.

NOAH SADIKI: 9.5/10

Looked like he was still carrying a knock but played through it. Always there when he was needed and effective with his play.

ENZO LE FEE: 8/10

Probably could have come away with the ball slightly more than he actually did but he played his part today. Could have equalised early on with a free kick that went close.

WILSON ISIDOR: 9/10

He scored so you can’t complain about the performance, he’s done his job. Speaking critically, the Chelsea defenders did seem to have the better of him quite often, but not often enough!

SUBS:

CHEMSDINE TALBI: 9.5/10

Yes he only made eight touches but his off the ball work was brilliant and he scored the winner with a beautiful shot. Could have scored earlier if Xhaka passed to him and he was rewarded with a goal after putting himself into another great position late on.

CHRIS RIGG: 6.5/10

Worked hard but never really got on the end of it. Still, kept them occupied which prevented them from getting up the pitch and scoring.

BRIAN BROBBEY: 9/10

So effective at holding the ball up, brought that physicality which we needed, and that Isidor doesn’t have, to the table. Assisted the winner through this.