Chelsea player ratings vs Crystal Palace – Ziyech steps up, Pulisic, Havertz and Lukaku all poor

Posted by Naijanex on February 19, 2022 0

Chelsea player ratings vs Crystal Palace – Ziyech steps up, Pulisic, Havertz and Lukaku all poor

Christian Pulisic

Crystal Palace have tended to bring out the best of the American, who went into this afternoon’s game having struck five goals in five games against the Eagles. Pulisic was used as a ten at Selhurst Park but was on the periphery as Chelsea were forced to build attacks down the flanks.

Pulisic completely drifted out of the game in the second period and even a late change to play on the left of the attack didn’t spur him into life. 4

Hakim Ziyech

With two centre-backs playing in the full-back positions, a midfield of Kante and Jorginho, and Pulisic and Havertz players who are at their best moving into space, there was much responsibility placed upon Ziyech to unlock the Palace defence.

The Morrocan was Chelsea’s most lively attacking player and he did fashion a good opportunity for Pulisic at the back post that the American could only divert over the crossbar.

Ziyech did have the ball in the net in the second half after he converted a rebound after Romelu Lukaku had been denied by substitute goalkeeper Jack Butland. However, the Belgian was offside in the build-up and the goal was ruled out.

Fortunately, the 28-year-old wasn’t to be denied and as the game entered its final minutes, Ziyech volleyed home to seal the three points for Chelsea