Chelsea climbed to fourth in the Premier League table with a well-earned 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.
The winner came in the closing minutes of the first half when Mason Mount cut inside from the left flank before finding the bottom corner with an excellent finish to seal three precious points for the Blues.
Positives
Thomas Tuchel’s side were the better side throughout and had complete control in all areas of the pitch. Defensively, the Londoners never looked in any trouble against a seriously blunt Liverpool attack, and up top, even without a goal, it was comfortably Timo Werner‘s best display in a Chelsea shirt.
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Negatives
If we’re being picky, Chelsea could perhaps have made their dominance count with another goal or two, but it was a perfect away performance that will stand them in good stead ahead of a tough run-in.
Manager rating out of 10
7 — It was a brave call from Tuchel to put Werner up front on his own when Olivier Giroud would’ve been a much safer option, but he was rewarded with a promising display from the forward. The selection of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho in midfield paid more than its fair share of dividends.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Edouard Mendy, 7 — T the keeper had a couple of moments with the ball at his feet where you thought he might put his side in a spot of bother, but he remained calm in what was an assured display between the sticks.
DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 7 — A steady display from the right-sided central defender, who never looked in any real danger when facing up against Sadio Mane or sub Diogo Jota.
DF Andreas Christensen, 7 — It could’ve been a tough night against the Liverpool attacking trident, but the Dane didn’t put a foot wrong and kept a lid on any simmering Liverpool attacks. A vital clearance of a low cross early in the second half preserved his side’s advantage.
DF Antonio Rudiger, 6 — A sloppy pass under no pressure presented a chance for Mane to spring a counter that ultimately led to nothing in the first half. Aside from that, it was a comfortable night’s work and he wasn’t afraid to get physical when he needed to.
DF Reece James, 6 — Some hesitation in his own defensive third let Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson in for an early opening, but he recovered from that and quickly became a solid cog in the visiting back five.
DF Ben Chilwell, 7 — Very limited when it came to opportunities to venture into the opposition half but back at home the wing-back kept Mohamed Salah quiet throughout.
MF N’golo Kante, 7 — The Frenchman is more traditionally known for his destructive tendencies, but the midfielder turned provider with a lovely lofted pass that released Mount into space for the opener. Survived a VAR review for handball early in the second half but it would’ve been a harsh one if it was given.
MF Jorginho, 6 — He’s never one to grab the headlines and it was the same again tonight as the Italy international quietly kept play ticking over and would’ve had an assist to his name if Werner didn’t have a strike ruled out by VAR.
MF Mason Mount, 8 — Slowly grew into the game after a quiet start, before cutting in from the left and gliding home a brilliant finish to put Chelsea ahead just before half-time. Surely one of the first names on Gareth Southgate’s England team sheet at the Euro’s. Replaced by Mateo Kovacic for the final 10 minutes.
MF Hakim Ziyech, 6 — A largely anonymous display nearly sprung into life in the 54th minute when his left-foot shot beat Alisson before being cleared off the line. He seemed to grow from that moment and had a spritely 10-minute spell in which the Morocco international looked much more dangerous, before being replaced by Christian Pulisic.
FW Timo Werner, 7 — Missed a huge chance to open the scoring when a bouncing ball fell to him inside the penalty area, but he dinked his effort harmlessly into the arms of Alisson. Minutes later he was desperately unfortunate to have a goal chalked off for offside by a matter of millimetres, in what was a lively performance from the 24-year-old. Replaced by Kai Havertz in injury time.
Substitutes
MF Christian Pulisic, 6 — Liverpool’s search for an equaliser stepped up a notch when the American was introduced so we didn’t see a huge deal of him as an attacking threat.
MF Mateo Kovacic, N/R — Slotted into midfield in the 81st minute to help see the game out.
FW Kai Havertz, N/R — Not enough time to make an impact, but it was merely a time-wasting substitution.