Chelsea Player Ratings: Newcastle Clash, Palmer Impresses
The Blues faced a tough test against Newcastle at St. James' Park, and while they ultimately fell to a 1-0 defeat, there were some standout performances from the Chelsea squad. Here's a breakdown of how each player fared in this crucial encounter:
Goalkeeper
Kepa Arrizabalaga (6/10): Kepa was largely untroubled for much of the game, but he was unable to prevent Callum Wilson's decisive goal. He made a couple of good saves and showed good distribution.
Defenders
Malo Gusto (6/10): Gusto had a mixed performance. He struggled to contain Allan Saint-Maximin in the first half but improved in the second. He showed good attacking intent and delivered some dangerous crosses.
Levi Colwill (7/10): Colwill was excellent at the back, showing strength and composure throughout the game. He made crucial interceptions and was a constant threat in aerial duels.
Wesley Fofana (6/10): Fofana was solid in defense, but he wasn't as dominant as in previous games. He was caught out of position for Newcastle's goal.
Ben Chilwell (6/10): Chilwell put in a decent shift, but he struggled to get forward and create any meaningful chances. He defended solidly.
Midfielders
Enzo Fernandez (7/10): Fernandez was the standout performer for Chelsea. He controlled the midfield and distributed the ball with intelligence. He made some important tackles and was a real threat going forward.
Conor Gallagher (6/10): Gallagher was energetic and worked hard, but he lacked creativity in the final third. He did well defensively.
Cole Palmer (8/10): Palmer came on as a substitute and made an immediate impact. He was lively and inventive, creating a number of chances for Chelsea. He showed fantastic dribbling skills and was a constant threat to Newcastle's defense.
Mykhailo Mudryk (5/10): Mudryk came on as a substitute and struggled to make an impact. He lacked confidence and didn't provide much going forward.
Attackers
Nicolas Jackson (6/10): Jackson worked hard and tried to create opportunities, but he was isolated at times. He was involved in some dangerous attacks but ultimately didn't find the back of the net.
Summary
Chelsea will be disappointed with the result but can take positives from the performance of some of their players. Palmer was a standout performer, and Fernandez continues to be a crucial figure in the midfield. While the Blues will be looking to improve their attack, there are clear signs of promise within this young Chelsea side.
This match showed that Chelsea are still a work in progress under Mauricio Pochettino, but they are gradually finding their feet. The future looks bright, but the team needs to find a way to be more clinical in front of goal.