Frank Lampard still awaits his first victory as Chelsea manager after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Leicester City at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues took the lead when Mason Mount expertly punished Wilfried Ndidi after just seven minutes, but the Nigerian powered home a deserved equaliser midway through the second half as Leicester threatened to take home all three points.
Both sides eventually had to settle for a draw, as Lampard’s search for a competitive victory as Blues boss continues.
Here’s how the players rated in west London:
Chelsea
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6 – Didn’t make any glaring mistakes but certainly made things look harder than they were on the ball. Was put in some sticky situations and ultimately dealt with them all when needed.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 4 – Once again, he appeared out of his depth. Made James Maddison look far pacier than he is and an ageing Christian Fuchs caused mayhem down his flank in the second half. Leicester’s left-hand-side was where they created nearly everything. This was no coincidence. Wasteful on the ball and will surely be dropped when Reece James returns.
KEY STAT: Azpilicueta failed to make a block or an interception all game.
Andreas Christensen – 5 – The Dane has never been a permanent fixture in the Chelsea side and his last few performances have shown why. He looked comfortable on the ball but Leicester fancied their chances when it came to challenging him defensively. Lampard needs to persevere.
Kurt Zouma – 5 – Like his partner, he needs time. Undoubted defensive ability but he looked the least comfortable on the ball of any player on the pitch. He has time on his side, but don’t be surprised to see Antonio Rudiger replace him in the coming weeks.
Emerson – 7 – Kept Ayoze Perez quiet most of the game but didn’t have much to do as Leicester targeted Azpilicueta’s side. Probably Chelsea’s second-best player but could only influence proceedings so much given Leicester’s later dominance, especially in the second half.
KEY STAT: Emerson regained possession more times (9) than any other Chelsea player.
N’Golo Kante – 6 – A typically solid performance against the side with whom he made his name. Should have made it 2-0 in the first-half and that miss proved to be costly.
Jorginho – 6 – Was his usual, imperious self on the ball but his centre-backs were left far too exposed at times and one can’t help but think that that’s down to him. He needs a proper defender next to him: Kante is too box-to-box. Seems to make Chelsea tick offensively but leaves them exposed going the other way.
Pedro – 6 – Showed off some lovely touches in the build-up but lacked quality in the final third, particularly in the second-half. A grafter who is unlikely to win you the game too often.
Mason Mount – 8 – Did brilliantly for his goal: timed his press to perfection, showed great perseverance to stay on his feet and finished smartly. The only attacking player for the Blues to show any consistent quality throughout the game. Did his chances of nailing down a starting place no harm whatsoever.
KEY STAT: Mount had more shots on target (3) than the rest of the Chelsea team combined (2).
Mason Mount has scored the first league goal of Frank Lampard's reign as both Derby County and Chelsea manager.
The chosen one. pic.twitter.com/MF37epX6iA
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 18, 2019
Christian Pulisic – 5 – Lively, but ineffective. Looked to get on the ball and make things happen but failed to have any real impact going forward.
Olivier Giroud – 6 – Showed off some lovely touches and should have had an assist when Kante put wide from four yards. Pinned the centre-backs a few times but didn’t really give Leicester much to think about.
Chances created in the first half at Stamford Bridge:
Olivier Giroud: 3
Every other player combined: 1The ultimate link man. ⛓ pic.twitter.com/UWkL96JSQA
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 18, 2019
Substitutes:
Tammy Abraham – 6 – Came on for the last half an hour but flattered to deceive. Given very limited service.
Mateo Kovacic – 6 – Like his fellow substitutes, had no impact on the game.
Willian – 5 – His only contributions were to hit the first man at a corner and blaze a shot way over the bar.
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Leicester
Kasper Schmeichel – 6 – Had very little to do (much like his counterpart) but did everything well. Was wrong-footed by a good finish for Chelsea’s goal. Showed off an impressive passing range.
Ricardo Pereira – 8 – Leicester have a gem of a full-back in Pereira. Dynamic, powerful and quick, his driving runs often pierced Chelsea’s midfield without much effort at all. Nullified Pulisic throughout.
KEY STAT: No player on the pitch made more tackles (8), interceptions (5) or regained possession more times (11) than Pereira.
Jonny Evans – 7 – Many will have been baffled by his links to Man City during his West Brom days, but his spell at Leicester is showing everyone what he’s made of. Controlled the game at times today and looked totally unfazed by Chelsea’s attacked.
KEY STAT: Evans had the best passing accuracy out of all the players that appeared in the game (88.5%).
Çağlar Söyüncü – 7 – Looks a more than adequate Harry Maguire replacement. Appeared totally at home on the ball and, like Evans, seemed comfortable for long spells. An excellent find.
KEY STAT: Soyuncu completed more passes (65) than any of his team-mates.
Christian Fuchs – 7 – Looked lost in the first half and appeared as though he would struggle to finish the game. In the second half, however, he seemed to rediscover his old form and was excellent going forward. You wouldn’t have guessed he was a second-choice.
Wilfred Ndidi – 6 – Made up for his horrendous mistake for Chelsea’s goal with a powerful equaliser. Has had next to no pre-season, something which was evident at times, but is such an important cog in Leicester’s machine.
Redemption? Yes Ndidi. pic.twitter.com/gSa1Wq7l3Z
— Play Squawka Selector for Free (@Squawka_Live) August 18, 2019
Ayoze Perez – 6 – Tried to make things happen but his main contribution was opening up space for others. Never really threatened Emerson and often appeared flustered on the ball.
Youri Tielemans – 6 – Showed flashes of quality but didn’t control the game enough against a Chelsea side which was there for the taking. Everyone knows he has bags of ability but Leicester’s counter-attacking style didn’t suit him.
Hamza Choudhury – 5 – Fairly anonymous. A young player who is still learning his trade, but was perhaps not needed as Chelsea offered little going forward.
James Maddison – 8 – By far the liveliest player on the pitch. His corner to set up the equaliser was of the highest quality and he was at the heart of everything the Foxes made going forward. Missed a golden chance to win the game but, without him, it is likely Leicester would not have been level at that stage.
KEY STAT: No player made more key passes (3) than James Maddison.
James Maddison has now provided assists in back-to-back Premier League games at Stamford Bridge.
He could have added a goal himself too… pic.twitter.com/lM3xF8OoMc
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 18, 2019
Jamie Vardy – 6 – Stretched Chelsea’s defence as he always does, but failed to have a real impact. Failed to convert a glorious chance right at the death but his endless stamina seemed to unnerve Zouma and Christensen.
Substitutes:
Dennis Praet – 6 – Given just 15 minutes to make an impact on his Leicester debut but failed to do so.
Marc Albrighton – 6 – Nearly latched onto a through ball with seconds to go.