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Chelsea player ratings vs Man City: Edouard Mendy shines on return but N’Golo Kante experiment fails

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Gabriel Jesus’ goal gave defending champions Manchester City a 1-0 win over Chelsea on Saturday as the Blues’ unbeaten start to the season came to an end.

Here’s how Thomas Tuchel’s side rated at Stamford Bridge...

Edouard Mendy 8

Two brilliant saves denied Grealish. Very solid handling from set-pieces. Let down by his defence for Jesus’ goal.

Cesar Azpilicueta 6

Moved to wingback after James’ injury and it gave Chelsea more of a presence on the right.

Andreas Christensen 7

Headed prevented Dias from meeting first half corner. Generally solid, but, like the rest of Chelsea’s centre backs, did not cover himself in glory for Jesus’ goal.

Toni Rudiger 7

Typically robust – he had Jesus under lock and key in the first half, but given far more of a tough time after the break.

Reece James 5

Had to go off injured midway through the first half. Did not have much of an impact before that with Chelsea rarely using the right-hand side.

Jorginho 5

Important interception denied Jesus a shot on goal. Did not look comfortable when City ran beyond him.

Mateo Kovacic 6

Did more than any Chelsea midfielder to try to relieve the pressure with his forward runs. Use of the ball let him down.

Marcos Alonso 6

Through-ball to Werner in the first half could have opened the scoring. Stretched City with his runs.

N’Golo Kante 5

Deployed higher up the pitch and it did not work. Too easily taken out of the game by City’s passing and not creative enough to link the play.

Romelu Lukaku 6

Touch let him down at times when Chelsea needed him to relieve pressure and link play.

Timo Werner 6

Cross to Lukaku could have led to the opening goal. City did not like his pace, but did not do enough to hurt them.

Substitutes

Thiago Silva (James, 29’)

Goal-line clearance prevented City from going two up and kept Chelsea in the game.

Kai Havertz (Kante, 60’) 6

Should have been on from the start. Chelsea immediately looked more threatening once he came on.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Jorginho, 76’)

Perhaps he will be the next player that Tuchel manages to revitalise

Unused: Kepa, Chalobah, Saul, Hudson-Odoi, Chilwell, Ziyech

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