Chelsea player ratings: Eden Hazard was lively as usual but David Luiz’s sloppiness let Burnley in
CHELSEA failed to capitalise on their rivals’ Easter results as they could only draw 2-2 at home to an excellent Burnley side.
After going behind to an impressive Jeff Hendrick volley, N’Golo Kante and Gonzalo Higuain put the Blues ahead before they were pegged back again – with sloppy defending to blame on both occasions.
Burnley have only been beaten once in 13 games after going ahead and Sean Dyche will be pleased with the way his players applied themselves.
Here’s what SunSport thought of the Blues’ players performances against the Clarets tonight…
KEPA ARRIZABALAGA
Quiet night overall. Did not have to do much other than pick the ball out the net. Could not do much for Hendrick’s opening goal and was let down by his defence for Burnley’s second. Will not be buying his defenders a drink after the game.
CESAR AZPILICUETA
Mixed bag. Poor clearing header led to Burnley’s opening goal. Headed a cross to the edge of the area where Hendrick gratefully volleyed past Kepa. Made amends quickly as his skillful one-two with Higuain saw Chelsea take the lead soon after going behind. Caught napping again for Burnley’s second.
ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN
A night to forget. Left Ben Mee free at the back post to nod across goal in the lead up to Ashley Barnes’ goal. At the heart of a defence that looked leaky all night and conceded two against a team in 15th place in the League.
DAVID LUIZ
Hair was the best thing about him tonight. So-called leader of a sloppy looking defence that gifted their visitors two goals. Not directly responsible for Burnley‘s first-half strikes but should have been organising and leading far better throughout. Kept the ball boys busy all night with his repeated glory ball attempts.
EMERSON
Went close in the second-half with a vicious effort from distance that Tom Heaton could have done very little about if it was a few inches to the left. Other than that, uninspiring.
N’GOLO KANTE
Lively performance capped off with a rare goal – only his fourth of the season in the Premier League. Got on the ball regularly and played an active part in Chelsea‘s probing first-half attacks. Picked up an injury before half-time and was replaced by Kovacic at the break.
JORGINHO
One of many who lost his man for Burnley’s second. After Christensen had let Mee in to nod back, he watched on with his defensive partners as Chris Wood knocked it on for Barnes to score. Had an exciting looking volley blocked in the first-half but underwhelming on the whole as he continually played tame passes from left to right.
RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK
Held off a strong challenge during a driving run forward that led to Hazard setting up Kante for the first goal. Looked composed enough for the remainder. Nothing spectacular.
CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI
Pretty quiet other than a couple of snappy stepovers before he was subbed off injured on 40 minutes. The promising youngster will be disappointed to have come off having just broken into the Chelsea first team. Will hope he’s not out for the season.
GONZALO HIGUIAN
Bagged his first Premier League goal since March 3 with a fine strike that cannoned in off the bar. Goal gave him confidence as he looked hungry for the rest of the night. Disappointed to be replaced by Giroud and showed his fury with a typical show of petulance on the bench.
EDEN HAZARD
Played well. Lively from the start, involved in almost everything good Chelsea did. Showed his class again for Kante’s opener as he turned Matthew Lowton inside out before squaring for his teammate to rifle home. No surprise Real Madrid are interested.
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PEDRO (for Hudson-Odoi)
Had a timid shot shortly after coming on. Big claim for a foul in the second half when he was hauled down by Charlie Taylor as he was trying to get on the end of a speculative ball by David Luiz. Nothing given.
Mateo Kovacic (for Kante)
Fairly busy. Got on the ball when he could and tried to make something happen against a resolute Burnley defence. Most notable moment was shouting at Ashley Barnes for fouling him by the touchline.
OLIVIER GIROUD (for Higuain)
Had balls launched at him from the moment he came on and tried valiantly to get on the end of all of them. Could not make the desired impact.
