Goalkeeper Mike Penders endured a difficult first Premier League start, scoring an own goal as Chelsea lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham, the 21-year-old punching the ball into his own net. Cole Palmer was then sent off before winger Mathys Tel sealed victory with a spectacular dribble and finish in the 87th minute, as Spurs won at Stamford Bridge for only the second time in 42 visits. Here's how I rated the players, and how you rated the players.
What do BBC Sport's player ratings mean? Mike Penders: Assured was the word for the 21-year-old goalkeeper on his first start in place of the injured Emiliano Martinez. That was until a cross came in and he calamitously punched a corner into his own net, before letting in Tel's strike at his near post. 4 Josh Acheampong: Having started seven of Chelsea's 10 games in all competitions this season, Acheampong is emerging as a reliable member of the backline.
Defended well and seldom looked troubled. 6 Maxence Lacroix: The France international made several important interventions during spells when Chelsea were under pressure. 6 Levi Colwill: Colwill looked at his physical best as part of an increasingly settled backline. 6 Pedro Neto: Arguably Chelsea's standout performer. Excellent defensively, winning the ball back high up the pitch on several occasions, while also posing a threat going forward. Saw a well-struck effort saved in the second half. 7 Moises Caicedo: Like Neto, one of Chelsea's best performers.
Constantly won possession and disrupted Tottenham's rhythm, particularly through his battles with James Maddison before the midfielder was forced off. 8 Jordan Henderson: Should perhaps have made more of Chelsea's best first-half chance in the 36th minute, but otherwise carried out his responsibilities effectively in midfield. 6 Jorrel Hato: A quiet evening in which he appeared more focused on containing Mohammed Kudus than supporting attacks. Taken off in the 65th minute. 5 Cole Palmer: Contributed well defensively and in Chelsea's press. Tested Kinsky with a curling effort and was involved in several promising moves, but could not provide a decisive moment.
Palmer was sent off for a late tackle on Gallagher, having been booked for causing a flashpoint by pushing over Fernandes, in nine minutes of ill-discipline. 4 Geovany Quenda: Making his first Chelsea start in place of Joao Pedro, Quenda began on the left wing and won an early free-kick. However, he struggled to make a significant attacking impact and was taken off in the 72nd minute. 6 Morgan Rogers: Looked less effective operating as a striker but still combined well with Palmer and forced a good save. Like Palmer and Quenda, he lacked the decisive touch in the final third. 6 Marco Palestra (on 65, Hato): The wing-back was involved in the physical battle. 6 Estevao Willian (on 72, Quenda): Immediately made an impact by hitting a shot into the side-netting. 6 Subs not used: Sharman-Lowe, Fofana, Gusto, Nicoll-Jazuli, Barco, Lavia, Welbeck Antonin Kinsky: Two poor kicks put his side under pressure in the first half and he almost let a Rogers shot slip through his grasp in the rain, but got away with it. 5 Archie Gray: A solid performance without catching the eye, although the midfielder-turned-defender kept Quenda quiet for much of the game. 6 Jan-Paul van Hecke: Particularly assured on the ball despite the difficult conditions, bringing composure to those around him in defence.
The big defender put pressure on Penders for the goal. 7 Micky van de Ven: Equally impressive in possession and the most adventurous member of the backline when carrying the ball forward. 7 Andy Robertson: On his 300th Premier League start, the Scotland full-back looked shaky early on but grew into the game and made an impact at both ends of the pitch. 7 Mateus Fernandes: Gave the ball away in a dangerous area for Chelsea's first effort on goal, but deserves credit for his work as the deepest midfielder in a controlled away performance against top-six opposition. His corner led to the goal. 7 Sandro Tonali: Blazed a long-range effort over the bar late in the first half and was steady without ever truly influencing the contest. 6 James Maddison: Struggled to impose himself in the number 10 role in a fast-paced encounter and found it difficult to shake off the attentions of an aggressive Caicedo. His evening ended with injury in the 51st minute. 5 Mohammed Kudus: The Ghana winger curled a good effort wide in the first half and linked play effectively in attack. 6 Omar Marmoush: The Egypt forward squandered a good opportunity in the 29th minute with a mis-kick.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
