Chelsea started their Premier League campaign in the worst possible manner but have bounced back at the Stamford Bridge against Aston Villa on Saturday. They were lucky to score the first goal but deserved all three points with a score line of 2-0. Mourinho will be happy to get back to winning ways and will hope that they can take the form into the coming weeks.
Let’s take a look at the player ratings for the game.
Chelsea:
Begovic (3): Was under pressure in the first half but made some fine saves to hold on to the clean sheet.
Azpilicueta (2): A tough day on the wings as he was put under pressure by Grealish with his pace. Did well to come out unscratched.
Zouma (3): A very assuring performance at the heart of the defense as he showed his pace and strength to keep the likes of Gestede at bay.
Terry (2.5): Was beaten far too easily with his physical presence by Gestede. Lucky to have not cost the team a goal.
Baba (2): Was caught out of position far too often as his Premier League debut was far from convincing.
Ramires (3): Kept it tight in the middle of the park for the Blues as he broke up play time and again and set his team on the attack.
Loftus-Cheek (3): Played only the first half as he read the game well and was never afraid to add to the attacking movements. Loads of room to improve.
Pedro (2): Could not link up well enough with the likes of Costa up front as his touch led him down more than once during the game.
Fabregas (2.5): Was quite for most of the game and never did enough to create chances for the home side.
Willian (4): An all-round performance from the Brazillian as he was alert to every opportunity in attack. Provided the assist for Costa’s first goal after latching on to a poor pass from Guzan.
Costa (4): Finished a simple tap-in for his first goal and created the second with some quick thinking. Was one of his better games this season.
SUBS:
Matic (3)
Hazard (2.5)
Aston Villa:
Guzan (1.5): His un-convincing clearance led to Chelsea’s first goal. Was shaken throughout the match. A nervy performance.
Hutton (3.5): Arguably Villa’s best player on the field. Was dominating down the flank but was unlucky to have deflected Costa’s shot into the goal for Chelsea’s second.
Richards (2.5): An assured performance at the back defensively but has to work on his distribution that can cost him in the future.
Lescott (2): Should have handled Guzan’s ball well for Chelsea’s first goal and was hardly convincing at the back.
Richardson (2): Was troubled by the movement of Willian throughout the game. Should be more confident with the ball at his feet.
Westwood (3): Was strong in the first half as he controlled the tempo of the game to an extent. Slowly faded away in the second half.
Gueye (2): The new summer signing hardly came to grips with the pace and physicality of the Premier League. Was often a spectator.
Gil (2.5): Used as the outlet when under pressure but failed to set up any kind of attacks from the middle as he was caught in possession many times.
Ayew (2.5): Showed his pace down the flank as he troubled the Chelsea defense with crosses into the box but needs to be more innovative in the final third.
Grealish (3.5): Won almost all one on ones on the flank against Azpilicueta. Could have had a goal or two had his finishing been better. Troubled the Chelsea back four throughout the game.
Gestede (2.5): Villa’s game hardly suited the tall striker as he was often a lonely figure up front. Made most of the half chances he got but could not find a goal for his team.
SUBS:
J Amavi (2.5)
A Traore (2.5)