Full Time: Chelsea 1-1 Huddersfield Town
Chelsea’s hopes of Champions League qualification took a serious dent as they were held 1-1 by Huddersfield Town at Stamford Bridge. With a point against Chelsea, Huddersfield secured their place in the Premier League next season, relegating Swansea City in the process.
The hosts dominated the game from start to finish but it was the visitors who took a surprise lead in the 50th minute. Aaron Mooy’s long pass sent Laurent Depoitre racing through on goal, with the big striker getting to the ball ahead of goalkeeper Willy Caballero and slotting it into an open net.
Chelsea equalised in a bizarre fashion when an attempted Huddersfield clearance hit Marcos Alonso in the face and rebounded into the net. After the goal, the Blues intensified their pressure in order to snatch all three points.
Jonas Lossl made an outstanding save from Andreas Christensen in the closing stages that saw Huddersfield walk away with a mighty point.
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea, meanwhile, need to win their final game of the season away to Newcastle and hope that Liverpool lose their game in order for them to stand any chance of securing a top-4 spot this campaign.
Chelsea player ratings
Willy Caballero – 5/10
A mere spectator in the first half. Calamitous when Huddersfield scored as he looked sluggish while coming off the line.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6/10
He was hardly tested by the Huddersfield attackers in the first half. After the break, the Spaniard found acres of space every time Chelsea attacked, as he moved to the right-back position. Whipped in some delicious balls but never really found his teammates.
Andreas Christensen – 6/10
Christensen was solid against the big Depoitre. Should have given Chelsea all three points in the closing stages, only for Lossl to somehow keep out his header.
Antonio Rudiger – 4/10
Missed a sitter in the first-half. His passing wasn’t that crisp and he looked shaky at times with Depoitre giving him a tough time.
Davide Zappacosta – 3/10
The Italian was off the boil. Saw a lot of the ball but his crosses never threatened.
Marcos Alonso – 7/10
Alonso was a constant threat on the left, asking for the ball time and again. After the break, he spent most of the time in the opposition box and was rewarded with a bizarre goal he would ever score in his life.
N’Golo Kante – 8/10
Kante was everywhere! Defensively top-notch and also contributed very well to Chelsea’s attacks. Huddersfield hardly had any answer to cope with the diminutive Frenchman.
Cesc Fabregas – 6/10
Fabregas showed a lot of creativity and spark in the middle of the park. Whenever he received the ball, his first job was to look up and find Morata and Giroud with his crossing. He put in some really good balls but he lacked the magic to unlock the Terriers’ defence.
Willian – 5/10
Willian showed plenty of energy, zip and non-stop running that kept Huddersfield defenders on their toes. The Brazilian looked to create things every time he received the ball but sadly, he lacked the cutting edge to help his team win all three points.
Pedro – 3/10
Awful! Pedro was anonymous in the first half as he hardly impacted the game. After the break, he failed to get things going and was rightfully substituted.
Alvaro Morata – 4/10
Other than one chance in the first half, Morata offered nothing. The striker struggled to make his presence felt when Chelsea went all guns blazing after the interval.
Substitutes
Olivier Giroud – 5/10
Giroud made an impact being a target man but was unlucky as the ball never stuck to his feet.
Eden Hazard – 4/10
Hazard came on after the break but failed to create anything. He looked off the pace on the night when his creativity was needed the most.
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