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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
John Cross

Chelsea player ratings from Valencia thriller as Mateo Kovacic shines

Chelsea and Valencia played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Champions League at the Mestalla.

Frank Lampard's side will qualify for the knockout stages if they beat Lille in their final group stage encounter.

The Blues fell behind to a Carlos Soler strike but levelled immediately through Mateo Kovacic's first goal for the club.

Chelsea went ahead early in the second half when Christian Pulisic prodded in, although only after an intervention from VAR.

Kepa made a stunning save to keep out Dani Parejo's penalty but went from hero to zero as he was caught out by Daniel Wass.

Both sides pushed forward for a winner and went close, although the best chance fell to the wasteful Rodrigo, who fired wide.

Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea saves a penalty (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea's players celebrate (AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea

Kepa 6

Brilliant penalty save but then misjudges late leveller. Mixed fortunes again.

James 7

What a player. Great attacking threat, strong as an ox in defence. Terrific.

Zouma 6

Has been terrific this season but clearly has a better partnership with Tomori.

Christensen 5

Big call to pick him ahead of Tomori and the change left defence vulnerable.

Chelsea's Danish defender Andreas Christensen (AFP via Getty Images)

Azpilicueta 6

Booked. Is filling in at left and doing a solid job. Good leadership qualities.

Jorginho 6

Booked. Took one for the team early on and conceded a pen - but Kepa saved him.

Kovacic 8 MOTM

Scored his first goal since January 2017 to get Chelsea level. Thriving this season.

Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic scores (Action Images via Reuters)
Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic celebrates (REUTERS)

Kante 7

Booked. Unlucky to be booked for what was a super challenge. Full of energy.

Willian 6

Missed huge chance. Looked dangerous when he found space on right flank.

Pulisic 7

Scored after lengthy VAR delay. He has been a hero in this Champions League campaign.

Abraham 6

Stretchered off looking in a lot of pain having been very unlucky not to score.

Chelsea's Tammy Abraham receives medical attention (Action Images via Reuters)

Subs

Batshuayi, for Abraham, 46 mins, 6

Emerson, for Jorginho, 68 mins, 6

Mount, for Willian, 80 mins

Valencia

Cillessen 7, Costa 6 (Gameiro, 67, 6), Gabriel 6, Garay 6, Gaya 6, Torres 6 (Coquelin, 74), Parejo 6, Wass 7, Soler 7 (Lee, 78 mins), Rodrigo 7, Gomez 5.

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