Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
James Robson

Chelsea player ratings vs Liverpool: Ruben Loftus-Cheek makes odd cameo with Thiago Silva class

Chelsea fell to a third consecutive FA Cup defeat as Liverpool emerged victorious after a dramatic penalty shoout.

Cesar Azpilicueta and Mason Mount missed in the shootout after Marcos Alonso and Christian Pulisic went close during normal time.

James Robson was at Wembley to rate the Chelsea players.

Edouard Mendy 7

Crucial save to deny Diaz early on. Relied on his woodwork to save him on other occasions – but his handling was superb.

Trevoh Chalobah 7

Really struggled to track Diaz. Did clear off the line when the Colombian got in early on. Grew into the game impressively.

Thiago Silva 8

Absolute class. As Chelsea looked in danger of being overwhelmed, he kept his head with calm use of the ball and intelligent positioning. How he kept up with Diaz in a 90th-minute break, only he knows.

Antonio Rudiger 7

Did well to largely keep Jota quiet down his side – but often stretched as Liverpool poured numbers forward.

Reece James 8

Spent much of the first half just trying to help out Chalobah. After the break he pushed much higher up the pitch and that forced Liverpool into retreat. Some wonderful defending as the game went on.

Mato Kovacic 7

Such a big-game mentality player and that was needed, particularly in the first half, when Liverpool were on top. Constantly showed for the ball and won possession at key times. Remarkable he lasted more than an hour with an ankle injury.

Jorginho 7

Played a huge part in wrestling Chelsea back into the game. His calm head was crucial to keeping his teammates focused in the eye of the storm.

Marcos Alonso 8

Could have had a hat-trick. Really troubled Liverpool by playing so high up. Forced one save, hit the bar and put another chance just wide.

Mason Mount 7

Got back to cover James and Chalobah after Liverpool’s flying start. Will have required huge amounts of energy as he also drove forward in search of chances.

Christian Pulisic 7

Enjoyed playing in a double 10 behind Lukaku and found so many spaces to hurt Liverpool. Should have scored at least one of the two chances that came his way in the box.

Romelu Lukaku 6

His best work was as a buffer for Chelsea’s other forwards, but did not pose anywhere near enough of a goal threat.

N’Golo Kante (Kovacic, 66) 7

An important injection of energy when he came on. Came into his own in extra time to win the ball and disrupt Liverpool’s flow.

Hakim Ziyech (Lukaku, 85) 5

Looked like a smart change, who could use his pace to run at tired Liverpool legs. Did not pose enough of a threat to ever worry them.

Cesar Azpilicueta (Chalobah, 106) 5

Came on to play in his 13th major final for Chelsea.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Pulisic, 106)

Has to go down as one of the oddest FA Cup cameos of all time. Came on as a centre forward. Hooked after 14 minutes.

Ross Barkley (Loftus-Cheek, 119)

Subs: Kepa, Werner, Saul, Sarr

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.