Chelsea 3-3 Southampton: Player Ratings for Astonishing End-to-End Thriller

17 October 2020 07:10

A dramatic late equaliser from Jannik Vestergaard, assisted by Theo Walcott on his Southampton return, saw the Saints snatch a point at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.

Timo Werner opened the scoring just minutes after having a headed effort ruled out for offside, and made no mistake as he weaved his way across Southampton's box before dispatching his effort into the opposite corner.

The German doubled the lead shortly afterward, but Danny Ings pulled one back for the Saints just before the break, and Che Adams had the visitors level after capitalising on a Chelsea defensive error. Kai Havertz thought he'd won it for Chelsea when he converted from close-range late on, but a last-gasp strike from Jannik Vestergaard ensured both teams took a point from the game.


CHELSEA

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Ben Chilwell had an impressive afternoon | Visionhaus/Getty Images

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - 5/10 - The Spaniard did make a defensive error in the build-up to Che Adams' goal, but kept Southampton away with some good saves late on.

Cesar Azpilicueta (RB) - 6/10 -
Not as dominant as Chilwell on the other flank, but Azpilicueta still found himself in attacking positions from time to time.

Andreas Christensen (CB) - 6/10 -
Wasn't forced into a busy afternoon by Southampton's attackers, and dealt with any threat efficiently.

Kurt Zouma (CB) - 5/10 -
Saw a free header saved by McCarthy from a corner in the first half, and was far from blameless in The Kepa Incident.

Ben Chilwell (LB) - 7/10 -
Showed great attacking ability. Had a big chance to open the scoring early on, but kept providing width on the left side throughout the game.


2. Midfielders

Jorginho provided a perfectly-executed assist for Werner's second goal | Pool/Getty Images

N'Golo Kante (CM) - 6/10 - A quiet display by his standards, playing in a duo with Jorginho.

Jorginho (CM) - 7/10 -
Provided the assist for Werner's second goal by lofting the ball over the heads of Bednarek and Vestergaard, with Werner charging down on goal.

Mason Mount (RM) - 6/10 -
Was substituted in the 70th minute to make way for Ziyech, having offered little going forward.

Kai Havertz (CAM) - 7/10 -
Was dispossessed in the build-up to Southampton's goal just before half time, but put Chelsea back ahead after Southampton's equaliser with a straightforward finish.

Christian Pulisic (LM) - 6/10 -
Showed some promising signs of skill on his return to the lineup, but couldn't get on the ball anywhere near enough in the second half.


3. Forwards

Two goals and an assist for Werner against Southampton | Pool/Getty Images

Timo Werner (ST) - 9/10 - Scored the opening goal of the game minutes after having a header ruled out for offside, and added a second with brilliant composure to lift the ball over McCarthy and nod the ball into an empty net.


4. Substitutes

Ziyech made a return from the bench following an injury in pre-season | Steve Bardens/Getty Images

Hakim Ziyech - 6/10

Reece James - N/A

Tammy Abraham - N/A


SOUTHAMPTON

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Walker-Peters was Southampton's best defender against Chelsea | Robin Jones/Getty Images

Alex McCarthy (GK) - 6/10 - Couldn't have done much for Chelsea's goals, but made some decent stops to deny the Blues throughout the game.

Kyle Walker-Peters (RB) - 7/10 -
Made some good forward passes down the line to Ings, but was largely focused on his defensive duties due to the threat of Chilwell in the first half.

Jan Bednarek (CB) - 5/10 -
Similar to when the Saints played Tottenham, Vestergaard struggled with pace and Chelsea's lofted balls to set Werner through.

Jannik Vestergaard (CB) - 6/10 -
Part of a defensive partnership that struggled to deal with the pace of Werner in behind the defensive line. Goal? Nice.

Ryan Bertrand (LB) - 6/10 -
The former Chelsea left-back had a solid game against a rather tired Pulisic.


6. Midfielders

It was a frustrating afternoon for Walcott on his Southampton return | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Theo Walcott (RM) - 6/10 - A quiet debut on his return to Southampton, but popped up with a late assist to ensure the points were shared.

James Ward-Prowse (CM) - 6/10 -
Was constantly making himself available to receive the ball in midfield, but was forced to be more defensive in a duo with Romeu.

Oriol Romeu (CM) - 6/10 -
A tough afternoon for the former Chelsea man, who was breaking up the play in midfield.

Nathan Redmond (LM) - 5/10 -
Didn't offer much of an attacking threat for Chelsea's defenders to deal with, and found it tough to link with the pair up top.


7. Forwards

Ings had Southampton back in it just before the break | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Danny Ings (ST) - 7/10 - Showed signs of confidence with the ball at his feet, and made the most of his chance before the break as he took the ball around Kepa and tapped into an empty net.

Che Adams (ST) - 7/10 - Smashed in the equaliser as he capitalised on Chelsea's defensive error, but had a quiet game overall.


8. Substitutes

Shane Long was introduced in an attempt to stretch Chelsea's defence with his pace | Pool/Getty Images

Shane Long - N/A

Ibrahima Diallo - N/A

Nathan Tella - N/A

Source: 90min