Chelsea are top of the Premier League table with 15 points out of 15, five wins out of five. The 4-1 drubbing of Cardiff at Stamford Bridge meant that the Blues have had their best start to the season since 2010 – the last time they won five in-a-row.
Goals today from Willian and a hat-trick from Eden Hazard completed a comeback victory for Maurizio Sarri’s side after Sol Bamba’s 16th minute opener.
Chelsea Player Ratings vs Cardiff City
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
Was pretty inactive throughout the game, mainly as traffic wasn’t coming at his goal – but Sol Bamba’s opening goal left him standing.
David Luiz – 6
Cesar Azpilicueta – 8
Unquestionably the best defender on the pitch today, reliable and made some key tackles on Cardiff’s creator Junior Hoillet.
Antonio Rudiger – 7
Marcos Alonso – 8
N’Golo Kante – 6
Is now deployed in a more advanced midfield role and perhaps it doesn’t quite bring out his best – Jorginho would surely be better as the more forward player and drop back Kante like he’s most suited to.
Mateo Kovacic – 6
Jorginho – 5
Eden Hazard – 10
Our first perfect score of the season! The Belgian is a man bang on-form after the World Cup and the hat-trick today just showed how crucial he is to Maurizio Sarri this season – linked up great with Giroud up-front.
Pedro – 6
Came close on a couple of occasions, however Maurizio Sarri decided to sub him off just before 70 minutes after failing to find the back of the net.
Olivier Giroud – 8
The World Cup winner was given the nod ahead of Morata and deservedly so. No goals today but turned creator instead – the lay-off for Hazard was excellent.
Chelsea Player Ratings – Substitutes
Willian – 7
Replaced Pedro for the final 20 or so minutes and took his chance with an excellently placed goal.
Davide Zappacosta – N/A
Ross Barkley – 6
Do you agree with CFCnet’s player ratings vs Cardiff City? Let us know your reaction to the game and our view on the ratings – will it be a much changed XI for PAOK in the Europa League up next?
