• CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 6: No saves to make although could have been in trouble had a shinned volley by Antonio Colak just before break been on target. Quick off his line and swept up behind the defence well on rare occasions it was required. Reuters
    CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy - 6: No saves to make although could have been in trouble had a shinned volley by Antonio Colak just before break been on target. Quick off his line and swept up behind the defence well on rare occasions it was required. Reuters
  • Andreas Christensen - 8: Lovely ball out from back to put Ziyech away down right after 20 minutes. A quality performance at the back from the Dane who fits perfectly into Thomas Tuchel’s defensive system as Malmo failed to register a shot on target. AP
    Andreas Christensen - 8: Lovely ball out from back to put Ziyech away down right after 20 minutes. A quality performance at the back from the Dane who fits perfectly into Thomas Tuchel’s defensive system as Malmo failed to register a shot on target. AP
  • Thiago Silva - 8: Brazilian mopped up what little Malmo threw at him without a problem. Calm and assured throughout. Saw his flicked header from Ziyech corner cleared off line in 68th minute, was then booked a minute later for cynical foul that put an end to potential Malmo break. AFP
    Thiago Silva - 8: Brazilian mopped up what little Malmo threw at him without a problem. Calm and assured throughout. Saw his flicked header from Ziyech corner cleared off line in 68th minute, was then booked a minute later for cynical foul that put an end to potential Malmo break. AFP
  • Cesar Azpilicueta - 7: Excellent interception and ball into Havertz’s feet in first couple of minutes and had Chelsea’s first shot on target spilled by Malmo goalkeeper Johan Dahlin for corner. Regularly popped up in attacking positions as Chelsea dominated possession and the game as a whole. EPA
    Cesar Azpilicueta - 7: Excellent interception and ball into Havertz’s feet in first couple of minutes and had Chelsea’s first shot on target spilled by Malmo goalkeeper Johan Dahlin for corner. Regularly popped up in attacking positions as Chelsea dominated possession and the game as a whole. EPA
  • Marcos Alonso - 6: Point to prove after losing left wing-back spot to Ben Chilwell and took his frustration out on Hudson-Odoi at one point in first half when the return ball he wanted didn’t happen. Drilled shot straight at keeper minutes later. Had near-post header bundled wide for corner. AFP
    Marcos Alonso - 6: Point to prove after losing left wing-back spot to Ben Chilwell and took his frustration out on Hudson-Odoi at one point in first half when the return ball he wanted didn’t happen. Drilled shot straight at keeper minutes later. Had near-post header bundled wide for corner. AFP
  • Jorginho - 7: Usual reliable self at base of midfield, picking out teammates and driving team forward. Polished and professional performance from the Italian. AP
    Jorginho - 7: Usual reliable self at base of midfield, picking out teammates and driving team forward. Polished and professional performance from the Italian. AP
  • Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 8: Midfielder, making his first Champions League start since 2015, produced some wonderful moments of skill. One perfectly weighted ball through to Havertz in first half. Took two players out with Cruyff turn but then shot too close to keeper in 54th minute. Late yellow card for sliding challenge did not stop him taking man of the match award. AFP
    Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 8: Midfielder, making his first Champions League start since 2015, produced some wonderful moments of skill. One perfectly weighted ball through to Havertz in first half. Took two players out with Cruyff turn but then shot too close to keeper in 54th minute. Late yellow card for sliding challenge did not stop him taking man of the match award. AFP
  • Kai Havertz - 6: Had two penalty appeals rightly ignored by referee and VAR in opening 20 minutes and caused more problems when he stayed on his feet. Had two one-on-ones with keeper but failed to finish – and certainly should have done better with one late in game. AFP
    Kai Havertz - 6: Had two penalty appeals rightly ignored by referee and VAR in opening 20 minutes and caused more problems when he stayed on his feet. Had two one-on-ones with keeper but failed to finish – and certainly should have done better with one late in game. AFP
  • Christian Pulisic – (On for Hudson-Odoi 74’) 6: Would have been relieved to see offside flag go up after rounding keeper but shooting wide of target in injury time. AFP
    Christian Pulisic – (On for Hudson-Odoi 74’) 6: Would have been relieved to see offside flag go up after rounding keeper but shooting wide of target in injury time. AFP

Sport

Football

Chelsea ratings v Malmo: Ruben Loftus-Cheek 8, Hakim Ziyech 7, Kai Havertz 6

Premier League side seal Champions League win in Sweden

Gareth Cox

November 03, 2021

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Chelsea moved closer to a place in the Champions League knockout stages after a comfortable 1-0 win away to Malmo on Tuesday.

While dominating in terms of possession and shots on goal, Thomas Tuchel's reigning champions couldn't repeat the 4-0 thrashing they dealt out to the Swede's back at Stamford Bridge.

The winning goal came in the 56th minute when Callum Hudson-Odoi sent over a wonderful cross from their right that left Hakim Ziyech with the simple of task of finishing into an open goal at the back post.

While the likes of Ziyech, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Kai Havertz all missed chances at the other end, Chelsea were ruthless at the back, not allowing Malmo a single shot on target.

The London club have now kept 10 clean sheets from 17 matches in all competitions this season.

Player ratings for Chelsea can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.

Updated: November 03, 2021, 2:52 AM
Champions League