Chelsea vs Plymouth ratings: Kepa 8, Lukaku 5; Garrick 7, Cooper 8

European champions made to fight for FA Cup win against Plymouth

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  CHELSEA RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga 8 – The Spaniard did not have much to do in his return to the starting line-up, but dealt well when called into action. Secured his side the victory after saving Hardie’s penalty in the 118th minute. AFP

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  Malang Sarr 6 – Moved into centre-back after the introduction of Alonso at half time. A disciplined performance until a sloppy challenge against Hardie gave Plymouth the opportunity to equalise. AFP

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  Antonio Rudiger 7 – Looked largely untroubled in a quiet performance in the heart of defence. AP

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  Andreas Christensen 5 – An average display in his return to defence, which was cut short after being replaced by Alonso at half time. PA

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  Cesar Azpilicueta 7 – A commanding display from the captain who equalised with a clever backheel finish after finding himself free in the six-yard box at 40 minutes. Replaced at the end with cramp. Reuters

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  Jorginho 6 – Came close to getting on the scoresheet with a deflected shot wide in added time of the first half. Booked after 20 minutes. AFP

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  Mateo Kovacic 7 – Unlucky not to score in the first half after a thumping shot ricocheted off the crossbar after 10 minutes and the Croatian was denied again by the post at 37 minutes. Replaced by Werner after 82 minutes. PA

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  Mason Mount 6 – Came in and out of the game and showed moments of his quality, assisting the Chelsea equaliser, and coming close with a curling shot denied by Cooper at 74 minutes. AFP

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  Callum Hudson-Odoi 7 – Looked lively and his direct running troubled the Plymouth defence. Became the second Chelsea player to hit the woodwork but could have done better with the header. Unlucky to be replaced by Havertz after 64 minutes. Reuters

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  Hakim Ziyech 7 – Looked Chelsea’s biggest creator all afternoon. Can be faulted for conceding the free kick which led to Plymouth’s opener. PA

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  Romelu Lukaku 5 – The Belgian looked off the pace in the first half and poor defending against Gillesphey saw Chelsea concede the opening goal. Came closest at 53 minutes but he could not reach Ziyech’s cross. PA

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  SUBS: Marcos Alonso (Christensen, 46') 7 – Scored the winner after a smart finish just before the end of the first half of extra time. AP

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  Kai Havertz (Christensen, 66') 7 – Brought much-needed quality to his side with a smart one-two with Werner before assisting Alonso’s winner. Carded late into added time. Reuters

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  Timo Werner (Kovacic, 82') N/A – A poor performance from the German who lacked confidence and any real quality. Getty

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  Saul Niguez (Mount, 98) N/A – Made little impact in added time against a tiring Plymouth side. Trevoh Chalobah (Azpilacueta, 98) N/A. Reuters

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  PLYMOUTH RATINGS: Michael Cooper 8 – Gained composure as game went on to produce some vital interventions, including nine saves. Saved by the woodwork but cannot be faulted for conceding from a clever Azpilicueta finish. Impressive performance from the young keeper. PA

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  Dan Scarr 7 – A solid display from the centre-back who was positioned well to clear the danger and some important blocks relieved his team from mounting Chelsea pressure. AFP

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  James Wilson 6 - The Welshman dealt with his defensive duties well and a vital intervention saw him force Hudson-Odoi out of play after a dangerous run at 22 minutes. Getty

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  Macauley Gillesphey 7 – Gave a dream start, outmuscling Lukaku to open the scoring with a glancing header at eight minutes. Followed up with a dogged performance in defence. AFP

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  Joe Edwards 7 – Enjoyed a good battle against Hudson-Odoi in the first half and produced a brilliant piece of defending at 65 minutes to race back and deny Havertz on the counter. Reuters

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  Panutche Camara 7 – The Guinea-Bissau international worked hard in the middle of the park and made some key interceptions at the edge of his box. Replaced in the first half of extra time for Broom. Getty

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  Jordan Houghton 6 – The former Chelsea academy player marked his return to Stamford Bridge with the free kick delivery that assisted the opening goal. Getty

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  Danny Mayor 6 – Moved the ball well from midfield in a tiring display that saw him replaced by Randell after 77 minutes. AP

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  Conor Grant 6 – Solid enough defensively and was replaced by Law after 95 minutes. Getty

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  Luke Jephcott 5 – Struggled to get into the game and was replaced by Ennis after 58 minutes. AFP

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  Jordon Garrick 7 - The Swansea loanee was a standout performer. His relentless work rate got his team into some promising positions, and he was given a deserved rest after 68 minutes. AFP

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  SUBS: Niall Ennis (Jephcott, 58) 6 – A bright cameo as the 22-year-old was brought on to inject the pace into the forward line. AFP

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  Ryan Hardie (Garrick, 68) 6 – Had a chance to give his side the lead shortly after coming on but should have done better and was denied by Kepa. Could not convert the penalty to equalise for his side in added time. Getty

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  Adam Randell (Mayor, 77) N/A – Had no contribution of note after coming on for a tiring Mayor in midfield. AFP

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  Ryan Broom (Camara, 94) N/A – Had a chance in extra time with a clean strike from the edge of the box strike but a poor first touch meant it was hit directly at Kepa. Ryan Law (Grant, 95) N/A. AP

Chelsea did not have the best preparation for the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi as they laboured to a 2-1 fourth-round FA Cup win against third-tier side Plymouth Argyll on Saturday.

The European champions were rescued by goals from defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso against Plymouth who took an early lead through Macaulay Gillesphey and failed to convert a penalty in the final minutes of extra time.

The visitors' fans taunted Chelsea with chants of "Champions of Europe? You're having a laugh" as the hosts struggled to capitalise on possession.

Record signing Romelu Lukaku was kept at bay by Plymouth's defence while Moroccan winger Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi were also limited to a few chances.

Chelsea brought on other big-money signings Timo Werner and Kai Havertz to break the deadlock but failed. Only Mason Mount proved to be a consistent threat before he was substituted in extra time.

Manager Thomas Tuchel missed the game after testing positive for Covid-19, and will be hoping to be available in the UAE next week.

"It's maybe for him a little bit tough right now to score," Chelsea assistant coach Arno Michels said when asked about Lukaku's struggles in front of goal.

"He's a little bit unlucky. We try to give him opportunities, we will keep on going like this," Michels said. "He needs also some trust in moments when he does not score."

Chelsea will face either Al Hilal or Al Jazira in the Club World Cup semi-final in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

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