Chelsea ratings vs Tottenham: Palmer and Penders hurt Blues in derby loss

Cole Palmer was sent off for Chelsea Chelsea suffered a night to forget at Stamford Bridge as Xabi Alonso’s side were beaten 2-0 by local rivals Tottenham in a result they fully deserved. Spurs, coming into the match on the back of their first Premier League win of the season against Coventry, were the better team from the opening stages. Omar Marmoush had an early chance but drilled his effort straight at Mike Penders, while Jordan Henderson also wasted a good opportunity at the other end when he was left unmarked on the edge of the Spurs box.

James Maddison was the standout player in the first half, although he was forced off shortly after the restart as his injury problems struck again. In his absence, Roberto De Zerbi’s side pushed on and eventually found the opener, albeit in fortunate fashion, when Penders accidentally punched an inswinging corner into his own net. Chelsea’s situation got even worse three minutes later when they were reduced to ten men after Cole Palmer received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Conor Gallagher.

Spurs took full advantage of the extra man, with Mathys Tel adding a brilliant solo second goal into the bottom-left corner. Metro was at Stamford Bridge to rate Chelsea’s performances on what proved to be a hugely disappointing evening for the Blues. Mike Penders – 4 Mike Penders made two smart saves in the first half, including getting down well to his right to keep out Omar Marmoush midway through the opening period.

However, his first Premier League start will be remembered for a costly own goal after the break. Under pressure from Jan Paul van Hecke as the corner came in, his punch only looped behind him and into the empty net. Josh Acheampong – 6 He did not get much defensive help from Pedro Neto, but dealt well with a lively Tel on Spurs’ left side in the first half.

He moved to right-back after the break when Alonso switched to a back four, but could do nothing as Tel burst past him for Tottenham’s second. Maxence Lacroix – 5 He was dragged out of position by Marmoush and James Maddison in the first half, and he allowed Tel to go past him far too easily before the Spurs forward finished off his side’s second goal. Levi Colwill – 6 He was not tested too heavily defensively, but he won his battles when needed.

He also nearly sent Pedro Neto through on goal with an excellent long pass that just ran away from the winger. Pedro Neto – 6 He remained a lively presence on Chelsea’s right wing. Given even more freedom to attack after the break, he should have done better with a shot shortly after the hour mark, but fired straight at Antonin Kinsky.

Moises Caicedo – 6 He started with a few strong early tackles on his Tottenham counterparts, but found it difficult to get on the ball and help Chelsea build momentum, especially against Maddison in the first half. Jordan Henderson – 6 He should have done better after a flowing move set him up on the edge of the box, but he was too close to Kinsky, who was able to make the save. Jorrel Hato – 6 He handled Mohammed Kudus well, but did not see much of the ball going forward.

He was replaced by Marco Palestra just after the hour mark. Geovany Quenda – 4 Making his first league start alongside Penders, he struggled to make any real impact. He had no shots on target and only one touch in the penalty area before being taken off for Estevao.

Cole Palmer – 3 It was a quiet night that got worse with his sending off in the second half. He was booked first for pushing Mateus Fernandes off the ball, then given his marching orders for a late challenge on Conor Gallagher. He can have few complaints about either decision, but he had already struggled to affect the game and clearly missed Joao Pedro in front of him.

Morgan Rogers – 5 Like Palmer, he found it hard without Joao Pedro ahead of him. Operating further forward on the left, he could not influence the match in the way he has in other games when given more freedom to drift across the front line. Subs: Marco Palestra – 5 Estevao – 6 Danny Welbeck – N/A