1. MICHY BATSHUAYI (6.9)

Minutes: 76
Touches: 36
Passes: 11/20
Shots: 1*/2
Take-ons: 1/3
Fouls drawn: 1
Tackles+Blocks: 2+1
Aerial duels won: 2

Batshuayi did not “do” much at all during the game, and his link-up play was shoddy at best, but he did do what he does best, and scored an absolutely ridiculous goal that would’ve made the likes of Didier Drogba and Diego Costa proud. Despite limited action, Batshuayi is now second on the team in scoring, with 5 goals in just 230 minutes (which translates to about one goal for every one-half of football — small sample size, sure, but he’s now also scored in three of his last four appearances, including both starts).

2. REECE JAMES (6.6)

Minutes: 90
Touches: 108
Passes: 55/68
Shots: 0/1
Take-ons: 1/2
Fouls drawn: 2
Tackles+Blocks: 5+2
Aerial duels won: 4

Strong play from the 19-year-old, as expected, and most crucially, free of any major obvious game-changing mistakes unlike his counterpart on the left flank. James did seem to tire towards the end, but true match fitness can only be truly achieved through regular match action.

3. KURT ZOUMA (6.4)

Minutes: 90
Touches: 95
Passes: 67/80
Takes-ons: 1/1
Shots: 0/2
Interceptions: 2
Clearances: 7
Aerial duels won: 2

This is Zouma’s first appearance in the top three. It’s well deserved recognition for his steady if unspectacular play at the back. His season may have begun in the worst possible way with an opening day calamity against Manchester United and an own goal against Sheffield United, which was followed by racial abuse online from his own “fans”, but he’s been solid enough — and equally importantly, available and fit enough — ever since.

vs. MANCHESTER UNITED (LC, H, L 1-2)

EXCEPTIONAL (9.0+): —

EXCELLENT (8.0-8.9): —

GOOD (7.0-7.9): —

AVERAGE (6.0-6.9): Batshuayi (6.9), James (6.6), Zouma (6.4), Guehi (6.3), Jorginho (6.1)

POOR (5.0-5.9): Kovačić (5.9), Mount (5.7, sub), Caballero (5.6), Gilmour (5.6), Hudson-Odoi (5.4), Pulisic (5.3), Abraham (5.3, sub)

BAD (4.0-4.9): Pedro (4.5, sub), Alonso (4.2)

TERRIBLE (3.0-3.9): —

OVERALL