1. KEPA ARRIZABALAGA (8.2)

Minutes: 90
Touches: 36
Passes: 22/27
Saves: 4
Fouls drawn: 1

Third Man of the Match for Kepa, which is second only to Tammy Abraham and N’Golo Kanté, and there’s certainly been less concern about the performances of those two than Chelsea’s record signing. Though that said, the community’s assessment of Kanté’s performance — and Rüdiger’s — certainly pales a bit in comparison with Lampard singling those two out, alongside Kepa, for praise after the game. In any case, well done, Kepa. More of the same please (if needed)!

2. REECE JAMES (6.7)

Minutes: 90
Touches: 89
Passes: 43/53
Shots: 0/2
Take-ons: 3/3
Fouls drawn: 1
Fouls committed: 3
Tackles+INTs+Blocks: 4+4+1
Aerial duels won: 4

James wasn’t expected to start, but he made a welcome return from an ankle tweak and put in an expectedly excellent and marauding performance on the right flank. The only unfortunate part was that Chelsea couldn’t take advantage of all the space he was afforded and opportunities he created.

3. CÉSAR AZPILICUETA (6.7)

Minutes: 90
Touches: 102
Passes: 58/71
Shots: 1*/1
Tackles+INTs+Blocks: 5+5+1
Aerial duels won: 3
Clearances: 4

Another goal from Azpilicueta, his third of the season, which matches a career high (set in 2017-18) — and that’s with having 2 unfortunately ruled out already as well, by a marginal offside much earlier in the play against Liverpool, and an accidental handball by someone else on the team against Ajax. A strong overall performance as well from the Chelsea captain and actual Left Back of the Decade, who’s having his consensus worst season of an already storied career.

vs. BRIGHTON (PL, A, D 1-1)

EXCEPTIONAL (9.0+): —

EXCELLENT (8.0-8.9): Arrizabalaga (8.2)

GOOD (7.0-7.9): —

AVERAGE (6.0-6.9): James (6.7), Azpilicueta (6.7), Rüdiger (6.2), Zouma (6.2), Kanté (6.0)

POOR (5.0-5.9): Pulisic (5.9), Willian (5.8), Abraham (5.6), Jorginho (5.6), Mount (5.4), Hudson-Odoi (5.1, sub), Kovačić (5.4, sub)

BAD (4.0-4.9): —

TERRIBLE (3.0-3.9): —

OVERALL

(through previous match)