1. ÉDOUARD MENDY (9.3)

Despite the scoreline, it was not exactly a comfortable win for Chelsea against Aston Villa on Saturday, especially in the first half, and we have Édouard Mendy to thank for keeping us ahead on the scoreboard even when the visitors had the better of play and chances.

Mendy was credited with no fewer than 6 saves, while Villa launched 18 shots in total, the most given up by a full strength Tu-Chelsea. (Liverpool’s 23 from the previous matchday is the most, but that came mostly against 10 men.)

That’s not exactly a promising trend, but with Mendy between the sticks, and the likes of Thiago Silva putting in heroic efforts, we kept yet another clean sheet, our third already this season.

2. MATEO KOVAČIĆ (9.0)

Kovačić’s excellent start to the season continued with a match-winning performance, and while he’s always impactful in midfield with his press-breaking, ball-carrying, and possession-recycling abilities, this time he also showed up on the scoresheet. The assist for our first goal was nothing short of fantastic, and the effort to take advantage of a defensive error and score our second was equally impressive and, indeed, quite rare — and it came at the most perfect time to make the second 45 a much more comfortable affair than the first.

It’s just his third goal for Chelsea, and the first in 21 months.

3. ROMELU LUKAKU (8.9)

Kovačić has three goals in almost 150 appearances for Chelsea. Lukaku now has three in his first three games since returning to the club. He had two chances in this one, and scored on both. That’s the difference a world class striker can make. Hopefully it continues!

vs. ASTON VILLA (PL, H, W 3-0)

EXCEPTIONAL (9.0+): Mendy (9.3), Kovačić (9.0)

EXCELLENT (8.0-8.9): Lukaku (8.9), Silva (8.4)

GOOD (7.0-7.9): Rüdiger (7.6), Jorginho (7.3, sub), Azpilicueta (7.2, sub), Chalobah (7.1), Alonso (7.0)

AVERAGE (6.0-6.9): Ziyech (6.5), Hudson-Odoi (6.4), Havertz (6.4), Werner (6.2, sub)

POOR (5.0-5.9): —

BAD (4.0-4.9): Saúl (4.1)

TERRIBLE (3.0-3.9): —

OVERALL