Chelsea player ratings vs Southampton: Chalobah stars as Barkley struggles

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Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP26 October 2021

Chelsea advanced to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup after another win on penalties at Stamford Bridge.

Reece James netted the decisive penalty to down Southampton 4-3 on spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw over 90 minutes.

The Blues, who also beat Aston Vila here on penalties in the third-round, took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Kai Havertz’s clinical header but Saints hit back immediately after the restart when Che Adams poked home from point-blank range.

Both sides had a host of chances to win the game but it came down to spot-kicks, with Will Smallbone and Theo Walcott missing for the visitors.

Dan Kilpatrick was at Stamford Bridge to run the rule over the Chelsea players...

Kepa Arrizabalaga 7

Parried Kyle Walker-Peters’ shot to the feet of Che Adams for the equaliser but made amends with a string of second-half saves, including two stoppage-time stops to save Chelsea’s skin.

Reece James 7

Kept on his toes by the lively Adams and Adam Armstrong but defended well, and tested Fraser Forster with a lovely curling effort. Dispatched the winning penalty.

Trevoh Chalobah 8

Calm and collected at the heart of defence, and made a couple of important interventions.

Malang Sarr 5

Let in Walker-Peters for the Saints goal and his distribution was erratic. Down Tuchel’s list of centre-half options at present.

Callum Hudson-Odoi 7

Lively both at wing back and then in the centre for the final 20 minutes but squandered a late chance and is likely to remain on the fringes of the first XI. Well-taken pen.

Marcos Alonso 6

Worked hard but was forced back by the lively Walker-Peters and wasn’t able to get forward as much as he would have liked. Clinical penalty.

Saul 7

Showed plenty of quality, including a sumptuous pass to release Alonso in the build up to the goal, and a curling effort which extended Fraser Forster. Also a threat at corners.

Ross Barkley 5

Looked rusty on his first start of the season and struggled to make an impact on the fast-paced game.

Mateo Kovacic 6

Not his most polished display in the middle of the park but got stuck in and kept the ball moving.

Hakim Ziyech 6

Finished with an assist after his corner was headed home by Havertz but hardly a display to prove he deserves more first-team minutes.

Kai Havertz 8

Looked a constant threat at No.9 and took his goal well after twice going close with fierce efforts. Wasted a good one-v-one in the second half but looks to be regaining his confidence.

Substitutes

Mason Mount (Ziyech 67’) 7

Saw plenty of the ball at No.10 and helped Chelsea to create a number of late chances. Missed his penaty after a fine Forster save.

Ben Chilwell (Barkley 67’) 6

Played out of position on the right and struggled to make an impact.

Not used: Bettinelli, Sharman-Love, Rudiger, Jorginho, Silva, Vale.

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