This scheduled post was a lot less interesting when it first appeared on my docket than it is now that Chelsea has fallen 2-1 to Leicester City on Monday at King Power Stadium.
[ MORE: Match recap | Mourinho zaps Hazard, ashamed of Chelsea ]
Player ratings are usually a dicey proposition, even more so when a legendary English club is underachieving in relatively-massive proportions.
So let’s dig it, debate, and move on.
LEICESTER CITY
Kaspar Schmeichel — 7 — Big stop on Costa to keep game in Leicester’s favor.
Danny Simpson — 6.5 — Just kept backing off Pedro, who is a good ball-crosser Danny, and sure enough Chelsea scored on the play.
Wes Morgan — 7.5 — The big back is a big factor in Leicester’s run to the top of the table.
Robert Huth — 5 — What happened on Chelsea’s goal, Robert? Otherwise solid.
Christian Fuchs — 6 — An overlooked key component of Leicester’s success, but could’ve done something on the Remy goal.
Danny Drinkwater — 6 — Fine. Still among the best names in soccer.
Riyad Mahrez — 9.5 — Could’ve been a 10, but where was the added insurance goal? We mostly kid.
N'Golo Kante — 7.5 — Another of the Foxes’ clever pests, he was a strong man in 50/50 battles.
Marc Albrighton — 6.5 — Not his best night, but still served up some good crosses and smart passes.
Leonardo Ulloa — 7 — His strength is a huge asset when deployed correctly, and that was done today.
Jamie Vardy — 8 — The pesky, industrious Englishman netted another goal with a well-timed run.
[ MORE: Men in Blazers podcast deals with Alan Pardew ]
CHELSEA
Thibaut Courtois — 6 — Not sure what he’s supposed to do on either of the goals, but can’t give better than a six when two goals cross the line.
Cesar Azpilicueta — 4 — Someone needed to help this guy out of the jam provided by Riyad Mahrez’s Pac Man-like back-and-forth for the second goal. Alas, no one did. Baba, anyone?
John Terry — 3.5 — He’s badly regressed, was bewitched by Mahrez, and lost Vardy for the goal.
Kurt Zouma — 5 — Could’ve saved Terry’s bacon on the Vardy goal, and surely did not.
Branislav Ivanovic — 5 — His crossing’s been hit-and-miss this season, but overall he’s been the best choice at right back.
Ramires — 4 — Honestly, I forgot he played until I had to proffer a rating.
Nemanja Matic — 6 — Seemed out of the loop, but looked good when he was involved with the play.
Willian — 6 — He’s been one of Jose Mourinho’s only bright spots, but was relatively dim on the day.
Oscar — 5 — Far from miserable, and looked lively enough at times. Too inconsistent to be a focal point of a Premier League team.
Eden Hazard — INC — Injured upon the half-hour, Mourinho would’ve handed out a subpar grade.
Pedro — 7 — Came close to scoring, and provided the cross that Loic Remy knocked home.
Diego Costa — 3.5 — Nothing more than a pest, he’s failing to finish chances in surprising fashion.
Remy — 7 — Scored the goal, and deserves a start. Succeeded with consistent playing time at Newcastle.
Cesc Fabregas — 6 — His entrance into the game gave Chelsea life, and Mourinho deserves a nod for the tactical maneuver.
