Chelsea regained control of their Champions League destiny in dramatic fashion as Michy Batshuayi came off the bench to snatch victory against a dominant Ajax side in Amsterdam.
The potential pitfuls of such a fixture were well documented, and with good reason Ajax have continued on from where they left off last season and their ability to break out of a high press spelt danger for Frank Lampard’s side who have this season relied so heavily on their energy and intensity to win back possession high up the pitch.
The Blues’s underdog status was for much of the game more than warranted, as Ajax were able to loop crosses into the box for late runners to latch on to. Quincy Promes, in particular, found himself able to drift off the back of Cesar Azpilicueta, who for much of the first-half was caught ball watching. The Dutchman was then as drastically unlucky as Azpilicueta was relieved to see his goal ruled out for offside by a fraction of centimetres – VAR’s intervention seemingly more pedantic than effective as the linesman’s decision was once again undermined by the technology.
Chelsea looked far more resolute in the second half and chances were at a premium for both sides, this being said Batshuayi’s close-range drive off the crossbar stunned everyone in the stadium bar the man himself and echoed memories of his late winner against Atletico Madrid almost two years ago to the day.
Kepa Arrizabalaga - 7
Ajax looked to put him under pressure in the opening exchanges and his distribution suffered as a result, but ultimately they failed to trouble the Spaniard regularly enough.
Cesar Azpilicueta - 6.5
A game of two halves from the Chelsea captain. Whilst Promes was afforded plenty of room to ghost in behind it was also down to Azpilicueta’s crucial interception that the Blues didn’t concede. A far more vigilant defensive display in the second-half ensured that Promes’s influence was nullified.
Kurt Zouma - 8
A real coming of age performance from Zouma, whose aggression and willingness to put a foot in helped an anxious Fikayo Tomori settle into the game.
Fikayo Tomori - 6
Looked in awe of the occasion, as Zouma bailed him out after some loose passing but his confidence soon grew and whilst he never seemed to regain the same levels of composure we’ve become accustomed to he eradicated the air of liability that surrounded his tepid marking of Hakim Ziyech and Dusan Tadic.
Marcos Alonso - 6.5
Allowed Ziyech to cross with far too much regularity but he offered an important out ball for his side with Chelsea under large amounts of pressure for much of the game. the fact that he took the most amount of touches of any player in the team is a testament to his ability to draw wide and retain possession.
Mateo Kovacic - 7
Only Alonso saw more of the ball, and his 91% pass accuracy is reflective of the fact that he was able to relieve pressure and push Chelsea forward, with his three completed dribbles only bettered by Mason Mount.
Jorginho - 6.5
Not a trademark display by any means, the Italian was tidy in possession but often failed to be expansive with the ball, playing only five long balls all game. His impeccably timed sliding challenge deep into added time was by far his most telling contribution but always looked at risk of being overrun.
Mason Mount - 6.5
Out of the players who started proceedings Mount offered the most creativity and incisiveness, cutting in and looking to test Andre Onana who looked uncharacteristically unconvincing in goal. His willingness to get beyond his man did often do him more harm than good however as Ajax were able to turn over possession quickly and break on Chelsea in the transition, owing also to Jorginho and Kovacic’s lack of pace.
Willian - 6
Oblivious for much of the game Willian found himself constricted to the touchline and afforded little room in which to hold the ball up and retain possession.
Tammy Abraham - 6
Unsurprisingly Abraham looked exhausted out there, trying aimlessly to bring the ball down under pressure he clearly lacked the energy to try and stretch the Ajax defence with runs in behind and he was starved of service as a result.
Callum Hudson-Odoi - 6
On the night of his first start in the Champions League Hudson-Odoi struggled to get on the ball and drive at players. Often caught in two minds his poor decision making saw him waste a couple of rare and clean-cut first-half opportunities.
Subs:
Christian Pulisic – 8, was given his chance off the bench and made perhaps the most lasting impact of his Chelsea career thus far. Having come close with a long-range drive moments earlier the American seized upon the space afforded to him and produced an excellent cut-back for Batshuayi to finish off. The Belgian forward will grab the headlines but Pulisic’s involvement in the build-up cannot be understated, he really made an impression tonight.
Michy Batshuayi – 8, having spurned two guilt-edged opportunities earlier on it looked to be a frustrating cameo for Batshuayi but his natural goal-scoring instincts always create chances and his emphatic finish from inside the 18-yard box was no less than fans have come to expect from the criminally underrated understudy.
Reece James- N/A, introduced with just minutes left to play. He helped the Blues shut out the game and collect a vital three points.