Chelsea produced a professionally encouraging performance to beat Fulham 2-0 in the Premier League on Monday night. The win was the first away win for Mauricio Pochettino as Chelsea boss.
The Blues had come into the game under pressure with just one win from their first six games and that urgency was evident from the first minute with Chelsea pressing and winning almost every 50-50 ball.
Mykhailo Mudryk missed two chances but made sure he got the third one right with a brilliant finish after chesting a pass from Levi Colwill and before providing a good finish through the legs of Bernd Leno in post for Fulham for his first Chelsea goal.
A few minutes later Cole Palmer profited from a mistake in the Fulham defence to play through Armando Broja who then through luck saw the attempted clearance hit him and into the back of the net to put his side in a commanding lead on their way to a much-needed win.
Chelsea suffered the first blow of the game when Mauricio Pochettino had to replace Mykhailo Mudryk at halftime before needing to do the same for Armando Broja.
Moises Caicedo was given a scare after going for a challenge but was given the all-clear to the delight of the technical team.
Fulham looked lost, not creating enough chances and not looking potent so their manager will have a lot of work to do as the season progresses.
Here is how we rated every Chelsea player out there.
1. Robert Sanchez - 6
His passing needs a lot of work but his reflexes are outstanding.
2. Enzo Fernandez-6.5
Would be delighted with his role in the first goal. his kicking should be better.
3. Thiago Silva -7
Calm and re-assuring as always. At 39 he just seems to have completed football.
4. Axel Disasi-7
Very good defender who is strong and dominating on and off the ground.