Date: 10th November 2022 at 12:30pm
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A strong Chelsea side were knocked out of the Carabao Cup last night following a 2-0 defeat at the Etihad against Manchester City.

Second-half goals from Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez condemned Graham Potter to a fifth straight domestic game without a win, the third consecutive loss in the run.

The Blues did play their part in a great end-to-end spectacle, mustering up 15 shots throughout but the chances were in vain as they were denied by an inspired Stefan Ortega in the City goal.

There were a handful of players for the West Londoners who can hold their heads high after being unlucky to be on the losing side, using statistical experts WhoScored, we’ve analysed the three best-performing Chelsea players from last night.

Lewis Hall (6.6)

Singled out by Potter for a “fantastic” debut, the 18-year-old played at left wing-back against the Citizen’s youngster Rico Lewis who he had on skates all evening, completing all three of his dribbles, the highest of anyone in the game, in turn leaving Lewis as the most dribbled past player of the night.

He should’ve come away with a debut goal after seeing Ortega pull off two great stops in either half, his two shots on target were the joint-highest for the Blues as he received the highest rating outside the backline for the visitors.

Edouard Mendy (8.1)

It was a game of two goalkeepers, but the Senegalese was unable to keep City out despite making five saves and three claims as he made good of his chance at regaining the number one shirt from the injured Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Blameless for both goals, he kept his side level for as long as possible, saving well at full-stretch from Alvarez in the first half before his wall let him down for Mahrez’s free-kick opener, equally unlucky for the second after his smart save was pounced on by the Argentine.

Marc Cucurella (7.1)

The Spaniard has struggled following his £60m summer move but he was the Blues’ highest-rated outfield player last night following a solid defensive performance against the host’s dangerous attack.

He won an incredible six tackles out of Chelsea’s 14 on the night, unsurprisingly a game-high, his total passes were second only to his defensive partner Kalidou Koulibaly but boasted a 4% higher success, a much-needed performance after nailing his highest rating in five games.

He also won a whopping 100% of his eight duels, to add to Hall’s six of seven (85.7%), as per SofaScore, further highlighting just how secure the Blues were down the left side, even in defeat.

 

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