Napoli 2-3 Chelsea, Player Ratings: Big Game João Pedro

1. JOÃO PEDRO (9.1)

It’s been a bit of an inconsistent season for JP, who made a big splash in the summer when he signed during the Club World Cup (3 goals in 3 games), carried that form into the start of the season (two goals and three assists in his first four league games), but then struggled for consistent impact over the next few months. Since the start of December however, he’s turned that around, scoring seven of his eleven total goals on the season in these last two months.

Like all Big Game players, he rose to the occasion on the biggest stage and almost single-handedly won us the game (to the extent this can be possible in a team sport like football). Sure, the team’s improved second half performance gave him the platform to do so, but the equalizer was a tremendous strike out of practically nothing and the the winning goal, with Cole Palmer getting the assist (his first of the season, finally) was executed with clinical perfection.

2. ROBERT SÁNCHEZ (7.5)

Another solid game from Bob, despite the two goals given up (which he could do nothing about). He’s been in excellent form since that Arsenal debacle.

3. ENZO FERNÁNDEZ (7.1)

Another solid game from Enzo as well, who’s been in excellent form since scoring that late equalizer against Manchester City.

vs. NAPOLI (CL, A, W 3-2)

EXCEPTIONAL (8.5-9.5): João Pedro (9.1)

EXCELLENT (7.5-8.4): Sánchez (7.5)

GOOD (6.5-7.4): Enzo (7.1), Palmer (7.1, sub), Chalobah (6.7, sub), James (6.6)

AVERAGE (5.5-6.4): Caicedo (6.3), Estêvão (6.1), Cucurella (6.1), Santos (6.0), Garnacho (5.6, sub), Badiashile (5.5, sub)

SUBPAR (4.5-5.4): Gusto (5.4), Fofana (5.3), Gittens (5.2, sub), Neto (5.1)

BAD (3.5-4.4): —

TERRIBLE (2.5-3.4): —

OVERALL