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.