Chelsea vs Man City player ratings: Christian Pulisic cements place in starting XI as Blues hand Liverpool Premier League title

Visitors needed a result to prevent Reds from winning the top-flight trophy, but came away with none

In the most entertaining game since the Premier League returned this month, Chelsea defeated a 10-man Manchester City 2-1 on Thursday evening, ensuring Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions for the first time.

Christian Pulisic opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge, essentially assisted by City’s Benjamin Mendy and Ilkay Gundogan – whose miscommunication in the first half allowed the US international to surge goalwards and fire past Ederson.

The visitors battled to delay Liverpool’s coronation and equalised in the second half through a stunning Kevin De Bruyne free-kick, but were undone as Fernandinho was sent off for a handball that set up an emphatic Willian penalty. Here’s a look at how both teams’ players performed:

Chelsea

Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6: Almost put his team in peril early on with a lazy kick that found a City shirt, but redeemed himself with a fine save from a Fernandinho header soon after.

Christian Pulisic gives Chelsea the lead (Getty Images)

Cesar Azpilicueta – 7: Captain led Chelsea with confidence, setting the mood among Frank Lampard’s men.

Andreas Christensen – 8: Rose well to meet a Chelsea corner and force Ederson into a strong save from close-range in the first half; bravely blocked a Mendy effort in the second.

Antonio Rudiger – 6: The German was solid for the most part, though his main contribution was a nasty challenge on De Bruyne after a poor touch.

Marcos Alonso – 6: Similarly solid to his defensive team-mates. Little to criticise in the Spaniard’s case.

Ross Barkley – 7: Game threatened to pass him by in its early stages, but the 26-year-old caught up and so nearly provided an assist for Pulisic after the half-hour mark.

N’Golo Kante – 6: Was not quite up to his usual standards and gave the ball away poorly in the second half, only for City to let Chelsea off.

Mason Mount – 6: Pulled a shot wide when presented with a great opportunity to score on the hour mark. Elsewhere the 21-year-old was decent enough and worked hard.

Willian – 7: Saw relatively little of the ball, but looked focused throughout. Converted Chelsea’s second-half penalty with aplomb.

Olivier Giroud – 6: Worked more as a decoy than anything else, creating opportunities for Chelsea’s midfielders to get at the visitors’ defence. Was replaced after 60 minutes.

Christian Pulisic – 8: Winger’s performances have demanded a place in the starting XI and the US international might have solidified his spot with this performance. Capitalised on a City error to break brilliantly before adding a perfect finish. Was only denied a second by a terrific Walker clearance.

Tammy Abraham – 6: Was more mobile than Giroud and breathed some fresh life into the hosts when they needed it.

Man City

Ederson – 8: Was tidy in his distribution, almost setting up a City goal at 1-1. Saved well from a close-range Christensen header in the first half and made a terrific double save in the second before Fernandinho gave away a penalty – which the City keeper could do nothing to save, as with Pulisic’s strike.

Kyle Walker – 7: Was involved throughout without being particularly influential, until he made a dramatic and crucial goal-line clearance to deny Pulisic in the 70th minute.

Fernandinho – 5: Tested Kepa well with a flicked header from a Mahrez free-kick in the opening half. Was largely solid in defence until he panicked with a clear handball that gifted Chelsea a penalty and ended the Brazilian’s evening prematurely.

Man City players attempt to deny Pulisic (Getty Images)

Aymeric Laporte – 5: Had nothing to do with Pulisic’s goal, but failed to instil any calmness in City’s back four throughout the match.

Benjamin Mendy – 4: Miscommunication with Gundogan amounted to an awful error that allowed Pulisic to storm through and score. Shot over woefully in the second half before being substituted on 60 minutes.

Ilkay Gundogan – 5: Played a part in the comedic mix-up for Pulisic’s goal. Was otherwise competent but largely lacked influence.

Rodri – 6: Wanted to be on the ball at every opportunity, looking to give and go and stride forward.

Kevin De Bruyne – 7: Congested midfield landscape forced the Belgian out wide often in the first half, where he failed to make his usual impact. Found more space once substitutions were made, and contributed with a stunning free-kick to equalise for his side.

Raheem Sterling – 6: Winger was nominally a false nine on the team sheet, but rotated with Mahrez and Silva throughout the first half. Those tactics did not allow the England international to settle, but Jesus’ introduction did and the England international hit the post soon after.

Bernardo Silva – 5: Tried to make himself a nuisance as usual, but a strong Chelsea defence were apathetic to his presence for the most part. Substituted early in the second half.

Riyad Mahrez – 6: As motivated as he was frustrated in the end. He or Bernardo should likely have been benched for Jesus; City’s rotating, slight forwards could not offer a focal point up front.

Gabriel Jesus – 6: Striker’s introduction gave City more shape up top and sparked an improved spell for the visitors.