Chelsea

Chelsea player ratings vs Borussia Dortmund: Kai Havertz the hero as Blues battle into Champions League quarter-finals

Krishan Davis
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Havertz
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The German forward produced a masterclass while two favourable VAR calls helped the Blues secure a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea overturned a first leg deficit with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund to reach the Champions League quarter-finals against all the odds on Tuesday.

Kai Havertz was the hero, putting in a scintillating all-round display and keeping his cool to score the decisive goal from a retaken penalty. He had hit the post with his first effort, but a VAR review for encroachment saved his blushes and he made no mistake the second time.

The German produced a marvellous piece of skill in the build-up to the opener, too, with Raheem Sterling lashing the ball into the roof of the net at the second time of asking.

Dortmund - who had won every game they've played in 2023 leading into this game - huffed and puffed, but could not find a response.

Here are GOAL's Chelsea player ratings from Stamford Bridge...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Kepa Arrizabalaga (6/10):

    Forced into one fine second-half save and picked up a booking for time-wasting. Not unduly tested.

    Wesley Fofana (6/10):

    Another very mature display from a player who has such limited experience at this level.

    Kalidou Koulibaly (7/10):

    Chelsea's outstanding centre-back, he didn't let anything get past him.

    Marc Cucurella (6/10):

    A performance that will give him some confidence having been left out of Premier League squads altogether recently.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Reece James (7/10):

    Didn't look fully fit initially on a bitter night in west London, but warmed up and grew into the game.

    Mateo Kovacic (6/10):

    His passing wasn't precise enough and he looked ponderous at times, but compensated with his busyness.

    Enzo Fernandez (6/10):

    More workmanlike than we're used to seeing and cut a frustrated figure at times.

    Ben Chilwell (7/10):

    So effective at both ends, providing an assist for Sterling before producing a goal-saving intervention.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Raheem Sterling (7/10):

    Second time's the charm! Miskicked an initial effort before crashing home the opener.

    Kai Havertz (8/10):

    After somehow not scoring himself in the first half, he showed sublime skill in the build-up to Sterling's strike. Played like his life depended on it, and rewarded as he just about kept his cool from the retaken penalty.

    Joao Felix (7/10):

    Carried Chelsea's biggest threat for large periods before being sacrificed for a more defensive set-up.

  5. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Conor Gallagher (7/10):

    Really industrious at both ends of the pitch, adding real bite.

    Christian Pulisic (6/10):

    Failed to take advantage as he raced away a couple of times late on.

    Ruben Loftus-Cheek (6/10):

    Did the job required of him as Chelsea saw it out.

    Denis Zakaria (N/A):

    A late introduction.

    Graham Potter (9/10):

    A fantastic result for Potter, who rode his luck with the VAR calls but has battled through what could have been a killer week for his Chelsea tenure.