Barring a miracle, Chelsea will not be playing Champions League football next season. Following Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town at Stamford Bridge, the Blues now must beat Newcastle on Sunday and hope Brighton defeat Liverpool. David Wagner’s side secured their place in the Premier League for next season with the point, whereas Chelsea will have to settle for fifth. Laurent Depoitre scored for the Terriers, before Marcos Alonso’s bizarre equaliser brought Chelsea level. Antonio Conte’s side had a number of chances to find a winner, but had to settle for a share of the spoils. Here’s who impressed in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield.
3. Jonas Lossl
It’s not often that an opposition player is in this top three, but Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl deserves recognition for helping his side secure top-flight status. He couldn’t do anything about Alonso’s freak equaliser, but made an unbelievable save from an Andreas Christensen header after a goalmouth scramble. The Dane’s superb stop ensured the Terriers obtained the point they needed to remain in the Premier League next season.
2. Marcos Alonso
The scorer of Chelsea’s only goal on Wednesday night, Alonso didn’t really put a foot wrong during the game. Often an option on the left, the Blues players neglected to pass to the Spaniard, and opted for the right-hand side. After a Huddersfield defender cleared the ball away, Alonso fortuitously netted Chelsea’s equaliser. As the defender cleared his lines, the ball cannoned back off the wing-back’s face and beyond the helpless Lossl. One of the more bizarre goals Alonso will score in his career.
1. N’Golo Kante
Perhaps the only Chelsea player to come off the pitch feeling he’s played well. The Frenchman rarely has a bad game, and this fixture was no exception. Full of energy and running from the offset, Kante bossed the midfield and helped going forward too. He made a superb run in the first half which saw him beat a number of Huddersfield defenders. A run that even the likes of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona would’ve been proud of.
