Chelsea player ratings vs Astana: Samuel Rak-Sakyi takes chance with Josh Acheampong worth the wait
Chelsea made it a perfect five wins from five to all-but confirm their place in the Conference League last-16 by cruising past Astana in freezing conditions in Kazakhstan.
Having left the bulk of his first-team in London, Enzo Maresca called on a handful of academy graduates on Thursday night, with three players making debuts off the bench and two more winning their first senior starts.
Striker Marc Guiu, though, was the standout, scoring twice early on before Renato Veiga headed home in what at that stage threatened to be a rout.
The home side, though, rallied and pulled one back through Marin Tomasov, before keeping the Blues at bay in an improved second-half show.
Here’s how Maresca’s side rated in Almaty...
Filip Jorgensen 6
The coldest man in Kazakhstan for much of the evening but no chance with Tomasov strike.
Josh Acheampong 7
Finally handed a first Chelsea start, after almost three months in the cold over contract standoff. Looked comfortable.
Axel Disasi 6
Captain for the night said he had downloaded Senna to watch on the eight-hour flight. Never out of second gear.
Tosin Adarabioyo 6
Will be frustrated at having been overlooked for Benoit Badiashile in the Premier League of late. Not exactly much chance to stake a case here but one key interception just after half-time.
Renato Veiga 7
Header to make it 3-0 looked comically easy. A little casual in his defending for Tomasov strike.
Carney Chukwuemeka 7
Has had to wait a long time for first start of the season but impressed with his positivity. Unlucky not to score.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 7
Short socks looked out of place on a night when plenty opted for tights. Decent corner headed in by Veiga. Kept intensity up.
Pedro Neto 7
Found it all far too easy, having been picked due to suspension for Sunday’s Brentford clash. Low cross made Guiu second.
Samuel Rak-Sakyi 7
The second full debutant looked tidy in awkward conditions. A night to remember.
Tyrique George 7
Showed versatility by starting on the left and always posed a threat. Saw shot cleared off the line for what would have been first Chelsea goal.
Marc Guiu 8
His best night in a Chelsea shirt. Scored twice in the opening 20 minutes, including a fine solo effort.
Substitues
Ato Ampah (Neto 46’) 6
Youngster from Ghana handed half-time debut.
Harvey Vale (Chukwuemeka 67’) 6
Close to scoring with his first touch.
Shim Mheuka (Guiu 78’) N/A
Kiano Dyer (Rak-Sakyi 86’) N/A
Unused: Bergstrom, Merrick, Olise, Murray-Campbell, Wilson.
