Valencia vs Chelsea, player ratings: Mateo Kovacic and Kepa Arrizabalaga star in Champions League draw

Valencia 2-2 Chelsea: The result leaves both teams on eight points with five games played, ahead of Ajax's meeting with Lille later this evening

Lawrence Ostlere
Wednesday 27 November 2019 15:50 EST
Comments
Mateo Kovacic celebrates scoring Chelsea's first goal
Mateo Kovacic celebrates scoring Chelsea's first goal (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Chelsea came away with a point from the Mestalla after an enthralling contest with Valencia to leave their Champions League group in the balance.

The Blues started brightly but could not make their early pressure count, and paid the price when Carlos Soler put Valencia in front shortly before half-time.

But the outstanding Mateo Kovacic replied almost immediately with his first Chelsea goal to level the score going into the break.

Frank Lampard suffered a blow with an injury to Tammy Abraham, who seemed in pain clutching his ribs and was replaced by Michy Batshuayi, but it didn't slow Chelsea's momentum and they took the lead shortly after half-time via Chrstian Pulisic.

Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga then saved a penalty from the captain Dani Parejo, yet Valencia had the final say when Daniel Wass's overhit cross looped over the head of the stranded Kepa and in off the far post in a bizarre moment of fortune.

The result leaves both teams on eight points with five games played, ahead of Ajax's meeting with Lille later this evening.

Take a look through the gallery above to see how every player rated.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in