Player Ratings: Chelsea 2-1 Dinamo Zagreb | Champions League

Chelsea beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 in an entertaining Champions League dead rubber at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening.

The Blues had already progressed from Group E and came into this occasion with little to play for, other than a need to bounce back following a dismal loss at a weekend and the faint desire for revenge after an arguably as dismal loss in the reverse fixture.

Yet it was the away side who were fast out of the blocks, with the home favourites demonstrating some abysmal defending as Bruno Petkovic glanced home a header in Dinamo's first foray forward in the 6th minute. That lead was however short-lived, with Raheem Sterling and debutant Denis Zakaria putting Chelsea in the ascendancy by the half-hour mark.

The visitors had threatened to rip up the script, so Blues' boss Graham Potter will have been pleased to see his side respond so swiftly before losing any grip on the game, as has so often been the case with these personnel previously.

Potter's men continued to threaten after the interval, with Dinamo having Dominik Livaković to thank for keeping the scoreline respectable and not at all befitting of what was a dominant and comfortable evening for the Pensioners.

A victory of a small margin, but a victory nonetheless and some much craved momentum ahead of a huge London derby in prospect against Premier League pole-sitters Arsenal.

In the interim, here is how Absolute Chelsea rated the players’ performances against Dinamo Zagreb.

Edouard Mendy - 6/10

It was hardly going to be an evening to audition for Graham Potter's affections and stake his claim to regain 'number one' status, and that task only became more unenviable when Petkovic's header slipped through his grasp - albeit, with blame lying elsewhere. Yet the one other notable occasion he was called upon he did his duty to deny the Purgeri from a corner.

Cesar Azpilicueta - 5/10

Nothing short of bullied for the shock Dinamo opener and it was a poor moment for Chelsea's skipper, who has made a career of being so utterly dependable in such situations. Never really made amends from there, losing the ball poorly on a number of occasions and generally being sloppy in his control, or rather lack thereof.

Trevoh Chalobah - 7/10

Looks so assured and slowly growing in stature as a member of the Blues' defensive unit. The maturity in his game has come a long way even since his early impressive form under the former manager. Could have had a goal or two from a corner such was his aerial dominance.

Kalidou Koulibaly - 6/10 [64]

A welcome return for the Senegalese giant indeed ahead of a string of vital fixtures. Decent ball-playing although that reckless streak is never too far from bubbling to the surface, with the urge to battle in his very core.

Ben Chilwell - 6/10

Isolated for the Zagreb goal and therefore partially at fault for not closing down and reading the danger quicker. Things steadily improved from there, although there were moments where he was either too exuberant and charged into danger, or not simply not exuberant or daring enough and was too passive. Where his decisions were iffy, his set piece deliveries were excellent. So disappointing that he pulled up with injury with the World Cup on the horizon.

Jorginho - 8/10

On paper, the midfield pairing could have been a nightmare to some Chelsea fans. In reality, it was a dream. With his partner bringing pace and power, the Italian brought poise and precision. His searching passes were exactly what he has in his locker when he's not having to do the work of two men because of unfit colleagues.

Denis Zakaria - 9/10 [70]

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. The introduction to the Swiss international has been a long time coming and some thought it'd never come to pass. Yet it did, and with aplomb. The on loan Juventus man hardly put a foot wrong, always looking to play progressively, bossing the midfield and getting a fine strike under his belt to boot. Opposition strength notwithstanding, Zakaria could have hardly acquitted himself any better and he truly was a breath of fresh air in an engine room that had been spitting out fumes of late. Went off with a knock, but this won't be the last we see of him.

Mason Mount - 8/10

Nothing may have been on the line but pride, but you wouldn't be able to tell it based on the sheer level of industry from Chelsea's talisman. Looking up for the occasion, the young Englishman showed plenty of vim, vigour and quality, with deft touches and cute passes aplenty.

Raheem Sterling - 7/10 [83]

Sorely needed to break his goalscoring duck and his celebration thereafter displayed a rare outburst of raw emotion, suggesting all the noise and frustration around his recent form was weighing heavily on his mind. A well taken, calm finish was all the pacification that was needed, although he was still a little wasteful in his decision-making.

Kai Havertz - 8/10 [64]

Showed the class that everyone knows he possesses on the evening. His gravitas while carrying the ball was magnificent, his one touch interplay tidy, and his ability to carve out chances in the tightest of spaces impressive indeed. A freer role suited him just nicely.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 7/10 [64]

His reputation as a cold-blooded goal-getter precedes him, but there were plenty of reminders tonight that the Gabonese has all the hallmarks of a classical number nine who thrives as a focal point who can bring others into the game. The intelligence in dropping deep, dragging out the defence and threading intricate passes and one-twos with his peers was a frequent joy. Nabbed a smart assist in one such instance for the opener and unlucky to see a long-range strike cannon off the crossbar. Looking sharp and simmering nicely ahead of a fixture against a certain former club this Sunday.

Bench

Armando Broja - 5/10 [64]

Sloppy in possession and not at all a decent cameo from the young Albanian, who has found minutes at a premium and precious in his first full-fledged season at Stamford Bridge.

Conor Gallagher - 6/10 [64]

Hungry and motivated to make a difference, he looked sharp and was only denied a goal by the heroics of Livakovic twice.

Thiago Silva - 6/10 [64]

Missed a bit of a sitter from all of six yards, but has built up enough good faith for that to be overlooked. Just the right amount of minutes in the legs before a big fixture at weekend.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 5/10 [70]

Little positive contribution of note and dallied on the ball too often. Faces a fight with Denis Zakaria now to contend with.

Christian Pulisic - N/A [83]