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Chelsea player ratings: Dewsbury-Hall proves he does belong in Blues midfield but struggling Sancho just not good enough
ENZO MARESCA’S Chelsea showed they can more than cope with the Conference League as they sailed past FC Copenhagen into the quarter-finals.
The first half was described by many as the most boring of the Blues’ season, as they failed to register a shot against a team that finished 18th in a below-par group phase.
In fact, the most interesting part of the first 45 minutes was probably the exceptional travelling support, who got more excited for the warm-ups than the home fans did all night.
Thankfully, it didn’t stay that way for long, with a rare moment of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall magic and two half-time subs igniting the game and the crowd as he evaded a number of challenges before slotting the ball home and opening the scoring.
Cole Palmer’s half-time introduction alongside Marc Cucurella certainly injected some energy into the Chelsea attack, but he was still unable to break his run of poor form in this one.
Maresca and his men will be hoping that small issue is fixed before they face Molde or Legia Warsaw in the next round.
This is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the players…
Filip Jorgensen – 8
His performance was everything it needed to be tonight.
While the Dane wasn’t tested all that much in goal he saved anything that came his way and was commanding of his box with the Copenhagen crosses coming flying in.
His distribution was also pretty good, with a long throw out to Pedro Neto on the right side of attack being the best example of that.
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Trevoh Chalobah – 6
Solid for the Blues at right back tonight.
Didn’t blow any socks off as he went about his business.
But Chalobah was entirely dependable and a strong presence in Enzo Maresca’s side.
A slight knock on his performance was that he did give the ball away a few times for a player of his quality on the ball.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 7
Being an ‘old head’ in the side at just 27 years of age must be a strange feeling for Tosin, but that’s what he has been this season and was again tonight.
In the game against Leicester I praised him for his leadership skills and taking on the role of organising the defence and he did that once more in this game, albeit with a group of defenders he won’t have been used to playing matches with.
His physical presence in the side is much needed and appreciated, and he always seemed pretty composed on the ball too. Chelsea’s best defender on the night.
Benoit Badiashile – 4
The Frenchman recently returned from a lengthy hamstring injury and gave a bit of added depth to Chelsea’s defence while allowing Levi Colwill to get a rest.
It was his only his second game since the Blues beat Tottenham 4-3 back in December, and he looked a bit rusty from the off with a few lousy passes and a missed opportunity to attack the box and get a goal early on.
You could sense the other players getting frustrated with his passing, Sancho in particular who would drop short only for the defender to loop it over his head and out of play.
Josh Acheampong – 7
With Player of the Season contender Marc Cucurella starting on the bench, Cobham graduate Josh Acheampong had big boots to fill playing in his inverted full-back role.
He did it brilliantly though, while looking 10 years his senior and it was a mature, strong and controlled performance from the youngster.
He was an attacking threat when progressing the ball, but also came up with some vital bits of defensive play including a huge first half block to stop Copenhagen levelling the tie.
Was probably deserving of playing the second half, but was replaced by Cucurella.
Moises Caicedo – 7
You get the sense he was waiting an age for the chance to put in a big tackle as he has been walking a yellow card tightrope in the Premier League of late.
He enjoyed it when he did, and was his usual combative self while showing flashes of the player we know he can be with the ball at his feet and linking up well with those around him.
Was given a standing ovation for his performance when he was replaced by Reece James for the final 10 minutes.
Enzo Fernandez (c) – 5
Was often on the ball in the first half, but not at his brilliant best with a few passes going astray as he looked to create attacks and progress the ball as we have seen him do this season.
Nonetheless, was always an option in midfield and is a player that youngsters like Josh Acheampong will really appreciate as something of a safety net, knowing how technically secure he is.
Was subbed at half-time for Cole Palmer after struggling to find his feet a bit in midfield.
Tyrique George – 5
Tyrique is starting to look like he’s really settling in here, and with each passing game he seems to be growing in confidence and showing the fans here more of the brilliant player we saw in the academy.
Was intelligent and bright on the right-hand side, not looking out of place one bit and causing some real problems with his rapid feet and dribbling ability.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 8
One fan I spoke to at half-time referred to him as ‘Kiernan the friendly ghost’ and it was pretty tough to argue with him…
But it was he who came to the fore when Chelsea needed a goal to put their nerves at ease, jinking through the Copenhagen defence and slotting the ball into the net with aplomb.
What followed was actually a very good second half performance, in which he looked far more composed and confident on the ball.
Jadon Sancho – 2
Chelsea’s on-loan winger from Man Utd was back in his preferred position on the left tonight, having played the last few games on the right with Nkunku in his place.
As much as his playing style can be entertaining and he has proven already this season he has been a real creative asset, bagging five assists in his first six games, he has not been good enough of late and you sense he is really missing Nicolas Jackson or Marc Guiu as a target for him to aim at.
It’s been far too long since he added a goal or assist to his tally, and was a pretty early substitute with Nkunku coming on in his place.
His highlight was a shot on target before coming off, which believe it or not was his FIRST of 2025. It’s March…
Pedro Neto – 4
For my money was pretty unfortunate not to win a penalty in the first half, but it was much the same story for Pedro that we saw against Leicester at the weekend.
A lot of hard work and no just reward was the tale of the game for the Portuguese winger deputising as Chelsea’s number nine, it would’ve been nice to see him let a shot or two loose from the edge of the box.
Enzo Maresca will almost certainly be counting down the days to have Nicolas Jackson back it his disposal, which will also give him the option of playing Neto out wide where he is undoubtedly best suited.
SUBS:
Cole Palmer (Enzo Fernandez, HT) – 5
It was more of the same of what we have seen from Cole Palmer this season when he was introduced at half-time for Enzo Fernandez.
His quality is undeniable, there is no doubt in my mind the sun will shine on him again soon, but for now it’s more good touches with no end product.
That’s 10 games without a goal or assist for a player who would usually accrue about one, if not more, per GAME before this spell.
Some would argue he was a little selfish at the end of the game as he could’ve passed the ball off to Genesis Antwi, but you can understand his desire to break this duck.
Marc Cucurella (Josh Acheampong, HT) – 6
Was his usual self when he came on to replace the youngster, offering a bit more dynamism to the Blues and a bit more of a goal threat.
Always offers a run from deep and creates chaos when his side attack on the left.
Christopher Nkunku (Jadon Sancho, 65) – 5
Didn’t make a massive impact after his introduction, but did create a few chances and offered more of a threat to Copenhagen than what Sancho did, though he also played a more central role.
He is another of Chelsea’s front line that would be more effective with Nicolas Jackson or Marc Guiu fit and available for selection.
Reece James (Moises Caicedo, 80) – 6
Came on to a loud ovation from the home support after scoring in the first leg of this tie to help send Chelsea through.
He didn’t have an awful lot of time to make a real difference, but looked comfortable going both ways in the Blues’ midfield.
It will be interesting to see if both he and Marc Cucurella start the game vs Arsenal at the weekend.
Genesis Antwi (Pedro Neto, 89) – 5
Came on in the right side of attack as the fourth officials board went up to signal he’d get five minutes of playing time.
Made a great run down the right giving an option to Cole Palmer who could’ve teed him up for a go at goal, but Chelsea’s main man went for the confidence boosting goal and failed to beat the keeper.
Don’t think he actually touched the ball after coming on, but good for a young lad to get on the pitch nonetheless.
Judges slam new two-tier sentencing rules as ‘conflict with equality’ amid fierce backlash
TWO-tier sentencing rules were pushed through despite judges saying they would “conflict with equality”.
A consultation held before the guidance was officially announced last week reveals deep unease with the Sentencing Council’s proposals.
From April 1, judges will take into account a convict’s ethnicity, religion and gender when deciding whether to impose a jail term – sparking fears they could get softer sentences.
A summary of the consultation says: “Many individual respondents, including some magistrates, did not believe there should be a cohort list at all, mostly citing reasoning around the idea that the list is biased and conflicts with equality in sentencing.”
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has hauled in Sentencing Council bosses to once again demand they drop their guidance.
Following her meeting with them, Ms Mahmood will submit her formal objections in writing before the guidance kicks in on April 1.
While the issue remains unresolved, allies said the talks were “constructive” and that the quango is open to hearing new complaints ahead of the rules being imposed.
Yesterday Lord Sewell – the government’s former racial disparities tsar – called for the Sentencing Council to be scrapped.
Asked if Ms Mahmood should legislate to overrule them, he told Times Radio: “Definitely. And in fact, to be honest, go further and just abolish the quango.”
Tory Robert Jenrick added: “‘This two-tier sentencing guidance isn’t just deeply unfair, it will also likely cost the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds.
“It will blow a hole in the probation service’s budget and overwhelm them, creating delays that will mean victims have to wait longer for justice.”
Black Bag review: Sexy, fun and sophisticated but lacks the requisite stunts and big action scenes
BLACK BAG
(15) 94mins
★★★★☆
THIS MI6 spy thriller features one former James Bond, one almost Bond and another potential one.
It even has a former Miss Moneypenny actress thrown in for good luck.
Former 007 actor Pierce Brosnan is in charge of a British secret service team, which fears one of five operatives is betraying the nation and committing treason.
Michael Fassbender is George Woodhouse, who has been tasked with discovering the identity of the “rat”.
His task is complicated by the fact one of the suspects is his wife and fellow agent Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett.
Gives him daggers
George invites the other four suspects round to their sumptuous London home for dinner, lacing the meal with a truth drug.
In a brilliantly funny scene, Dr Vaughan (played by Naomie Harris, who stars as Miss Moneypenny in the Bond franchise) tells lover James (Rege-Jean Page) what she really thinks of him.
So does Clarissa (Marisa Abela) to her heavy-drinker boyfriend Freddie (Tom Burke). And Clarissa quite literally gives him daggers, too.
In a sizzling bedroom scene afterwards, George tells Kathryn he would kill for her.
Director Steven Soderbergh keeps the audience guessing about the identity of the traitor right up until the end.
If Amazon wants the next 007 to be sexy, fun and sophisticated, Soderbergh would be a great choice to direct because he has more than proved himself on this and the Ocean’s films.
Although, Black Bag lacks the requisite stunts and big action scenes.
Irishman Fassbender would have been perfect for Bond, because he is a great actor with loads of charisma.
Sadly, at the age of 47, it is probably too late for his licence to kill.
Here, the fictional spy he channels is Michael Caine’s Harry Palmer from 1965’s The Ipcress File, with his turtleneck sweater and precise manner.
Page has been tipped for the Bond job and proves to be a lot less wooden here than he is in Bridgerton.
But it is Blanchett and Abela who really steal the show. These playful seduct-resses tease the stuffy men in their suits within an inch of their lives.
Don’t miss it if fun spy dramas are your bag.
IN THE LOST LANDS
(15) 101mins
★★☆☆☆
MILLA JOVOVICH and her director hubby Paul W S Anderson have teamed up again for yet more post-apocalyptic action.
If you’ve seen the pair’s Resident Evil movies, you’ll know what you are getting – lots of Mad Max-style chase scenes through horrorscapes, often filmed in monochrome.
Adapted from a George RR Martin short story, this is classic fantasy material.
Milla plays the “witch” Gray Alys, tasked with taking the powers of a werewolf that lives in the Lost Lands.
Gray employs the talents of snake-wielding outsider Boyce (Dave Bautista) to help with her quest.
The stilted dialogue bet- ween them goes something like this: “Where does this man live?” Answer: “In a place called Skull River.”
Pursuing them are a bunch of religious zealots like something out of the crusades, travelling in a steampunk train.
To be honest, this really isn’t my cup of tea.
But it is better than some of the later Resident Evil movies.
In The Lost Lands finds its way whenever there is action, but the talking bits are best forgotten.
THE ELECTRIC STATE
(PG-13) 128mins
★★★☆☆
PREPARATION for this comedy sci-fi action movie couldn’t have been much of a stretch for Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt.
Their characters are pretty much like every other project they’ve been in.
Stranger Things’ Millie is the rebellious Michelle, Pratt is wisecracking wheeler-dealer Keats.
Pratt, in Guardians Of The Galaxy mode, tells Michelle “stick around long enough, I will let you down” as they search for her brother, and Millie channels Eleven-style rage at every opportunity.
Sadly, Stanley Tucci, as evil tech entrepreneur Ethan Skate, has all the menace of a toaster.
It is the robots that are the stars of this big-budget Netflix movie set in an alternate version of Earth.
They are mainly cute and cheerful characters, such as the smiley-faced Cosmo, who befriends Michelle and Mr Peanut (voiced by Woody Harrelson) who led a bot revolution.
The computer-generated imagery is top-notch and there is plenty of fun Nineties nostalgia, such as Billy Bass singing fish.
But all the gadgets in the world couldn’t give The Electric State what it needs – heart.
FILM NEWS
SPINAL Tap II: The End Continues will hit cinemas in September.
RUSSELL CROWE is set to star in a thriller called Billion Dollar Spy.
DANIEL CRAIG is being linked to Netflix’s adaptation of The Chronicles Of Narnia, directed by Greta Gerwig.
Luke Littler’s awful hoodoo against Gerwyn Price goes on but teen still becomes Premier League Darts leader
LUKE LITTLER topped the Premier League Darts table but his oche jinx against bogeyman Gerwyn Price continued.
The Nuke, 18, leapfrogged world No.1 Luke Humphries – whom he knocked out in the quarter-finals – at the summit of the £1million invitational event on night six.
But in the final at Nottingham’s Motorsport Arena, he lost for the SIXTH time in a row over 10 months to the Welshman.
The defending champion went down 6-3 in front of 7,500 punters in the East Midlands – just his third loss out of 24 games over the past fortnight.
In the land made famous by Robin Hood, the Iceman maintained his ROBIN HOODOO over the defending champion, adding this victory to his nightly success in Dublin last month.
Price, who recently turned 40, punched the air when he took the opening leg and then he was celebrating even more as he moved into a 3-0 lead.
As he went 4-1 up, he hit bullseye on a 123 finish as Littler was surprisingly missing doubles.
Littler was not going to go down without a fight, hitting seven 180s and averaging as high as 114, but Price took out 100 on double top to add £10,000 to his tally.
Nonetheless, Littler has had an incredible time and can go home with £154,500 in his bank balance following the UK Open title success and defending the Belgian Darts Open.
Stephen Bunting, who will support Liverpool at Sunday’s League Cup final, remains rock bottom of the Premier League after a 6-4 defeat to Price — his sixth successive loss in the format.
Chris Dobey was able to get off early to Cheltenham Festival – he is attending the Gold Cup on Friday before seeing Newcastle play in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley – following a 6-2 last-eight loss to Cross.
Price said: “I wanted to get another win over Luke. Just to keep on top of him.
“He’s the best player in the world and he will be for years.
“I praise him every single day in the darts rooms. I think he will beat Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles.
“Nobody in the PDC will stop him. Maybe only the younger generation. We cannot stop him.
“He will only get better and better. He’s fantastic. He has done wonders for the sport.
“We need to start winning now as he will only get better.”
Man Utd player ratings: Bruno Fernandes a true leader, Zirkzee is excellent but Hojlund a tough watch vs Real Sociedad
CAPTAIN Fantastic rescued Manchester United once again – scoring a hat-trick as the Red Devils overcame an early scare.
Bruno Fernandes has hit goalscoring form in recent weeks and has dragged his side to points and crucial victories.
He was the coolest man inside Old Trafford twice as he slotted home penalties either side of half-time to put his side in control against Real Sociedad.
Then he raced through late on to smash the ball into the bottom corner – his second Man Utd hat-trick sealed the tie.
United suffered an early scare as the Spaniards went in front with a penalty after five minutes, but they recovered brilliantly.
From that point on it was all United and they were quickly back level after Rasmus Hojlund was felled in the box.
The striker once again struggled in front of goal but for once it did not cost his team, who threatened throughout.
Joshua Zirkzee was the best of the bunch and his trickery teed up Hojlund for a certain goal – only for him to fluff his lines from five yards.
Patrick Dorgu also got forward well and forced a red card for defender Jon Aramburu, who dragged him down as last man.
The left-back won his side a penalty and would have earned a second if he had not told the ref to overturn his decision.
Here is how SunSport’s Ken Lawrence rated the Red Devils display…
ANDRE ONANA – 6
No doubt one of those £1.3bn part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe “inherited” and declared as “overpaid”.
In other words the goalkeeper bought for £43.8m from Inter Milan under ex-boss Erik ten Hag and on at least £175,000 a week will almost certainly feel his Old Trafford days are numbered if Ratcliffe has his way.
But the goalkeeper had no chance with Mikel Oyarzabal’s early VAR penalty and this was one of his calmer, more steadfast performances, although not over-worked.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6
United don’t usually do bargain buys but the wing-back forced into the back three due to lack of available numbers has proved himself to be exactly that at £12.7m from Bayern Munich.
Last summer’s arrival, as ever, hardly looked like Mr. Personality but he was solid and reliable, as ever, even if he wasn’t playing in the position he was bought to fill.
His steadying influence was most notable amidst a Sociedad maelstrom as the Basque side complained bitterly over the award of United’s first penalty as he pushed the mob away.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 7
The Dutchman has had his doubters since his arrival from Bayern Munich at the start of the season and it’s taken him time to settle in.
But settle in he has and in the first half, playing in the middle or Rubin Amorim’s makeshift back three, was a real leader and especially dominant in the air and was victim of a ridiculous penalty decision.
He’s not the quickest but he is very good at holding a line – as he showed in the first half when Sociedad were throwing everything at the United box – the 25-year-old’s on the way to becoming a fan favourite.
AYDEN HEAVEN – 7
The 18-year-old’s only senior action for Arsenal before being persuaded to head north was the last ten minutes of a 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Preston in October.
Yet here he was as injured Leny Yoro’s deputy making his European debut and the centre-back did himself proud.
One challenge on the incoming Takefusa Kubo thirty yards out mid-way through the first half was exceptional and spoke volumes for his potential as a top centre-half.
DIOGO DALOT – 5
Portuguese played in his favourite right wing-back position and you can never say he doesn’t give it everything.
It just that what he does give can be a bit predictable and that showed even as United recovered from their early fright and began scaring the Spaniards witless.
Dependable enough, committed enough and at the moment almost certainly a must–pick given United’s injury problems at the back – but one with questions marks over his long–term future, although he did bag United’s late fourth.
CASEMIRO – 7
He may be ageing before our very eyes even if he is only 33 but even if the legs are going the football brain is still very sharp.
Maybe he does have old legs but that old brain of his was crucial before the break when Sociedad were moving forward in numbers and in confidence.
Produced a fine 19th-minute right footer that only just skipped wide before producing a brilliant display of ball skills near the end of the first half, a juggling act that got his team out of deep trouble.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 9
Brilliant free kick from that so–called dodgy 11.2 yards for the equaliser in Sunday’s 1 – 1 draw with Arsenal and just carried on in style again.
Cool spot kick equaliser in the 16th minute and ditto for the spot kick that sent United ahead five minutes after the break.
Sometimes tried the impossible – one shot from almost 40 yards out surprised only someone in the Stretford End but he’s become a true Red leader and capped off his performance with a stunning hat–trick clincher.
PATRICK DORGU – 7
Beginning to show why Ruben Amorim was so keen on him and that £25.15m outlay to Lecce is beginning to pay off.
He was slow to release the ball and got caught in possession at the start of the build-up that ended in the penalty for Sociedad.
But he started gaining plenty of momentum from that early moment on and produced a proper wing-back performance, forging repeatedly up the left flank and twice almost finding the net.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 7
Got last week’s opener in the 1-1 first-leg clash in San Sebastian although it was still only his sixth since arriving in summer.
Another who Ratcliffe will believe isn’t giving value for money and nobody could blame him for that given his goal ratio.
But there’s definitely a player in there, just not a striker for some of his running and passing was excellent – he got a rousing reception when he was replaced near the end from fans who are really backing him.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 4
That’s now 21 games and no goals – the equivalent of over THIRTY HOURS without the £72m striker hitting the net.
Seeing the young Dane going through continuing agony in front of goal is a tough watch because, no question, he’s giving his all but his confidence is completely shredded.
Was brought down for Fernandes to score the second of his two penalties but he was only eight yards out and was so slow in reacting to his captain’s pass that Igor Zubeldia bundled into him from behind.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6
Good early strike cutting in from the right but the Argentinian can be a really greedy kid.
Could easily have laid the ball back for the waiting Fernandes when the chips were down in the first half but went for the Hollywood strike himself and smashed the ball into a forest of Basque legs.
But he is learning to work harder for the team defensively at least – producing one tremendous pressing block near a Sociedad corner flag that brought a punch of delight from him and a roar of approval from the home fans.
SUBS
TOBY COLLYER (for Casemiro 78) – 5
Ran around energetically as usual and made some nice passes.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN ( for Zirkzee 87) – 5
One tame effort from outside the box that did not trouble the keeper.