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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nizaar Kinsella

Chelsea player ratings v Blackburn: Enzo Fernandez purrs in midfield but no bite from Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea comfortably beat Blackburn to reach the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup through goals from Benoit Badiashile and Raheem Sterling

Badiashile made his first appearance since May after a long injury and turned in the first goal after a calamitous mistake from goalkeeper Leopold Wahlstedt.

Sterling added a second after Callum Brittain was caught in possession, curling a stunning finish in front of the Matthew Harding End. 

Reece James made his first start since August in a crucial morale-boosting victory ahead of a trip to Tottenham on Monday. 

Nizaar Kinsella was at Stamford Bridge to rate the Chelsea players...

Robert Sanchez - 6

Mostly comfortable but had his customary shaky moment with the ball. Claimed the clean sheet with an amazing last minute save on Arnor Sigurdsson.

Reece James - 7

The captain fired several long-range efforts on Leopold Wahlstedt's goal. Didn't seem at his absolute physical peak but still a dominating presence on the right. 

Axel Disasi - 6

The man mountain dominated his duels but his positioning caught him out a few times. Reunited with his former Monaco teammate Badiashile for the first time at Chelsea.

Chelsea are into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Benoit Badiashile - 7

An impressive return to action after five months out, scoring from a simple side foot goal after a goalkeeping calamity. 

Marc Cucurella - 6

Solid at the back but unremarkable when venturing forward. 

Lesley Ugochukwu - 7

Made some good defensive interventions. It is clear Pochettino sees something in this young talent. 

Enzo Fernandez - 8

An immaculate display returning after the birth of his baby boy. He is a £100million midfielder and looked like it against a lesser side. 

Conor Gallagher - 6

Playing as a No10, he produced his usual high-energy display. Lucky not to concede a penalty. 

Cole Palmer - 7

Hit the post and was involved in both goals but somehow not as dominant as he was in defeat against Brentford on Saturday. 

Nicolas Jackson - 5

Held up the ball well but still not at his best, blazing over a good second half chance.

Raheem Sterling - 8

Again, looked like a player facing lesser opposition. Denied a stonewall penalty and had the beating of his defenders.

Substitutes

Malo Gusto - 7

Accomplished cameo helped control the match and came on in a planned substitution to rest James. 

Levi Colwill - 7

Helped close out the final 30 minutes with ease, allowing Badiashile to rest in a planned change. 

Moises Caicedo - 6

Helped bring a bit more control to midfield.

Alex Matos - N/A

Noni Madueke - N/A

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