by Timo Werners celebration
Chelseas striker scored his first Premier League goal since November and just his third in 32 appearances on Saturday evening to steer his team to a vital win in their quest for a top four finish this season.
We saw both sides to Werner in the game. He netted the only goal a couple of minutes before half time as he tapped home Ben Chilwells inviting cross to give the Blues the crucial advantage that they didnt let slip.
If ever a game summed up Werners season, it was this one. He got into some excellent positions in the first half but fluffed his lines until he found the back of the net with a simple finish.
Ten minutes after in the second half, he was the first to react to Lukasz Fabianski parrying Mason Mounts shot into his path but somehow missed from six yards with most of the goal at his mercy.
After Werner netted just a couple of minutes before the break, he pointed to the Chelsea dugout and was asked post-match what the celebration wss all about.
Before the game, it was funny, Callum [Hudson-Odoi] said to me if I score today, then Tammy [Abraham] came over 30 seconds later, he said Youll score today and when you do, point to me.
It was a funny situation but I am very happy to point at them.
Read More
Related Articles
Read More
Related Articles
The German striker is an infectious character in his post-match interviews and is clearly a popular member of the Blues squad, hes just had a real struggle in front of goal so far this season.
Whether Tuchel can trust Werner to lead the line with such big games coming up at both home and abroad remains to be seen but it was a goal, and a performance, that Werner desperately needed as he looks to end the season on a high and take that form into 2021/22.
Werners work rate and application has never been in doubt but today was just his second Premier League goal since November. The Blues splashed out £49.5million on Werner from RB Leipzig is that is not the return they wanted.
Chelsea have found some consistency under Tuchel, as shown by just two defeats since he was parachuted in to rescue their ailing season. The German is the first Blues head coach to go ten away games unbeaten to start his reign.
The German head coach will hope that his £50million frontman in Werner will find some consistency to match that of his collective group of players.
Ben Chilwell is improving with every game at left wing-back
A lot of the attention will be on Chilwell for his part in the sending off of Fabian Balbuena with ten minutes to go but if you have a load of studs planted in your calf then it is going to hurt.
That it was never a red card is by the by because, well, VAR was involved. Away from all the hoopla surrounding the decision, it was another assured performance from Chilwell as he has put his demons of the early Tuchel regime to one side.
Having briefly lost his spot to Marcos Alonso, Chilwell admitted that he needed to adapt and learn how to play as a wing-back. He has done that in the last six weeks and has established himself once again as the first choice in his position on a matchday.
As per WhoScored, Chilwell had an 86 per cent pass success rate, 75 touches, completed 100 per cent of his dribbles, a 100 per cent tackle success rate, lost the ball only once and also bagged an assist for Werners winner.
Read More
Related Articles
Read More
Related Articles
After effectively having the position to himself when Frank Lampard was in charge owing to Marcos Alonsos indiscretions at West Brom way back last September, Chilwell was looking fatigued and struggling in the latter days of Lampards reign.
Tuchel too him out of the firing line, dropping him for both legs of the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid in the last 16, and slowly eased him back into things.
Chilwell revealed before the second leg defeat to Porto in the Champions League that he was constantly skiing questions of his head coach to try and improve and to learn how to be a better left wing back.
Judging by his performances on the pitch, whatever Tuchel has said has been working.
Thomas Tuchels historic start
Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel (Image: Andy Rain – Pool/Getty Images)
The Blues head coach is unbeaten in his first ten away games in charge of the club, no other manager or head coach can match that after taking over at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel has only overseen two defeats in his reign, one against West Brom in the league which was an aberration and the other in Seville against Porto in the Champions League. Yes it was in Spain but that was technically Chelseas home game.
The Blues have travelled to Liverpool, Tottenham, Sheffield United, Barnsley, Southampton, Bucharest, Leeds, Seville, Crystal Palace and West Ham and havent lost. It is eight wins and two draws on the road for Tuchel since he arrived at the club in late January.
Chelseas form in general has put them in with a great chance of securing the top four, something that would have been made essential to Tuchel by director Marina Granovskaia when he was approached about taking the job. Any silverware would be a bonus.
Tuchel has an FA Cup final against Leicester and a Champions League semi against Real Madrid to look forward to as he attempts to secure a trophy.
Top four was the aim though and the Blues going unbeaten on the road since the German arrived has been huge.
Read More
Related Articles
Read More
Related Articles
Make no mistake, the journey isnt over yet. Chelsea still have to play Man City, Arsenal and Leicester City this season in the league before it winds up in May and while they have a three-point cushion to West Ham in fifth, that can be quickly eroded with the games the Blues have and the Hammers enticing run-in.
Tottenham still cant be ruled out and nor can Liverpool despite their blip against Newcastle at Anfield. Everton are not fully out of the equation, either.
Only big games coming up now Tuchel told Sky Sports after the win at West Ham but if you were to put your trust in a head coach that will get his team setup the right way for any situation, its Tuchel.
