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| Can't stop. Won't stop. |
After an outstanding display from Chelsea’s young English stars at the Molineux on Saturday afternoon, the mighty Blues have not only reached the top half of the table but reached the dizzying heights of sixth. Or joint third if we jut want to look at the points tally five matches into the season.
I’ll be the first to hold my hands up and say I didn’t have faith in Kevin Tammy Abraham’s ability to lead the line and score consistently at this level yet. I felt as a striker, he needed more time to develop and grow physically. It’s one thing to poach a number of goals in the Championship, and not to be patronising to a brilliant league, but it’s not the same as finding the back of the net in the Premier League. There’ve been a number of outstanding players who have failed to make the step up.
It’s a long old season and I do still thank that both Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi should be given starts depending on the opponent. Competing on four fronts over the season should see enough matches for everyone. But today - let’s appreciate a bit of the youngsters.
If you’d only watched the first half hour between Wolves and Chelsea and had to predict some semblance of a full time score, you may have *just* given the win to Chelsea. But in no way, shape or form would anyone have seen seven goals to follow! The opening third was exactly what you’d expect following an international break. Cumbersome to say the least.
After bleeding goals in the opening four games, Frank Lampard switched to a back three a la Antonio Conte mid-way through the match at Arsenal that went on to see Chelsea win the league. It allowed both Andreas Christensen and Fikayo Tomori to play alongside a returning Antonio Rudiger. And it was the young Canadian defender who broke the deadlock in emphatic fashion.
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| Low key goal of the weekend. |
Out of nowhere Tomori launched a rocket past Rui Patricio who was caught out not expecting a shot from range. Within minutes Abraham got in on the action and out of nowhere it was 3-0 Chelsea. Knowing full well after a draw against Sheffield United that 2-0 really is the most dangerous scoreline.
Ten minutes into the second half Tammy Abraham completed his hat-trick. And decided he was feeling generous. Wolves appeared to be struggling with the pressure of juggling the Europa League along with Premier League responsibilities so he scored for them as well. Not sure if that one will count towards his Golden Boot bid but Harry Kane would try and claim it… so….
Antonio Rudiger came off at half time and appeared to have picked up a slight knock. He was seen nursing the injury with an ice pack. He’ll likely be rested for Valencia but is needed for Liverpool next weekend. The switch to a back three was tactically sound from Lampard and Morris but really it was the organisation and leadership of Rudiger in the opening 45 minutes that kept a clean sheet. Chelsea conceded twice after he came off. And if the team have hopes of staying in those Europa League places - they’ll need the big German leading from the back.
Roll on the Champions League. It’s good to be back
jb xx
RESULT: Wolves 2-5 Chelsea
GOALS: Tomori 31, Abraham 34, Abraham 41, Abraham 55, Abraham (OG) 69, Cutrone 85, Mount 96
CHELSEA XI: Kepa, Alonso, Tomori, Christensen, Rudiger (Zouma 46), Azpilicueta, Kovacic (Barkley 71), Jorginho, Mount, Willian, Abraham (Batshuayi 77)
STAR MAN: Tammy Abraham
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