A 90th minute Christian Pulisic goal was enough for Chelsea to take all three points from West Ham, and keep them from drawing closer to Manchester United.
- Signs of Improvement in a Changed Side: Thomas Tuchel dropped the misfiring Romelu Lukaku from the team that lost 4:2 to Arsenal, rather pairing the two Germans, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner in attack. Meanwhile, Mendy kept his place, even as trusted Thiago Silva and Trevor Chalobah returned to the starting 11.
- There were signs that Ngolo Kante was getting back to the form we know he can produce, as he produced a good performance also.
- Jorginho Hops and Misses… again: Did anyone see Bruno Fernandes’ penalty miss yesterday in the game against Arsenal? Well, Bruno’s twin in the hop and play league, Joeginho hit his own so poorly that it was so easy for Fabianski to save it, after Dawson had prevented substitute Lukaku from getting a goal. It also got Dawson sent off. And his miss almost cost Chelsea the points.
- Chelsea’s Problem in Front of Goal Continue: today wasn’t the first time the Blues have struggled to score goals this season. With so many young attackers in the team, from Timo Werner, to Havertz, to Lukaku, to Ziyech, it baffles anyone that they’d struggle so much. Or maybe Tuchel’s team is just too easy to defend against.
- Another game, Another Empty Stamford Bridge: In the loss against Arsenal, Thomas Tuchel had blamed the ban on the club as the reason over ten thousand seats in Stamford Bridge were not occupied. The ban on the club means they can’t sell tickets for games, meaning everyone else seen in the stands in match days are season ticket holders. Against West Ham, it was even more obvious, but thanks to Pulisic, the game was won.
- Tuchel Confirms Every Chelsea Fan’s Nightmare: There has been rumours that Antonio Rudiger is set to depart depart club on a free come the end of the season. While the player is yet to say where he will be going to, Tuchel after the game on Sunday, all but confirmed his departure. It remains to be seen who will be brought in as replacement.
