For 90 minutes this was an examination of Romelu Lukaku’s value to Chelsea. It looked to be big Rom’s night then out of the career shadows rose Danny Welbeck to make double the case for authentic No 9s.
It was no less than Brighton deserved. For the hour following Lukaku’s own headed opener Brighton were the better side and Edouard Mendy Chelsea’s central figure, but he could do nothing to keep out Welbeck’s rousing riposte in added time.
After a month in which they had already surrendered seven points to Manchester City, this was a game Chelsea had to win if they were to keep the leaders in view.
Liverpool’s defeat at Leicester City was a further reminder of the capacity of the Premier League to produce anomalous results at this time of year, a feature exacerbated in the Covid age.
More from Football
Man City are eight clear of Chelsea and Liverpool but can 'drop points at any time', says Foden29 December, 2021
Late Welbeck header sinks Chelsea - player ratings, analysis and latest injury news29 December, 2021
The 13 deals to look out for in January including Man Utd quartet, Mbappe and Alli29 December, 2021And it started so well. It was too early to say whether Lukaku was at his best said Thomas Tuchel after just 45 minutes at Villa Park, though he was certain he would be. The question is begged, what is Lukaku’s best? Which itself begets another, is it good enough? Lukaku is a destroyer of average reputations, but has still to convince the purists. Though Lukaku had at least one other clear chance to win the contest it would not be fair to lay the blame for Chelsea’s surrender on him.
The goal he did score was pure enough, though he was aided by some bizarre defending. Neal Maupay would not register a lick as a centre-half.
What he was doing trying to stifle the Belgian striker at a corner in the service of a team that boasts Dan Burn at 6ft 7in is a question for Brighton philosopher Graham Potter.
There was certainly comedy in Maupay’s attempts to man handle Lukaku quickly followed by horror when the ball flew in off his nut. It was like a heavyweight knocking over a welter in sparring. We were still no nearer evaluating Lukaku but his value to Chelsea, over that of Timo Werner for example, was proved for the second game running.
Though behind Brighton were not cowed and in Yves Bissouma and Tariq Lamptey the visitors had two players who would walk into this Chelsea side. Bissouma looked the complete No 8, driving at the Chelsea defence with powerful bursts and smashing into contact. Indeed it was a tussle with Bissouma that led to the departure of the unfortunate Reece James midway through the first half.
The tackle looked innocuous. James carried on before going to ground and looked a wounded soldier as he was helped from the pitch on the shoulder of Chelsea medical staff.
More on Chelsea FC
Late Welbeck header sinks Chelsea - player ratings, analysis and latest injury news29 December, 2021The 13 deals to look out for in January including Man Utd quartet, Mbappe and Alli29 December, 2021
Lukaku return a risk for Chelsea and now a ticked-off Tuchel has two more injury concerns27 December, 2021James, deployed on the left side for Chelsea had already experienced a torrid opening. Lamptey ran at him as if settling a personal dispute, perhaps over Chelsea’s decision to retain James over him. Lamptey played just once for Chelsea before deciding Brighton offered a better opportunity to develop his career. James’s selection on the left was effectively an open invitation for Lamptey to either twist his blood or take some in the tackle. He did both.
In this City/Liverpool lite configuration, Lamptey is often the furthest player forward when Brighton are in possession, a diminutive rapier who packs a punch the inverse of his size. Antonio Rudiger decided the way to subdue Lamptey was to halve him in the tackle.
You know the kind, where the player leaps up and says “but ref, I got the ball” while the victim pieces himself together.
Though the loss of James would have been received like a blow to the solar plexus, there was balm to follow with Lukaku’s headed goal. The wrestling match that preceded it attracted the interest of VAR but the watchers saw too little in the elbow to Maupay’s head to overrule referee Mike Dean’s decision. Umpire’s call.
Brighton began the second half as the ended the first, in the ascendency. Mendy had to be at his best to keep out Bissouma and Alexis Mac Allister as Brighton raged towards the hour. Chelsea were now in rapid counter mode and wasted a two-on-one when Callum Hudson-Odoi and Mason Mount raced free.
It was a brief respite against the increasing weight of Brighton attacks. No team has taken the game to the Premier League’s power units with the same courage and imagination of Brighton. For this Potter deserves immense credit and the interest of the English elite.
There would be a few fans of Manchester United watching this salivating at the prospect of a Bissouma or Lamptey in their line-up, not to mention a Mac Allister or Marc Cucurella, and maybe a Potter leading them. After all he seems to know a little bit about goals in Fergie time.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3eCAFck
Post a Comment