Chelsea 2-1 Palmeiras AET (Lukaku ’54, Raphael Veiga P ’64, Havertz P ‘)
Chelsea are Club World Cup champions for the first time in their history after Kai Havertz’s penalty helped them overcome Palmeiras in extra time.
Thomas Tuchel had been left frustrated by a laboured opening 90 minutes, Chelsea blustering their way through the first half. The German, returning after two games out with Covid, would probably have picked any other first goalscorer than Romelu Lukaku, who left Weverton with no chance with a bullet header from Callum Hudson-Odoi’s cross.
Earlier in the week, Lukaku had once again fuelled speculation about his future with an ill-timed Snapchat message. “If you have to force it, it probably doesn’t fit”. The meaning is unknown, but after his very vocal criticism of Tuchel’s systems earlier this season, it was obvious that it would cause more consternation. But Lukaku is right about one thing – Chelsea are not the finished article and as such, he gave them a reminder of why they spent all that money in the first place.
The Belgian had been furious in the early stages, berating Christian Pulisic for an overhit pass. Indeed Palmeiras were unfortunate not to have made a breakthrough, Dudu and Ze Rafael both wasting chances when through on goal, the latter through a flamboyant flick that at least added a touch of entertainment to a game lacking inspiration. Andreas Christensen came to the rescue on more than one occasion.
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Their equaliser only came through a penalty, a soft one at that, with Thiago Silva punished for a handball as he clambered for a header.
Raphael Veiga converted from the spot.Into extra time, Antonio Rudiger managed to shoulder Rafael Navarro away from goal after he had been sent clear to keep the scores level. There was time for one final twist, as Chelsea’s penalty appeals were initially waved away after a Palmeiras handball but after a VAR review, Havertz – the man who scored the winning goal in the Champions League final last May – coolly slotted away.
Luan, who had conceded the penalty, was sent off late on for hauling down Havertz.
Value the Club World Cup – it means so much to millions
Try telling the thousands of Palmeiras fans, who travelled more than 7,500 miles to Abu Dhabi, that the Club World Cup is “a nonsense”. Jeff Stelling is not alone in his assumption that what does not matter all that much to English clubs does not matter full stop.
Yet to those in South America, the significance is palpable. The way these supporters bounced vociferously on the terraces of the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, all the way through. Their wait for a first triumph in this competition goes on.
To Tuchel, it is another trophy to add to the Champions League won in the first few months of his reign. The League Cup may yet follow, but the chance to win a Club World Cup is bequeathed to so few.
Only two English clubs have previously won this competition, Manchester United and Liverpool under Sir Alex Ferguson and Jurgen Klopp respectively. Granted, Tuchel still doesn’t command the level of attachment enjoyed between either of those managers and their club’s fans.
He had been irate at how easily Chelsea were hit on the break and he will be worried by another injury to Mason Mount, who was taken off after half an hour. Even so, this is another important moment in his tenure that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
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Chelsea player ratings
- Mendy – 7
- Christensen – 7
- Silva – 6
- Rudiger – 8
- Azpilicueta – 6
- Kante – 6
- Kovacic – 7
- Hudson-Odoi – 7
- Mount – 5
- Havertz – 6
- Lukaku – 7
Substitutes:
- Pulisic – 7
- Saul – 6
- Werner – 7
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/nNB6RyQ
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