Christian Pulisic’s first competitive start for Chelsea ended in defeat, but it was still an impressive and encouraging one, with the young American star providing the assist on his team’s opening goal in the UEFA Super Cup.
Pulisic sprang French striker Olivier Giroud with a perfect pass, setting up the World Cup winner for a left-footed finish that gave Chelsea the 1-0 lead in a match Liverpool went on to win in a penalty shootout.
Pulisic had left the match well before the penalty kick shootout, but made his mark when he was in the match, overcoming a slow start to put together a strong performance.
Pulisic eventually hit his stride in the first half, setting up Giroud’s goal, then scoring a would-be goal of his own, but that goal was negated by an offside call. Though the VAR review correctly ruled Pulisic was offside on the initial pass that sprang him, Pulisic’s move to free himself for an excellent finish was still an impressive one.
Liverpool didn’t take long to find an equalizer, scoring in the 48th minute on a Sadio Mane finish. Liverpool controlled the action in the early part of the second half, but Chelsea eventually found its footing, with Pulisic seeing plenty of the ball, including taking Chelsea’s corner kicks. He played with confidence as Chelsea searched for a go-ahead goal.
Pulisic played 74 minutes, leaving the match in place of Mason Mount, who came on with Tammy Abraham, who replaced Giroud.
The match finished 1-1 in regulation, with Sadio Mane giving Liverpool the 2-1 lead with a 95th-minute finish in extra time for his second goal of the match. Tammy Abraham drew a questionable penalty that Jorginho converted to make the score 2-2, sending the UEFA Super Cup to a penalty shootout. Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian saved Abraham’s penalty to help Liverpool win the shootout.
Pulisic and Chelsea will turn their attention back to league play, with a home opener against Leicester City. Pulisic didn’t start in Chelsea’s league-opening loss to Manchester United, but his showing against Liverpool will give Frank Lampard something to consider as he decides in a lineup for Saturday.
Lampard chose Mount, Ross Barkley and Pedro as his three attacking midfield options against Manchester United, but started Pulisic and Mateo Kovacic alongside Pedro on Wednesday. Pulisic will also face competition for minutes from Brazilian winger Willian, who is working his way back from an injury, and was on the bench for the UEFA Super Cup.
As a first start, Pulisic’s showing on Wednesday was an encouraging one, and a strong enough one to suggest he should see more opportunities from Lampard in the coming weeks, even as Chelsea draws closer to being at full strength.
Jesus. Looks like we are going to have a little competition after every Chelsea game this season to see who can make the most over-the-top conclusions based on tiny data samples. Surprised Imperative Voice hasn’t weighed in…. this sort of thing is right down Broadway for him.
CP played well but so did Mount. Trying to say that Mount can’t play is just a different form of bias. Seems pretty clear both are going to play big roles for the club. Pulisic so far has played the most out of he, Mount, and Barkley everyone should just relax.
I think it shows Lampard’s bias that Pulisic is competing for time with Mount who played for him in he Championship. Pulisic may be young but Dortmund is a huge club for whom Pulisic has contributed effectively for for three years including goals in the Champions League. The Championship is many steps down from the Premiership or Bundisliega so if Mount was on any other team with Pulisic other than Chelsea he would always be coming off the bench. Also I’ve heard Lampard say several times now that Pulisic is young and has to get used to the speed of play in the Premiership. Does Lampard think the Bundesliga is a lesser/slower league than the Premiership?
While he was on the field I thought Pulisic was one of the best players in the game. He certainly looked better than Mo Salah who was not much of a factor. I don’t see how Lampard can keep him out of the starting lineup if he continues to play like this.
Well done kid. Has he ever played a match with that many eye balls on him around the globe? Did us proud.
He’s going to have a hell of a competition for minutes this season. Lampard and rest of chelsea staff continue to reiterate their unbridled love for Mason mount, and rightfully so. For those who don’t know him, he is similar to an english pulisic with a couple extra inches and possesses a better overall shot at this time – though it’s clear pulisic has improved here. Pedro is a vision of what pulisic should look to emulate on the wings with his sense of urgency, acceleration and speed of overall play – hope he takes as much from pedro as possible. And then there’s the recovering willian. Barkley continues to improve though obviously a central player, kovacic world class; but what it boils down to is that Christian is not first choice and won’t be for the foreseeable future. However, the cup matches and euro matches will provide ample opportunities. Willian’s lack of fitness could provide chrissy one more nice chunk of playing time to put in another shift before he really gets relegated behind the two clear first choice wingers. Him and mount will vie for time behind them but mount has the advantage at this time for all intents and purposes. Regardless of the loss, pulisic will have instilled confidence in lampard moving forward
Um, Champions’ League match against Real Madrid may have had a few eyeballs. Just a hunch.
Surely you’re not serious? Pulisic will be the starter for the foreseeable future, and what Euro games are you talking about they’re in the champions league