[ad_1]
DIf his first loss to Chelsea had turned into such a severe disgrace in Premier League football, Thomas Tuchel had to digest it first. “I didn’t see it coming,” he said Saturday, visibly confused after bankruptcy at home 2: 5 (1: 2) against relegation candidate West Bromwich Albion. “Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong after the red card.” After the expulsion of Thiago Silva, who was yellow-red in the 29th minute for repeated fouls, Chelsea fell apart.
Knowledge has never been more valuable
Rely on our well-founded corona reports and get F + for three months for € 1 per week.
READ NOW FOR € 1 / WEEK
In all competitions, Tuchel’s team had not previously lost 14 games. In the Premier League, the Blues had not conceded a goal in five home games, now there were five in one afternoon. “Every shot from them was a goal,” complained Tuchel, 47, who was only named “Coach of the Month” in the Premier League on Friday, on BT Sport. “That was clearly not our day today.”
Former Dortmund striker Christian Pulisic (27th) had the hosts, where Timo Werner started in the middle of the storm, initially go for the lead after a good start. But just two minutes later, Silva flew off the field. That changed the game. “We couldn’t handle the situation,” Tuchel admitted. “I do not know why.”
“An incredible day”
In injury time in the first half, former Nuremberg Matheus Pereira (45º + 2 / 45º + 4) turned the game around at Stamford Bridge with two goals. After the break, Callum Robinson (63.) and Mbaye Diagne (68.) raised for West Bromwich guests. “We were careless and made big mistakes over and over again,” complained Tuchel, calling the performance of his decimated team “atypical.” “We were punished harshly and it is difficult to digest.”
The quick reaction to Diagnes beaten by Mason Mount (71.) – after a Werner presentation – did not bring the expected momentum and certainly not the change of course. Shortly before the final whistle, the Blues even had to accept another goal from Robinson (90 + 1). “Incredible day,” said Robinson enthusiastically on BT Sport. “Ten men or not, they are of good quality.”
The blatant defeat at home is a major setback for Chelsea in the fight for the Champions League spots, as Londoners are threatened with being pushed from fourth in the table over the course of Matchday 30. Local rivals Tottenham Hotspur (Sunday at Newcastle) and West Ham United (Monday at Wolverhampton) could overtake the Blues with away wins. Penultimate West Brom was still seven points behind the rescue bench after the surprise victory.
Forward Manchester City completed a successful dress rehearsal ahead of the Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. Away in third place in the table, Leicester City, City won 2-0 (0-0) on Saturday. German international Ilkay Gündogan was left on the bench. Benjamin Mendy (58 ‘) and Gabriel Jesus (74’) scored at the King Power Stadium for an away win for star coach Pep Guardiola’s team, which had significantly more games and was more efficient.
The ball landed in goal twice in the first half. A supposed goal from Fernandinho for the guests and one from Jamie Vardy for the offensively disappointing Foxes did not count for offside positions. With the victory, Man City took another step on the road to the seventh championship. The Citizens now need a maximum of eleven points to secure the title. Leicester failed to capitalize on Chelsea FC’s surprising bankruptcy and push away direct competitors for a Champions League spot by eight points.
Champions FC Liverpool recorded significant success in the race for the Champions League seats. Coach Jürgen Klopp’s team won 3-0 (0-0) at Arsenal on Saturday and moved within two points of Chelsea, which is currently fourth in the table. However, three teams could overtake the Reds in the course of the day. Ahead of the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid on Tuesday, substitutes Diogo Jota (64/82 minutes) and Mohamed Salah (68) secured a successful dress rehearsal. It was Salah’s 93rd goal in his 150th Premier League match. Only four players have the best record in league history.
At the Emirates Stadium in London, the Klopp-Elf was completely superior. But especially in the first half against the weak Gunners, Liverpool, like so many times this season, struggled to close the net. Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Sadio Mané, among others, awarded a promising position to the teacher. With 49 points, Liverpool finished fifth in the table on Saturday night. However, Tottenham Hotspur could lift the Reds out of fifth place with a win at Newcastle United on Sunday. Everton FC could also beat Crystal Palace on Monday with success. West Ham United could use a draw at Wolverhampton.
