3-0 comebacks against are one of the strangest places in football. And we almost did it today, with the Blues going 3-3 against West Bromwich in their Premier League encounter at the Hawthorns after falling three goals behind the hosts in the first half of the match.
Chelsea’s start was far from appropriate. A poor header from Marcos Alonso in our defensive third was picked up by West Bromwich’s Matheus Pereira, with a prowler Callum Robinson marching right next to him. The Brazilian assisted the Englishman-turned-Irish international for the first goal, finding the left side of Wilfredo Caballero’s goal with his shot.
The Blues tried to make up for it, although our forwards didn’t have the best of luck on their first attempts. Tammy Abraham’s first shot was sent over the bar, while Timo Werner’s shot at least managed to hit the thing, but not the back of the net.
But the work was cut short by a mistake by … Thiago Silva. Yes, the Monster had an Oopsie.
Today’s captain and debutant of the Premier League gave the ball in front of Callum Robinson, after catching a pass under heavy pressure from the forward himself. There wasn’t much that Caballero, the only man between attacker and goal, could do.
And who would have thought, set pieces are still dangerous for the Blues! This time it was center back Kyle Bartley, with all the time and space in the world to simply push the ball into Caballero’s net.
Any team after falling 3-0 behind in the first half would have their confidence. That’s exactly what happened to the Blues at the Hawthorns, as our efforts at their goal from then until the end of the first half were a mix of “meh” and “bruh.”
The introduction of César Azpilicueta and Callum Hudson-Odoi to the field, along with a (presumably) stern talk from manager Frank Lampard, yielded quick results. Azpilicueta’s pass from the left wing to Mason Mount turned into a long-range attempt, and goalkeeper Sam Johnstone simply lost on what he was supposed to do as he had no vision of what was happening right in front of he.
Chelsea’s second would come 15 minutes later. The good combination of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and striker Callum Hudson-Odoi gave the Blues what seemed like a fighting opportunity.
Although we did not complete the comeback, the tie was achieved in the last minutes of the match. Tammy Abraham, with a good chance in the area after a corner fight, secured the tie for the Blues who are without Hawthorns with a point in hand after overcoming such a large advantage of the hosts.
- Five changes made by Frank Lampard in the starting eleven that faced Barnsley in the League Cup last Wednesday. César Azpilicueta, Fikayo Tomori and Emerson give way to Reece James, Andreas Christensen and Marcos Alonso respectively. Further down the field, N’Golo Kanté returns in place of Ross Barkley in midfield, while Timo Werner replaces Callum Hudson-Odoi on the wings.
- The substitutes are César Azpilicueta for Marcos Alonso and Callum Hudson-Odoi for Mateo Kovacic
- Placing Mendy and her leg-like arms between the goal posts should be our priority for the next few days.
- The tactical changes made by Frank Lampard saw Timo Werner practically playing as a right-back for a good part of the second half. Who said Kai Havertz was the only versatile player we have?
- I love pink. But this team … it’s not, boss.
- Next up: Tottenham at White Hart Lane for the League Cup Round of 16.
- KTBFFH, and keep calm folks!
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