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Romelu Lukaku: will he make Chelsea a championship contender?
Photo:
Michael Regan / Getty Images
The scene of the game:
Pablo Marí, central defender in the service of Arsenal, could only be envied for one thing: The Brazilian had the best view of Romelu Lukaku, the 115 million euro natural event that Chelsea brought back to London just in time for the derby would have. It took 15 minutes for the Belgian to prove his world class: First Lukaku lured Marí out of position. Then the striker let a pass from Mateo Kovačić bounce back to the Croatian - and then looked for the way down with his own force. Marí overturned while trying to keep up with Lukaku, so that Lukaku was completely free at the six-yard box - and the cross from Reece James, served by Kovačić, pushed over the line.
The result:
2-0 (2-0) the Blues prevailed at the Gunners.
What was once a top game and prestige duel can now be seen as a mandatory win for the Champions League winners: After the second match day, Arsenal are penultimate in the Premier League, with Chelsea leading the table.
Long time no see:
Arsenal FC had a long-missing trump card in their backs: Almost 60,000 fans supported Mikel Arteta's team at the Emirates Stadium, more than since the beginning of the corona pandemic.
They saw a rump group: Martin Ødegaard, who was newly signed by Real Madrid, was missing, as was the corona-positive national player Ben White, with top striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang it was only enough for the bank.
Even longer time no see:
On the other hand, Thomas Tuchel was able to draw on the full beyond Christian Pulisic, who was also infected with the corona virus - and decided to put Lukaku directly in the starting eleven. It was a special comeback for “Big Rom”: From 2011 to 2013, Lukaku remained goalless in 15 appearances at Chelsea. His last ball contact for the Blues was the decisive missed penalty in the Supercup against FC Bayern. Now, eight years later, the mature attacker was allowed to prove himself again.
The first half:
He did it not only on the opening goal, but also before James' 2-0 (35th minute) when Lukaku caught the attention of Arsenal defenders and made room on the right-hand side, Mason's Mount unlocked James for a courageous close. Lukaku's presence and his runs without the ball allowed Chelsea to end their own attacks in a much more determined and dangerous manner than the inexperienced Gunners. "He knows how to play the game," Tuchel had justified the line-up of his new star. Nobody had any doubts about that at the break at the latest.
Lucky guy from our own cultivation:
Actually, every day on which Reece James is allowed to slip on his Chelsea FC jersey is a lucky day for the 21-year-old right-back. James is from London and has been part of the club since he was six. The fact that he tore the coat of arms of his jersey emotionally when he scored to make it 2-0 was more than a gesture. Two goal participations in the derby made the game a holiday for the national player - and then referee Paul Tierney also decided not to punish James' entry against Bukayo Saka in his own penalty area (41.).
The second half:
After the break, the game became more balanced, the pace a little bit rougher. Arsenal bit into the game and had a good chance with a deflected flutter ball from Saka (52nd) and Rob Holding's header attempt (60th). These opportunities were just as insufficient for the necessary momentum as the substitution of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (61.). Instead, Chelsea were closer to 3-0 in the closing stages than Arsenal were closer to the connection: Only Bernd Leno was able to stand out, who first steered a Lukaku header against the crossbar in the Gunners' goal (77th) and later parried from close range against Havertz (87.).
And the competition ?:
In the fight for the title, Chelsea continue to be harmed. The same applies to Tottenham Hotspur: On the comeback of the supposedly willing star striker Harry Kane, who was substituted on to applause after an extended EM special holiday in the final phase, the North Londoners defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers with a penalty from Dele Alli (10th) 1-0 ( 1: 0). Manchester United, on the other hand, experienced a setback at FC Southampton: An own goal by Fred (30th) was only able to equalize Mason Greenwood (55th) to 1: 1 (0: 1).
