FLYING KAI
CHELSEA HAVE TOO MUCH FOR TOP-FOUR RIVALS AS HAMMERS BEAT LEEDS TO LIFT EURO HOPES
THOMAS TUCHEL hailed the quality and character of the squad he inherited at Chelsea after they boosted their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League at Everton’s expense last night.
The German extended his unbeaten start since replacing Frank Lampard as Blues manager and has now won six and drawn the other three of his nine Premier League games, while the Blues have kept a clean sheet in all five home games.
Kai Havertz saw what might have been his first league goal for the club credited as an own goal instead but the 21year-old gave his best performance since his summer arrival, also winning the penalty Jorginho converted to seal a 2-0 victory.
‘I’m very happy with Kai’s performance, no doubt about his quality his talent and also not about his character,’ said Tuchel.
‘You see the quality of the players and the club. It is a pleasure to be on the sideline and work with the team. Everybody in the club is doing everything to compete at this level. I truly believe that this is a team squad.
‘I feel positive energy from everyone around the team in Cobham, towards my staff, towards football and my team, everyone is doing everything in a very positive atmosphere.’
Chelsea may have consolidated fourth place but West Ham have leapfrogged Everton in the table to move up to fifth, just two points behind with a game in hand, after Jesse Lingard and Craig Dawson were on target as they beat Leeds by the same scoreline.