THE LATE ESCAPE FOR TUCHEL
THOMAS TUCHEL was jumping with joy as a late double blast sent Chelsea back to the top of the Premier League. Timowerner and Ben Chilwell were both on target in the closing stages to secure the Blues’ first win in three games.
And while that was harsh on Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton, who had skipper James Wardprowse sent off at 1-1,Tuchel could scarcely contain his delight.
Tuchel, booked before the break for complaining about a disallowed Werner effort, beamed: “This was a very important win for us.after two defeats we had to make sure we were not too sad and down.we had to perform better than in those games.the players out there today did not feel the pressure.”
After losing three of 30 games at the Chelsea helm last season, the idea Tuchel might suffer three in a row just 11 games into this one was incredible.
However, his needs paled into insignificance alongside those of his pal Hasenhuttl. No league wins after seven games is the worst start to a season in Saints’ history but the Austrian had few complaints.
He said: “We put in a brave display against a very tough opponent.we were much better in the second half.”
Tuchel was celebrating in the sixth minute when Chilwell swung in a corner, Ruben Loftus-cheek flicked on and Trevoh Chalobah headed in at the far post.
Ward-prowse’s 25-yard rocket struck the upright to prove Chelsea could not sit back. Chilwell was denied by Alex
Mccarthy and then Romelu
Lukaku was ruled a yard offside while tucking away Rudiger’s pass.
Tuchel was booked for pointing to the big screen in disagreement withvar official Mike Dean and on-pitch ref Martin Atkinson for chalking offwerner’s header for Cesar Azpilicueta’s foul on Kyle Walker-peters in the build-up.
The penalty decision that brought the Saints level was spot-on. Chilwell tripped Valentino Livramento andward-prowse sent Mendy the wrong way.
Werner blew one chance to win it, firing straight at Mccarthy before Ward-prowse was dismissed for a studs-up slide into Jorginho.
That turned proceedings the Blues’ way aswerner fired in at the near post, then Chilwell’s angled volley crossed the line after the home side had hit the woodwork twice.