First Win For Tuchel.
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Chelsea started their second game under the new manager against Burnley. The first game didn't go as planned as they played without any sense of direction but this game started with great intent from Chelsea to turn the table and do better.
The new coach has not yet known his starting 11 because he clearly used new faces for this game and the players are more than ready to impress the new gaffer.
Mount found Kovacic in the 15th minute only for him to draw a comfortable save from the goalkeeper and in the 26th minute as well, a perfect cross from Jorginho found Alonso but he could only direct his header wide rather than home.
Timo Werner's woes continue in the 29th minute when Odoi picked out Werner but rather than connect with the ball, he miskicked. Not long after, he found Mason Mount who was desperate to impress and remind the coach of his potential and claim for the first 11, but he fired his effort wide.
Odoi seems to have picked form for the new coach because he is now more direct and doesn't spend too much time on the ball. He gathers the ball, passes the ball where necessary but he has been crossing so much into the box. He has started the two games without being dropped and the same thing goes for Mendy - the goalkeeper.
Mount had another opportunity in the 34th minute, but he rushed his effort too quick. He was too eager and blasted his effect over even though he was at the edge of the box. He was going for a bend but he couldn't quite connect. His desire to impress can be passed for hunger to be a major force for his team, which should be good.
In the 40th minute, Chelsea got their answer. The captain responded. He steps up to secure the first goal of Tuchel's reign. Odoi brilliantly found Azpilicueta and the captain did a great job getting that effort to the back of the net. It was a brilliant finish and a perfect relief for Chelsea players as well as the coach too. All they needed was just to get started with the first goal and they got it now. It was an important goal, not just for Chelsea but for Azpilicueta since that was his first goal in 12 months too.
The half time ended and it was 1-0 in favour of Chelsea. Tuchel took Tammy Abraham off and I believe it was more tactical than for injury. He introduced Pulisic on the break.
A decent ball in from Odoi found Timo Werner but his effort in the 52nd minute of the game was without any power as his header lacked it and the placement was missing too. Went straight to the goalkeeper and it was a comfortable save.
Odoi was denied in the 57th minute when Mason Mount found him. His shot was deflected but it could only hit the post and went out. If it had gone in, he would have claimed it. It was a decent chance for Odoi.
He wasn't to be deterred as he had another ball flash the face of the goal and it almost resulted into an own goal in the 68th minute. I felt he has been mandated to keep putting crosses into the box and he is doing a great job at it but there is no one at all at the end of those crosses and ball in.
A minute after, Mount almost doubled his team's effort but his effort went wide. Reece James was introduced and Odoi was taken off. Reece had a brilliant effort in the 74th minute but the goalkeeper expertly saved it with his feet.
Chelsea was bombarding Burnley at this stage of the game and they had no answers for it. Burnley had to defend so hard and also work extra hard not to allow this lead double.
Kovacic had an audacious effort wasted in the 75th minute but Chelsea can't be kept quiet for too long. Marcos Alonso came with the goods and scored a brilliant goal. It was a stunner. Alonso sealed the win with that goal in the 84th minute to confirm Tuchel's first win in Chelsea colours. He brilliantly chested the ball, controlled with the knee and scored with a lovely half volley. He left the keeper helpless because the goal was just too good. Pulisic would be happy to claim the assist for that goal by Alonso.
On the night when Chelsea needed a win to calm nerves and move up the table, their full-backs did the job.
Burnley wanted to get a goal at least when Tarkowski lost Azpilicueta from a corner as the ball found him in the box only for him to head it wide.
Job was done by Chelsea and Alonso, who hasn't played in the Premier League since October made a good entry by sealing the win after the captain got the team ahead.
At the time this match was played, Chelsea had 33 points and sits in 7th while Burnley sits in 16th with 22 points.
Thank you for your time.
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