Christian Pulisic was cooking for Chelsea on Tuesday after being given a rare start during the Blues’ 2-0 Premier League victory against Bournemouth. After several quality performances at the World Cup, Chelsea boss Graham Potter rewarded Pulisic with a start at his preferred left wing position.
Pulisic was involved in all the USA’s goals at the World Cup scoring one and assisting the other two.
He continued his fine form against Bournemouth and had two controversial moments in the first half go against him.
Christian Pulisic vs Bournemouth
In the 12th minute Pulisic showed a nice burst of pace to skip past Bournemouth’s Adam Smith. With Pulisic clean in on goal Smith reached out and grabbed a fistful of the Chelsea No. 10’s jersey. No penalty was called to the disgust of the home crowd at Stamford Bridge.
No penalty is awarded after Christian Pulisic goes down in the box.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 27, 2022
No penalty for Christian Pulisic after a pull of the shirt takes him down in the box. pic.twitter.com/i8w989lebc
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) December 27, 2022
no pen for Pulisic lol pic.twitter.com/ucZoY9cnnV
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) December 27, 2022
Chelsea was dominant in the first half scoring two goals.
Pulisic troubled Bournemouth numerous times drawing a plethora of fouls. A hard tackle from behind halfway through the first 45 saw Pulisic receive some treatment on his ankle. He was fouled again minutes later and looked a bit gimpy as he limped away from the challenge.
He was able to shake it off and continue.
Right before halftime Pulisic looked to have made it 3-0 when he tucked the ball into Bournemouth’s net. The goal wouldn’t count as the referee decided that Kai Havertz fouled Smith moments before Pulisic shot.
Christian Pulisic finds the back of the net. But Kai Havertz fouls a Bournemouth defender before Pulisic takes his shot.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 27, 2022
Bologna.
Chelsea fans inside Stamford Bridge were pleased with their American boy as “U-S-A” chants were heard when Pulisic grabbed the ball for a throw in.
Are those USA chants we hear for Christian Pulisic at Stamford Bridge?
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 27, 2022
Pulisic’s second half was less eventful. He recorded two shots and had a couple clever passes before being substituted off in the 81st minute.
Wednesday’s performance won’t have an impact on his season stats but should be a confidence booster not only for him but Potter too.
Havertz was involved with both of Chelsea’s first half goals scoring one and assisting Mason Mount for the second.
Kai Havertz opens the scoring for the Blues!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 27, 2022
Mason Mount with the pinpoint accuracy to double Chelsea's lead!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 27, 2022
Before the World Cup break Chelsea was in real trouble. Potter’s side had failed to record a win in the five previous league games (two draws, three losses).
Tuesday's three points is exactly what Chelsea needed to try and reboot their season.
