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Christian Pulisic had his run of three-straight Premier League games with a goal snapped on Saturday against Manchester City. So on Wednesday he started a new streak, this time scoring in the Champions League — with some help from the VAR.
Pulisic scored his third career Champions League goal to help Chelsea earn a 2-2 draw against Valencia on Wednesday at the Mestalla.
Coming into Wednesday, Chelsea, Valencia and Ajax were all tied on seven points atop Group H, meaning every point could be the difference between the Champions League knockout rounds and going back to the Europa League.
Pulisic was lively throughout the full 90 after having been left on the bench in Chelsea’s 1-0 home loss to Valencia to start the UCL campaign in September.
Pulisic has a way of pulling in defenders pic.twitter.com/Yw2pDumDeC
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 27, 2019
The match started well enough for Chelsea, with Willian heading over from close range. But Valencia responded by creating numerous opportunities that Maxi Gómez squandered.
Carlos Soler didn’t waste his half chance in the 40th minute, bundling a cross into the back of the net.
Carlos Soler breaks through for Valencia
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 27, 2019
Chelsea equalized a minute later.
In his 71st appearance for Chelsea, Mateo Kovacic scored his first goal for the club, a well-taken low blast.
Kovacic nets his first goal for Chelsea pic.twitter.com/nregbHPFD2
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 27, 2019
Though Jasper Cillessen couldn’t reach that shot, he was brilliant in goal for Valencia. He made this stunning fingertip save to deny Tammy Abraham and slid over well to block an effort from Kovacic after a sparkling solo run from Pulisic (shown above).
But Cillessen couldn’t stop Pulisic.
Christian Pulisic Goal vs Valencia
Pulisic gave Chelsea the lead early in the second half with an assist from the VAR.
In the 50th minute, Kurt Zouma rose high (perhaps climbing on his defender) to reach a cross, heading it back toward the goal mouth. Pulisic was first to react, pouncing on the loose ball and poking it past Cillessen.
The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but the VAR took its sweet time reviewing the play and reversed the call, giving Pulisic his first Champions League goal with Chelsea.
The Christian Pulisic goal vs Valencia was just onside. We think. Screenshot: TNT
VAR gives Christian Pulisic his first Champions League goal at Chelsea
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 27, 2019
Chelsea nearly threw the lead away about 12 minutes later.
Jorginho was bundled into from behind by Valencia’s José Gayá, but it was Jorginho who was called for the foul in the box, giving Danny Parejo an opportunity to equalize from the spot. But Kepa Arrizabalaga, who had been poor with his feet throughout, was superb with his hands, making an impressive save to keep Chelsea ahead.
¡Kepa es el héroe!
Arrizabalaga tapa el empate del Valencia en pena máxima@valenciacf 1-2 @ChelseaFC #UCL | #ChampionsLeague | #Valencia
En vivohttps://t.co/T2p6yCPQYP pic.twitter.com/BNpKj9rt0J
— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) November 27, 2019
But the lead would not last.
Daniel Wass equalized with a crot (shot/cross) that Kepa allowed to zip over him thinking it would go out of bounds. Instead the ball caromed off the far post and in for a remarkable goal in the 82nd minute.
WHAT A GOAL pic.twitter.com/n82nSBf5bo
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) November 27, 2019
Both teams were relentless seeking an equalizer, but the match would end 2-2, leaving it all to play for in the final match day on Dec. 10. Chelsea hosts last-place Lille while Valencia visits Ajax. (Ajax plays at Lille later Wednesday.)
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