After three straight matches as an unused substitute, Christian Pulisic made his first Premier League appearance since Aug. 31 when coming on in the 80th minute of Chelsea’s 4-1 victory over Southampton on Sunday.
The bad news for Pulisic is that the players above him in the pecking order all played well: Mason Mount scored a goal; Callum Hudson-Odoi and Willian picked up assists. The good news for Pulisic is that he made the most of his 10 minutes on the pitch.
In the 89th minute, the 21-year-old drew defenders at the top of the box before releasing fellow substitute Michy Batshuayi for the near post finish. It’s Pulisic’s second EPL assist in five appearances.
#pulassist pic.twitter.com/o9M6hzBWjc
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 6, 2019
Pulisic and Batshuayi were briefly teammates at Borussia Dortmund during the second half of the 2017-18 season. That familiarity was on full display during the celebration.
That handshake pic.twitter.com/DvNDGlQxWa
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 6, 2019
Here are the game’s earlier goals.
The first arrived from Tammy Abraham in the 17th minute. It’s an impressive lob in the sense that it goes high enough to leave our picture entirely. Abraham now has eight goals in eight games.
Tammy Abraham opens the scoring for Chelsea!
Catch this match on, @NBCSportsGold. pic.twitter.com/kGlFgYUpNV— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 6, 2019
Mount doubled Chelsea’s advantage seven minutes later.
But Southampton pulled one back in the 30th minute after a brilliant run from Yan Valery set up Danny Ings.
A cutting run! Danny Ings breathes life into Southampton! pic.twitter.com/lg4K2s56PD
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 6, 2019
Chelsea’s two-goal cushion was restored five minutes before halftime by N’Golo Kante.
That set the stage for the moment we’d (read: Americans) all been waiting for.
We see you @cpulisic_10! pic.twitter.com/EUK00u3SA7
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 6, 2019
The win brings Chelsea up to fifth in the table. The Blues return to action on Oct. 19 when hosting Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.
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