BEVERLY HILLS, January 31, (THEWILL) – German coach Thomas Tuchel chalked up his debut English Premier League victory as Chelsea manager with a 2-0 win over 16th-placed Burnley at their home grounds in Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Cesar Azpilicueta, Spanish defender for the hosts put them ahead with an opener shortly before the interval with a crisp finish as Tuchel’s charges dominated proceedings from the start. Their all-round play assuaged the frustrations of Wednesday’s deadlocked draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The lead was doubled when fellow Spaniard and Chelsea’s defensive midfielder Marcos Alonso added a second late on. The 30-year-old spectacularly hooked the ball home after being restored to the side in a starting position by the new manager.
The win allows Tuchel to be calmer as he settles into his new job and gets a practical grasp of his team and their strengths and as he begins the arduous task of finding his best 11. A top-four EPL finish will be the acceptable minimum expected from the German this season. They appear to be back on track as they ended a run of dropped points in three home league games.
Tuchel will be pleased with the statistics as well. It is true that this was only against Burnley but if the league has proved anything, it is that a bottom-placed Sheffield, with only one previous win, can muster the will to beat a title-contending Manchester United. Tuchel’s Chelsea enjoyed 71.5 percent of possession with 710 passes to their opponents’ paltry 278 only.
Chelsea’s dominance was so overwhelming, Sean Dyche’s side only managed their first attempt of the game in the 94th minute. That, in itself, is a record of the negative kind, for them as it marks their longest ever wait for their first shot of a single Premier League game.
It must not have escaped Tuchel how much of an outstanding player he has in his side with Callum Hudson-Odoi giving a showman’s performance. The 20-year-old’s was a standout game from a player clearly prepped to flourish with the fresh responsibilities bequeathed on him by the new man at the helm. It was evident as his six crosses were unmatched in the Blues’ side.
It is already advantage-Tuchel that Hudson-Odoi, who has already been directly involved in five goals in his last eight starts in all competitions, scoring three himself and providing two assists, will be doing critical work for Chelsea in a position he seems naturally-gifted to excel in going forward.
Credit to Chelsea, Burnley offered little threat at the other end. Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was unbothered for much of the match as he was spared any attempt at his goal until deep into stoppage time, when he was really called into action.
The only Burnley effort of note to pose a threat on goal came from a defender James Tarkowski header, in injury time to emphasise just how little trouble Chelsea had with the attacking line of the visitors. Their most ineffective striker was Matej Vydra, who managed just 14 touches in 57 minutes as he failed to make impact before being substituted.
Tougher opposition will confront Tuchel in the EPL in the matches ahead. But before their trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for their next league game against one of their former managers and a knotty tie against La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid when the UEFA Champions League resumes in February, Tuchel can relax a little with his first full points.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
