Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku provide no answers to owners' striking questions | Paul Doyle
On a frustrating evening for the pair of big-name strikers, they once again struggled to show why they were so sought-after last summerAt least they'll...
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Showing posts with label Romelu Lukaku. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romelu Lukaku. Show all posts
Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku provide no answers to owners' striking questions | Paul Doyle
EPL PLAYERS RATINGS F/T: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0 (2) - cont'd
Hakim Ziyech and Thiago Silva sunk Spurs early in the second period as Chelsea moved a point off second-placed Liverpool. Harry Kane had a goal ruled out for Tottenham at the end of a feisty first half. Ziyech was outstanding for the Blues, whereas Spurs offered little direct threat after falling behind.
Chelsea ratings
MASON MOUNT - 8
Good work early on to pull back for Lukaku who should have done much better with his effort from just inside the box.
His usual efficient, hard-working and effective self and capped a thoroughly decent display with a real touch of quality when he bent in a lovely free-kick for Silva to glance in for 2-0.
HAKIM ZIYECH (subbed, 90mins) - 9
Bent a wicked ball onto Hudson-Odoi's head with mere minutes on the clock but the winger nodded wide from close range.
Was troublesome throughout as he staked a real claim for a permanent starting spot in Tuchel's team.
And capped his superb performance with an absolutely delicious finish two minutes after half-time.
Received the ball from Hudson-Odoi just off the right-hand corner of the box and bent a left-footed effort beyond the stranded Lloris and into the top-left corner.
I believe they call it 'top-bins'.
Stung Lloris' palms just moments later with a fierce left-footed strike from almost the same position but the Frenchman batted it away.
Standing ovation from the crowd and a huge pat on the back from Tuchel as he came off.
ROMELU LUKAKU - 5
Blazed over a huge chance with his right foot in the opening minutes when Mount put it on a plate for him.
Wasn't massively involved for the rest of the game and looked laboured and predictable when he was.
He held the ball up well on occasion and it's hard to be too harsh on him as Tuchel's system just doesn't involve him that much which means he doesn't see much of the ball and it's always in deep positions when he does.
N'GOLO KANTE (replaced Jorginho) - 6
Came on with the Blues 2-0 up and shut the game down effectively to secure the three points.
MARCOS ALONSO (replaced Hudson-Odoi) - 5
Not enough time to have an impact.
SAUL NIGUEZ (replaced Ziyech) - 5
Not enough time to have an impact.
EPL PLAYERS RATINGS F/T: Chelsea 2 Tottenham 0 (1)
Hakim Ziyech and Thiago Silva sunk Spurs early in the second period as Chelsea moved a point off second-placed Liverpool.
Harry Kane had a goal ruled out for Tottenham at the end of a feisty first half.
Ziyech was outstanding for the Blues, whereas Spurs offered little direct threat after falling behind.
Chelsea ratings
THIAGO SILVA - 8
Headed a Mount corner over inside 10 minutes. Booked for a trip on Bergwijn 23 mins in as the Dutchman broke dangerously. Was tripped by Kane as the Englishman turned him in the build-up to Tottenham's disallowed first-half goal. Nodded in well to secure the win.
MALANG SARR - 8
Did not look out of place against Kane as the stand-in dealt with everything Tottenham threw at him with aplomb. On the end of a nasty high challenge from Matt Doherty which the Irishman somehow escaped a red card for classy showing.
KEPA - 7/10
Had to face one shot on target in the first-half - a tame Harry Winks effort from the edge of the box - before picking the ball out the net after Kane's disallowed equaliser.
Slightly busier after the break but mostly routine stuff. His best save was from Kane's header with five minutes to go in which he appeared to hurt his hand.
CESAR AZPILICUETA - 7
Captain's performance again. No frills, scrapping for his team on and off the ball.
Exactly what the Blues faithful love seeing from their Spanish star.
CALLUM HUDSON-ODOI (subbed, 87mins) - 8
Energetic throughout and had Japhet Tanganga on toast for most of the afternoon.
But his end product was often frustratingly lacking in the first-half.
Nodded a far-post header wide after Ziyech picked him out during the opening exchanges and should have at least hit the target.
Looked far more dangerous after the break as his decision making improved drastically.
Laid the ball off to Ziyech in the build-up to the Moroccan's delightful opener after an excellent run up the right where he left booked Tanganga for dust again.
Great reception as he left the pitch.
ANTONIO RUDIGER - 8
A classy act as ever. Composed and a rock at the back as he stood up to Spurs' rare attacks through Bergwijn and Kane.
JORGINHO (subbed, 72mins) - 6
Nothing spectacular. One of those professional performances where no one really notices him.
Earned his money and replaced by Kante as Thomas Tuchel looked to lock in the three points at 2-0 up.
MATEO KOVACIC - 6
Similar to Jorginho, nothing outstanding but did everything expected of him.
Perhaps hard for him to shine as he played instead of N'Golo Kante but Tuchel will be more than happy with the Croatian's contribution.
How Chelsea could line up vs Tottenham
Romelu Lukaku risks being dropped for this weekend's clash against Tottenham after failing to impress for Chelsea in recent games.
The matches have been coming thick and fast for the Blues later with Thomas Tuchel potentially considering a few changes to his attack.
After all, the German slammed Lukaku for his performance against Manchester City last week - he also told his forwards they cannot afford to hide at Chelsea.
Romelu Lukaku is a ticking timebomb
Jamie Carragher is concerned Romelu Lukaku is a ticking timebomb and Chelsea could soon lose patience with the star man.
The Sky Sports pundit believes the striker, 28, does not really fit in at Chelsea – just like he didn’t at Manchester United.
He wrote in The Telegraph: “When Romelu Lukaku signed for Chelsea, the consensus was that he was a different player to that which left Manchester United.
“Six months later, there is only one valid observation to make about his return to Stamford Bridge. He isn’t.
“All the talk about how a couple of years working with this weekend’s opponent, Antonio Conte, have elevated Lukaku’s game tactically has proven premature.
“Thomas Tuchel is managing the same striker who prompted Manchester United to run out of patience and sell him to Inter Milan.
Thomas Tuchel, Romelu Lukaku Hold Showdown Talks on Chelsea Future
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Romelu Lukaku will hold showdown talks with Chelsea on Monday.
The Belgian recently admitted he is "not happy" at Stamford Bridge after his £97.5million move from Inter Milan last summer.
Lukaku's surprising comments to the Italian press were made a few weeks ago, but were not broadcast until the end of December.
Chelsea manager Tuchel dropped the striker for Sunday's Premier League game against Liverpool - which finished 2-2 - as a result of the comments.
He's now set to discuss his future with the Blues, with a January transfer potentially on the horizon.
⚽️ Goal - LUKAKU Assist - MOUNT Chelsea 1-0 Brighton (28 mins)
⚽️ Goal - LUKAKU Assist - MOUNT Chelsea 1-0 Brighton (28 mins)
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