Captain America Christian Pulisic was on the score sheet in Chelsea’s big win over Leicester City in Premier League action, while Fulham’s Yanks helped them climb to the top of the Championship.
Leicester City 0 – 3 Chelsea
Christian Pulisic was a second half substitute for Chelsea, but he was full of life in his short appearance, scoring the team’s third goal to give manager Thomas Tuchel a crisis of luxury on the attacking front.
The game was all but won in the first half with goals from Antonio Rudiger and N’Golo Kante. Rudiger’s header found the net just 14 minutes in, and Kante hit a rocket to score the go ahead goal in the 28th minute.
Pulisic is moving from strength to strength with each appearance in his comeback from injury, and made an instant impression after entering the game. Coming on in the 62nd minute, he registered his first shot just five minutes later, narrowly firing wide of Kasper Schmeichel’s goal.
Pulisic made sure that he didn’t miss his next opportunity as he took a touch before slotting the final goal of the evening after a cross from Hakim Ziyech. The American thought he had an assist to his name after a square ball to a teammate, but the goal was called back because Pulisic was offside.
The win keeps Chelsea in first place. Pulisic will be hoping to get the start on Tuesday against Weston McKinnie’s Juventus in Champions League action
Norwich 2 – 1 Southampton
Norwich chose to not start Josh Sargent, instead opting for five in midfield, and the gamble paid off for a massive win at home for the team’s new skipper.
Newly appointed manager Dean Smith opted for a formation change, but it was Southampton who struck the first blow as just four minutes in, Che Adams found the back of the net. Smith would have wanted an immediate response from his team, and respond they did.
Teemu Pukki found space in behind the Saints back line just three minutes later, after which he earned and converted a penalty kick to equalize. Sargent came on at half time to provide some extra firepower up top.
The Canaries found their go ahead goal through Grant Hanley in the 79th minute, sending Carrow Row into an uproar.
In the last minutes, Sargent had decided to go for glory and registered one shot, but in the process ignored a wide-open Pukki.
Norwich leapfrog Newcastle and out of the Premier League basement into 19th. Next up for Sargent and company is a visit next Saturday from Wolves.
Fulham 4 – 1 Barnsley
Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson were both involved from the start as Fulham put four past Barnsley to go top of the Championship.
The Americans had little to do in the defense as Fulham were on the full ascendancy from the opening minute. Aleksander Mitrovic scored his 21st of the season to put Fulham ahead in the 24th minute with a superb header.
Fabio Carvalho doubled the advantage in the 34th minute, and the insurance goal came from Neeskens Kebano in the 72nd minute. Victor Adeboyejo pulled one back for Barnsley in the 78th minute before Harry Wilson provided the killer blow in the 81st minute as Fulham were in full flow.
Fulham play host to Derby on Wednesday in more Championship action.
Sunderland 2 – 0 Ipswich Town
Lynden Gooch went 90 minutes in Sunderland’s home win over Ipswich Town.
It was a quiet performance from the American after his 34th minute yellow card, but the home team weathered the storm to finish strong at home.
The game was back and forth but it wasn’t until the 85th minute that the Black Cats got on the score sheet, as Luke O’Nien scored the game winner. Sunderland would press to add a second by Aiden McGeady in the 93rd minute to send the Stadium of Light into an uproar.
The Black Cats are up to sixth in League One, up next is a Tuesday trip to Shrewsbury.
Notes:
Zack Steffen was on the bench for Manchester City in their 3-0 win over Everton.
Folarin Balogun did not make the bench for Arsenal in their 4-0 away loss against Liverpool.
Matthew Olosunde did not feature for Preston North Ends 2-1 home loss to Cardiff City.
Ethan Horvath was an unused substitute in Preston North Ends 1-1 away draw at Reading.
Duane Holmes was out through an ankle injury in Huddersfield Town in their 1-0 win over ten-man West Bromwich Albion.
