English Recap: Pulisic the Playmaker in Chelsea’s win at Burnley

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Christian Pulisic pulled the strings in Chelsea’s thumping of Burnley while Ream and Robinson increase their lead atop the Championship.

Burnley 0 – 4 Chelsea

Christian Pulisic notched a goal and an assist in Chelsea’s route of Burnley in the Premier League.

The first 45 minutes ended with a stalemate, with Burnley having the better of the chances. However, it only took Chelsea 90 seconds to get on the scoresheet in the second half after a moment of magic from Reece James. The defender was allowed time and space to work the defense side to side with a few skills, before smashing it past Nick Pope for the game winner.

Pulisic helped double the lead just five minutes later as he was able to use his skills to work the ball on to his left foot and pick out Kai Havertz at the back post for a cushioned header in the 52nd minute. James and Havertz combined for the third goal just three minutes later, and Pulisic capped off the scoring with a poachers goal in the 69th minute.

Chelsea, now third place, face off against Josh Sargent’s Norwich on Thursday in more Premier League action.

Watch the game highlights here:

Norwich 1 – 3 Brentford

Josh Sargent and Norwich missed a prime opportunity to pick up points against fellow promoted team Brentford, losing at home.

Norwich had their fair share of chances, however Ivan Toney and Brentford proved to be more clinical, the striker bagging a hat trick and making him the Brentford hero. The game also marked Christian Erikson’s first start since his tragic collapse at the Euros. Toney opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a back post tap in.

Toney was gifted a pair of penalty kicks to round out his hat trick in the 52nd and 58th minute, his one step run up beating Tim Krul both times. Norwich sit bottom of the Premier League, and are likely six points off from safety.

Norwich now have the near impossible task of tackling Chelsea in their next game on Thursday.

Watch the game highlights here:

Fulham 2 – 0 Blackburn Rovers

Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson went the distance for Fulham, keeping a clean sheet in the process.

The game saw chances at either end, but Fulham were clearly on the front foot after Neeskens Kebano’s tap in in the 25th minute, reacting quickest to Neco Williams’ blocked shot. Harry Wilson doubled the advantage after a cool finish on a through ball from Tosin Adaraboiyo.

Robinson may have had an assist if Fabio Carvalho’s shot hadn’t hit the cross bar, and Fulham’s Williams almost chipped the Blackburn goalkeeper from nearly half field.

Fulham are 11 points above second place Huddersfield Town, with two games in hand. Fulham turn their attention to Tuesday’s game against Swansea.

Watch the game highlights here:

Nottingham Forest 2 – 1 Huddersfield Town

Ethan Horvath helped his Nottingham Forest down Huddersfield Town to reach the FA Cup Quarter Final where they will play against Liverpool.

Duane Holmes started and went 67 minutes for Huddersfield Town, and things looked to be on the up and up when Danel Sinani’s corner was headed home by Tom Lees just 13 minutes in. Sam Surridge had other plans, side footing the equalizer home moments before the half hour mark. 

With the game in the balance, Ryan Yates’ glancing header in the 37th minute proving to be the game winner. 

Nottingham Forest face Reading next, while Huddersfield Town take on West Brom in more Championship action.

Watch the game highlights here:

Middlesbrough 2 – 1 Luton Town

Folarin Balogun went 67 minutes in Middlesbrough’s 2-1 win over Luton Town, helping set up the opening goal of the night.

Balogun and Isaiah Jones played a clever give and go down the right flank, and Luton defender Reece Burke took down the American before he could shoot in the penalty area. Paddy McNair stepped up and dispatched the 16th minute penalty kick.

The teams traded blows back and forth, and it looked like it would just be the one goal in it until Duncan Watmore scored what would be the game winner in the 87th minute. His first shot was blocked, but the second attempt was able to beat Burke and fly past the Luton keeper at the near post. 

Harry Cornick pulled one back at the the very end of the game, but his 96th minute goal wouldn’t be enough to see Luton stage a comeback. 

Boro are now in the promotion race sitting in sixth place, one point above Sheffield Untied, their next opponent.

Watch the game highlights here:

Charlton 0 – 0 Sunderland

Lynden Gooch went 81 minutes in Sunderland’s dismal display at Charlton Athletic.

It was the case of seventh versus 16th, with 23 points separating the two teams. Both teams had their chances, but Charlton will have felt aggrieved to not put a single shot on target in the match, compared to Sunderlands seven.

Sunderland turn their immediate attention to 19th placed Fleetwood in more League One action.

Watch the game highlights here:

Notes:

Zack Steffen is out injured and was not on the bench for Manchester City in their 4-1 win over Manchester United.

Matthew Olosunde was not on the bench for Preston North End’s 2-1 win over Blackburn.

author

Andrew Vorce

I do it all! Youth club coach for 15+ years, very retired semi-pro indoor player, journalist for Yanks Abroad, and VP of Operations for the Warrior Soccer Tour. Soccer, soccer, soccer. Avid soccer enthusiast and travel to Europe every summer to take kids to go compete against European youth teams.

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