Christian Pulisic flukey crossbar-assisted set-up helped Chelsea to a draw against Nottingham Forest, while Tyler Adams was straight back into Jesse Marsch’s starting lineup at Leeds as they fought to earn an impressive point at Newcastle.
Nottingham Forest 1 – 1 Chelsea
Christian Pulisic got his first back-to-back start of the Premier League season thanks to the nod from Graham Potter, directly contributing to their only score in the draw at Forest.
The American repaid his boss’s confidence with an early “assist” down the left flank, playing a clever give and go before whipping a dangerous ball in. There was a deflection in the middle, a bounce off the crossbar, and finally Raheem Sterling was quickest to react to score in the 17th minute.
Pulisic remained lively throughout the rest of the half, but Chelsea were unable to produce a finishing touch.
Half-time proved to be the rest for Forest that was needed, and the ensuing 15 minutes was all for the home team. Finally, they capitalized in the 63rd minute through Serge Aurier on a goalmouth scrum that saw the big man acrobatically thump a shot home.
Chelsea would get a final chance at the game winner in the 81st minute, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang throwing himself at a header to nudge it out of the path of Pulisic for what could have been a straightforward back-post tap in.
Next up for Chelsea is a Thursday and Sunday double-header with Manchester City, first at home in the Premier League, and then on Sunday in the FA Cup. The draw puts Chelsea in eighth place, precariously positioned between Brighton and Fulham.
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Fulham 2 – 1 Southampton
Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream both started for Fulham, who are up to sixth place in the Premier League with a win over Southampton.
Robinson helped to provide Fulham the opening after sustaining early pressure from their visitors. The American’s overlapping run and beautiful cross resulted in a clearance for a corner kick that produced the goal. Andreas Pereira was on hand at the top of the box for a thunderous shot that ricocheted off of James Ward-Prowse for an own goal.
Ward-Prowse would annul his error in the 56th minute with an incredible free kick that left the Fulham goalkeeper stranded.
The game would be in the balance until the 88th minute when Jaoa Palhinha rose highest off of a Fulham corner kick to smash a header home.
Fulham were awarded an added time goal, and Aleksander Mitrovic fluffed his lines to give Southampton something to smile about at the end of the game. Up next for Fulham is a trip to Leicester City on Tuesday.
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Newcastle 0 – 0 Leeds
Jesse Marsch brought Tyler Adams straight back into the starting lineup to pair with Brenden Aaronson in a massive point away at Newcastle.
The game was back and forth, with Newcastle seeing the lion share of their chances fall straight to Illian Meslier.
However, it wasn’t meant to be for Newcastle. Aaronson and Adams earned a stripe in a battle won point away from home. A highlight moment came when Adams went nose to nose with Bruno Guimarães, the American playing with no fear.
Next up for Leeds is a Wednesday home match against West Ham in the Premier League.
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Huddersfield Town 1 – 2 Luton Town
Ethan Horvath was unable to keep fellow yank Duane Holmes out of the back of the net as the two Americans faced off against each other.
Holmes got the scoring started in the 25th minute, the ball finding him inside the box to score his second goal in two games.
Amari’i Bell was able to get the scoring back level in the 43rd minute, just before halftime. The ball was cleared off of the line, but it was adjudged to have been over the line and the goal was given.
Horvath did well to keep Huddersfield out with a shot from range through a mass of bodies. The game winner came from Reece Burke in the 84th minute, very similar to the Holmes goal from the first half.
Huddersfield are in 23rd place, and play Preston North End in the FA Cup next Saturday. Luton are in fifth, playing Wigan in the FA Cup on Saturday.
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Norwich 1 – 1 Reading
Josh Sargent started and went the distance in Norwich’s home draw against Reading on Friday.
Sargent nearly had a chance in the first half but was denied by Reading. Adam Idah got the scoring started in the 53rd minute after the American helped to keep the ball stay alive. Idah was on hand to smash it home with a swiveling shot.
Sargent had another shot, but the Reading goalkeeper was equal to the task.
However, the home side couldn’t keep the visitors at bay, giving up a penalty kick in the 88th minute. Andy Carroll stepped up to dispatch it, earning Reading a point on the road.
Norwich, now ninth, play Watford on Monday.
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Blackburn 1 – 2 Middlesbrough
Zack Steffen was unable to keep a clean sheet in Middlesbrough’s win over ten-man Blackburn Rovers. Matthew Hoppe did not make the bench for the away team.
Steffen will feel he could have done better with Ryan Hedges sixth minute effort form outside of the box, but thankfully Marcus Forss equaled the score before heading into halftime.
John Buckley was shown a straight red card for throwing the ball off of a Middlesbrough players head.
Riley McGree was able to score the game winner in the 56th minute, a solid finish with the inside of his foot enough to beat Thomas Kaminski.
Boro, now eighth, play Birmingham on Monday.
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Notes
Matt Turner was on the bench for Arsenal in their 4-2 away win over Brighton.
Chris Richards was an unused substitute for Crystal Palace in their 2-0 away win over Bournemouth.
Matthew Olosunde did not make the bench for Preston North End in their 2-0 loss to West Brom.
Daryl Dike was a 63rd minute substitute for West Brom in their 2-0 win over Preston North End.
Lynden Gooch is out with a hamstring injury and did not feature in Sunderlands 1-1 draw against Blackpool.
Vaughn Covil did not feature for Hull City in their 1-0 win at Birmingham City.
Charlie Kelman and Leyton Orient play Northampton Town on Monday.
Alex Mighten and Sheffield Wednesday play on Monday against Cambridge United.
