Premier League Matchday 5: Chelsea Hit Wolves for Insur-MOUNT-able Five
- Tammy Abraham becomes Chelsea’s youngest ever to score a hat-trick
- All five goals scored by Chelsea were by academy graduates
- Chelsea’s defensive woes continue with second worst defensive record and no clean sheets
- Antonio Rüdiger goes off at half-time with a groin injury
- Next EPL match against Liverpool who have won 14 straight league games
The youth policy at Chelsea is starting to show dividends. All three goal scorers on Saturday – Abraham, Mount and Tomori’s – were scored by graduates of the Chelsea academy who came through the club beginning at an under-eights level.
All three are growing up fast and their development has been accelerated by the transfer ban which has been one of the best things that has happened for the club.
Abraham set a couple new records against Wolves becoming the first player in EPL history to score a hat-trick and an own goal in the same game, as well as becoming the youngest ever Chelsea player to score a hat-trick at 21 years and 347 days.
Chelsea may have found their striker of the future, a position that has been difficult to fill since Didier Drogba’s departure. Tammy now sits as joint top scorer in the EPL alongside Sergio Aguero.
Sitting on seven goals all scored in his last three league outings, he has now scored 7 of 11, of Chelsea’s total league goals this season.
The Chelsea backline has conceded the second most goals this season just behind Norwich and they haven’t been able to keep a clean sheet, a major cause for concern.
Arrizabalaga should have done better with the first goal conceded, and a second was scrambled in after he could only parry away a strong shot.
Lampard’s 3-4-2-1 formation places pressure on the back three, but the attacking support it creates is exciting, with Fikayo Tomori’s 35-yard screamer and his run to help set up the second prime examples.
More concerning for Chelsea is Antonio Rudiger going off injured at the half. Making his first appearance since suffering a serious knee injury in April, he was solid in keeping a clean sheet until succumbing to a groin injury and was replaced by Zouma.
Chelsea now moves up to sixth, with a mid-week Champions League group match against Valencia up next.
Next weekend is a crucial league match against Liverpool who are a perfect five from five. They’ve also won 15 league matches in a row.
Chelsea will need to be at their absolute best to win this one but playing at Stamford Bridge, the Blues are every chance of taking all three points. This will be Abraham’s best chance to prove he’s the real deal.