Chelsea has put their pre-season woes behind them and started the Premier League campaign well, winning 1-0 over Everton on Saturday, thanks to a Jorginho penalty. Jorginho’s penalty, which came just inside first-half stoppage time, gave Chelsea a hard-fought victory. Jorginho’s late penalty in the first-half stoppage time delivered a hounding of Frank Lampard’s side in a rather bland, forgettable clash. Jorginho’s penalty saw Chelsea secure a first Goodison Park victory in five visits to the ground. Still, it was not a new beginning for Everton, who ended the day with defeat and two injuries. Jorginho did not flinch when he sent his penalty home for Chelsea’s lead.
Chelsea broke the deadlock as Jorginho found the back of the net from the penalty spot after Abdoulaye Doucoure fouled Ben Chilwell inside the penalty area. New signing Raheem Sterling had the ball in the back of the net after a Jordan Pickford rebound was saved but was ruled offside. Chelsea peppered Everton’s goalscoring attack with 13 corners in the first half but looked set for disappointment when half-time approached. As such, goals were likely to be in short supply, with the first goal being especially crucial, so as soon as Jorginho’s penalty was volleyed home from the spot, the visitors were put in a powerful position.
New defender at the back, Koulibaly dominated and was vital in the penalty. With a pinpoint pass, he connected with Ben Chilwell inside the Everton box. The Toffees midfielder then fouled the left back. As he outmuscled the Everton attackers, Koulibaly displayed incredible calmness on the ball and his defensive prowess. On his debut outing as a Chelsea player, he secured a clean sheet by winning possession four times, making three clearances, and making one last man tackle. Fans used social media to express their happiness with the centre-back’s performance. The Senegal player was taken off in the 75th minute due to cramping and substituted by fellow newcomer Marc Cucurella.
Hudson-Odoi set to leave?
According to the report, Borussia Dortmund has joined the competition to sign the England star. Given their reputation for treating young players properly, his time in Germany is sure to be highly fruitful. The 21-year-old is also attracting interest from the Premier League, with Southampton and Leicester City hot favourites to sign him on loan. At either club, he will undoubtedly see plenty of action. Although it would be in Hudson-Odoi’s best interests to look for playing time somewhere, at least for the next year, Chelsea supporters will be hopeful that the Hudson-Odoi saga is not finished.