Christian Pulisic’s classy double leads Chelsea rampage in 5-3 win at RB Salzburg as Pedro nets backheel stunner
CHRISTIAN PULISIC chose the perfect place to get his wings and show there is life after Eden Hazard at Chelsea.
The new £58 million wideman must fill the gap left by the sale of the brilliant Belgian and he did just that with his first goals and winning a penalty in front of club owner Roman Abramovich.
The Russian billionaire was watching his first match since appointing his former midfielder as manager last month and the pair were due to meet after the game.
Lampard insists he never met Abramovich for talks in the run up to getting the job even though both men were in the posh South of France resort of St.Tropez at the same time.
On the pitch American star Pulisic announced his arrival with two classy strikes in the first half, each topped off by a stylish finishing touch.
The first on 19 minutes came from a chip over the defence by fellow winger Pedro.
His second and Chelsea’s third was even better when Ross Barkley played a lengthy lofted ball onto his feet at full pace for Pulisic to roll the ball home.
And after he was shoved over in the box on another darting run, Ross Barkley scored the penalty which suggests he will be taking over spot-kick duties from departed Hazard.
CAUGHT COLD
Pedro claimed the fourth from the right with a dazzling mid-air flick with his heel to round off an exhibition performance from Chelsea’s two widemen even if there are evident defensive worries.
Centre halfs Kurt Zouma and David Luiz were caught cold and let Salzburg pull one back from a corner five minutes into the second half.
Cesar Azpilicueta had to hook a goalbound shot off the line and in the first half Luiz and left back Emerson had a heated difference of opinion following a mix up at the back.
Salzburg also scored from the spot when keeper Kepa was beaten with five minutes left in his first pre-season game.
Michy Batshuayi added a fifth for Chelsea in the closing stages. They have now won three pre-season games in a row and scored 11 goals but failed to stop their Austrian hosts getting a third in stoppage time.