Lukaku Returns Chelsea To Winning Ways In 3-1 Win Over Villa

Chelsea kept pace with Manchester City in the Premier League title race and moved level on points with Liverpool after beating Aston Villa 3-1 on Boxing Day.

Villa boss Steven Gerrard was absent after testing positive for Covid-19 on Christmas Day and watched on from home as his side fell to defeat.

A tight opening 23 minutes yielded little in the way of goal-mouth action, before Mason Mount’s cross-cum-shot nearly caught Emiliano Martinez out, rattling the top of the crossbar.

Villa took the lead soon after thanks to a similar moment of fortune. Matt Targett’s cross was met by Reece James, whose looping header bamboozled Edouard Mendy and floated into the back of the net.

Chelsea were given a golden opportunity to grab an equaliser minutes later when Matty Cash foolishly brought down Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Jorginho levelled proceedings from the spot.

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A lapse in concentration from the Blues’ Italian skipper nearly gifted Villa another goal however, with Morgan Sanson intercepting a loose pass and releasing Ollie Watkins, but Mendy was quick off his line to deny him

Thomas Tuchel’s side nearly took the lead shortly after half time when Mount’s cross was headed against substitute Romelu Lukaku by Cash, but the loose ball was gratefully grabbed by Emiliano Martinez.

Lukaku nodded Chelsea ahead just before the hour mark, getting in front of Tyrone Mings to meet Hudson-Odoi’s cross and giving his side the lead.

Chelsea should have added a third through Mount after he rounded Martinez, but the England midfielder somehow dragged his shot wide of an empty net.

While Villa could barely muster a chance, the visitors created a golden one on the break with Lukaku and Mateo Kovacic linking up and freeing Hudson-Odoi, and he was denied by a smart save.

Tuchel’s men made one last chance on the break with Lukaku bulldozing his way past Matt Targett and drawing a foul from Ezri Konsa. Jorginho scored again from the penalty spot to secure the three points.

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