Captain America to the rescue! Christian Pulisic has certainly had an up and down season at Chelsea FC in 2021-22, but he has scored some massive goals here. Not just this season, but overall during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Today was certainly one of those times, as he came off the bench to score the match’s only goal, in the 90′ to give his Blues a home win over West Ham United in a massive London derby. Take a look:
Clutch finish from @cpulisic_10 to give @ChelseaFC the late winner!
? @NBCSportsSoccer pic.twitter.com/9PGoupUiee
— USMNT: Qualified. (@USMNT) April 24, 2022
Pulisic slotted home a brilliant cross sent in by the almost always in form Mason Mount, and Chelsea finally got the lead they deserved due to their overall dominance. Chelsea left it late to get the three points, but it was a match in which they dominated possession, shots and shots on target.
By the time Pulisic achieved the scoring strike, the Hammers were down to just 10 men, due to a Craig Dawson red card.
Perhaps the most relieved out of anyone here, with the Pulisic goal, was Jorginho, as the Chelsea midfielder had just missed a penalty attempt.
The loss was definitely a set back to the Hammers’ Europa League hopes. Not a “hammer blow” by any means, but still tough. The team West Ham is chasing for sixth, Manchester United, is Chelsea’s next opponent, on Thursday night.
It was also the team Pulisic supported as a boy.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Bank (TheSportsBank.Net) and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.