Chelsea dispatched Luton with ease on Friday night as a Raheem Sterling masterclass, including two goals and an assist, helped Mauricio Pochettino get his first win as Chelsea manager.
These are the five things we learned on Friday night…
Sterling Shines as a player re-born
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite last week’s defeat to West Ham at the London Stadium, the England international was the standout outperformer and it got people wondering whether Sterling was back to his best. Well, in the opening exchanges against Luton Town at Stamford Bridge, he proved he well and truly is.
Controlling the tempo in the midfield, he caused the Premier League new boys nightmares with his evasive runs inside the pitch. Then in the 16th minute, his quick feet left the Luton defenders in a twist, cutting inside as he reached the edge of the six-yard box and curling into the bottom left corner. The evening didn’t end there for the winger as he finished with another goal and an assist. His return to form will be a huge boost for Pochettino.
Luton fans crucial to their survival hopes
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter a week to warm up their vocal chords with last week’s game against Burnley postponed due to ongoing work at Kenilworth Road, Luton fans certainly didn’t disappoint with a singing performance that even Susan Boyle would be proud of. From the warmups, the sea of orange sang their hearts out, always supporting their players on the pitch and never seizing in their playful stick toward the Chelsea players and fans.
Even after going 2-0 down, the away attendance never wavered, going through their songbook over and over again until the final whistle rung around Stamford Bridge. With it being their first away day at one of the Premier League’s big boys, high spirits were expected but it became clear that if Luton are to have a chance of maintaining their Premier League status, then their fans’ incredible support will be crucial in achieving that.
Jackson shows promise but finishing still a problem
Embed from Getty ImagesA presence upfront, Nicholas Jackson caused problems for the Luton defenders all night, being a vocal point for the Chelsea attack with his hold-up play, passing, and runs through the lines. However, despite all the promise, his finishing is still something that needs work.
It was evident all night until the 74th minute when Jackson slid home a Sterling cross just inside the six-yard box into the bottom left-hand corner. It sealed the three points for Chelsea and will give a much-needed confidence boost to the 22-year-old. However, if he wants to be Mauricio Pochettino’s starting striker going forward he will need to be far more clinical and start converting the chances that went begging throughout the game. He will not always get persistent opportunities to score in a game as he did against Luton.
Pochettino implementing his style
Embed from Getty ImagesSince the very first kick of the ball against Liverpool, it’s been clear the impact Pochettino is having on this Chelsea team, playing a brand of football that has made him one of the best managers in world football. It will be a sight that pleases Blues fans too considering what was on show during Frank Lampard’s time at the club at the end of last season. However, it was Sterling’s second goal that really demonstrated the direction this Chelsea team is going in.
After picking up the ball at the edge of the area, Sterling ran into a wall of Luton defenders, but then immediately proceeded to recycle the ball into the Chelsea midfield. A quick exchange between Connor Gallagher and Moises Caicdeo then saw the ball threaded through to an overlapping Ben Chilweel whose pinpoint pass found Sterling, with the winger tucking away clinically past Thomas Kaminski. A goal of the highest standard and one Chelsea fans should start getting used to under Pochettino.
Life in Luton but lacklustre upfront
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was a Jekyll and Hide performance that Luton can build from but will also leave concerns. For much of the second half, the Hatters showed some attacking promise which kept Chelsea defenders on their toes, with some tidy exchanges in the build-up play that got them to Robert Sanchez’s box. Unfortunately for Rob Edwards, the positives end there.
Carlton Morris wasn’t a threat up top, Ross Barkley looked lost – often trying to overplay when other options were easier – and they struggled to beat their men on the wing. When they did get a crossing opportunity, it often lacked quality. Growing pains can be expected as Luton adjust to the pace and quality of the Premier League but if you can’t score goals you can’t stay up in this league.
