LONDON – Four months into the campaign and after spending $ 300 million in hires, coach Frank Lampard doesn’t seem any closer to knowing his ideal lineup.
At least he knows that there is an essential player: Mason Mount.
The English national team looked like the Chelsea member who had the most to lose after the acquisitions of Kai Harvetz, Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, who were looking to compete for the title as attack midfielders or forwards.
But Mount kept showing up on Saturday. He started for the 12th consecutive game in the Premier League – he has played 90 minutes in all those games – and scored the goal for Chelsea’s 1-0 victory at Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Lampard urgently needed this victory, and Mount got it with his goal in the 78th minute of a match in which he was the undisputed protagonist. On the other hand, many of his notorious teammates once again had a gray performance against a team that played the entire complement with 10 men, after the expulsion of the American team Antonee Robinson.
Mount’s target gave Chelsea just their second win in their last seven games. That losing streak sank Chelsea to ninth place and has raised questions about Lampard, famous as a player for this club and who is just in his third year as manager.
SOLITAIRE CELEBRATION
The players who scored goals were also under the magnifying glass this weekend. The British government asked that they avoid hugs and kisses during the celebrations, as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic and remains under severe confinement measures.
One player who adhered to the protocols was James Maddison, who scored Leicester’s first goal in a 2-0 win over Southampton. His reaction was limited to gesturing for his companions to move away from him.
Then he just clapped himself.
Harvey Barnes billed the second goal in add-on discounts at King Power Stadium.
Leicester jumped to second place, thanks to its 11th victory of the course. He placed himself between leader Manchester United and champion Liverpool, who will meet this Sunday in an expected duel at Anfield.
FIRST VICTORY
Sam Allardyce could achieve a feat if he keeps West Bromwich Albion in the Premier.
A month after taking the reins of the club, “Big Sam” obtained his first victory in the field of Wolverhampton, by 3-2.
Brazilian Matheus Pereira scored the decisive goal in the Midlands derby, converting his second penalty in the match.
West Brom remained penultimate, but came within five points of the safety zone.
“If you win two at this time of year you achieve something great, because the teams above you start to fear God … We have built a good platform for ourselves with these three points,” said Allardyce.
Burnley is that team located just above the bottom three, in 17th place, after losing 1-0 to West Ham, with a goal from Michail Antonio.
Brighton jumped one spot and moved one point ahead of Burnley with their 1-0 win over Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds. Neal Maupay scored the only goal in the 17th minute, in good team action.
–
