CHELSEA finished their pre-season tour of the US tonight with a 2-0 win over London rivals Fulham.
Mauricio Pochettino’s were in total control throughout as Thiago Silva and Christopher Nkunku scored the Blues’ only goals in the first half to win the Premier League Summer Series trophy.
- Kick-off time: 7.45pm
- Stream/TV: NOW/Sky Sports Football
- Chelsea XI: Slonina, Gusto, Thiago Silva, Humphreys, Chilwell, Enzo, Santos, Sterling, Chukwuemeka, Nkunku, Burstow
- Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Diop, De Fougerolles, Robinson, Reed, Lukic, Cairney, Wilson, Vinicius, Willian
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New owner, new manager, new era
Todd Boehly decided when he took over the club that a complete revamp of the club from top to bottom was required.
It started with the players he brought in during the January transfer window and is now still evolving in the summer.
Mauricio Pochettino is now the man tasked with moulding this squad into what it once was, winners.
There is no quick fix, this will take time and that is the one thing the club will need to give the Argentine manager, something not many have been gifted at Stamford Bridge.
Pochettino wins first Chelsea trophy
The Blues have won the Summer Series trophy.
Two goals from Thiago Silva and Christopher Nkunku seal the victory and Reece James lifts the first silverware of the Mauricio Pochettino reign.
Tougher challenges lie ahead, but this should give the squad more confidence for what lies ahead, starting with Liverpool at home in their opening Premier League fixture.
Credit: Getty Credit: Getty One more game in USA for The Blues
Chelsea will face Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday to conclude their tour of the USA.
It will offer another tough test of Pochettino’s new looking squad, although the manager will be focussed on performances against Premier League sides more.
Despite the challenge Dortmund will offer, the club have no European football to contend with this season, so their first priority will be to change that for the following season.
Chelsea win Summer Series trophy
Goals from Thiago Silva and Christopher Nkunku seal victory for Mauricio Pochettino’s side against Fulham.
They go on to win their first silverware under the manager, which should give them confidence for the season ahead.
Of all the signings they have made of late, the two players who have stood out in this tournament are Nkunku and Jackson.
If they can take this form into the Premier League, Chelsea should see a positive improvement on last season’s campaign.
FT: Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
That’s it here in Maryland.
Chelsea get the win and secure the Summer Series trophy.
Am sure Todd Boehly will expect a lot more silverware from the manager in the years to come.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
91. We are into the two additional minutes being added here.
This has been a decent game but Pochettino will be the more pleased of the two managers.
He will know a lot more about the squad he has for this season after this tournament.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
89. Jackson has seemed lively up top in this second half.
The striker seems to have plenty of running in him and he is happy to hit the channels.
He has not had much in terms of decent chances in front of goal however.
Credit: Getty Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
87. As we near the end of the game, it seems Chelsea are going to win this Summer Series trophy.
It would take two goals from Fulham to prevent that now.
Which would then result in Aston Villa winning the trophy.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
85. Pochettino will be hoping to keep Reece James fit this season.
Since he really had his breakthrough season where he was being labelled as England’s best right-back, he has really struggled with injuries.
The same could be said of Ben Chilwell too.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
83. Chelsea still seem keen to try and find another goal.
With it being a pre-season friendly, you often see sides sit back at this stage, happy to see the game out.
The advantage in making so many changes is keeping the hunger of the players who are out on the pitch.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
81. Jimenez has done well holding the ball up since coming on.
Fulham haven’t really created anything in front of goal for their new number nine.
You always feel that a new striker needs a goal or two to settle at a new club.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
79. James does well to win the ball back and clips a lovely ball over the Fulham defence out wide.
The cross is poor as it is easily cut out by Diop.
Wilson looks to come away with it but is fouled by a clumsy challenge from Gallagher.
Credit: Getty Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
77. End-to-end stuff here now.
Fulham counter and the chance opens up for De Cordova Reid at a tight angle but he makes the keeper work with a save.
As Chelsea go up the other end, the ball is laid off to Gallagher outside the box who shoots but it is all too easy for Leno.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
75. Jackson does well on the left and looks to run at Bassey.
His quick feet almost see him skip passed the player on the byline but it goes out for a goal kick.
It will be interesting to see how Jackson does in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
73. Hall does well down the left and whips a good ball into the back post.
It seems perfectly weighted for Jackson who tries to hit it on the volley but the ball comes off his shin and goes well wide.
Good chance for the striker, albeit a difficult one.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
71. It has all got a bit scrappy in the middle of the park.
Both teams are pressing and giving no time to the player in possession of the ball.
If Fulham want to get back into this game, they need to find a goal soon.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
69. Wilson does well on the right wing, beating Cucurella in a straight foot race as he glided passed him.
He gets to the byline and looks to cut it back into the box but the ball is cut out by Gilchrist.
The players stop for another drinks break.
Credit: Getty Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
67. Fulham have yet to trouble the Chelsea goal in this half.
It will be a worry for Marco Silva that his side are not creating much and conceding at the other end.
That would provide them with big problems when it comes to their Premier League survival this season.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
65. Reece James takes the free kick, looking to bend the ball into the top corner.
The theory was great but the application lacking.
His effort goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
63. Hall does well skipping passed a few challenges before he is brought to ground.
Good run by the youngster.
Chance for Chelsea to put some pressure on the Fulham goal.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
61. Chelsea make some more changes.
Most notably they bring on 6’9″ keeper Bergstrom.
The Finnish keeper made his international debut recently.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
59. Chelsea are awarded a free kick for the foul on Nkunku.
Chalobah is down injured and receiving medical treatment.
This will be a worry for Mauricio Pochettino.
Credit: Getty Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
57. Some great one touch football sees Chelsea walk through the Fulham defence.
Just as they get a shot away, which is saved by Leno, the linesman raises his flag for an offside.
Fulham counter attack and Reed gets a shot off at goal but he drags it well wide.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
55. Lovely flick from Willian into the path of De Cordova-Reid.
He beats the defender and gets to the byline and looks to pick out Jimenez in the box.
Chalobah gets there first and heads it behind for a corner.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham
53. New Chelsea signing Nicolas Jackson has recently said that his idol growing up was Demba Ba.
If he can score as many as his idol did in the Premier League, the Chelsea fans will take to him quickly.
Fulham are starting to knock the ball around more, using Jimenez as a focal point to hold the ball up.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
