For the first time in 100 days and 1000 minutes of football; Timo Werner has scored a Premier League goal.
He even had to wait for a video assistant referee’s decision before being allowed to celebrate properly; which he did with a relieved smile.
Werner’s last league goal before yesterday came back on November 7 against Sheffield United, and he had taken a further 31 shots; before he smashed the ball in at the back post from a corner six minutes before half-time here.
Werner even had an assist under his belt; his run down the left leaving Emil Krafth for dead; before his driven cross was turned into Giroud’s path by Karl Darlow.
Though it will not go down as a direct assist; it was yet again proof of the all-round abilities he possesses; having already set up nine goals this term when the seven penalties he has won are taken into account.
Moreover, Chelsea was dominant throughout, taking their cue from Mateo Kovacic’s urgent passing from central midfield. There was an intensity to their play and intelligence to their coordinated patterns in the attack.
The Blues have now picked up 13 points from a possible 15 under the new leadership, winning four successive league matches in a row for the first time since November 2019.
Tuchel described it as “the perfect evening” but admitted Abraham’s injury was “serious enough he had to go out and we worry about him”.
Monday capped another encouraging display, Tuchel’s Chelsea now find themselves back in the top four and with Champions League qualification very much in their own hands.