EPL: Chelsea wins Premier League Summer Series after defeating Fulham
Chelsea have been crowned winners of the inaugural Premier League Summer Series following a 2-0 victory over Fulham.
The Blues won two of their three games in the pre-season tournament to proceed to the finals of the competition.
After a rather timid, very pre-season, opening 20 minutes, Chelsea broke the deadlock through veteran Thiago Silva. The defender rose highest at the near post from a corner kick to cannon a header past Bernd Leno and into the back of the net.
Chelsea would finally get their well-deserved second five minutes later through Christopher Nkunku. The forward reacted quickest to tap home the ball after Carney Chukwuemeka forced Leno into a smart save.
During the match, Pochettino handed surprise opportunities to several of the club’s younger crop, including goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina and forward Mason Burstow. The half-time changes largely scuppered the momentum the Blues had built in the first half, however, new signing Nicolas Jackson did cause a few problems with his dynamic running in behind.
Fulham introduced new signings Raul Jimenez and Super Eagles’ Calvin Bassey at half-time but they couldn’t inspire a comeback against Chelsea.
The result meant Chelsea finished top of the six-team tournament with seven points, followed by Aston Villa with five points ahead of Newcastle on goal difference. Brentford finished bottom after losing two matches and drawing one.
Speaking after the match, Pochettino said;
‘Always it is good to win, I am so pleased again with the performance and the work of the players from the start.
‘It is a busy time but I think we are doing a good job, the players and the staff. It has been a busy four games in a very short period of time and now we play in Chicago against Dortmund and we need to continue.
‘We keep going and prepare the team to arrive in the best condition for the Premier League.’
Chelsea’s pre-season tour isn’t over just yet. They’ll be looking to launch off the back of their Summer Series victory in their final summer match against Borussia Dortmund next week. Also taking place in the States, this fixture will be hosted at MLS ground Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.
