{"id":23072,"date":"2021-09-14T17:44:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-14T21:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23072"},"modified":"2021-09-15T09:47:20","modified_gmt":"2021-09-15T13:47:20","slug":"lukaku-puts-chelsea-in-the-driving-seat-against-zenit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23072","title":{"rendered":"Lukaku Puts Chelsea In The Driving Seat Against Zenit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Lukaku celebrates at Stamford Bridge (PA Wire\/PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Romelu Lukaku\u2019s pinpoint header rescued Chelsea\u2019s first match as Champions League holders in a 1-0 win over Zenit St Petersburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belgium hitman Lukaku bagged his third goal in two games and his fourth for Chelsea since his \u00a398million switch from Inter Milan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 28-year-old converted captain Cesar Azpilicueta\u2019s hanging far-post cross with a header of stunning accuracy, and that after shrugging aside three touch-tight Zenit defenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea labored past a resolute and regimented Zenit, for much of the match running the risk of limping to a dispiriting draw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But then Lukaku rose up, highest of all, to nod home and turn the night entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both Chelsea and Lukaku have been clear from the start: the Anderlecht product has come to west London to score goals and win matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, so very good for the talismanic striker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last season Chelsea would have drawn this match. Lukaku\u2019s prowess and presence have already delivered a major impact, with the Blues\u2019 rivals in all competitions taking ominous note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Had Artem Dzyuba slid the ball home for Zenit from mere yards out late on the tie would have harbored a very different hue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Chelsea escaped unscathed, to swipe three important points from the opening Group H encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A belated Uefa individual awards presentation ceremony before kick-off whipped up a victory parade atmosphere in west London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomas Tuchel received his Uefa manager of the year gong for last term, with Edouard Mendy presented his trophy for goalkeeper of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jorginho finally got his hands on his player of the season silverware too, as the Blues paid reverence to last term\u2019s Champions League triumph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uefa figurehead Aleksander Ceferin was on hand to dole out the pre-match prizes, and an entirely underwhelming first-half proved a true case of after the president\u2019s show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea could not convert their general comfort into genuine openings, leaving Stamford Bridge to a man frustrated at the interval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try as they might the Blues could not carve open Zenit\u2019s regimented defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visitors ultimately had the most credible half-chance before the break despite minimal possession. Reece James lifted the ball off Claudinho\u2019s toe, however, to ease the danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hakim Ziyech struck Chelsea\u2019s first shot on target shortly after half-time, but it took a mammoth run from Toni Rudiger to lift the crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Germany defender cantered 70 yards into the Zenit box, before lashing a shot wildly wide. Once the gritty centre-back had found that position, he should truly have hit the target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the resolve to run all but the length of the field proved enough to get the home faithful on their feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mateo Kovacic threaded a lovely ball to Ziyech but the Morocco forward could not pick out anyone in the center of the box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

James then tiptoed around the back of Zenit\u2019s defense but could not test Stanislav Kritsyuk in the visitors\u2019 goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Chelsea pressed and lost an edge of control, Sardar Azmoun almost sneaked through on goal \u2013 with Rudiger required to blast away to safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just as Chelsea\u2019s nerves started to twitch for a breakthrough though, up popped Lukaku with a fine headed finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Azpilicueta\u2019s hanging far-post cross begged to be turned home but still required an inch-perfect contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not even the posse of three Zenit defenders swarming him could deny Lukaku however, with the talisman striker nodding the ball out of everyone\u2019s reach and into the net.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Replacement forward Dzyuba should have found the net when sliding in towards a low center that left him in a heap with Mendy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His miss proved the closest Zenit could come to opening up the Blues, with the hosts negotiating the final stages to seal the win.<\/p>\n

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