There’s something about Ajax playing against London clubs that makes for can’t-miss television. Whether it’s Tottenham’s remarkable last-gasp win in the Champions League semifinals last season or Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic teeing up Michy Batshuayi late in the group stage a couple weeks ago, Ajax has provided English fans with more than a few memorable moments.
If you’re a goalie, the only thing worse than giving up an Olimpico goal is giving up a goal that deflects off of you and into the back of the net. Kepa Arrizabalaga got to experience both on this Hakim Ziyech goal vs Chelsea on Tuesday.
After a stupid foul by Chelsea in the corner in the 35th minute, Ziyech curled in a beauty over the stretched arms of Kepa. The ball struck the post before bouncing off Kepa’s nose for an embarrassing own goal, giving Ajax a 3-1 lead at halftime of their Champions League match. Technically it was an own goal, but we think Ziyech deserves credit.
Christian Pulisic finally opened his Premier League account last week with a perfect hat trick against Burnley in his seventh league appearance with Chelsea. He couldn’t wait to add to it on Saturday.
After being denied by a ridiculous save in the first half, Pulisic made no mistake in the second, netting the winner in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Watford at Vicarage Road.
An hour into Christian Pulisic’s first Premier League start since August, Chelsea fans in the away end at Turf Moor were chanting “USA! USA! USA!” That’s what happens when you become the second American to score an EPL hat trick.
Christian Pulisic hadn’t started a Premier League match since August and many stateside started to wonder why Frank Lampard hates America. Well, Lampard has seen the light shining sea to shining sea and was rewarded with a brilliant Pulisic goal vs Burnley on Saturday. The 21-year-old American added a second as Chelsea led 2-0 at halftime.
In a very defensive Champions League matchup, Chelsea handed Ajax its first loss of the season in all competitions.
Michy Batshuayi subbed in for forward Tammy Abraham in the 71st minute and he did not waste time attempting to get on the board. After receiving a tipped pass in prime position in front of the box, the Belgian sent the ball into the nosebleeds.
Fifteen minutes later, with a little help from fellow sub Christian Pulisic, he had a chance at redemption.
One can never presume to know what goes through the minds of executives at networks like NBC, Fox, ESPN and TNT who decide which matches to show on TV.
A curious reporter decided to take a week’s worth of ESPN transcripts to see just how much the Worldwide Leader talks about certain topics. The results weren’t flattering for soccer fans.
Using data pulled from closed captioning, the most commonly used word on ESPN for a week (ending 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday) was, with 58,967 uses … drum roll please … “the.” OK, no one really cares about articles and prepositions. Let’s get to the names:
On Wednesday morning, Canadian residents awoke to extensive coverage of the massive sporting news: Toronto had defeated Minnesota 4-2, the Habs lost to Tampa Bay 3-1, Winnipeg succumbed to Arizona 4-2, Calgary thumped the Flyers 3-1 and the Canucks battered the Red Wings 5-1. What’s more, Donald Trump had welcomed a heavy concentration of Canadians to the White House on Tuesday in the form of the Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues.
Trump congratulated the Blues on the stock market being way up, an agriculture deal with China and a Mike Pence trip to Turkey.
After three straight matches as an unused substitute, Christian Pulisic made his first Premier League appearance since Aug. 31 when coming on in the 80th minute of Chelsea’s 4-1 victory over Southampton on Sunday.
The bad news for Pulisic is that the players above him in the pecking order all played well: Mason Mount scored a goal; Callum Hudson-Odoi and Willian picked up assists. The good news for Pulisic is that he made the most of his 10 minutes on the pitch.