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Chelsea: Lukaku sends message to Tuchel after Aston Villa win

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Lukaku came off the bench to score a crucial goal for Chelsea as they clinched the victory at Villa Park.

Chelsea defeated Aston Villa 3-1 on Sunday. The Blues came into the match on the back of a 0-0 draw against Wolves. However, they managed to bag the three points thanks to two Jorginho penalties and a stunning header from Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian striker returned to the Chelsea squad after spending time on the sidelines due to COVID-19. Tuchel preferred to ease him back into the team, sending him in for the second half. Ten minutes later, the former Inter striker scored his side’s second goal with an unstoppable header.

Tuchel explained his decision to omit Lukaku from the lineup in a post-match press conference.

He said (via Mirror): “Never a possibility of starting and ending a match so 90 minutes is simply impossible. He just comes back from Covid so we decided the possibility to have him at the end on the pitch,

“We decided at half-time to have a bit more threat and create more problems. I was happy he was involved.

“He was the game changer today. We took a lot of risks – 45 minutes was more than the medical department recommended. Who knows if it’s the right thing to do.”

The Chelsea striker reacted to Tuchel’s decision with a pointed message after the game.

 “I think I needed a performance like this today. The manager has his reasons but I kept working hard,” the striker said.

“It’s a good win and personally for me I’m happy. Balls from crosses and the movement in the box – I try to be less static.”

Chelsea will now prepare to face Brighton in their last game of the year on Wednesday.

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