CHRISTIAN PULISIC SETTLED top four nerves as his late goal sealed a dramatic 1-0 win against West Ham.
Thomas Tuchel’s side looked set to endure more angst on home turf when Jorginho’s penalty was saved by Lukasz Fabianski in the final minutes.
But Pulisic came off the bench to inspire third placed Chelsea, lifting them seven points clear of fifth placed Tottenham in the fight to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top four finish.
A 4-2 defeat against Arsenal on Wednesday condemned Chelsea to three successive losses at the Bridge for the first time since 1993.
Tuchel admitted he had “no solution” for the “fragile” Chelsea defending that saw them concede 11 goals in their last three home games.
Concerned about Chelsea’s ability to hold onto their top four berth, Tuchel made three changes from the Arsenal game as Thiago Silva replaced Malang Sarr in that creaky defence.
Silva helped solidify Chelsea’s rearguard and Pulisic’s last-gasp strike should ensure they hold onto a top four place.
West Ham boss David Moyes left Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio on the bench as he prioritised the club’s first European semi-final since 1976, against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League on Thursday.
Referencing the swathes of empty seats around the Bridge due to ticket restrictions imposed as part of the sanctions on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, West Ham fans chanted “just like the old days, there’s nobody here”.
Following a tepid first half, Chelsea were more dynamic after the break.
Fabianski clutched N’Golo Kante’s deflected effort and the West Ham keeper plunged to his left to turn away Trevoh Chalobah’s long-range rocket.
Timo Werner twice went close as he fired into the side-netting, then stretched to poke his shot straight at Fabianski.
In the 87th minute, Silva flicked a header towards Romelu Lukaku, prompting Craig Dawson to concede a penalty with a pull on the substitute.
Dawson was initially booked before being sent off after a VAR check, but West Ham avoided further punishment as Jorginho’s weak spot-kick was easily saved by Fabianski.
But Pulisic sparred Jorginho’s blushes in the 90th minute as the United States forward met Marcos Alonso’s cross with a clinical low finish from 10 yards.
Will you ever just retire Gerrard you’re useless. You will never get you’re hands on the Premier League Trophy
Nice to see a man utd fan so passionate about liverpool. Useless is not a word you can use in relation to Gerrard. Perhaps not the best midfielder in the world but he’s solid and passionate and still has a lot to give.
Don’t be so blinkered by your hatred of Liverpool to not see that he’s a good player.
I know Giggs is a good player despite the fact that he’s a horrible person and I despise Man Utd. If you’re gonna comment at least make sense. Oh and it’s ‘your’, not ‘you’re’.
He’s better than you John Deane.
ooh that was a good comeback william, ha ha ha
all do Steve was once a half desent player he’s past what I’d call his best years, time to step aside and let the younger up and coming player’s get a game your only holding Liverpool back
I disagree, hes about the only player able to drag them by the neck out of the current mess.
For once I have to agree with you, Christ I need a lie down! ;)
With the utmost respect but that is a load of auld bollix
Whats bollix Alan? That Gerrard isnt capable of lifting Liverpool out of the current poor run? I think he is & I think he’ll do it against Everton. Perfect game for him to do it in & the perfect game for LFC to get a win, raise the confidence & try push on a bit.
Thats right Stevie, current form is NOT good enough for a club like LFC.