Ultimately, it was worth the wait.
Chelsea fans were hung up for maybe eight years to see Romelu Lukaku’s first goal for the Blues at Stamford Bridge, but when it came it was pure class.
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Romelu Lukaku has scored two goals against Aston Villa and already looks like value for moneyPhoto credit: Getty
His second goal wasn’t too shabby either.
The Belgian striker seems to be justifying his high £ 97.5million price after scoring two goals in three Premier League games to put Thomas Tuchel’s side in second place.
They are only behind Manchester United in terms of goals scored.
Lukaku’s second home debut and first appearance on the bridge in a navy jersey since August 2013 has been pretty uneventful other than his wonderful results, but he gets paid for that.
The goal came in the 15th minute when Mateo Kovacic burst from defense and ran from just outside his own penalty area to the center line before he hit Lukaku on the left edge of the box with a precise pass.
Lukaku took a touch and then pretended to shoot with his left foot.
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Villa defender Axel Tuanzebe spent every penny to buy the dummy and landed on his bum when Lukaku pulled the ball inward and buried it in the short post.
It was a breathtaking way to break your duck on your 15th appearance at Stamford Bridge.
And Lukaku must have guessed it when he announced on the eve of the game that he was recovering from a gnawing thigh injury and was ready to play – after three goals in two World Cup qualifiers during the international break.
Lukaku had a small hand on the second goal and helped return the compliment for Kovacic which put the Villa defense under pressure, leading to a mistake by Tyrone Mings who opened the door for Kovacic in the 49th minute.
The final word went to Lukaku when he struck again in added time.
He received a pass from Cesar Azpilicueta’s right flank and kicked the ball out of the box with his preferred left foot into the net.
That was more than enough to beat Villa, and Chelsea became only the second club, after Manchester United, to win 600 Premier League games.
You only had to look at the bench of the blues to see their strength in the depths, with Ben Chilwell, Mason Mount, Jorginho and Timo Werner watching from the dugout.
Not to mention N’golo Kante who is injured and Reece James who has been banned.
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“It has been my dream since I was 11. I worked hard for that moment.” 💭
Romelu Lukaku is happy about the double goal in front of his home fans at Stamford Bridge 🏟️👏 pic.twitter.com/i9ijmFFGKC
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 11, 2021
Despite being crowned European champions last season, Tuchel always felt that something was missing from his squad and he seems to have found the missing piece of the puzzle in Lukaku.
English football is in a better place as players like Lukaku are back “at home” in the Premier League.
With Cristiano Ronaldo also announcing his return earlier in the day with two goals for Manchester United, the Golden Boot race will only get better.
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Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel confirms that N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic will miss the game against Aston Villa after returning from international break injured
