Lukaku score his first heading goal against Zenit Saint Petersburg on Champion league
Lukaku's first heading goal on Chelsea during champions league.
 |
| Lukaku first heading goal against Zenit Saint Petersburg on Champion league. |
Chelsea were made to work hard as Zenit Saint Petersburg dug in but manager Thomas Tuchel's side stepped up the pace after the interval, Lukaku breaking the deadlock when he headed in at the far post from Cesar Azpilicueta's cross in the 69th minute.
The holders deserved the victory but Zenit missed a glorious chance to snatch a point when substituted Artem Dzyuba slid wide from six yards as he tried to turn in Sardar Azmoun's cross late on.
CHELSEA WAS BROUGHT OUT WITH ONE GOAL WINNING AGAINST ZENIT SAINT PETERSBURG.
Chelsea made to work for win
Chelsea's victory was not a surprise given their status as Champions League holders and their impressive start to the season but this showed they are more than willing to do the dirty work to get the job done when required.
And it was Lukaku, the talisman, who showed once again what a difference he will make to Chelsea by providing the cutting edge they often lacked last season, even though they won Europe's elite competition in Porto.
Lukaku's chances were limited as Zenit defended well and with real resilience but he pounced on the first opportunity he was given to score with a towering header.
Chelsea struggled to make any impression in the first half but it was clear Tuchel had ordered his players to move through the gears and they were much more forceful after the break.
If Lukaku is the main man in attack, it was defender Antonio Rudiger who set the tone at both ends to lift the Chelsea fans inside Stamford Bridge.
Rudiger lifted the noise levels with a surging run from inside his own half just after the re-start which ended with a shot that flashed just wide. He then made a vital challenge at the other end as Zenit's Iranian forward Azmoun threatened to give the visitors a shock lead, celebrating his interception with a fist pump to the crowd who appreciate the German's uncompromising Movement .
 |
| Lukaku gives out a celebration of his first heading goal. |
The performance from Romelu was not easy,” Tuchel said. “We didn’t create many chances for him but he’s the type of guy who doesn’t lose confidence. That is why he is a world-class striker. It gives the team a lot of belief that one chance, or a half-chance, might be enough. It’s more than talent he brings. He brings belief.”
It was Tuchel’s first night game under the Stamford Bridge lights in front of fans and the first time the stadium had been packed for a European fixture since February of last year. It was amazing to be scoring in any match as he have much confidence to approach Tunchel that he can make more
