Christian Pulisic has scored yet again. *Insert hyperbole here about the young American while ignoring the fact he barely played at the start of the season and up-and-down performances are all just a part of the process for young players.*
What is worrying, however, is the injury sustained as Pulisic scored on Saturday.
Pulisic scored the second in the 79th minute of Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. As he flew in for a header to nod a deflected shot into the back of the net, he careened into the left upright. Pulisic became just the fourth American (after Clint Dempsey, Roy Wegerle and Joe Max-Moore) to score in three consecutive Premier League matches.
#LigaPremierTD ¡Ahora si llegó el gol para @cpulisic_10 !
Gran remate de cabeza del estadounidense para definir el segundo del @ChelseaFC5 goles ya en sus últimos 3 partidos pic.twitter.com/Ja92ZQZ1UW
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 9, 2019
Pulisic was taken off moments after scoring for Chelsea, the goal proving to be his final touch. After the match, Blues coach Frank Lampard said Pulisic suffered a hip injury.
This is a bit of a worry for the U.S., which has a big match with Canada on Friday in Orlando it must win if the Americans want to win their group in the Concacaf Nations League.
Fortunately, Pulisic didn’t look too distraught talking with reporters after the match.
All smiles from @tammyabraham and @cpulisic_10 after the game pic.twitter.com/WAe5WGulLz
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 9, 2019
And the Pulisic injury couldn’t have been too bad given the height he got jumping in celebration after the goal.
Pulisic was lively throughout for Chelsea and could’ve had a couple more goals if not for Palace keeper Vicente Guaita.
Pulisic nearly scored the opener in the 12th minute with some superb dribbling in the box but for Guaita to rudely deny his close-range shot.
.@cpulisic_10 nearly did THAT pic.twitter.com/862kV3WgfV
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 9, 2019
In the second half, Pulisic deftly cut inside and launched a shot like a young Cristiano Ronaldo.
A @cpulisic_10 dance and a class save from @vguaita13 pic.twitter.com/rNstOqaMzt
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 9, 2019
Alas, Pulisic will have to settle with just one goal and some praise from his coach.
“I always believed he had huge talent and that he would be a great player for us,” Lampard said. “He has been first class for us. Scoring in the six-yard box is a huge thing for a young player.”
Pulisic was a part of the youngest starting lineup Chelsea has ever used and it worked, with Tammy Abraham also scoring as the Blues moved up to second place in the Prem.
Team Goal: 100% pic.twitter.com/RDx7MWd3UG
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 9, 2019
Now we just wait for more word on the Christian Pulisic injury.