Christian Pulisic was delighted to play the role of Chelsea’s ‘difference maker’ as he proved why he should be starting more often in Sunday’s late win at West Ham.
The American international came off the bench to net a dramatic 90th-minute winner in a Premier League London derby at Stamford Bridge, sparing Jorginho’s blushes after his team-mate had seen a dreadful penalty easily saved by Lukasz Fabianski shortly before.
The much-needed victory saw Chelsea cement their grip on third place in the top-flight and end a damaging run of three successive home defeats across all competitions.
The Blues - whom manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed will lose key defender Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer this summer - face a trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford next before a busy run-in that includes matches against Frank Lampard’s Everton, Wolves, Leeds, Leicester and Watford as well as the FA Cup Final showdown with Liverpool at Wembley on May 14.
Pulisic will hope his last-gasp heroics against West Ham can earn him more regular opportunities during a stop-start campaign after starting none of Chelsea’s last six matches.
“It was a massive goal. We had so much pressure on them for most of the game but we couldn’t get that breakthrough, so I am happy I was able to help out,” Pulisic said, per Chelsea’s official website.
“I always want to be on the pitch, to help my team and I am glad I got the opportunity today. We played a good match and we got our deserved goal in the end.
“I needed to come in and make a difference, prove I want to be playing and I am happy I did that.”
