When a striker is low on confidence and their dry spell is prolonged to the extent that the scrutiny and criticism becomes unavoidable, it doesn't really matter how the next goal goes in.
For Romelu Lukaku a first in seven arrived via the most kind of favours from an opposition defender last night but, as Chelsea turn their attention to Saturday’s opportunity to be crowned world champions for the first time, there is fresh optimism that perhaps this can light the touch paper.
As Zsolt Low, the assistant coach who has stepped up for media duties in Thomas Tuchel’s absence, said: maybe Lukaku just needed a bit of luck. It was still possible to pick holes in his performance against Al Hilal, particularly before scoring. The chemistry with Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz remains imperfect, his movement out of kilter with what they often had in mind when supplying the ball.
