Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has insisted that the Blues are now the ‘hunters’ in the Premier League title race, staying within six points of leaders Manchester City as a result of Boxing Day’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa on the road.
It ended a run of two consecutive games without a win for Chelsea and was only a second Premier League win in the last five games, which had served to open a gap at the top of the table. But with Lukaku now back firing, he is hopeful this can be the start of a good run to chase down City.
The Belgian played the whole second half against Villa on his return from Covid-19 isolation and scored what proved to be the decisive goal. It was his first for Chelsea in any competition since September after somewhat losing his way following a £97.5m transfer from Inter.
“I think I needed a performance like this. The manager has his reasons but I kept working hard,” Lukaku reflected after the match, via football.london. “It’s a good win and personally for me I’m happy. Balls from crosses and the movement in the box - I try to be less static.
“I think we are the hunters now. It’s clear the last results for us weren’t great. Now we chase. We have to treat every game like a final. Today we had to do a job and win the game.”
Chelsea are next in action at home to Brighton on 29 December. Liverpool will have faced Leicester the day before, while City are in action the same night against Brentford. The games keep coming as Chelsea then host Liverpool in a huge clash at Stamford Bridge on 2 January.
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Source : 90min