Frank Lampard went with experience, character and personalities in his starting lineup for Chelsea’s narrow and nervy 1-0 victory against Fulham in the Premier League.
Antonio Rudiger started alongside Thiago Silva for the very first time, Olivier Giroud was included from the start and Jorginho was preferred to Billy Gilmour in midfield. Cesar Azpilicueta kept his place at right back ahead of the returning Reece James as well.
It was unlucky on the likes of Gilmour and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Timo Werner, having found his goal scoring touch against Morecambe, was dropped to the bench.
In the early going, Azpilicueta was struggling badly up against the lively Antonee Robinson and Ademola Lookman. The Spaniard when running back towards his own goal was struggling badly in particular but his selection ahead of the returning James was no real surprise.
In an attacking mode, Azpilicueta made an extra man in midfield and it looked threatening. Defensively though, he was on the ropes but was given a massive let off when Robinson was sent off for a reckless lunge on the Spaniard two minutes before half time.
Rudiger, who had replaced Kurt Zouma in the starting eleven, forced a fine stop from Alphonse Areola as he did his best Zouma impression with the Frenchman having scored four goals already this season.
But the first half was a microcosm of why Chelsea have been struggling in recent weeks. All a bit ponderous, hit and hope and they weren’t able to get the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic not really seeing enough of the ball but when they did, they didn’t do enough with it.
Despite playing against ten men, the second half was attritional from Chelsea. They were only a real threat from set pieces, with a succession of excellent deliveries from Mason Mount not taken advantage of.
Jorginho made way for Tammy Abraham after an hour of ponderous football from Lampard’s side as the manager went 4-4-2.
As it turned out, it was one of the younger brigade that got the breakthrough for Chelsea and it was no surprise that the Blues’ best player on the day, Mount, was the one who got it.
Areola didn’t deal with Chilwell’s cross effectively and palmed the ball to Mount, who lashed home from 16 yards to score for the second time in two games.
Mount is one of Lampard’s most trusted players, much to the chagrin of plenty of social media, but the England international came up clutch big time for his under-fire manager. The 22-year-old playing in a slightly deeper role was picking the home side apart and it was only a matter of time before he had a huge influence on the game.
On a day where the manager wanted to go with experience to get the result he needed, it was one of his young guns that came up in the clutch to give the Blues a much-needed three points.
There are maybe three of four players who are automatic choices on Lampard's team sheet week in, week out. Mount is at the top of that list.
