Super Eagles prospect makes Premier League debut as Chelsea and Liverpool play out thrilling draw

There was little to separate the two former champions at Stamford Bridge as they started their league campaign with a share of the spoils

Nigeria-eligible midfielder Lesley Chimuanya Ugochukwu made his debut for Chelsea in the Blues’ entertaining 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League opener.

Ugochukwu signed for Chelsea on a seven-year contract, with a club option for an additional year on the first of August, arriving from Ligue 1 side Rennes.

The 19-year-old was expected to return to France on a year-long loan deal to continue his development. Still, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino decided to keep him in London for the time being.

And the Argentine coach threw Ugochukwu in the thick of things on the stroke of regulation time, by which time 40,096 fans inside Stamford Bridge had witnessed most of the action in the thrilling encounter.

Super Eagles-eligible midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka received a yellow card for a high foot as early as the fourth minute.

And with Chelsea on the back foot, Luis Diaz gave the visitors the lead in the 18th minute off a perfect Mohamed Salah slide rule pass.

Salah found the net ten minutes later, but VAR came to Chelsea’s rescue to keep the scoreline at one-nil.

The tide turned in Chelsea’s favour in the 37th minute when new signing Axel Disasi bundled home the equaliser from close range.

The Blues thought they had the lead two minutes later when Ben Chilwell guided a finish past Liverpool keeper Alisson. But this time, it was the Reds’ turn to heave a sigh of relief as VAR ruled the effort out for offside.

Both sides lacked the cutting edge to grab the winner after the break as they settled for a share of the spoils.

Ugochukwu, nephew of former Rennes and Nigeria centre-back Onyekachi Apam, will look to force himself into the first-team plans of coach Pochettino before the team’s next match.

On matchday two, Chelsea will do battle in a city derby against West Ham at the London Stadium. West Ham drew their opening day game against AFC Bournemouth.

This post was last modified on August 14, 2023 3:29 pm

Imhons Erons

View Comments

Share
Published by
Imhons Erons

Recent Posts

Osimhen: Napoli star drops transfer hint as Man United and Chelsea prepare €75 million bid

Napoli-owned forward Victor Osimhen has sparked transfer speculation with a new comment about his future,… Read More

11 hours ago

Ghana 0-0 Nigeria: CHAN Eagles grab first-leg advantage in Accra against Black Galaxies

Nigeria forced Ghana to a goalless draw in the first leg of the qualifying playoff… Read More

11 hours ago

What Hakimi’s mother said after her son lost the CAF POTY Award to Lookman

Achraf Hakimi's mother, Saida Mouh, has revealed her son has moved on from the disappointment… Read More

11 hours ago

“I see similarities with Leicester” – Ex-Barcelona striker backs Ola Aina’s Nott’m Forest to win EPL title

Former Barcelona and England striker, Gary Lineker, has backed Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina's Nottingham… Read More

12 hours ago

Two Premier League clubs ready to meet Napoli’s €75m asking price for Victor Osimhen

Two English Premier League sides, Manchester United and Chelsea, are prepared to meet Napoli's €75m… Read More

13 hours ago

Tolu Arokodare surpasses Stephen Keshi’s mark in Belgium as Genk humble Anderlecht

Tolu Arokodare delivered a man-of-the-match performance to inspire KRC Genk to a convincing 2-0 win… Read More

13 hours ago