LONDON (AP) — American international Christian Pulisic scored twice for Chelsea in its 4-1 win at Crystal Palace that moved the team into fourth place in the Premier League on Saturday.
Kai Havertz and Kurt Zouma also netted as Chelsea bounced back from a surprising 5-2 loss to West Bromwich Albion last weekend that threw the race for Champions League qualification wide open.
KRASNODAR, Russia (AP) — Chelsea enjoyed its first match in front of fans in nearly eight months, beating Krasnodar 4-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday to spoil the Russian club’s home debut in the competition.
Krasnodar goalkeeper Matvei Safonov let a shot from Callum Hudson-Odoi squirm through his grasp and over the line to gift Chelsea a 37th-minute lead, before Timo Werner — from the penalty spot — Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic added further goals in the second half.
DÜSSELDORF, Germany (AP) — As more players spoke out against racial discrimination and injustice, the German soccer federation said it will not punish those who protest against the killing of George Floyd.
The Bundesliga has seen several players feature messages on their clothing and make gestures since Floyd died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee for several minutes on his neck.
The group stage of the Champions League is only one round old and already Chelsea faces a match it cannot afford to lose.
Just don't expect Christian Pulisic to play in the important game against Lille on Wednesday.
The U.S. winger, who completed his move to Stamford Bridge in the offseason for $73 million, hasn't played a minute of Chelsea's last three Premier League matches and also stayed on the bench during the team's 1-0 home loss to Valencia in the Champions League two weeks ago.