Chelsea’s new signing and midfield general impressed in Istanbul in the Uefa Super Cup against Liverpool notwithstanding the penalty shoot-out defeat
The first all-English Uefa Super Cup final served a dual purpose for Frank Lampard. Victory, he had considered beforehand, would not only etch another trophy into Chelsea’s history but instil in his young team the confidence that they can compete at Liverpool’s level this season. There would be no trophy, only more pain for Lampard in a Super Cup final, but his team left Istanbul in the knowledge they can and will compete.
After the misery of Old Trafford on Sunday and more distant memories of defeats as a player in the Super Cup games of 2012 and 2013 Lampard was desperate to launch his Chelsea reign with European silverware. But Liverpool write their own scripts in Istanbul and there was a sense of inevitability as Tammy Abraham stepped forward to take the final spot-kick of an otherwise flawless penalty shootout. Adrián, nine days into his Liverpool career, saved with his legs and the trophy was heading for Anfield. It will help Chelsea’s morale to dwell on their performance and not the outcome. They will be justified in doing so as it could so easily have been their name written on to this trophy.
Written by Andy Hunter at Vodafone Park
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/aug/14/uefa-super-cup-chelsea-liverpool-pulisic-lampard under the title “Christian Pulisic and N’Golo Kanté provide Lampard with reasons to be cheerful | Andy Hunter”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
