Chelsea: Following every touch in Petr Cech’s goalkeeping return
3. Second half
Chelsea was eventually able to get a foothold in the game by halftime with more possession and better link-up play, but this unfortunately did not materialise into chances as neither keeper is troubled in the last ten minutes of the first half. Overall, not the forty-five minutes either Andy Myers or Cech would have hoped for, and big improvements will be needed in the second half.
45′: Chelsea gets the second half underway. Two changes for the Blues at half time with Myles Peart-Harris and hot prospect Jude Soonsup-Bell the players to come on.
51′: Cech calmly picks up a through-ball. His first touch of the half concludes with him rolling it out to Colwill.
52′: A skewered cross from the left is easily saved and held. Cech kicks the ball up to the halfway line, but it is intercepted by a white shirt.
59′: Cech is again aware of a stray through-ball; he takes a moment before once again deciding to roll it out through the middle.
60′: CHELSEA 1-2 TOTTENHAM. Chelsea is back in the game. Peart-Harris confidently puts away a penalty after George Nunn was fouled. Both Chelsea and Cech are looking far more confident in the second half, and the game in general now has more pace and intensity.
62′: The ball is passed back from the halfway line to Cech. Under a bit of pressure from a Spurs forward, he passes the ball, which switches the play to the right. This doesn’t lead to anything and the ball comes back quickly to the Chelsea keeper as the Blues are quickly closed down. He sends the ball back out to the left where Drinkwater picks it up. CHELSEA 2-2 TOTTENHAM. Superb equaliser from Chelsea. Despite Spurs calling for a handball against Drinkwater in the build-up, winger Marcel Lewis puts the ball away after it’s laid onto him from an excellent run down the right flank from Valentino Livramento. The whole move started with Cech’s pass to Drinkwater.
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67′: Cech has not been called on to make a save in this half, but is able to show his experience as his scream of ‘Keeper!’ rings around Kingsmeadow while claiming a hoofed ball into the Chelsea box.
69′: A Chelsea goal kick is easily intercepted at the halfway line. The legend’s distribution has certainly been rusty when sending the ball long tonight.
73′: Cech looks to be a calm head as the game descends into chaos. After a couple of rash challenges between Drinkwater and Tottenham’s Alfie Devine. A melee ensues with Cech trying to calm down players from both sides. With things having finally calmed down, Drinkwater and Devine are both shown straight red cards—it’s now 10v10 for the last 15 minutes.
80′: Cech picks up another loose ball and rolls it short after the Chelsea defence let it come to him. His experience and communication have clearly been on show in this second 45.
87′: CHELSEA 3-2 TOTTENHAM. Chelsea takes the lead with an excellent finish from Peart-Harris for his second goal of the night, after having come on at the break. The Blues have fully taken control of the game and deserve their lead.
90+1′: Tottenham has a free kick and it is fascinating to hear Cech reference each player by their first name as he organizes his wall.
90+4′: A skewered Tottenham cross goes straight at the Chelsea keeper. He comfortably catches it with both hands before hurling the ball out to start an attack down the right.
90+5′: The Tottenham press—which has been far less intense and impactful this half—makes Chelsea send the ball back to Cech. He sends it up to the opposition half and it’s headed by an unchallenged Tottenham head. Soonsup-Bell picks up the second ball and earns Chelsea a free kick after being fouled.
After six minutes of extra time, the game comes to a close. Great celebrations at the final whistle to round off a top class second half performance from the whole team, and an eventful game for Cech to return in. Although he had less to do in the second 45, it was clear to see how he was able to influence the team with his experience and organize the defence. Furthermore, he helped to build attacks from the back with his short distribution. As he fist bumps opposing players with the ball under his arm, he should feel pleased with his efforts in his first competitive game back.
The story of how one of the best goalkeepers of his generation has come out of retirement is a fascinatingly convoluted tale, befitting of the juggling act all clubs are having to do in some form or another this time. But with a full 90 minutes of competitive football under his belt, it feels like there could still be more twists in the tale of Cech.
Next. Chelsea: Three things to look for in clash against West Ham. dark
To see Cech’s return for yourself, click here to view the match in full.