Barella headed home firmly at the back post in the 51st minute, rising unchallenged to get on the end of a superb cross from centre back Alessandro Bastoni, who was storming up the left side and delivered a pin-point ball.
Browsing: Romelu Lukaku
Head coach Roberto Martinez had warned that Lukaku had to prove his fitness for the group stage if he was to be named in the squad.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Edin Dzeko (two) and Romelu Lukaku scored the goals for Coach Simone Inzaghi’s side.
The Belgian striker endured an inconsistent campaign at Stamford Bridge following his £97.5m move from Inter last summer.
When Romelu Lukaku scored twice in the space of two minutes in the second half, it looked like Thomas Tuchel’s team had the match in the bag.
Chelsea’s record-signing, 28, cost the Blues a cool £97.5m at the start of the season but the Belgian has flattered to deceive on his return
Pulisic was the hero, slotting in from Marcos Alonso’s cross to get Chelsea back to winning ways in front of their own fans
The ex-Inter Milan forward has struggled for consistent performances since returning to Stamford Bridge in a £97.5 million deal, registering 10 goals in 28 appearances in all competitions this season.
Kai Havertz – starting upfront in place of benched Romelu Lukaku – gave Chelsea an early lead within the first 10 minutes.
Romelu Lukaku gave the European champions the lead shortly after the break in Abu Dhabi, before Raphael Veiga got their Brazilian opponents back on level terms from the penalty spot.
The Blues forked out a whopping £97.5 million to bring the 28-year-old back to the club from Inter Milan last summer.
A report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Serie A giants said Napoli will be demanding €80 million if they are forced to part ways with Osimhen.
It was a semi-final first leg match which ended as a chastening return to Stamford Bridge for Antonio Conte.
Reece James’ own goal put Villa ahead, but Jorginho quickly levelled from the penalty spot in a clash between two of the many English sides hit by cases of coronavirus.
Despite not having the likes of Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku at his disposal, head coach Thomas Tuchel found the right solutions as the leaders extended their lead at the top of the table.
Jorginho converted two penalties, while Andreas Christensen and Kai Havertz laid on classy finishes – but Chelsea’s new injuries still grabbed the greatest attention.
Chelsea’s Jorginho is the third favourite to land the accolade according to the bookies, after winning the Champions League, as well at Euro 2020 with Italy.
Belgium hitman Lukaku bagged his third goal in two games and his fourth for Chelsea since his €114 million switch from Inter Milan.
The Egypt international reached the landmark in his 162nd top-flight match, making him the fifth-fastest man to reach his century.
The Belgian, who returned to the Blues from Inter Milan at the beginning of the season, was booked in his nation’s 3-0 victory over Czech Republic in a World Cup Qualifying clash on Sunday, ruling him out of the upcoming game with Belarus.