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Romelu Lukaku scored on his return to Chelsea as they won 2-0 at Arsenal on Sunday.
Lukaku joined Chelsea from Inter Milan this summer for a record £ 97.5million and produced an impressive display on his second debut.
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Reece James clinched second place after Lukaku’s opener as Chelsea secured back-to-back wins early in the Premier League.
Asked about his performance, Lukaku told Sky Sports: “Dominant I would say. I try to improve every time I have a long way to go but today it was good to win. have to win and keep going, the Premier League is a very competitive league.
“At the end of the day you want to work hard for the team, score and create chances. I’ve worked on that and this team is very talented. They are the European champions and they want to keep building and I want to keep winning We have to keep fighting and keep delivering performances like this.
“You saw a lot of things, not only from me, but their team adapted very well and they made my life very comfortable and I was not stressed out entering the game. I just had to ‘one thing in mind, to win the game and I am delighted for the club and the fans. “
Arsenal’s disappointing start to the campaign continued as Mikel Arteta saw his side lose 2-0 in consecutive games.
Both teams had key players missing after positive COVID-19 results with £ 50million Arsenal defender Ben White unavailable and Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic also ruled out.
Arsenal started off brilliantly, but it was Chelsea who opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Lukaku passed Pablo Mari to shoot James’ cross.
It was the striker’s first goal for the club after making his Chelsea debut nine years ago.
Chelsea dominated the game from that point on and took a second after 35 minutes when James was at the end of a fluid movement to send the ball to the top corner.
Just before the break, Arsenal were denied a penalty call when Bukayo Saka collided with James while Kai Havertz headed right past a Mason Mount cross.
The hosts had the first significant chance in the second half when Saka’s deflected effort was brilliantly reversed by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Arsenal had an even better chance just before the hour mark with Rob Holding heading right at close range after a hit on Mari.
With 12 minutes to go, Lukaku came close to scoring Chelsea’s third goal, but his close-range header was brilliantly knocked over the bar by Bernd Leno.
Leno also turned down Kai Havertz late, but Chelsea took the win to put pressure on London rivals Arsenal.
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel said he was very happy with how Lukaku had settled into the squad so quickly.
“He gives our game something that we didn’t have so much like, like protecting the balls and playing very directly in front and up to the last line,” Tuchel told Sky Sports.
“You can’t start better than with a goal. He almost scored a second – it was a big save from Bernd Leno – and he contributed a few half-chances and chances. It’s a good start and we have to improve from there. “
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