After Mason Mount's goal was cancelled out by Jarrad Branthwaite, a Covid-hit Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw against Everton at Stamford Bridge this evening.
Omicron's Influence
In recent days, the rapid rise in positive Covid-19 cases has wreaked havoc across the Premier League. Several games have been rescheduled, and squads have been thinned out. Chelsea are no exception.
Four members of the Blues first-team squad tested positive in the build-up to the game, according to football.london this morning. Ben Chilwell, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Timo Werner, and Romelu Lukaku were confirmed by Tuchel prior to kick-off. A PCR test is also awaiting Kai Havertz's results.
Tuchel was forced to reshuffle due to the absences. Chelsea's attack was led by Christian Pulisic, who was backed up by Mason Mount and Hakim Ziyech. The only attacking player was Ross Barkley.
Mason Mount lauds Thomas Tuchel's leadership.
Chelsea were unaffected in terms of chance creation. They dominated the first period but failed to capitalize on the opportunities that were presented to them. In the second period, it was a similar story.
Those of a Chelsea persuasion will be relieved to learn that the Blues were able to unlock the door.
It was simply a token of appreciation for those who came. Many fans, understandably, chose to avoid Stamford Bridge; each stand had large sections of empty seats.
Chelsea's next home game is against Brighton on December 29. It's difficult to say what state Premier League football – and the UK as a whole – is in at that point.
Mount reaches an important milestone.
Mason Mount admitted over the summer that he wanted to score ten goals this season. He's well on his way to accomplishing that goal.
The England international's goal against Everton this evening was his fourth in the Premier League in the last four games. He is the club's youngest player to achieve this feat.
Mount's seventh goal of the season was also his seventh of the season. That was his total for the entire 2020/21 Premier League season, and he is on his way to breaking into double figures for the first time.
And, as explained here, this would ensure that he follows in the footsteps of former Blue Frank Lampard.
Barkley's wounds haven't healed yet.
Ross Barkley was a lifelong Everton supporter who fantasized about playing for the Toffees. And unlike the majority of us, he got to live out that desire.
The midfielder made 179 appearances for Everton over eight seasons, but his desire to win silverware led him to join Chelsea in January 2018 for a bargain £15 million fee due to the fact that he only had six months left on his deal.
Tuchel's rage at Barkley is palpable.
Tuchel had little cause for concern during the first half, given the fluidity of Chelsea's attacking play.
Everton's defense was repeatedly breached by the Blues, and only poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping from Jordan Pickford kept the game goalless.
Tuchel, uncharacteristically, sat in the dugout for the majority of the first 45 minutes, only rising to applaud a member of his team.
Tuchel, on the other hand, showed frustration on the touchline shortly before the halftime break. Who was the one who started it all? Loftus-Cheek.
The midfielder had a good game, and he was mostly positive in possession.
Instead, the midfielder irritated Tuchel; on one occasion, he failed to advance the ball, prompting Tuchel to yell Barkley's name across the pitch in frustration before turning to his coaching staff and muttering a few choice German words.
Tuchel, on the other hand, lost his cool when he chose to turn away from goal and pass the ball to Jorginho. In frustration with his midfielder, Chelsea's head coach hopped in a circle and screamed into the night sky.
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Chelsea were unaffected in terms of chance creation. They dominated the first period but failed to capitalize on the opportunities that were presented to them. In the second period, it was a similar story. 
