With Emerson scoring Chelsea’s clinching goal against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday just seconds after he had come on as a substitute, we look at some other Blues who have made their mark after coming off the bench in recent seasons.
Loic Remy v Hull City, Mar 2015
Brought on to replace the injured Diego Costa after 75 minutes, Loic Remy found the net within two minutes with his first touch of the ball as he directed Willian’s low cross through the legs of Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor. The French striker’s effort proved crucial as it secured a 3-2 victory at the KC Stadium as we closed in on the Premier League title.
Ramires v Newcastle Utd, Sep 2015
Chelsea trailed 2-0 at St James’ Park when Ramires came on in the 73rd minute and turned things around for the Blues. The Brazilian cut the deficit within six minutes, firing a sensational effort into the top corner from 25 yards before creating a distraction in the Newcastle box which allowed Willian to equalise from a free-kick. He could even have notched a winner in the dying minutes but saw his header superbly saved by Tim Krul.
Cesc Fabregas v Arsenal, Feb 2017
Cesc Fabregas may once have been revered by Arsenal fans but when a wayward clearance by former Blues keeper Petr Cech came to him two minute after he had come on as a substitute in our derby match against the Gunners, the Spaniard was clinical as he chipped the ball into the unguarded net from 25 yards. He may not have celebrated the goal out of respect to his former club but Blues fans clearly enjoyed the moment as we romped to a 3-1 win.
Willian v Liverpool, Nov 2017
Willian marked his Premier League debut by scoring as a substitute against Norwich in 2013 and the Brazilian netted several more goals for the Blues after coming off the bench including a crucial late equaliser against Liverpool in 2017/18. Introduced in the 82nd minute, he bulged the net three minutes later with a glorious chip from the top corner of the box which flew just past the fingertips of Simon Mignolet to rescue a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Christian Pulisic v Aston Villa, 2020
Playing our first game in three months after last season’s lockdown, Chelsea were struggling to find rhythm at Villa Park before Christian Pulisic was brought on in the 55th minute. The American would make a decisive contribution just five minutes later, stretching to turn Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross into the Villa net for the equaliser before Olivier Giroud grabbed the winner two minutes later to seal an important 2-1 win.