Michael Owen says Romelu Lukaku’s spurned opportunity against Manchester City was down to a ‘very good save’ from Ederson rather than it being a ‘big miss’ from the Chelsea striker.
Thomas Tuchel’s side fell to a 1-0 defeat away at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as City extended their lead at the top of the table to 13 points.
Kevin De Bruyne’s strike past Kepa Arrizabalaga in the second half secured all three points for the hosts as Chelsea struggled to threaten their opponents.
The Blues were restricted to just one shot on target – Lukaku’s golden opportunity to put his side ahead shortly after half-time.
With the scores level at 0-0 in the 46th minute, Mateo Kovacic played a fine through ball to put the Belgium international through on goal, but he couldn’t squeeze the ball past an onrushing Ederson.
However, former England and Liverpool striker Owen thinks Lukaku did ‘everything right’ and credited City’s keeper for a top save.
‘So early in the second half. It was a perfect run, perfect ball, Owen told Premier League Productions.
‘I actually thought when he’s running through he’s quite far out, I thought he was going to take a touch. But the goalkeeper makes his mind up for him.
‘He runs out, stops on the edge of the box. You always know a goalkeeper most of the time isn’t going to come out of the box because he’s going to risk a handball. He runs as far as he can towards the box.
‘I thought he [Lukaku] did everything right. I thought he had two options – open his body out and curl it into the far corner like he tried or give him the eyes and whip it into the near post.
‘But Ederson made a fantastic save. I’d probably side with saying it was a very good save as opposed to a big miss.’
Chelsea boss Tuchel criticised Lukaku after…
Source : metro
