Premier League: Sterling sparkles as Pochettino earns first Chelsea win
Raheem Sterling sparkled with a brace and Nicolas Jackson bagged his first goal for the club as Chelsea swept aside Luton 3-0 to give Mauricio Pochettino his first Premier League win as Blues boss on Friday.
Sterling extended his impressive start to the season with a dazzling display that featured a sublime opener followed by a well-taken second and then an assist for Jackson.
The England forward’s return to form is the first sign Pochettino is starting to revitalise a team that struggled so badly last season.
Pochettino, who only took charge in July, has quickly brought the best out of Sterling after his career looked in danger of fizzling out following a lacklustre first season with Chelsea.
After drawing 1-1 with Liverpool and then losing 3-1 at West Ham, Pochettino will hope Chelsea’s first home win since March kick-starts his reign.
It is early days for the former Tottenham and Paris Saint Germain boss, who is fielding an overhauled team with a youthful look at present.
Pochettino was without nine first teamers due to injury, with skipper Reece James and summer signings Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia among the absentees.
But Sterling, one of only a handful of experienced heads in Pochettino’s line-up, led by example to ensure Chelsea didn’t endure their worst start to a season since 1998-99.
Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo was solid in his first Chelsea start since his British record £115 million from Brighton.
Caicedo had endured a nightmare debut against West Ham as he gave away a penalty and looked rusty after coming off the bench, but this was a more steady display.
While Chelsea have great expectations after spending over £350 million on new signings since the end of last seasons, promoted Luton’s more modest ambition is somehow avoiding relegation.
After 31 years outside the top-flight, this was the first of the glamour fixtures Luton dreamed of when they languished in non-league obscurity just nine years ago.
Only five years ago, Luton were playing in English football’s fourth tier and their status as the smallest club ever to play in the Premier League has made them firm favourites for relegation.
