Edouard Mendy has told Chelsea to “keep going” after his stand-out performance in Russia in a 4-0 win at Krasnodar in the Champions League, with fans serenading the new signing on Twitter after he made several excellent saves.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, who became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he joined the Blues, had produced a series of errors in the weeks leading up to Mendy signing from Rennes on a five-year deal last month.
The relatively unknown stopper was hailed by his new boss, Frank Lampard, for “showing his quality” in the 0-0 draw against Sevilla that opened the club’s account for the season in Europe and ended a dismal defensive run.
Senegal star Mendy impressed even more at Krasnodar as he kept a fourth successive clean sheet, starting when he thwarted Daniil Utkin’s fierce low strike with his fingertips to prevent the Premier League side from enduring a nightmare start to a match that they eventually won 4-0.
finally a chelsea keeper that can really save ?
Genuinely can someone remind me the last time a Chelsea keeper had a MOTM performance tears in my eyes ffs ??❤️
Lampard says he hopes the manner of the victory made Abramovich happy. He didn’t get a chance to talk to the #CFC owner though.
Out-of-form Kepa is conspicuous by his appearance in Chelsea’s recent run of results. In the one game he played instead of Mendy in October, Chelsea’s well-documented issues at the back returned as they drew 3-3 at Southampton.
“I’m very happy,” said Lampard, discussing a performance that improved as the game developed.
“It was a difficult match. I think in the first half we were the better team and then in the second half we had to take some pressure in the early stages, for 15 minutes.
“But I liked a lot of things about the way we played.”
His impressive new keeper said: “It is certainly nice to have a fourth clean sheet in a row.
Don Roman Abramovich in the house. We’re blessed tonight ? pic.twitter.com/JQOYYpTWon
Edouard Mendy has been the real difference maker for Chelsea so far! So many times last season, we’d be dominating games & still would end-up 1-0, 2-0 down cause of the inconsistent goalkeeping performances! Keeping the scoreline 0-0 thanks to that brilliant save ?? pic.twitter.com/vZV6qJcGZq
Eduardo mendy will be the first African goal keeper to win the premier league title. Mark this tweet. #EPL#CFC
“It is not just me, but also my teammates who made sure we haven’t conceded. Anyway, that’s a good record – we just need to keep going.”
After Jorginho missed his second penalty of the season by hitting the post, home goalkeeper Matvei Safonov suffered a howler by allowing midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi’s strike from inside the penalty area to slip beyond him for the first-half opener.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was spotted in the stands alongside Krasnodar counterpart and fellow oligarch Sergey Galitsky, and the Russian businessman’s nerves would have jangled at the start of the second half.
Yury Gazinsky met a corner shortly after the break by volleying a shot into the turf, bouncing up and over Mendy’s grasp and onto the crossbar before Chelsea frantically cleared the danger.
Mendy’s determination almost resulted in him poleaxing Kurt Zouma as he collided with the defender during the resulting penalty area scramble, and his heroics were rewarded as depleted Krasnodar struggled to maintain the pace late on.
Lampard says he is happy Roman Abramovich was present at the game and saw a win in his own country, and adds that he always feels the owner’s support. #KRACHE
⚽️⚽️ ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ⚽️⚽️#KRACHEpic.twitter.com/vQ0HwQ594r
Another of Abramovich’s sizeable investments, Germany striker Timo Werner, had none of Jorginho’s troubles when presented with an opportunity from the penalty spot, smashing his emphatic spot kick beyond Safonov.
Hakim Ziyech then completed a slick team move with a finish into the far corner of the net from inside the penalty area on the left, beating a crowd of defenders with a precise shot.
Substitute Christian Pulisic added the fourth from close range late on to leave under-pressure Lampard and expectant boss Abramovich pleased with the first away match of a Champions League campaign that they are expecting to extend into the later stages.
Lampard spoke of his satisfaction after the victory but admitted that he had not chatted to Abramovich in person.
Fans were in no doubt who the star of the show was. “Finally, a Chelsea keeper that can save,” said one impressed viewer, applauding the 28-year-old goalkeeper.
“Genuinely, can somebody remind me of the last time a Chelsea goalkeeper won match of the match? Tears in my eyes,” gushed another.
