Pulisic starts Chelsea's Premier League win over Aston Villa

Christian Pulisic started Chelsea's Premier League win over Aston Villa in one of the matches scheduled for Boxing Day. 

The player was pressing in the rival area and was important to attract the rival defenders and free his teammates, so they could have depth in the attack and win the duel 3-1. 

Pulisic's actions in Chelsea's Boxing Day win

The 23-year-old played the first 45 minutes of the match as a false nine, due to the orders of Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel, who was looking to open more space in the opponent's area. 

Although the striker was in a position that is not his own, he showed that he can adapt to the coach's game plan. Thus, in the 22nd minute of the match, the player's first attempt to weigh on the scoreboard was seen. 

Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kanté sent a pass into the box at ground level, where Pulisic sprinted to try to finish and open the scoring. 

However, the Aston Villa defense was well-positioned, so they intercepted the pass and prevented the USMNT star's shot. 

His next attempt was in the 31st minute when he provided an assist to Callum Hudson-Odoi who attempted a right-footed shot from the center of the box, which was denied by the goalkeeper. 

Later in the 79th minute, Pulisic was fouled on the right flank, which prevented him from getting into position to support his team's attack. 

Goals from Chelsea's win over Aston Villa

Chelsea's victory came courtesy of two penalty kicks and the return of Romelu Lukaku in all his glory, who upon entering the field changed his team's system. 

The first goal of the game came from an own goal Reece James to make it 1-0.

Reece James, who tried to deflect a cross from Aston Villa's Matt Target, threw his goalkeeper, Mendy, off his line. 

With this goal, the Villains took a 1-0 lead, and the score would remain that way until the 34th minute when a penalty was awarded in favor of Chelsea. 

Jorginho was in charge of taking the penalty, and he safely shot a formidable shot to tie the score 1-1 and give his team some calm. 

After halftime, Romelu Lukaku came on the pitch, a beast, and changed Chelsea's system, scoring in the 56th minute with a powerful header in the opponent's goal. 

The last goal of the match was also possible by Lukaku, who entered the rival area like a bull, so the Aston Villa defense had to foul him to avoid a shot on goal, causing Chelsea to take another penalty. 

The penalty was taken again by Jorginho, who in the 93rd minute would shoot into the opponent's goal, to close the scoreboard of the match with a resounding 3-1. 

At the end with the actions of Lukaku and Pulisic luring opposing defenders into marking him and giving his teammates more freedom, Chelsea got a very important result. 

Thanks to today's victory, Tuchel's team drew level in the overall standings with Liverpool on 41 points, which they will look to increase in their next duel against Brighton next Wednesday, December 29. 

What is Boxing Day?

It is a commemoration of the first-ever match between two teams and the celebration of one of the oldest traditions in sport.

Although the origin of the term dates back to the Middle Ages, when the nobles gave a box to their employees as a token of their gratitude, for soccer the reason for the celebration is a match played in 1860 between Sheffield Football Club and Hallam Football Club.