Thomas Tuchel’s decision not to play a recognised centre-forward against Crystal Palace was the key reason for the thumping 4-1 win at Selhurst Park, says former England striker Alan Shearer.
Kai Havertz played as the main striker, with Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount on either side in a dominant attacking display.
Chelsea bossed the game from the outset with a well-placed Havertz shot setting them on their way and Pulisic’s fierce strike making it 2-0 after 10 minutes.
Mount’s free-kick was headed in by Kurt Zouma before the break and Pulisic rammed in the fourth in the second half.
Shearer said on Match Of The Day: “It was a very clever team selection to not play Olivier Giroud or Tammy Abraham and instead play Havertz, Pulisic and Mount
“They like to drop deep, whereas the two big centre-forwards want to go up and fight and scrap against the centre-halves.
“Those three were just too good for Gary Cahill and Cheikhou Kouyate. They didn’t want to go out, they didn’t want to mark one of them because if they had they would leave space in behind and that caused them problems.
“Havertz played very well; he scored one goal, created one and should have scored a couple more. Mount was clever in everything he did as well.
“Chelsea created chance after chance. They were just too good; it was a superb performance.”
