3️⃣ points after super sub Michy Batshuayi wins it late on for Chelsea | OneFootball

Chelsea moved level with Ajax at the top of Group H thanks to a late Michy Batshuayi winner on Wednesday.

Here are three things we took away from the Johan Cruijff ArenA …

It’s pointless complaining about VAR

Chelsea profited from a big let off in the first half when a Quincy Promes goal was chalked off by VAR for offside.

On first viewing, Promes looked to be level with César Azpilicueta as the ball came into the box but a more forensic examination determined that the Dutchman was, in fact, just offside.

We could debate and debate until we’re blue in the face about whether Promes gained any advantage by being fractionally ahead of the defender, and whether the cameras being used by VAR are even capable of correctly determining that fraction.

But really, what’s the point?

As things stand, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a metre, a centimetre or a millimetre offside. If the camera catches you out, your goal is going to be disallowed and it’s something we’re all just going to have to live with.

This is another big feather in Chelsea’s cap

This game felt like a real acid test for Frank Lampard’s Chelsea (as we’re duty bound to call them) and it’s a test they passed with flying colours.

Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori formed a robust partnership in the centre of defence, the Blues looked well balanced in midfield and Tammy Abraham’s hold-up play up front was very good.

And despite one of the most shocking misses we’ve seen this season, substitute Batshuayi kept his head up and scored what proved to be the game’s winning goal not long later.

That was only the Belgian’s seventh appearance of the season yet he always seems to be ready when called upon, and that’s a fantastic quality to have, especially for a striker.

It’s sometimes easy to forget how inexperienced this Chelsea side is – both on the pitch and on the bench – and this was another great leap forward for them.

The future is bright.

Things are looking up for Christian Pulisic

It’s been a disappointing start to life as a Chelsea player for Pulisic and he will no doubt have been disappointed not to start this game.

When the American has featured this season, he’s rarely looked like a better option for Lampard than Callum Hudson-Odoi or Willian and his lack of game-time has been pretty easy to understand.

But all he can do now is put the past behind him and make the most of his opportunities when they come along, and that’s exactly what he did in Amsterdam.

After coming on as a substitute in the 66th minute, the 21-year-old looked very bright indeed and it was his run and clever cut-back which created the winning goal.

In fact, that’s the second time Pulisic has assisted his ex-Borussia Dortmund team-mate Batshuayi this season and it appears to be a partnership with lots of potential.

Lampard will be delighted with the result and his side’s performance, and he now has plenty to think about too.