Timo Werner said it was good to be back on the scoresheet after finding the back of the net for the first time this season in Chelsea s EFL Cup third-round triumph over Aston Villa.
Chelsea overcame Villa 4-3 on penalties at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, with Reece James netting the decisive spot-kick following a 1-1 draw.
Werner – now in the shadow of star recruit Romelu Lukaku – opened the scoring in the 54th minute – only his fifth goal of 2021, though Villa s Cameron Archer equalised 10 minutes later midweek.
After scoring his first Chelsea goal since May s Champions League fixture against Real Madrid, Germany international Werner revelled in the performance.
I feel good [hearing people sing my name]. It is good to be back on the scoresheet of course, Werner told Chelsea s Fifth Stand App.
We needed to keep winning and get into the next round of the EFL Cup and we are happy with the game.
Night, Blues!
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)
A goal opens the game, the first half, both teams were passive and struggled with all their changes. I think when we scored in the second half we were under a lot of pressure and lost control, went to 1-1 and after that we showed a good reaction. We wanted to win in 90 minutes and were lucky to win on penalties.
Werner was not involved in the shoot-out and he explained his absence.
First of all, I had pain in my calf and couldn t go out, Werner said. When you have fit players on the pitch, it is better they shoot than I do today.
Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel – whose side will face Southampton in the fourth round – added: We brought him into a situation where he can score, this is what we want, and then it s on him to score.
That s why he is here. It s the best feeling for a striker to score.
