Romelu Lukaku marked the first home match of his second spell at Chelsea with two goals in a 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the English Premier League on Saturday.
They were the Belgium striker’s first goals at Chelsea’s stadium, having failed to score there in his first stint at the London club — from 2011-14 — or in visits to Stamford Bridge while playing for Everton or Manchester United.
In the 15th minute, Kovacic slithered past Villa’s midfield and released Lukaku with a ball that split the away side’s defence. The Belgian striker sent defender Axel Tuanzebe the wrong way before finding the bottom corner.
Lukaku got his second in stoppage time when Cesar Azpilicueta found the striker at the edge of the box where he unleashed a left-footed strike that gave Steer no chance.
Kovacic got his name on the scoresheet three minutes into the second half when the Croatian midfielder pounced on a poor back pass from Tyrone Mings, chipping the oncoming goalkeeper Jed Steer to double the lead.
Villa had their chances to score, especially in the first half, but Edouard Mendy had a stellar game in goal, making numerous saves to ensure he kept his third clean sheet in four matches.
Ollie Watkins nearly levelled the score when he rounded Mendy but had his shot blocked by Thiago Silva who threw his body in the way to deny a certain goal.
Mendy was kept busy as Villa pressed for a first half equaliser, with the goalkeeper making a fine double save when he first denied Mings’ stinging effort before leaping off the floor to make another diving save off Ezri Konsa.
