The 5-3 defeat away to newly-crowned champions Liverpool was in brief danger of turning into an embarrassing rout.
But for a brief period in the game, Chelsea were within one goal of drawing level in what would have been a stunning Premier League comeback.
The performance summed up the Blues' season so far: mesmerising in attack, but brittle at the back.
The course of the match changed when boss Frank Lampard replaced the starting front three of Olivier Giroud, Willian and Mason Mount with Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tammy Abraham.
Their introduction undoubtedly changed the course of the match and put Chelsea within touching distance of a vital point that would have secured Champions League football for next season.
The pick of the bunch was Pulisic, a magical run to set up Abraham to score, followed by a composed finish from closing Liverpool defenders showed the young American's sheer class and why he has been so important for the West London club at key points in the season.
Lampard is all too aware of Pulisic's influence and spoke about him after the match.
Comparisons to Eden Hazard
The Chelsea side under Maurizio Sarri were often maligned for perceived over-reliance on talismanic winger Eden Hazard. Pulisic's run to set up Abraham had shades of famous Hazard goals at Anfield in years gone by.
Pulisic has been earmarked by many to fill the role of unlocking difficult defences with little moments of magic, but Chelsea will be keen not to just rely on one player.
Lampard said: "I was here for Eden’s first year and it is not easy coming to the Premier League, and for Eden in that first year it was adapting to the Premier League."
Fitness
Despite an obvious impact on his club's fortunes this season, the so-called 'Captain America' has struggled with injuries.
He has only featured 24 times in the league this season and with a notable nine goals and six assists, his consistency when playing has made an impression.
An abductor muscle tear kept him out from January to March and coincided with a concerning run of four matches in the league without a win.
Having already achieved over half of the goals he scored in his 127 appearances for former club Borussia Dortmund in his first season in London, his importance to the potency of the Blues' attack is quite clear.
"He is a big player for us so I’m delighted to see him come through fit," said Lampard. "Clearly he will be a big player in these next few games for us and going forward as well."
Current form and impact against Liverpool
As the Blues face Wolves this weekend hoping to for a point to secure a spot in the top four, all eyes will be on the recovering Pulisic.
"Since [the] restart he has been in incredible form. Only the injury he picked up in the Norwich game has kept him out of the semi-final when he’s flying," said the Chelsea manager.
"Against Liverpool he came on and played 40 minutes which is great for feeling confident about the injury and the qualities he has been showing."
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