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Chelsea's Christian Pulisic confident 'scoring touch' will return

Chelsea midfielder Christian Pulisic said he is looking for his "scoring touch" but is confident it will come back as he fights for more playing time with the Blues.

The United States international didn't get on the scoreboard as a 64th minute substitute in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday but was involved in the buildup to Marco Alonso's 74th-minute winner.

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Pulisic's surging run into the box drew several Newcastle defenders to him, his low centering feed found Callum Hudson-Odoi, who set up Alonso's low strike.

Pulisic nearly scored himself later but instead fed it to Tammy Abraham, only for the forward's shot to be deflected out by Newcastle defender and fellow U.S. international DeAndre Yedlin.

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"It was a really good game, happy for the team, had a strong performance, they defended really well, and I was happy to make an impact," Pulisic told ESPN after the match.

It was a solid performance for Pulisic, who is still searching for his first goal with Chelsea since his $73 million summer move from Borussia Dortmund. He scored 13 goals during his three-year stint with the German club, along with 14 goals on international duty.

"I was going to shoot last-second, but I saw Tammy wide open and then DeAndre made an unbelievable block, so maybe I should have shot it," Pulisic told ESPN on the scoring chance. "I just don't have that scoring touch but I know it will come back."

Pulisic had a forgettable international break with the U.S., who beat Cuba in CONCACAF Nations League action but then suffered a shock loss to Canada in Toronto. In the latter match, Pulisic was visibly frustrated after being subbed off early by U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard praised Pulisic's performance against Newcastle, saying "there is a lot more to come" from the 21-year-old.

"I am really pleased for him. He is a hot topic because of his national team. Everyone has got carried away with the short term but in the long term there is a lot more to come. I am delighted for him. He will feel good about that and he should do," Lampard told reporters after Sunday's game.

An outlook that Pulisic echoed.

"[Lampard] told me to do exactly what I'm doing now, continue to train hard, when i get my opportunity I have to take it," Pulisic said.

Chelsea remain in fourth place in the Premier League standings with their third straight league win. They next play Ajax in Champions League action next week.

ESPN's Jeff Carlisle and Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal contributed to this report. 

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