Is Joao Pedro ready to break Chelsea's so-called number nine curse?

Football reporter Published 35 minutes ago Joao Pedro took just 31 seconds to make a statement about how he is handling the so-called curse of the number nine shirt at Chelsea .

The Brazilian deftly lifted his shot over Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno to set his side on their way to a dramatic 3-2 win at Craven Cottage in manager Xabi Alonso's first game in charge on Monday.

It was a memorable weekend for Joao Pedro personally, having been handed the coveted number nine shirt and improved financial terms on a new contract that will run until 2034.