Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Following a match of the week affair against Manchester City last weekend, this weekend Chelsea FC would take part in a more tame match against Aston Villa. The standout statistic from this game is that Jose Mourinho has never managed a team to victory at Villa Park, something he would desperately be chasing today. Gary Cahill would return to the starting XI in central defense, Ramires and Didier Drogba would also get starts.
The Blues would take an early lead in the game, scoring in the eighth minute. The play started when Drogba held the ball up for an oncoming Oscar. After driving at the defense, he found his fellow Brazilian Willian. Willian then played a ball for Eden Hazard, who calmly finished far post. Chelsea got just what they wanted, an early goal to put even more pressure on the opposition.
Despite being scored on, Villa showed some life by fighting back in the immediate moments following the goal. They earned themselves two corners, but couldn’t take advantage of the opportunities.
Chelsea almost doubled their lead in the 38th minute, when Hazard found a streaking Ramires, but the midfielders poor luck in front of goal continued as he wasn’t able to finish.
Chelsea would take a comfortable 1-0 lead into halftime, but Mourinho would have to instruct his team to stay focused, and go on to try to put the game away. Villa looked bright at times, and it wouldn’t be a shock if they were able to nick a goal on the counter attack. While for Chelsea, making the score 2-0 early in the second half could effectively end the game.
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Aston Villa came out firing in the second half, and were rewarded with a goal in the 48th minute. Jores Okore found himself unmarked on the far post, and was able to put his header past Thibaut Courtois, making the game 1-1, and giving some momentum to his side.
What was troubling for Chelsea fans was the performance of Courtois in goal. The usually more than reliable keeper looked lost at times, and added a sense of uncertainty to the team.
In the 66th minute, Chelsea would reclaim the lead through Branislav Ivanovic. Villa were unable to clear the ball out of their own third, and Ivanovic was unmarked on the right hand side. The Chelsea stalwart unleashed a volley with his left foot, that went into Brad Guzan’s far post.
John Obi Mikel came on for Oscar to shore things up in midfield, and ensure that Chelsea would be able to hold on to their slim lead.
With five minutes added on after full time, Chelsea fans would be a bit nervous heading into the final stages of the game. When both Cesar Azpilicueta, and Obi Mikel went down with minor injuries, there would surely be even more stoppage time. But after roughly 96 minutes of play, the Blues had secured all three points.
With Manchester City playing to a draw against Hull, Chelsea will gain a couple of points in the Barclay’s Premier League title race.
MOTM: Branislav Ivanovic – Ivanovic continues to score big goals from defense for Chelsea. He got the winner today, and put in his usual good shift at right back