‘Ugly’ win showcases Chelsea’s Premier League title credentials
Chelsea are top of the Premier League. While this was unfathomable just over a month ago, their ugly win over Middlesbrough suggest they are here to stay.
Never has a 1-0 win looked so comfortable. From the first minute to the last, Chelsea were in complete control as they brushed aside Middlesbrough on their way to topping the Premier League table for the first time in 18 months.
The last time the Blues found themselves ahead of the rest they were crowned champions of England. And judging by their performances in each game since the 3-0 drubbing by Arsenal way back in September, there is no reason why Antonio Conte’s men can not reclaim their title.
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The win had its share of nervy moments. Adama Traore was the hosts’ brightest and best player on the pitch. But his decision making in the final third often led to Boro squandering any potential opportunity. Alvaro Negredo, isolated for the majority of the 90 minutes, saw Thibaut Courtois palm away his decent effort. It was Middlesbrough’s only shot on target and only real opportunity to equalise, as Chelsea showed the defensive benefits of the 3-4-3 system once again.
Negredo’s half-chance was only the 9th shot on target that Conte’s group have conceded in their last six outings. Not since Manchester United’s formidable defence from 2009 has a backline looked so solid and assured.
Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Edwin Van der Sar’s record of not conceding a single goal during a nine-game winning streak contributed massively to United’s Premier League championship. David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta and Courtois are now two-thirds of the way to equalling that feat. They and the Blues do not look like letting up anytime soon.
Pundits and fans alike purred over Chelsea’s performances in their convincing home wins against Leicester, Everton and Mourinho’s faltering United. Chelsea scored 12 goals with barely a shot on target against.
But while neutrals lauded those victories with praise and adoration, “ugly” results like the win at the Riverside Stadium separates the contenders from the pretenders. Diego Costa took advantage of a mix-up in the defence during a set-piece. His 10th goal of the season affirmed Chelsea’s title prospects.
The in-form trio of Pedro, Costa and Eden Hazard were not as quick, skilful nor potent in linking up as in the previous matches. But the threat was still there, as evidenced by Costa’s finish before half-time.
Pedro, who is playing his best football in a Chelsea shirt since his arrival in 2015 from Barcelona, may have netted a hat-trick on a different day. He saw two efforts denied by Victor Valdes and the woodwork.
Hazard, fresh off his Player of the Month award for his brilliant performances in October, will not see his contributions in this match featured in many highlight videos. Even so, he demonstrated his marvellous close-control and ability to draw opponents into conceding easy free-kicks throughout the contest.
As the Premier League season heads into its fourth month, Chelsea face a difficult schedule. Tottenham, owners of the best defence in the league, are next up at Stamford Bridge. Then Conte takes his team up north to face off with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
These two matches will show just how far this team have come since the disasters versus Arsenal and Liverpool. Back then, a 4-2-3-1 formation was failing and failing fast. The losses brought about the call for change. Conte delivered that change. Now there is real hope that the successful and reliable 3-4-3 structure will produce more positive results against top 4 rivals.
It seemed like a stretch to even consider this team a title-challenging side while the Arsenal and Liverpool defeats were fresh in the mind. Now, though, Chelsea sit top of the table heading into December. Fans can start dreaming about another Premier League triumph coming to fruition at the end of the year.