Shutup narrative, Chelsea’s win over Middlesbrough wasn’t ugly

Was Chelsea’s win over Middlesbrough ugly? No. It was a beautifully executed game plan that followed the template of October’s successes.

Even people who like puzzles hate putting them together. There’s a layer of masochism in anyone who claims to enjoy them. The only true satisfaction from puzzles comes from having completed one. Said another way, the only satisfaction comes from never having to touch the damned thing again.

Related Story: ‘Ugly’ win showcases Chelsea’s Premier League title credentials

The post-match analysis of a sporting event works in much the same way; there’s a bombardment of data afterward and pouring through it can be boring. Besides, every match comes with its very own table runner embroidered with the word ‘narrative’ that can be flapped neatly over it all.

This happened on Sunday in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Middlesbrough. Boro have already developed a penchant for being a stubborn side, particularly against big teams. Chelsea had key players on international duty while Middlesbrough, well, didn’t.

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Chelsea won the match by only one goal (from a corner) as opposed to the multi-goal romps of the previous five matches. Apple couldn’t package it any neater. These factors bring about narratives that write themselves; Chelsea Find Another Way To Win! Chelsea Win Ugly! It Wasn’t Pretty But They Can’t All Be!

The issue is that factors are statements of fact that exist outside the specifics of a ninety-minute match. What happens in a match will always tell more of the story than what happened around it.

Against Middlesbrough, Chelsea did not win ugly. If you were watching the match with an interest in a Chelsea win, it was a nervy experience. The team wasn’t humming at the same revs as in previous matches, but that doesn’t mean they downshifted. Though there was only one goal in it, a map of expected goals (xG) tells a familiar tale of dominance.

Chelsea’s goal came from what was statistically their third best chance of the match. Pedro and Moses both missed big chances; not shown is the square ball Pedro misplayed straight to Victor Valdes with an onside and free Eden Hazard to pick out nine yards away. And look at Middlesbrough, they had one shot on target and even that was deemed only a small chance (Negredo’s volley that Courtois pushed out for a corner).

Of course xG doesn’t tell the complete story either, some small chances find their way into the net and some big chances go begging, but in Chelsea’s case it reveals a consistency in play and belief. This consistency of play is also backed up by yet another solid pass map that displays even spacing and terrific passing balance.

And, it looks quite familiar. Like, very familiar.

Combined, this all illustrates something stronger than Chelsea winning ugly or finding another way to win: it shows they didn’t have to do either. A belief in their system meant that even in a match against a stubborn opponent, Chelsea executing their game plan can result in a lot of chances at goal and very few for the opposition.

More important than ‘finding a way to win’ is the players’ belief that their duties, formation and tactics are solid enough to be successful against a breadth of competition.

Before the match I wrote about Chelsea staying beautiful and not being dragged into the mud. That’s something Manchester City couldn’t manage against Boro and neither could Arsenal. The ‘win ugly’ narrative doesn’t give the Blues enough credit.

The whole story is that Chelsea went away from home after an international break and consistently broke down one of the stingiest sides in the Premier League while giving up next-to-nothing defensively. Keep that table runner in the attic, I’m hanging this one on the fridge.