Chelsea took advantage of Manchester United’s slip-up to climb the table and get back into the Premier League title picture. They are now just one point off the lead.
Chelsea fought hard for the three points on Saturday afternoon after they held off a game Leicester City for a 2-1 victory. Alvaro Morata and N’Golo Kante got on the scoresheet as the Blues reeled in Manchester United at the top of the table. Those who believe that this will be a Manchester-based two-horse race are incorrect.
The Blues started the season in appalling fashion. An ill-disciplined display saw them lose 3-2 to Burnley with two players seeing red. Fears of a repeat of the infamous 2015/16 campaign mounted.
However, they managed to defeat Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley one week later before handily dispatching Everton in an assured display. Those performance buoyed spirits heading into the international break, but fans knew a potential banana skin awaited the club when they returned from their travels.
Leicester have put in impressive displays so far this season. Despite losing to Arsenal and Manchester United, their performances were encouraging and they were confident ahead of this Chelsea clash.
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The Blues, though, took their chances and went 2-0 up. The hosts huffed and puffed, but Conte’s men stood firm (apart from one rush of blood from Thibaut Courtois) to secure the win.
Now, they lie just one point behind the two Manchester clubs and fans’ expectations are moving towards a genuine title challenge.
Moreover, they have quietly collected the points to climb the table. Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United drew against Stoke City on Saturday and the former Chelsea boss was again at the centre of controversy. Mourinho and Mark Hughes did not shake hands at the final whistle in an incident that was inevitably blown up by the press.
Although the season is still young, Conte has avoided potential inflammatory situations. Whether it be his energetic touchline behaviour, or his expert handling of the club’s transfer activity, Conte has chosen not to engage the media circus.
That sort of attitude represents how the club will have to act this season. They have already been written out of the title race after just four games. Instead of being the frontrunners, Chelsea will need to go about their business quietly and efficiently. Winning games without drama, controversy and fuss, the Blues will have to sneak up on their rivals.
The fact that the wider footballing world are underestimating their threat is exactly what makes Chelsea so dangerous. They have not had the ideal summer and they certainly didn’t have the ideal start. However, the team seem to be clicking and getting what matters most in the end, the three points.
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Without fuss or controversy, Chelsea are now back in the title picture. They are very much waiting for their opportunity to pounce and the Blues fans should be excited.