Chelsea: Three lessons learned on a feel-good (mostly) Thursday night

Chelsea were strolling to an underwhelming 1-0 win against Dynamo Kyiv until Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi came on. For the 3-0 win, here are three lessons learned.

Considering how the Champions League matches went earlier in the week, Chelsea should be relieved to take a three-goal margin into the away leg next week. Of course, no one should think even that lead against Dynamo Kyiv is safe. The Blues can look ahead to the next round only after the final whistle.

1. Chelsea put the feel-good back in Thursday nights (Scott Brant)

Chelsea handled business at Stamford Bridge exactly how they were supposed to. With goals from Pedro, Willian, and Callum Hudson-Odo, the Blues were flying high and should (key word, there) have the aggregate out of reach.

Everybody seemed to be on top of their game, including David Luiz. The Brazilian was a flash from the past, back when he used to toe the line of physicality while still making the play. Willian was another who seemed up to his old tricks as well, scoring a beauty of a free kick to put the Blues up two.

Callum Hudson-Odoi made it three when he slotted his shot into the corner of the net. Olivier Giroud, who set Pedro’s goal up perfectly, was spectacular all match. The Man of the Match award could be split among three or four players.

The best part of the entire match was seeing how much fun the players appeared to be having. Everybody was smiling and joking. N’Golo Kante had a gigantic smile from ear to ear warming up on the sidelines. You may say that’s just N’golo Kante. He’s always smiling. Okay, fair enough, but Eden Hazard had Willian cracking up on the bench, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi were laughing while stretching and warming up.

For all we know the laughter may have been a joke about Maurizio Sarri circulating around the squad. But it’s reassuring to see them all bonding and having fun.

For the record, regardless of what the skipper says, winning is the most fun. In the previous months it didn’t appear the team was having fun. You didn’t see smiles and jokes on the sideline, it’s refreshing.

Looking back to the first leg of Malmo, Chelsea have only had the game against Manchester United to complain about. And since the Carabao Cup Final against Manchester City, there has been a real momentum growing. Looking forward to the next seven fixtures, they will need this momentum to avoid a few possible slips ahead.

But just being able to watch and enjoy Chelsea winning again is nice. Yes, there are still glaring issues in minutes for youth, tactics and other stuff. But for now, Chelsea fans and supporters alike should sit back and enjoy the current form for a bit, it’s hard to know how long it can be sustained. Theoretically, top four isn’t out of reach, but the best chance at Champions League comes on Thursday nights.