Chelsea: Difference between success and failure is a matter of inches

VAR’s polarizing introduction to English football reached new heights at the weekend. Chelsea had what seemed to be its second goal disallowed due to a foul that occurred an eternity before Timo Werner’s header rattled the net in Southampton’s goal. Cesar Azpilicueta “clipped” Kyle Walker-Peters and “brought him down” before advancing into the final third and contributing to the goal. This infuriated fans as Martin Atkinson and VAR official Mike Dean were essentially making up rules as they went along.

This was the most notable instance of the Blues toeing the line in their latest Premier League clash, but it was by no means the only one. It looked as if history was going to repeat itself again and Chelsea would drop its third game in a row. The Blues’ supporters know the feeling too. When it rains—metaphorically speaking, this has nothing to do with the torrential downpour at Stamford Bridge during the match—it has seemingly poured on the west Londoners in years past. Nevertheless, Chelsea found a way to rally back and beat Southampton, displaying a trait that is seldom seen by this club.

The difference between success and failure was a matter of inches in Chelsea’s clash against Southampton in the Premier League

The Blues could have easily rolled over and settled for a negative result on Saturday. The game of inches saw Azpilicueta’s minor contact with Walker-Peters negate a goal, Romelu Lukaku have a goal disallowed (rightly) for offside, Tino Livramento earn a penalty, James Ward-Prowse get sent off and Ben Chilwell find the winner. There were so many things that went wrong for Chelsea early on that could’ve demoralized it to the point where Thomas Tuchel’s men would drop more points at home.

This is a pattern that is all too familiar with the Blues. The astonishing loss to West Bromwich Albion last season is perhaps the best example of this theory. However, this side possessed fight. Chelsea has been transformed under Tuchel’s leadership. There are still going to occasionally be frustrating 1-0 losses to teams like Manchester City and Juventus throughout the season, but the Blues won’t concede results to opponents when things don’t go their way any longer. This was on full display against Saints on Saturday.

A few inches dictated the contest. Even though things didn’t go Chelsea’s way early on, as VAR refused it an insurance goal on numerous occasions, the team took matters into its own hands. Tuchel threw the kitchen sink at the visitors, bringing on Mason Mount, Jorginho and Ross Barkley. The Blues went at Southampton and forced Saints to match their energy going forward, something that was never going to happen. It was this killer instinct that saw Werner finally get on the scoresheet. It was the desire for revenge that saw Chilwell strike the ball on a volley from distance, find the back of the net, double his side’s advantage and put the game to bed.

Chelsea loses this match last season—there is no doubt in anyone’s mind.

The Blues possess something different this campaign, they just have a different feel about them. Tuchel has evolved his team into a bloodthirsty juggernaut, not an invincible one, but a stubborn one. These three points captured by Chelsea are hugely significant for multiple reasons. First, those points are the ones that matter at the end of the year. Two points could prove to be the difference in early 2022 when the four-team title race concluded. Lastly, a victory was huge for the Blues’ confidence. They didn’t field a full strength XI and were on a bit of a skid. Chelsea was able to get the result regardless as it refuses to be classified as a failure due to a matter of inches.

What did you make of the Blues’ performance against Southampton? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!