A game full of resistance from Chelsea and a glamour goal from Stoke enveloped a 2-1 win for Chelsea. Seven points clear with an enviable game in hand gives Chelsea a titanic advantage over their title rivals.
A precisely struck penalty from Eden Hazard and a tap in from Loic Remy forced Chelsea another win on their quest for the Premier League trophy come May. Yet, this game will be remembered for the 64 yard strike of Charlie Adam, a dazzling effort rippling the air and then the head of Courtois. Courtois’ scurrying retreat only getting fingers on this strike full of panache and precise execution; one of the best in Premier League history – one which will go down in football folklore.
https://vine.co/v/OlI6pTbq5eK
Urgency was what summed up Chelsea’s performance as the contest kicked off, Remy’s deflected shot heading for the corner until Begovic leaped to safety, settling the Stoke camp. Chelsea were still the custodian of possession, Remy dancing through again but his low shot succumbing to a similar fate; saved by Begovic again. The blues looked the most superior, Stoke gasping for breath before they could even get going.
As the half progressed this urgency factor was wavering somewhat, a sloppy clearance from Nemanja Matic fell to N’Zonzi, his rasping, curled shot flying over the crossbar. Hazard protested this, darting through the defence again letting fire outside the penalty area, but his attempt could not elude a so far compact Begovic.
Source: Chelseafc.com
Pressure normally rewards goals; it was when Fabregas broke into the penalty area that an audacious tackle from Wollscheid led to a penalty from Chelsea. Hazard stood up for his usual team player errand, and dispatched clinically. His penalty held much disparity to the wonder strike from Charlie Adam. Who, moments later picked up the ball deep in his own half and hoofed an ambitious effort goal bound, the strike catching out Courtois who barely got his fingers to the ball, a strike made all the more sweeter through beating one of Europe’s elite goalkeepers.
Evenly poised going into the second half, Mourinho took a gamble, introducing Diego Costa to add extra firepower, despite his problems with a hamstring restraint which kept him away from the Spain squad last week.
Flickering magic in the opposition’s faces, Hazard came close to another goal as his shot at the far corner was detested by Begovic. While there was no chance for a rest, the Bosnian international saving a deflected freekick from Willian helped on by Glen Whelan, nearly putting a bulge in the net. A second goal for Chelsea was on the cards.
A hammer blow was then unleashed, Costa’s grimace signalling an discomfort with his hamstring, proving that his rush back to action was wrongly interpreted by Jose. Drogba was ready to fill the ready left void. You can always count on Remy to step up to the plate, a disastrous throw from the majoritively impressive Begovic saw Hazard gain possession and run evasively in on goal to then pass to Remy, who filled the net with an easy tap-in; settling the Chelsea fans’ nerves.
N’Zonzi looked threatening once again as inspired by the art of long distance shooting, stuck the outside of the post from 20 yards. With 10 minutes on the clock, Chelsea new-boy Juan Cuadrado could of opened his tally as a double stop from the brilliant Begovic stamped out a brilliant pass from Hazard, Cuadrado’s inability to score piling more pressure on a player who has been on the forefront of criticism and questioning from critics’.
An iconic Stoke long throw caused hysteria in the box as Arnautovic made claim to the ball, but confused like the Chelsea players, fired madly over to boot away Stoke’s chances of claiming a point.
Another solid display from Chelsea which wasn’t exceptional, however had all the trademarks of a team who have a winning streak to their name. The only team in league football to be unbeaten at home in the league, Chelsea have how uncovered the code to success at Stamford Bridge.
With Costa out for at least ‘two weeks’, Remy has all the trademarks to lead the Chelsea line as they hunt for the title. Exceptional goalkeeping from Begovic was shadowed a little by some clumsy distribution, yet he proves his worth as a keeper who can player for a much more coveted club.
Adam’s goal will be the most memorable moment of this game, his goal inscripted in history, compared to reminiscent effort of David Beckham. It was unfortunate for himself personally that he scored that goal in a loss to Chelsea. I felt Chelsea tipped them to the three points, possessing the quality that has gained them a win at so many times this season. Quality that will almost certainly win them the title come the end of the season. They must beware though, as a resurgent Arsenal and Manchester United could cause them to slip up, they can’t take their current position for granted.
Edward
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