Hosting a free scoring Brighton side, many were expecting a stroll in the park for De Zerbi’s men but as often as it’s usually the case, Chelsea pulled a huge surprise to knockout Brighton by 1 goal to nil courtesy a second half strike by Nicholas Jackson.
Ugly win about to change Blues’ fortunes?
It is often mentioned that a single game could turn around a team’s fortune, either for good or bad and Chelsea seems to be at that juncture.
After a lengthy woeful run that Chelsea have embarked on, it was no surprise that many in Chelsea blue inside Stamford bridge breathe a huge sigh of relief at the final blast of the referee’s whistle with a first win against a top half opposition since against Dortmund in the UCL in February.
Just as it was back then, many are pointing towards this win to spur Chelsea on and help kickstart their season but will expectations be met or is this just another flash in the pan just as it was after Dortmund? Time as they say will reveal all.
Cucurella silencing doubters? :
Playing on the wrong side as a left-footed right back is hard enough a task but even harder when you have to face one of the very best 1V1 wingers in the premier league in Kaoru Mitoma.
That was the task that befell former Brighton player of the year, Marc Cucurella and didn’t he brilliantly passed that? Wining 13 of his 16 total duels, 6/9 successful tackles and 4 successful long balls out of 5 attempted highly suggests that Cucu passed the “trap-test” he was set playing as a RB tonight.
His tenacity and front foot defending coupled with an added incentive of wanting to prove a point to manager Pochettino saw Cucu play like a player possessed, leaving even his most devoted doubters no choice but to leave a resounding applause for a huge job well done.
Palmer done enough to earn a PL start? :
Signed from Manchester City for over 42 million pounds, Cole Palmer’s first start in a Chelsea shirt certainly would have surprised his hard-core supporters.
Playing as the centre attacking midfielder next to Jackson up top, Cole’s touches, turns and pausa caught the eye hugely against a relentless Brighton press.
Despite only joining a day before the close of the window, Palmer seems to have settled nicely within the group and gained the trust of his teammates as they looked to give him the ball even under duress and immense pressure from Brighton.
His turning radius under pressure is impressive despite standing at about 6’’4.
Assisting Jackson for the only goal of the game is sure to have bolstered Cole’s confidence and with Chelsea struggling for a creative player in between the lines, Palmer might just be the answer to solving all creative problems facing Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
Chilwell’s injury; a worry or blessing in disguise?
Assigned captain and vice captain of the team, it is no surprise to now see the names of captain Reece James and vice captain Ben Chilwell on the injury list.
The team is much suited to adapting to their absence this time around but the huge question remains; is Chilwell’s injury a cause for worry or blessing in disguise?
His inclusion in the team has often been debated as to wether or not he hampers the team’s progress and some players’ development or brings about good fortune for the team.
Viewed as a wing option earlier by Poch, Mudryk suffered as a result of Chilwell’s inclusion before starting back to back games at the expense of Ben and tonight, with both starting together.
Chilwell often received the ball in the same passing line as Mudryk and that sometimes caused some confusion.
Chilwell’s inability to also invert into midfield or defence meant he had to keep width out wide and that dis-balanced the team on occasions.
With Cucu’s impressive showing tonight also, it does seem like Chilwell’s injury is no longer a cause of concern but now a blessing in disguise as Cucu could go back to playing in his favored position at left back.
Man of the match – Caicedo 8/10.
Next up is a London derby against Fulham on Monday night.
