What We Learned From The Sunderland Match : 12.8.2012

A good day for Chelsea Football Club, today. 3 goals for the Blues and a very solid defensive performance. 3-1 to The Chels after 94 minutes of play at the Stadium of Light as Rafa Benitez seals his first PL win as Chelsea manager and second in a row in all competitions.

Scorers :
Fernando Torres (11′, 45+1′)
Juan Mata (48′)
Adam Johnson (66′)

What We Learned :
1. Fernando Torres is almost back.
2. This is what Rafa can do.
3. Oscar-Ramires in the pivot is muito bom (very good)
4. Defensive soundness continues.
5. We’re going to Japan in good form.

1. Fernando Torres is almost back: 2 goals including a brilliant penalty from El Nino that secured all 3 points for the Blues at the Stadium of Light. He wasn’t inconsistent throughout the game and his impact in the 2nd half went down as we started to relax and keep the result. He scored an absolute beauty to open the scoring and then fired home a magnificent goal from the spot. Torres is starting to move better and ask for the ball while maintaining a good deal of confidence.

2. This is what Rafa can do: Rafa Benitez has shown what Chelsea are capable of in the last 3 games. Against West Ham, we had a brilliant first half that transferred into a full-game performance against Nordsjaelland and Sunderland. Rafa has mastered defensive solidarity while keeping the attack working and taking their chances well. Any fans questioning his appointment must rethink it and continue to show support for the boys in Blue.

3. Oscar-Ramires in the pivot is muito bom (very good): The 2 Brazilians linked up in the middle brilliantly throughout the match and held Sunderland’s midfield back on numerous occasions. Their small frames were no concern as their speed and pace made it extremely hard for the Sunderland midfield to overdo the 2 amigos. They halted everything in the 1st half and then throughout the 2nd half kept Sunderland contained and didn’t allow them to create as many chances in free-play.

4. Defensive soundness continues: Chelsea’s interim coach Rafa Benitez has done what no other managers could do since Ancelotti left. He’s made Chelsea a very sound and solid defensive team. We no longer struggle to see the opposition push on us and score freely while exposing our back line. That hasn’t been a problem with Benitez, he’s kept the space between the 2 CBs smaller and the full-backs have certainly made it hard for their wingers to penetrate them. Real promising signs for us.

5. We’re going to Japan in good form: After thrashing Nordsjaelland and beating Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, we’re going to the Club World Cup in Japan in good form. We will be missing Terry, but Benitez has made the CB pairings work for Chelsea. A good sign for us and hopefully our first trophy of the season comes back with the healthy Blue boys in mid-December.

Other Points :
1. Not seeing as much as Marko Marin.
2. Good to see Frank Lampard back.
3. Ramires out for League Cup quarter final v Leeds.
4. Referee inconsistency continues for the Blues.

Thanks,
Ervin

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