Chelsea move up to the top of the league after beating a dogged West Brom 1-0 at home. The only difference of the match came in the 76th minute, courtesy of their in-form striker Diego Costa who notched his 12th goal of the campaign. It came out of the blue when Cesc Fabregas lofted in his trademark pass from the middle of the park which found the path of Gareth McAuley, who seemed to have the ball under control yet was robbed of possession by Costa, who then blasted the ball past the helpless Ben Foster in goal. It was like a stubborn jar of pickles that finally opened.
Even the coolest man was present to watch this complicated encounter:
The coolest man in football is at Stamford Bridge today#nopirlonoparty#CHEWBA
➡️https://t.co/qLYARNfZyo pic.twitter.com/GeI36XZkM1— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 11, 2016
And Super Frankie too.
https://twitter.com/Conteholic/status/807899175799111680
Prior to the winning goal, the visitors were downright determined to return home with something. Even the offensive players were more than happy to sit deep in their own half and frustrate Antonio Conte’s men. Yet when chances permitted they did maraud forward to hit the home side on the break. Seemingly, there was an ongoing battle between Salomon Rondon and David Luiz with the latter heaping up most of the pressure and caught out of possession more than once. Thankfully for the former PSG defender, the goalpost remained slammed shut till the final whistle.
The match also witnessed Conte throwing the dices with not only three substitutions but also tactical turnabouts. He reshuffled the much-heralded three-man defensive line into a more familiar back four midway through the second period. Nemanja Matic was back into the starting XI after missing out last weekend’s clash against Manchester City. He alongside Kante buzzed throughout the midfielder like killer bees, figuring out a formula to unleash their attacking mates yet all efforts was continently nullified by Pulis’ brick wall. Pedro came the closest of upsetting Forster when Kante’s fluffed shot ricochet off his legs yet only settled as a shot off target. Even Chelsea’s creative fulcrum, Eden Hazard failed to make the goalkeeper work despite his cheeky runs and dribbles along the flanks.
After the goal, the Blues ensured their opponents didn’t find a route to goal and managed to repel any efforts that were thrown at them in the closing stages. Being a spectator for the most part of the game, Cahill and his defensive Co. stuck up to their task. A sigh of relief for the home side after the final whistle as they succeeded to grind out maximum points from a tricky team. This sort of victories is what separates a genuine title contender and a top four team. Looking at the current run of form, Liverpool and Manchester City could have settled for a draw. The former particularly finds it to be an uphill task to keep a clean sheet.
Tweets from the fans, players and former stars speculate how important the victory was.
3 points and clean sheet…another great day at the Bridge! ⚽️🔵 #CFC #CHEWBA @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/b0mu1BuXDM
— Marcos Alonso (@marcosalonso03) December 11, 2016
Well done #Chelsea !! 🔵 hard fight against a very well organized @WBA team..Tough match💪 #CHEWBA #CFC @ChelseaFC @diegocosta @cesc4official
— Michael Ballack (@Ballack) December 11, 2016
It doesn't get any better than this. The pass master and the goal king together in tandem. #CFC #KTBFFH #CHEWBA pic.twitter.com/wAS49YfXLs
— Meryk (@Mezza_96) December 11, 2016
Mikel and Kenedy in the dressing room post match. They ran out at SB along with Kurt Zouma after the win. #CFC #CHEWBA pic.twitter.com/5JBheaRu9c
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 11, 2016
Wonderfully powerful run and finish from Diego Costa to dig Chelsea out of a hole. Someone did well to sign him. #CHEWBA
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) December 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/saadmubti/status/808011579560198144
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