Thursday 12 February 2015 13:48, UK
Chelsea maintained their seven-point advantage at the top of the Premier League courtesy of a 1-0 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge.
Willian’s deflected winner with a little over a minute remaining following Gareth Barry’s red card was all that separated the sides on a night when young defenders such as Kurt Zouma and John Stones outshone the array of attacking talent on show.
Adam Bate was at Stamford Bridge for Sky Sports and picks out 10 key talking points as Jose Mourinho’s side picked up another three points in their charge to the title…
Hallmark of champions?
“I don’t remember a team becoming champions without a couple of victories in the last minute. In my case, for sure, every time I won the league title I had a couple of matches where we won in the last minute and that was the first time this season. It was a very difficult match.” They were Jose Mourinho’s opening lines at his post-match press conference and there was a sense in which this win – scarcely deserved on the balance of quality chances – had given him as much satisfaction as some of his side’s more convincing performances this season. Chelsea found a way and while the scoreline was harsh on Everton given their resilience, it was surely an indication that the title is heading to Stamford Bridge this season.
Cuadrado’s debut
Mourinho’s programme notes included a message regarding Chelsea’s new signing from Fiorentina. “Tonight, he will experience Stamford Bridge for the first time as part of this club and I hope he will see something special.” Perhaps that didn’t come to pass but Juan Cuadrado certainly did his best to provide it on his full debut. An early shot was blocked and another was flashed wide inside 10 minutes as Everton struggling to cope with the Colombian’s turn of pace – summed up best by Barry’s rugby tackle on him in the first half. There were 46 high-intensity runs in that opening 45 minutes alone – more than any other player on the pitch – and while the goal didn’t come while he was on the pitch, it’s clear that Cuadrado’s skills will add plenty to Chelsea’s attack.
Handling Hazard
Eden Hazard’s dribbling skills are rather less of an unknown quantity to Premier League defences and he remains on another level to the rest of the division in that regard. He’s completed 112 of them (36 more than anyone else) and that direct running makes him a marked man. Muhamed Besic and Seamus Coleman became the 16th and 17th players respectively to be booked for fouling him in this season’s Premier League and now he’s got help. Cuadrado’s run sparked Barry’s booking and more nifty work by Willian saw the veteran midfielder sent off. Chelsea seldom looked like breaking Everton down but Willian’s goal came immediately following the red card and that was enough. Even when the flying forwards can’t find a way through, their constant menace plays its part.
Luckless Lukaku
Not that Everton didn’t have their chances. Romelu Lukaku must have felt his moment had come when sweeping the ball towards goal from close range only to see Petr Cech produce what Mourinho called a “super save” with his feet. The Belgian would have been dreaming of a triumphant return to Stamford Bridge but instead he’s at a low point in his fledgling career. This was appearance number 33 of the season and with just 10 goals it represents his worst return as a first-team regular. That’s what he could never be at Chelsea and while Lukaku remains a threat, the quality of his hold-up play remains a concern – his pass completion of 62.5 per cent was the lowest of any outfield starter - and when the chances came they were not seized.
Cech shows his class
Cech’s key save from Lukaku was remarkable given his lack of first-team action this season and further evidence that he remains a top-class goalkeeper. It might also act as a reminder to Thibaut Courtois, if one were needed, that his standards must stay sky high given the competition. Mourinho appears to have noticed some warning signs. “I think a goalkeeper can also be tired,” he said afterwards. “The fatigue is not just physical, the fatigue is also central - from your nervous system. Petr was working really well and hard. In every training session I was getting the feeling that his condition was magnificent. I believe today he was the best option for the team also for his leadership. John Terry was ill in the morning and probably out of the game until the last moment so I thought I needed Petr’s personality and capacity to communicate. The decision was good.”
Zouma ready for Zlatan
Equally good was the decision to entrust Zouma with the role of marking Lukaku. This was Chelsea’s final fixture before their Champions League tie against Paris St Germain and while Zouma was on the bench at Aston Villa, he started the previous two games ahead of Gary Cahill. Such has been the quality of Zouma’s performances – a blend of physicality and composure - that a reversal of the pecking order seems inevitable. He did brilliantly to nick the ball off the head of Lukaku midway through the first half and there were more chants of his name when he dispossessed the striker shortly afterwards. Even when caught out, his pace helps him recover – he was clocked at 34.13km/h on Wednesday, the fastest man on the park. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani await Chelsea in Paris but the Frenchman looks ready for the challenge if needed.
Ivanovic action?
It wasn’t all positive stuff from the Chelsea defence. Branislav Ivanovic’s involvement in the melee that followed Barry’s second bookable offence predictably divided the opinions of the two managers. “If you look at the images, Ivanovic’s behaviour is wrong,” said Martinez. “First of all he grabs James McCarthy around the neck in a very forceful manner and then he puts his head against him. If you want to be fair with the laws that’s a red card. You don’t want to see teams having to win the game in that manner, unfortunately.” In contrast, Mourinho threatened to walk out of the press conference if he received another question on the subject. The Chelsea boss evidently remains annoyed by the scrutiny on his players but the most obvious solution to that would have been for Ivanovic not to get involved.
Crunch time for Everton
The way the game’s key incident panned out seemed to sum up how things are going for Martinez’s side. They showed plenty of heart and it was understandable that he should bemoan a “cruel” result in the post-match press conference. But the wins just won’t come. The positive spin prior to the trip to Stamford Bridge was that they were six unbeaten but for a shootout defeat at West Ham and while this was undoubtedly a spirited effort, that’s now two wins in 16 games in all competitions. The poor run wasn’t expected to end on Wednesday given that Everton haven’t won this fixture since November 1994 but two Europa League matches against Young Boys and a home game against bottom club Leicester must surely bring a victory or three to improve the mood.
Composed Stones
One bright spot for Martinez was the performance of John Stones, a man clearly growing into role at the heart of the Everton defence. He stood up well to Loic Remy in one-on-one situations, producing one wonderful tackle on the French forward early in the second half and appeared comfortable and composed in the face of the Chelsea attack throughout. His distribution was largely reliable and, importantly, he is a good foil for Phil Jagielka. Despite the struggle for victories, it’s now just two goals conceded in five Premier League games since Stones’ return and that’s one area of the team that will offer encouragement for Martinez as he looks to turn things around.
Title bid on track
As for Chelsea, they are rather far closer to the finished article and Terry’s programme notes would make ominous reading for the team’s rivals. “The club is used to competing on several fronts and we relish this stage of the season, playing every few days and facing big game after big game.” There is actually a brief respite thanks to a free weekend that Mourinho admitted was “welcome” but the signs are that Chelsea have the stomach for an intense run-in. Manchester City’s win at Stoke shows the race is not yet run when it comes to the Premier League but a seven-point lead with 13 games to play feels like more than they need. No Diego Costa? Not at their best? Three points. Chelsea’s march to the title continues.
