This Saturday, Chelsea once again hosted a London club at Stamford Bridge. After the ultimately disappointing draw against the Gunners last week (2-2), Mauricio Pochettino’s men landed in a formation abandoned (4-2-3-1) since the pre-season and a certain injury to Christopher Nkunku. No Enzo Fernandez or Mudryk, but a double-pivot Caicedo-Gallagher with wings occupied by Noni Madueke and Raheem Sterling. In front, Nicolas Jackson, supported by the very good Cole Palmer. Despite the Blues’ offensive armada, they failed to find the fault.
Overall Premier League standings
|
#
|
Team
|
Pts
|
J
|
DIF
|
G
|
NOT
|
D
|
BP
|
B.C.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 |
|
13 |
10 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
16 |
12 |
|
11 |
|
12 |
10 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
13 |
11 |
|
12 |
|
12 |
10 |
-5 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
13 |
|
13 |
|
11 |
9 |
-4 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
11 |
15 |
|
14 |
|
11 |
9 |
-7 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
8 |
15 |
See the full ranking
However, in the first half, it was Chelsea who dominated and imposed their rhythm. And it almost hits the mark. Noni Madueke hits the bar with a shot from the left before Marc Cucurella stumbles against the Bees goalkeeper. The Blues had an interesting half, but as is often the case, failed to find the net. After the break, Ethan Pinnock will open the scoring with a powerful header, Axel Disasi is lost in the scoring (0-1, 58th). Behind, Mauricio Pochettino’s players fall on an impassable bone. Thomas Frank’s low block paid off in the face of the south Londoners’ lack of creativity. If Cole Palmer did everything, he wasn’t really supported by his teammates. The absences of Mudryk, Broja and even Nkunku were – again – felt. Bryan Mbeumo scored the knockout goal in the last minute (0-2, 90+6th) to finish off Chelsea, with a lightning counterattack. On arrival, yet another relapse for the Blues, the fourth defeat in 10 days.
