Pedro and Hazard Shine as Conte set a new Club Record at Chelsea – Chelsea Footfall Club saw off FC Bournemouth on their boxing day fixture at Stamford Bridge to set a new club record of 12 wins in a row in one league season.
Goals from Pedro Rodriguez and Eden Hazard gave the host all three points as they stretch their winning streak to 12 matches. The fixture ended 3 : 0 in favour of the hosts. The West London club went into the game game with arguably their two best players so far this season in N’Golo Kante and the league’s top scorer, Diego Costa. Both of them were suspended for the game after picking up their fifth yellow cards in the first half of the season.
The Win therefore was all the more sweeter for the fact that these two stars were not in the team. Many had questioned the ability of Chelsea FC to cope in the absence of Costa and Kante but they have surely sent out a strong message to other title rivals.
With both players suspended, Antonio Conte brought in in Fabregas who partnered Nemanja Matic in the heart of the midfield. Surprisingly though, it was Eden Hazard who took the central striker role instead of his Belgian compatriot, Michy Batshuayi. Many had expected the Young star to start the game in the absence of Diego Costa but as Conte had said in his pre match press conference, Batshuayi is still adapting to the English league and there were other solutions which the manager finally opted for.
After a slow start to the game for both sides, Pedro Scored in either half while Hazard got his 50th Chelsea FC goal from the penalty spot after being brought down illegally in the area by Bournemouth Captain Simon Francis. The Belgian star dispatched the penalty with sublime perfection sending the goal keeper to the wrong direction.
For Bournemouth, Jack Wilshere on loan from Arsenal FC was their star man. He had some eye catching displays throughout and nearly got his team an equalizer but was denied by an in Thibaut Courtois. Not for that save, the English man could have drawn the game level. He was the only the only Bournemouth player who stood up the Chelsea challenge.
Chelsea maintains their place at the top of the pile mounting pressure on other teams like Manchester City and Liverpool who must win their games to maintain their status as genuine title contenders this season. For Conte and Chelsea though, attention now shifts to the new year eve game against Stoke City a game they will play without another in form player as Pedro picked up his fifth booking in today’s win.
The boxing day fixtures also saw the likes of Manchester United, Everton, Arsenal, West Harm and Burnley win. Ealier in the day Sam Allardice started his Crystal Place Career with a draw against Walter Mazarri‘s Watford.
What is your thought on Chelsea‘s continued dominance in the EPL this season? Do you think that Chelsea can go on and win the League in May or is it still too early for one to so? Lets have your views below.