Premier League
Chelsea Continue To Climb
Down but not out. With the Red Devils cooling down and the Gunners shooting blanks, Chelsea find themselves with breathing room. A win today will see Chelsea once again in the top four. Chelsea’s inconsistency leaves fans uncertain what team will show up. The Blues will face Slavia Prague midweek in Europa League play where they are favored to move on. Europa League play has been Chelsea’s insurance factor as the season has gone along with them cruising through each round. Positive play from youngsters Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek seem to reinvigorate the side with their inclusion in the starting lineup. A win today will be a move in the right direction moving towards the end of this strenuous season.
Hazardous Signs
Maurizio Sarri’s adjustments to the lineup have brought a new swagger to the blues. Chelsea’s fast paced influence would keep West Ham on the back foot for the majority of the first half. As a result, this would create holes for the Blues playmakers to take advantage of. The Belgian talisman would draw first blood and his cut would prove to be deadly. In the 24th minute, Eden Hazard would score on a slaloming individual run knifing through the defense completely. He would show off why he is one of the most sought off commodity this summer. Gonzalo Higuain would draw close to doubling Chelsea’s lead, but would be denied at point blank range. Kepa would keep the home side ahead with a clutch save from a rare West Ham attack. Hazard would put the game to bed with a goal in the 90th minute and secure the crucial three points.
The Endgame
Today’s match was important, however it was only the appetizer. This weekend will be the main course when Chelsea travel to Anfield to face league leading Liverpool. The league leaders will see Chelsea as their last major test towards clinching the title this year which is all the inspiration they’ll need. Manchester City, on the other hand, still will have clashes with Tottenham and Manchester United. Chelsea will also have to travel to play United, so this clash with Liverpool will shake up the entire table. Chelsea faithfuls should be content seeing Sarri finally show some flexibility in his game plan. As the season dwindles down, every little modification can be the difference between victory and defeat. The blues must not count their chickens before they hatch. Before Liverpool, Chelsea will host Slavia Prague in their Europa League match this Thursday.
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Photo credit to Chelsea FC via Twitter
