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Now that was a site to behold. Conte punching the air then rushing to hug the fans where Diego Costa scored the winner from 25yards out??? That was awesome and to be honest, I have not been able to stop watching it. The coach is relating with his boys and we can see that the team is shaping up nicely but most importantly he is nicely getting the fans behind the team for this new season and with the fans strongly behind the team at the Bridge it is going to be a different season altogether.

This game against West Ham was to test the team's preparation for this season and i must say that I loved what I saw and so did all the fans. The team played together and covered each other well which was not the case last season. Azpilicueta and Ivanovic were welcome support in attack and defended strongly. Ivanovic was porous last season and was the major hole in our defence but he did his job well last season. I personally preferred Ola Aina to start and improve his game and earn some games but Ivanovic earned his spot.

I said it last week that our major problem last season was in the middle of the pitch. Starting with Matic and Kante as the midfield axis we were able to take control of the match. West Ham's attack were easily repelled until Payet arrived to cause us some real trouble from the wings but all in all the boys played with so much energy and the recovery from the attackers to help win the ball back was just marvellous. We only need to create and take more chances.

Last night i saw enough of N'golo Kante to reaffirm my belief that he is going to be our best signing this season. He won 50% of his tackles despite being in the yellow card from the 3rd minute and completed 92% of his attempted passes with over 50% going forward. His presence gave the defence the protection they needed and started attacks nicely. They are saying in the papers that he might be our new Makelele and that is saying something.

I am very happy for Diego Costa and Hazard. The goals will do them good considering they took a while to get started last season and Hazard for one was terrible. Getting off the block so quick will only spur them on and they both have points to prove. Costa could have been sent off for his lounge on the keeper but he got lucky and I believe the coach is right in not trying to curb his wild side. That is what makes him the Costa we love. It turns out he is as nuts as the coach so I love them even more.

Oscar put on an energetic display last night. I have not been impressed by his progress at Chelsea since he arrived. He seems to be the same person with the same quality he brought to England with no improvement in about 4 seasons now. Everybody improves their game and i wish Oscar could bring something new to the team now and then or at least be consistent on his good performances. I think that is why there has been so many speculations about him leaving but he did himself good yesterday and if he can replicate that performance day in day out then he could be a mainstay in the team like Hazard and Willian.

Overall it was a good game on a monday night and long may it continue.

Defensive Shield

More than £60M was spent to bring Costa and Fabregas to Stamford Bridge this season and the impact has been nothing short of stunning but it still looks like the best piece of business that the Chelsea board has done in the past year is to bring back Nemanja Matic for £21M from Benfica.
He plays in the Claude Makalele position and for a club from whom that position was coined it's amazing that we've not been able to get a replacement for him since he left about 10 seasons ago despite trying different players in that position till now.
Essien was more of a box-to-box midfielder just like Ramires. Mikel Obi, a converted attacking midfielder, does not have the same effect when the team is playing our expansive game. He thrives more in the park-the-bus games. Oriol Romeu played it differently but was hampered by injuries and was loaned out so Sevilla.
Matic himself was sold as part of the deal to bring David Luiz to Chelsea because he was still not up to the task but after 3 seasons away he's grown into 1 of the best defensive shields in the world and definitely the best in the BPL.
He is stronger and quicker on the ball, very good in the air, and his passing range is outstanding (he completed 97 passes out 102 against Aston Villa).
His partnership with Fabregas has flourished this season with both making effective contributions at both ends of the field on Saturday and his heat map (from Daily Mail) below shows his dominance in the middle of the pitch.
He made sure he fouled the breaking Charlie Austin on halfway as we crept into stoppage time at 2-1. QPR looked dangerous, but the destroyer hauled Austin down to get a crucial break in play and the resulting free-kick came to nothing. He makes the back four comfortable and his calming influence will be a huge welcome in the big games this season.

Frank Lampard moved to Manchester City after making a stop at New York but it seems like he left us a huge parting gift with his number 8 shirt for Oscar. The brazilian has been in a scintillating form this season and scored another wonderful goal on sunday from a another Fabregas assist. With his current scoring rate it feels like our legendary number 8 never left. That is called succession.

I made a suggestion on this blog last week that irrespective of the mutual respect between Mourinho and Louis van Gaal the latter might not really like his former prodigy that much. Other than that how do you explain what happened on Sunday in the Manchester derby?
United were playing to lose until they went behind. Chris Smalling's red card was so pathetic it seemed tactical. Di Maria who has been their best player this season played like he was under orders to get his 1st flop in a United shirt.
Is that how to treat a friend?
Definitely not. You do them big favours like blocking their rivals to help them win leagues when you have no chance. That is friendship.

Big ups to Barcelona who managed to lose again against Celta Vigo at home with their supposed fearsome III all starting. For a team that makes so much long term planning its amazing that they've been playing with this makeshift defence for almost 3 seasons. Its all good as far as I'm concerned. Their loss is always my happiness.