Having defeated one challenger last weekend, the Blues face the final big obstacle on their road to the title… Arsenal at the Emirates.
Sunday’s game is expected to be as tense and tight as Chelsea’s past two, with a third 1-0 win on the trot the dream of Jose Mourinho after victories against QPR and Manchester United.
The latest win at the Bridge confirmed Eden Hazard’s importance to the Blues; his acceleration, jinking and vision are the envy of Europe.
A nice touch at the end of the game, ultimately settled by Hazard’s goal, teed up by Oscar, was that Juan Mata, the last United player on the pitch, hugged every one of his former team-mates at the mouth of the tunnel.
Meanwhile up at Manchester City’s swanky new training ground, the youth team came away with a 3-1 victory after the first leg of the FA Youth Cup final.
The second leg is at the Bridge this Monday evening, with tickets remaining on sale until 4pm on the day.
Tammy Abraham scored a brace, Dominic Solanke (on the bench for the first team against United) scored a late third, and the Blues will start as clear favourites.
What was intriguing about the comparison between Chelsea and City’s youth teams was the sheer physicality and muscularity of the Blues.
At times it looked like teenagers playing an U8 side, such was the difference in scale between the players. Perhaps there’s something in the water of SW6.
One point overlooked in the aftermath of the defeat of United last weekend was the fact that Oscar really made a huge effort to cover ground, track back and create.
The Brazilian has come in for a lot of stick in recent weeks, with observers saying his form has been tailing off and speculating that a frustrated Mourinho will offload him in the summer.
On last weekend’s showing, he has extended his Chelsea career by another season.
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