ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: John Terry (2′) Stoke 0-1 Chelsea
STOKE, England — A trio of observations on Chelsea’s 2-0 win vs. Stoke in the Premier League.
1. Chelsea are top at Christmas
So Chelsea top the Premier League table at Christmas. That outcome long seemed a certainty but Manchester City’s recent run of victories meant defeat at the Britannia Stadium could have cost the Blues their lead.
Instead, they produced the right sort of response after the defending champions clawed back a nine-point deficit in the space of three weeks, albeit partly because they played more games in that time. Now the Blues have re-established a gap, courtesy of goals from John Terry and Cesc Fabregas.
After failing to win either of their two previous Premier League away games, at Sunderland and Newcastle, Jose Mourinho’s side were at their most resilient on Monday. It is a fact that champions often win at Stoke: Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea did, just like Sir Alex Ferguson’s final three title-winning Manchester United sides. Now Mourinho’s men have followed suit.
Stoke’s ability to trouble virtually all of the elite means meetings with them are a barometer. Mark Hughes’ men overwhelmed Arsenal at home, won away at Manchester City and Tottenham and were unfortunate to leave Anfield and Old Trafford without a point.
So of all their peers, Chelsea coped best with Stoke. It is testament to their professionalism and organization and there is another pertinent comparison: Arsenal were behind after 19 seconds at the Britannia Stadium, whereas Chelsea were ahead after 95.
Therein, some might say, lies the difference between the two clubs. Mourinho’s men were ready for the challenge while Arsene Wenger’s team appeared utterly unprepared.
John Terry’s first goal since December 2013 gave Chelsea the lead at the Britannia Stadium.
Whereas Arsenal conceded to a corner at Stoke, Chelsea scored from one: Terry heading in from Fabregas’ delivery. The Spaniard added the second with a scuffed, angled shot after an exchange of passes with Eden Hazard.
Between the goals, the Belgian had been on the receiving end of a scything tackle from Phil Bardsley that could have brought the Stoke right-back a red card. Yet when Hazard was hurt late in the game, it was in a more innocuous challenge with Jonathan Walters. And by then, Chelsea had proved they could defeat 11 men.
2. Fabregas handles a night in Stoke
Several years ago, when Hughes’ Blackburn adopted an aggressive approach to unsettle Arsenal, Fabregas, the Gunners’ playmaker who was raised at the Nou Camp, disdainfully said he could not believe the Welshman used to play for Barcelona.
Meanwhile, when Pep Guardiola’s Barca were at the height of their powers, their English critics tended to wonder if they could cut it in a physical battle at Stoke.
A few years later, one of Barcelona’s prodigal sons proved he can. Fabregas has acquired a British mentality, a senior professional’s awareness of what to expect on such nights and if his suitability for the Premier League may have counted against him at his hometown club, he has spent this season illustrating he possesses both style and substance.
Mourinho likes his artists to have an end product. From Arjen Robben in his first Chelsea side, through Wesley Sneijder at Inter Milan, Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo for Real Madrid or Fabregas and Eden Hazard now, they have tended to chip in with goals or assists.
Cesc Fabregas scored his first league goal since October 18 to secure the points for Chelsea.
Fabregas provided both at the Britannia. His goal was just his second in the league, but his assist had more statistical significance and was proof he is creating at a remarkable rate. This was his 12th assist of the season, putting him on course to end the season with 27.
Thierry Henry’s Premier League record of 20 looks well within his grasp and last season’s mark of 13, set by Steven Gerrard, will soon be eclipsed. Indeed, Fabregas could have equalled it before half-time.
He released Diego Costa with a defence-splitting pass but the Blues’ top scorer angled a shot past the post when he probably should have hit the target and beaten goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
Given a more advanced role — John Obi Mikel was incorporated behind him to offer more solidity alongside Nemanja Matic — Fabregas showed his ability to unlock the door as did another graduate from La Masia.
Bojan Krkic has helped add another dimension to Stoke. It took him time to adjust but has excelled of late. While this was not one of his better games, with his corners especially disappointing, he almost scored a terrific goal in injury time.
3. Courtoise epitomises Chelsea’s command
The two major contributors to Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in 2012 are often found among the replacements these days.
Didier Drogba and Petr Cech are iconic bit-part players and, while the goalkeeper had been granted rare appearances in the previous two games, a fit-again Thibaut Courtois returned to the lineup after missing the last three games.
It was no surprise, given Mourinho was ruthless enough to demote a club legend in the summer and Courtois has vindicated his choice. The Belgian has not been the most influential goalkeeper in the Premier League this season — given the number and timing of the vital saves David De Gea has made, that title belongs with his Manchester United counterpart — but in terms of sheer quality, he has a claim to be the best.
Stoke present a particular test to a goalkeeper. Courtois passed it, partly with the speed of his reactions to change direction after a Steven Nzonzi shot took a sizeable deflection off Terry, but partly with his general conviction and presence. He also made a fine late stop to deny Marko Arnautovic but, tellingly, those were Stoke’s only shots on target.
Courtois’ contribution extended beyond that, however, and his sheer size is striking. Stoke are the Premier League’s tallest team and Chelsea have so many giants that Branislav Ivanovic was the fifth-shortest member of their starting 11.
Yet it is notable that Courtois stands tallest of all and that he could come and claim corners and crosses in the Britannia Stadium’s crowded penalty areas. He played with authority. So did Chelsea.