Chelsea began their opening fixture 3-4-3 and ended 3-2-3. The Blues have now been shown four red cards in the last three games… after going an entire league season without any.
Frustratingly, the team played their hearts out in the second half of their opening-day defeat by Burnley, and could well have achieved a 3-3 draw instead of the 2-3 loss had the game gone on a little longer.
That nine-man Chelsea should be able to hold their own against another Premier League team is a curious, but significant, positive.
There’s a surreal atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. Just as happened last season, few give the Blues a shout for the title, and the look of bewilderment on fans’ faces as they traipsed back to Fulham Broadway said it all.
Chelsea travel to Wembley – the Spurs temporary home – at the weekend without suspended captain Gary Cahill or Cesc Fabregas.
Had Nemanja Matic still been part of the squad, instead of being sold to United, he’d have been a shoo-in in midfield.
After the match, manager Tony Conte insisted he wasn’t worried. Yet.
“It is important for me that we don’t close our eyes, but focus on our mistakes and try to work and improve,” he said.
And of course he’s right. It’s early days, but although the vultures aren’t circling, they’re certainly airborne.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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