A blog of two halves

It’s early days, and there are much sterner tests ahead, but Chelsea’s start to the season has put a spring back into everyone’s step at the Bridge.

A muggy night in London can’t explain away Chelsea’s laboured performance in the EFL Cup, scraping past Bristol Rovers at Stamford Bridge.

Who needs Special Ones when you’ve got Animated Ones? With touchline sprints, pirouettes and long jumps that wouldn’t have disgraced Rio, Antonio Conte instantly endeared himself to Blues fans as he managed a winning start to the new season.

If Chelsea found last year’s Premier League tough going, this campaign adds different challenges.

Leaving aside the disrespectful way cup-winning manager Louis van Gaal has been treated by Manchester United, with his sacking common knowledge days before he was officially told, news that Jose Mourinho is returning to Premier League management is bittersweet for Chelsea fans.

Stamford Bridge breathed a sigh of relief when the season ended.

This topsy-turvy season draws to an improbable close with new champions Leicester City being given a celebratory guard of honour at Stamford Bridge.

He’d struggle to locate it on a map, but Eden Hazard – arguably the most disappointing Chelsea player this season – will never have to buy a drink in Leicester as long as he lives.

The Blues stormed to victory in the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night… literally. Hailstones bounced off the Stamford Bridge pitch and lightning flashed as Chelsea ensured the club’s trophy cabinet would get fresh silverware after all.

The Blues stormed to victory in the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night… literally. Hailstones bounced off the Stamford Bridge pitch and lightning flashed as Chelsea ensured the club’s trophy cabinet would get fresh silverware after all.

Chelsea’s approach to life, the universe and football remains blurred as the season’s end comes into focus.