The official Chelsea website is taking a look back at the 2012/13 season through images taken over the course of the campaign, capturing the action as it unfolded, including goals scored, team celebrations, supporters’ reactions and behind-the-scenes shots.
It was a season which saw the Blues play an astonishing 69 matches, and with no shortage of moments to reflect on, today we move on to the month of September…
Our first London derby of the season took place early in September at Loftus Road against Queens Park Rangers, with the two sides playing out a tight, tense goalless draw, although we could, and probably should, have been awarded two penalties.
The Champions League trophy was paraded around the pitch by members of the army ahead of our group-stage game against Juventus at Stamford Bridge as the defence of the trophy began.
Oscar, making his full debut for the club, scored twice to give us a 2-0 lead, the second goal deservedly winning our Goal of the Season award. The Italian side, however, pulled themselves back into the game just before the break, before equalising late on.
A rare Ashley Cole strike proved decisive when Stoke City came to Stamford Bridge late in the month. The Blues’ passing steadily turned up the pressure, but with game seemingly heading for a draw, up popped the Chelsea left-back to seal the win.
It was another left-back, Ryan Bertrand, who scored the pick of the goals in our 6-0 Capital Cup win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, the youngster firing into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2-0 after only eight minutes.
With our place in the fifth round all but secure, Oriol Romeu, who had never previously scored for the club, was entrusted with taking a penalty late in the game, and the midfielder didn’t disappoint, calmly slotting his kick into the back of the net to spark jubilant scenes. Unfortunately his season was ended by injury in December.
Our final game in September saw us make the trip across London to take on an in-form Arsenal. Fernando Torres gave us the lead midway through the first half with an expertly-taken volley at the far-post, and while Gervinho equalised just before half-time, a Juan Mata free kick won us the match.
The Blues emerged from north London with all three points following an impressive display, and John Terry was eager to thank the travelling supporters, making one youngster’s day by handing him his boots at the final whistle.