Chelsea showed resilience and character, according to manager Antonio Conte after his sides’ 3-1 after falling 1-0 down to Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday.
With an inspirational showing from man-of-the-match Eden Hazard Chelsea controlled the game and brought the Newcastle defence no end of issues that they simply could not deal with on the day.
Having made some fatal errors on their part, Newcastle and Rafa Benitez were rightly dissapointed and frustrated in equal measure after such a poor showing away from home.
3. Cesc Fabregas Still has a Huge Part to Play
While his quality is often reasonably unquestioned, Cesc Fabregas certainly showed against the Magpies tht he is one of the premier midfielders in the league.
The Spanish midfield maestro has a second to non ability to offset the ball to a teammate, his over the top passes and pin-point plays throughout the game reminded fans and critics alike that the aging Spaniard still has plenty left in the tank despite his relative low-key part in the Chelsea side of late.
Going down as a Premier League superstar and legend is certainly a plan on the cards for the future, but the old war-horse proved in an effortless display of creativity that there is still more titles up for grabs while he wears the blue of the West London club.
2. Mistakes Cost Newcastle Needless Goals
Mistakes from both Florian Lejeune and a double from Matt Ritchie sadly cost Newcastle on what was a difficult day for the North East side.
Rafa Benitez speaking to the media after the event commented on how the simplest mistakes on the day cost his side valuable points in their campaign, particularly after taking a one goal lead against the Blues down at Stamford Bridge.
But failed clearances from both Lejeune and Ritchie cost their Magpies side dearly in this league contest, Ritchie also gave away the penalty in which superstar Belgium Eden Hazard nonchalantly placed away to all but kill off any Newcastle chances at at least a point away to such tough opponents.
But small errors of judgement from not just these two players, but the side as a whole throughout the contest brought on their own tough judgement in front of the Bridge on a day that mistakes should have been put aside.
1. Eden Hazard is reaffirmed as One of the World’s Best
Eden Hazard on his day is quite simply an unstoppable force in the Premier League, the game against Newcastle only assured this status as a world beater and someone England could do without facing if in inspired form at the World Cup next summer.
Many have often discussed and argued the case of the diminutive Belgium international sitting on the same pedestal as the likes of Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and when you see him in such excitable, free-flowing form it is easy to see why.
Even moments in play when the forward took on three Newcastle defenders while pretty much off balance but still weaving his way through to goal just reaffirms how much of a class player he is and more importantly how much his form matters to a Chelsea title push once more.
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