Special Feature: English Premier League’s weekend conclusions - Part 3
The English Premier League champions, Chelsea F.C made another emphatic statement by defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Stamford Bridge stadium by two goals to nil as Carlo Ancelloti’s men added to their lead at the top of the table. Chelsea are now
the front runners to retain their league title which they won last season after finishing just a point above Manchester United in the month of May. However, Ancelloti will be well aware of the complacency that can creep into his squad due to their brilliant
performances thus far in the 2010-2011 season.
Most pundits focus on the strength of Chelsea’s attack as they attempt to justify the Blues and their dominance of the English league but it should not be forgotten that Chelsea have a good defence as well. Many fans had thought that after the departure
of Ricardo Carvalho in the summer to Real Madrid, Chelsea’s defence would find it hard to cope if they were faced with injuries in crucial defensive positions. But Alex and Ivanovic have already shown that they are more than capable of filling up for each
other at the centre back role alongside the captain, John Terry.
One more astounding fact that surfaced after their weekend's two goal win over Wolverhampton is that the Blues have not conceded a goal at their home ground i.e. Stamford Bridge in the past six months. If that wasn’t enough, Chelsea’s clean sheet record
at the Bridge extends to 781 minutes in practice, which is a new club record as the previous one was set way back in the 2004-2005 season under Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea’s defence has definitely been impenetrable this season but their attack has been unstoppable as well. Florent Malouda, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka- Chelsea’s front three men have formed a brilliant chemistry amongst them. In their combined 24
appearances this season, the two Frenchmen and the Ivorian striker have amassed fifteen goals and nine assists thus far. If this isn’t enough, Salomon Kalou, Chelsea’s second choice forward is now averaging a league goal every fifty minutes he spends on the
field for Carlo Ancelloti’s side. Kalou scored Chelsea’s second at the weekend against a Wolverhampton side which gave the Blues a tough time.
The fact of the match was that Wolves huffed and puffed all throughout the first and second half and played to the best of their abilities but Chelsea hardly got out of their second gear and succeeded in scoring the one. If any credit should go to the Mick
McCarthy’s side, it should go to their goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.
The U.S. national team goalkeeper was impervious and despite the fact that his goal was breached twice, the score line was kept at a respectable level only due to his heroics in goal for Wolves. A lot of praise is showered upon the likes of Pepe Reina, Petr
Cech and Edwin Van Der Sar but Marcus has proved at the weekend that he belongs in that illustrious company as his shot stopping skills are second to none.
Another team which is turning out to be a special package this season is West Bromwich Albion. Previously, a perfect example of what a yo-yo club is supposed to be, Bromwich have picked up their game under Roberto Di Matteo. The Italian guided his team towards
promotion to the Premier League after their top six finish in the Championship season of 2009-2010. In their present English Premier League season, West Brom have now won four, drawn three and lost only two of their nine matches thus far.
At the weekend, West Brom gained a crucial home win over Fulham which propelled to sixth place in the Premier League’s rankings. At the start of the season, many had thought that Di Matteo’s side will be destined for the drop back to the Championship but
their displays in the English Premier League so far merit at least a top ten finish.
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