Chelsea fans couldn’t have asked for a better welcome back to Stamford Bridge, could they?
Well, I suppose the final result could have been more comfortable, or perhaps Frank Lampard’s men might have killed the game sooner, but Leeds United were never going to roll over. In the end, the Blues put in a performance that stunk of title contenders.
And that’ll be just as exciting to the Chelsea faithful as a hypothetical, comfortable 3-0 win over their rivals. They say that in order to be taken seriously as a contender for the Premier League trophy, you must possess an array of winning methods in your locker.
Blowing teams away, grinding out results, or just edging past a dogged opponent. On Saturday night, Chelsea produced a performance that encapsulated all three of these traits in one 90-minute spell.
Lampard’s men suffered an early setback, getting caught out by a clever ball behind the defence, and a rare lapse in judgement from goalkeeper Edouard Mendy left them trailing. Against a team as canny, relentless and spirited as Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds, this would have set alarm bells ringing all over West London.
Instead, the Blues were calmness personified in their pursuit of retribution. They almost hit back immediately, but Timo Werner somehow contrived to smash the crossbar from less than a yard from goal.
It’s going to be one of those days, then?
Not with this fire power, it’s not. Chelsea pushed on regardless of their missed opportunities, and worked the perfect opening to make amends. Man of the moment Olivier Giroud did not pass up his chance to shine.
Hakim Ziyech beautifully crafted some space for the onrushing Reece James, who whipped a trademark cross into the front post, and his French recipient did the rest, poking the ball home and restoring parity on the half-hour mark.
Now with the wind in their sails, the hosts were rocking and rolling. Chances came and went – but the important thing was, they came in the first place. They had to be patient and wait to edge their noses in front, with Illan Meslier in top form, and Leeds standing firm – albeit creaking a touch.
As with any top team however, they found a way. Lampard’s men broke the white barrier through defender Kurt Zouma, who towered above his markers to crash a brilliant header into the net. Stamford Bridge erupted – it was the moment they had all been waiting for.
Now ahead, Chelsea began to put on a show. They snuffed out Leeds’ threat impressively, and broke with devastating pace, as Werner and Christian Pulisic linked up to draw a string of excellent saves and blocks from the Whites’ backline.
As the minutes ticked by, Lampard’s men also showed signs of mental growth and maturity, refusing to crumble under late pressure and stood firm. The visitors worked a couple of opportunities, but Mendy was rarely tested, as the ever-reliable Thiago Silva demonstrated exactly why the Blues were right to take a punt on him, despite his advancing years.
That dynamic duo Werner and Pulisic had the last laugh, combining to rip Leeds apart and put the result beyond doubt, adding a nice, glossy shine to a hard-fought 3-1 victory.
Lampard will undoubtedly be delighted. He has finally found a winning formula that compliments both his defence and attack, and he’s beginning to land on the right personnel for the job in hand.
The Chelsea boss will play down any talk of a title push as premature for the time being, but fans who were fortunate enough to step inside the Bridge on Saturday can now confirm with their very own eyes: they are well and truly in the hunt.
Start dreaming boys and girls, Lampard is on the march.