One Game Too Many For Chelsea

As Chelsea failed to deliver anything against a powerful Manchester City side this evening, Antonio Conte and his Chelsea side have truly been given a reality check. The Blues were comprehensively outplayed in their own backyard. City bought their own ball and wouldn`t give Chelsea a touch. This was probably a case of one game too many for Chelsea.

It`s easy to pile on the criticism, but following a busy schedule of games through September we could probably have done without the last one being against City. For once, the tedious international break has come at a good time. Chelsea`s next game is in two weeks time when a visit to Crystal Palace, is on the cards. It will hopefully see a return to winning ways.

As fans, it`s always unacceptable to lose at home, but it happens. Having gone so long unbeaten at home until a couple of seasons back, for Stamford Bridge to no longer be a fortress is hard to take. To lose to this Manchester City team though, is no disgrace, clearly Pep Guardiola`s side are a class above the rest.

Let`s not forget free-flowing media darlings Liverpool lost 5-0 to them, albeit with ten men. No doubt many will argue we were effectively playing with ten men with???????.?…(insert name/s here) playing. I know who you`re thinking. That being the case our 1-0 defeat looks even better and we had no striker, better still.

The break that now follows, gives Alvaro Morata a chance to recover from the hamstring injury that resulted in his departure. Speaking after the game Conte said he believes it to be a muscular problem and not too serious. Finger`s crossed he`ll be back for the Palace game.

Rather than a total disaster, this game, like the Burnley one, is a but a blip. Against Burnley, Gary Cahill`s sending off, caused defensive mayhem. This time we were simply beaten by a much better team,

The other Manchester team, United, also look strong, however, they have started the season with an easy run of games. Something I`m sure Jose would have pointed out had it happened to another of the top teams. It could be City runaway with the league or they could blow-up like last season and it remains to be seen how we fare against Jose`s United. Maybe we`re fighting for 3rd place in the Premier League this season. That being the case, would third place and run in the Champions League be a bad season.

As i try to draw on the positive`s on a bad day at the office for Chelsea, I`ve saved the best until last. Could it be we finally see one of our development players, one of the ‘kids` make a move into the first XI and cement a place there. Considering Andreas Christensen was playing against the country`s top team, he was in no way overawed. He was calmness personified. Those central defenders, two of them anyway, need to be keeping one eye looking over their shoulders. Christensen is showing the kind of form that could see him really push for a starting place and on a day of doom and gloom, that really is something to smile about.

Your thoughts on this evening`s proceedings would be appreciated in the comments box below.