Chelsea can’t compare to Man City’s defence – but Pedro and Willian could be the secret to resolving the problem
The Blues midfield duo were included in the same line up for only the fourth Premier League game this season
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AMID the cheers and celebrations of another Chelsea win lies a curious statistic.
Maurizio Sarri’s side has not kept a clean sheet at home in the Premier League since September 1. That was a 2-0 win over Bournemouth.
Since then relegation favourites Cardiff City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Crystal Palace have all breached the defences in SW6.
It’s not a terrifying situation of course, far from it. But when put into context next to Manchester City it may explain a little why Chelsea won’t win the title this season.
City conceded a 30th minute penalty against Southampton just an hour or so before Chelsea kicked off against Palace at Stamford Bridge.
That was the first goal they had let in at home since September 1 - the same day that Chelsea last shut out the opposition all match in the league that matters most.
While Chelsea can score more than the other team all should be well of course.
Alvaro Morata’s two goals and one from Pedro earned them a win, eventually, which helps them keep pace with City at the top of the table.
But boss Sarri has made constant noises about his team’s lack of conviction at the back. But interestingly, he doesn’t necessarily blame his back four.
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Sarri pointed out on Friday that it is up to his forward players to win the ball back when Chelsea lose possession in the other half.
He wants more pressing and pressure placed on anyone visiting Stamford Bridge to frighten the life out of them and make forced errors.
For just under an hour the plan worked a treat. With workhorses Pedro and Willian starting in the same line up for only the fourth Premier League game of the season the odds were on for victory and a more stoic defensive display.
The three previous times have all ended in triumph and more importantly with only two goals against - versus Arsenal.
With Eden Hazard being nursed back to full fitness on the bench, it meant Chelsea’s two waspish wideman could chase down and press Palace deep in their own territory.
While their main job is to provide assists for the strikers, as Pedro did for Morata’s first goal, there are no two better players in the league at covering the ground needed to maintain the heat on teams like Palace when they pay a visit to Chelsea’s once-formidable home stadium.
That one slip which allowed Andros Townsend to briefly put Palace back on level terms underlines the nagging issues Sarri faces.
The Eagles were given space to drive right through the middle of Chelsea’s midfield and onwards towards goal where Townsend buried a classy shot - his first Premier League goal of the season.
When Hazard was brought on for Willian on 63 minutes Chelsea were back in front within two minutes and went on to stretch the unbeaten run to 16 games in call competitions.
It all looks good but Sarri will not be best pleased that his players took their eye off the ball in the other team’s half once more and set his heart fluttering again.
