SETS BLUES ON COURSE
Hamer 6; Jorgensen 7, Schindler 6, Kongolo 7, Hadergjonaj 6; Mooy 6, Hogg 6, Billing 7, Lowe 7 (Diakhaby 70th), Pritchard 6 (Depoitre (46th) 6), Mounie 6 CHELSEA: Kepa 6; Azpilicueta 6, Rudiger 7, Luiz 6, Alonso 7; Kante 7, Jorginho 7, Barkley 6 (Loftus-Cheek (67th) 6), Pedro 7 (Moses 80th), Morata 6, Willian 7 (Hazard 76th)
IT was not exactly a goal fit to the win the World Cup but N’Golo Kante would not have been too bothered after ending a near 12-month famine.
The scuffed 33rd-minute effort also helped calm the nerves of his manager Maurizio Sarri who until then must have wondered what he had let himself in for as Huddersfield displayed the spirit which had seen them survive for another season in the Premier League.
In fact, the great escape for David Wagner’s side was completed with a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in May – an achievement which sparked celebrations in the capital for the players until 5am the next morning.
And until Kante struck, Wagner’s Terriers had reduced Sarri’s side to pedigree chumps with the potential for another night on the booze looming.
A self-confessed chain smoker who is said to get through 80 fags a day, Sarri kept shoving gum into his mouth, his jaw working overtime in cement-mixer mode.
Thankfully for the Italian there was no finishing power to go with the home side’s endeavour and organisation which allowed Chelsea to snap out of their lethargy with a first attempt on goal.
“I am very happy because for us the first part of the season isn’t easy to gain points,” said Sarri.
“The first half was hard. You look at the result and think it’s an easy game but in the first half we were in trouble against a very physical team.”
The tension was released through Kante’s rare strike and
£71million Kepa Arrizabalaga was able to start Premier League life as the world’s most expensive keeper with a clean sheet.
Pedro broke and his ball saw Willian bursting down the left, the Brazilian then finding Kante unmarked inside the box.
His shot thudded into the ground from 12 yards before looping over keeper Ben Hamer for the French midfielder’s first goal since September 9.
Both he and his fellow Frenchman Olivier Giroud had returned from their triumph in Russia to find mini World Cups perched on their dressing room lockers.
He will not win any awards for his goal but it set Chelsea on the path to victory and a much-improved second-half show.
It will take time for the much respected Sarri style of play to arrive at Stamford Bridge.
He added: “I don’t want to do another Napoli. I want to do a good Chelsea. I have to respect the characteristics of the players. I have to adapt myself to the characteristics of the championship.”
By the interval Chelsea were enjoying a two-goal cushion, courtesy of £57m new signing Jorginho, who kept his nerve from the spot.
Chris Schindler tripped Marcos Alonso in the box following a neat move between Jorginho and Ross Barkley and it was the Italian international who strode confidently to the penalty spot.
A short run up and feint led to an assured finish which left Hamer – a free transfer, in stark contrast to his Chelsea counterpart – rooted to his line.
It could have been different if a fierce header from Steve Mounie had not have crashed back off the inside of the post following an Aaron Mooy corner which had Chelsea all at sea shortly after their opening goal.
Town boss Wagner said: “It was a disappointing result but not a disappointing performance especially in the first half.
“I have seen passion, desire, the spirit we usually have in our game.
“I felt the energy in the stadium. We were unlucky.”
A third goal really flattered Chelsea.
Belgium star Eden Hazard enjoyed a
15-minute cameo off the bench before neatly setting up Pedro for a clinical finish. Willian C Kavanagh Man City, Aug 19 (A) Arsenal, Aug 18 (H)