Catch us if you can
Cesc Fabregas pumps his fist as he celebrates with goalscorer Diego Costa in Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over West Brom yesterday — a result which sends them three points clear at the top of the table
Chelsea might easily have settled for a point. They could have shrugged as though, on this day, it was not to be. after all, this run of victories — yesterday was their ninth straight Premier league win to send them three points clear at the top of the table — must end sometime. and West Brom came in good form, with confidence, and an armour-plated defensive unit.
Yet Chelsea refused to accept anything less than victory. It is a good habit to be in if you have sights on the title.
It sends an ominous message and no one personified this combative never-say-draw spirit quite like Diego Costa. antonio Conte made a contribution from the touchline when his team needed help.
his substitutions made an impact and he tweaked his tactics, briefly abandoning his back-three in search of ways to pierce albion.
Ultimately, however, Costa made the difference, grabbing the only goal 14 minutes from time.
Cesc Fabregas supplied the pass, but this was not one of his defence-splitters. It was clipped fairly aimlessly into the corner and Gareth Mcauley seemed set to tidy it up as he lumbered across from central defence.
Costa pursued Mcauley, went shoulder-to-shoulder, and won the test of strength. emerging with the ball, he strode towards goal on an angle and lashed it past Ben Foster with his left boot. ‘he made the pass special,’ said Fabregas.
It was a 12th goal of the season for Costa and his 49th in 95 games for Chelsea.
Perhaps more remarkable for a player with his storm-tossed reputation, he has gone 10 games in all competitions without collecting a booking, his longest run for nearly six years.
Indeed, Costa insisted the team’s unruly image has been consigned to history. Chelsea and Manchester City were charged last week with failing to control their players after ugly scenes at the etihad, when sergio aguero and Fernandinho were sent off.
The Fa can deduct points from repeat offenders and Chelsea had a long list of misdemeanours during Jose Mourinho’s tenure. They are not expected to be docked points for the skirmish because City were seen as the aggressors, but Conte was incredulous at the idea of a deduction.
‘We had a bad record in the past but now we are different,’ he said. ‘Why must you pay if you are involved in a situation and the fault is not yours?
‘at the end of the game, my players tried to keep calm. You could see this clearly. We are trying to improve in all aspects.’
Chelsea are closing on arsenal’s record of 13 successive victories in one season — or 14 over two separate seasons — with a trip to sunderland on Wednesday, followed by games against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and stoke.
There was more than a trace of Didier Drogba about the way Costa led the line yesterday. he carried the fight, took the knocks, suffered from the frustration of very little service.
Then summoned a moment of individual brilliance when required, 14 minutes from time.
‘Diego shows great passion,’ added Conte. ‘he’s showing great commitment, his work-rate, with or without the ball to help the team is fantastic.’
albion had been impressively resilient. Tony Pulis set them up well, as ever, solid in defence, with a tight back-four and the widest of five midfielders up and down like wing-backs.
It was often a back-six, protected by the defensive nous and strength of Claudio Yacob.
For so long, the visitors stifled Chelsea as effectively as any team has managed since Conte moved to his new system.
eden hazard and Pedro, both so dangerous in recent weeks, found open space severely restricted in the channels.
When they ran short of ideas, they tried an aerial route, but Costa was crowded out by centre-halves who were equally strong in the air.
Conte scrapped his 3-4-3 system midway through the second half. By this time, the visitors had been forced back and were hanging on.
earlier in the game, Chris Brunt had gone close and salomon Rondon had given David luiz a torrid time.
Chelsea’s best effort in the first half was a speculative shot from N’Golo Kante which clipped Pedro and flashed by Foster’s goal with the keeper totally wrong-footed.
luiz wasted one free-kick, slicing it high and wide, then tested Foster with a second. he forced a save with a third, in the second half, but the officials missed the touch and awarded a goal-kick.
The game loosened up as albion tired in the final 20 minutes, and Fabregas and Willian came off the bench to good effect. eventually, Chelsea broke through.