As the minutes ticked down at Stamford Bridge on Monday, fans desperately held their breath, hoping Chelsea would find that all-important winning goal, the one that would see them take advantage of their rivals Easter weekend slip-ups.
There was even an added minute on top of the five already shown in stoppage-time.
In the end it mattered little, for Chelsea could have had another 90 minutes and it is unlikely they would have broken Burnley’s resistance.
3
Chelsea failed to break down Burnley after the break
A draw was the final result, 2-2, but both goals came in the first-half and this match was the latest chapter in Chelsea’s recent decline.
While they were not beaten in the second-half, Chelsea did not win it either. As Maurizio Sarri’s side huffed and puffed looking for a way through, the realists watching, would have been aware of what had happened and was happening, it was all so painfully predictable.
Only days earlier, Slavia Prague were the visitors for the second-leg of the Europa League quarter-final, they were being outplayed, 4-1 was the score, Chelsea were rampant in the first-half.
LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS
After the break, the familiar collapse occurred and Prague scored twice. The final score 4-3, Chelsea had held on, but only just.
Had Chelsea not been so decisive in the opening period, a humiliating exit from Europe’s second-tier competition would have been a formality, such is this recent trend of switching off after the break.
Afterwards, Sarri joked he should not talk to the players and see if that has an effect, whatever he is saying is clearly not having the desired one.
When the Chelsea roadshow rolled into Anfield, there was genuine hope of an upset, there had been before when Liverpool last challenged for the league back in 2014.
3
Chelsea had a real scare against Slavia Prague
For 45 minutes, Chelsea held their own, but once they emerged from the tunnel in the second-half, the first sign of pressure and the Blues wilted like a thirsty sunflower, Liverpool scored twice, they only needed 142 seconds between either strike to settle this contest.
But it was not the first time a Merseyside audience had seen the Blues self-combust.
Everton had waited two years to beat a top six side and they had failed to win against Chelsea since 2015.
Once again, Chelsea fell apart in the second-half, their defensive frailties exposed and Sarri put the situation down to a ‘mental problem’.
“We played the best 45 minutes of the season,†said Sarri. “And then in the beginning of the second half, we stopped playing.
“I do not know way. We did not defend. It is not a physical problem. If you have a physical problem you can go down gradually, not in one second.
“It is difficult for the players to explain to me the change, and for me to explain to you the change. It is a mental block.â€
3
Chelsea were beaten 4-0 by Bournemouth
Sarri had not issued a diagnosis when his side were obliterated 4-0 by Bournemouth in the second-half, while two of Manchester City’s six came after the break. They were also beaten at home, 1-0 by Leicester.
Once upon a time, Chelsea were resilient, especially under Jose Mourinho. Capable of getting a goal and defending a lead or finding some way to fight back and take control if faced with adversity, that is now a distant memory.
Whether it is their mental or physical resilience, Chelsea must address the matter quickly or they will find themselves in the same situation next season.
Chelsea's recent second-half results
Chelsea 0-0 Burnley
Chelsea 0-2 Slavia Prague
Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea
Everton 2-0 Chelsea
Chelsea 1–1 Wolves
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea
City 2-0 Chelsea
Bournemouth 4-0 Chelsea
Chelsea 0-1 Leicester
Everton captain Phil Jagielka will leave the club this summer after 12 years at Goodison Park. After joining from Sheffield United in 2007 for £4m, the 36-year-old centre-back went on to score 19 goals in 386 appearances for the Toffees. He succeeded the retiring Phil Neville as club captain in 2013.
Phil Jagielka: Everton captain to leave club after 12 years
Working.com - Canada's most comprehensive job search engine. Find your dream job today!
Driving - New and Used Car Reviews, Comparisons and News
Chelsea news: Maurizio Sarri to Juventus 'done' as manager reportedly reaches agreement after Pep Guardiola snubbed Serie A champions It's claimed by Italian media that the Blues' boss is
Maurizio Sarri to Juventus 'done' as manager reportedly
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu claims “know what will happen†when it comes to the future of in-demand Ajax defender Matthijs de Light. The Netherlands international is attracting interest from leading sides across Europe. Manchester United remain in the hunt for centre-half
Barcelona chief suggests Matthijs de Ligt's future has
Gordon Taylor PFA exit backed by former chairman Clarke Carlisle talkSPORT - 27 Mar 2019 The Professional Footballers' Association is 'not fit for purpose' under Gordon Taylor and MUST be reformed to reflect the needs of modern footballers, according to Clarke Carlisle.
Gordon Taylor will never step aside as PFA boss, claims
Ex-Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat joins Stuttgart
Andre Villas-Boas' previous clubs as a boss include Porto and Zenit St Petersburg. Former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has been appointed head coach of French club Marseille.
Andre Villas-Boas appointed Marseille manager | Football News
May 12, 2019 · Jurgen Klopp: 'This team is one of the best ever to have played for Liverpool' Save Klopp said it would take only a 'perfect' season from a team to defeat Man City Credit: Getty Images
Maybe the best night of my life - Klopp hails heroic Liverpool
How Man United could line up under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer next season with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Declan Rice and Jadon Sancho trio of Jadon Sancho, Declan Rice and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all seen as
How Man Utd could line up next season after ruthless summer
(NB: While the Premier League's first three years featured 42 games rather than 38, adjusting the points tallies resulted in no teams from those seasons making this countdown.
Which Premier League club is most popular on Twitter where
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni was hospitalised The 40-year-old was involved in a road accident in Mallorca and suffered multiple injuries, but he has already been discharged by doctors
Mark Ruffalo Takes Lie Detector About Avengers Spoilers On
0 comments:
Post a Comment