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It was a tale of two Chelsea's today, with the Blues performing very differently before and after the break. Regardless, they managed a relatively comfortable victory in the end, and had things in cruise control after the hour mark.
The Blues were outplayed for much of the first half, but some intelligent play from WIllian saw Chelsea catch Newcastle unprepared for a corner, which Oscar then slotted home for the lead. The second half then got underway with Chelsea pouring the pressure on, and Diego Costa doubled the lead fifteen minutes after the restart, and it was pretty much all Chelsea from that point on.
In the end, it's three more points collected, and it's back atop the Premier League table. Here are a few thoughts I had watching Saturday's contest:
- The first half of the season where we had a striker willing to fire at goal every time he touched the ball was fun. During the first half of today's game, we didn't. During the second half, we did. I prefer second half Costa.
- Keep your fingers crossed that the injury to Cesar Azpilicueta is nothing serious. Filipe Luis is as capable a replacement as anyone could ask for, but we're now one injury or red card away from a very interesting decision for Jose Mourinho to make.
- Another game, another clear penalty not given to Chelsea. It's a conspiracy, I tell you!
- Speaking of screw jobs, sorry, Everton.
- Tony Gale stinks.
- Remy Cabella has a terrible haircut.
- Jose Mourinho really doesn't seem to believe that Oscar can go 90 minutes.
- Happy Zouma looked just as good in a Premier League match as he has every other time he's gotten to play. Gary Cahill better rediscover the form that he displayed last season, or he's going to lose his place to the youngster.
- Congratulations to Petr Cech, who now needs just six to match David James for the all-time mark.
- Congratulations are also in order for Diego Costa, who is now just five Premier League goals away from matching Fernando Torres' three and a half year total.