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The last two months have gone very well for Chelsea. Aside from the 2-1 stumble against West Ham in the League Cup with a mostly second-choice starting eleven, the Blues have won eight of eight in the Premier League starting with the win against Hull City at the beginning of October, peaking with the 5-0 win against Everton at the start of November, but still going strong through the 3-1 win against Manchester City last weekend.
Wing-back Marcos Alonso has been a key starter throughout it all. It was in fact his introduction and subsequent formation switch in the 55th minute of the 3-0 loss against Arsenal that signaled the start of Chelsea’s transformation. The new 3-4-3 system has since proven to be able to win in various ways, whether through absolute domination or counter-attacking, playing with the lead or coming from behind. For Alonso, as for the rest of the squad undoubtedly, every win is pretty sweet.
"I think both types of win are very satisfying. Winning 5-0 makes it a bit easier, of course, but when you come from behind I think it’s also a very good feeling. It’s satisfying when you play a hard game like that."
"I remember how I celebrated with Gary Cahill at the end of the Tottenham game – it was great to come back like we did that day. But it was also great to get the results like we did against Everton and Manchester United, so I get satisfaction from both."
After the weekend’s results, Chelsea have opened up the largest lead at the top of the table so far this season. Still, we’re only three points ahead of Arsenal and four points ahead of both Liverpool and Manchester City with almost two-thirds of the season remaining. The job is far, far from done and now the important part is to maintain momentum.
"In the Premier League there are so many teams fighting for the title and it will be very tough. We just have to think game-by-game and keep on giving everything we have to win those games."
"Winning game after game gives you confidence but you have to keep working. The results give you confidence to work in this way, though. We have got to use this momentum of the last eight league games and go on to have another good game against West Bromwich now."
-Marcos Alonso; source: Chelsea FC
Although Tony Pulis' side aren't as talented as the top teams in the league, they remain a dangerous and annoying side. Since 2012, Chelsea have only gotten 3 wins out of 9 matches against the Baggies; all efforts must be made to improve that to 4 wins.