Palpable frustration all around after Chelsea’s latest result, from the coach on down through the players to the fans. Yet more points dropped from winning positions and in London Derbies. Yet another second-half to lament. Only 5 wins in the last 20 matches in all competitions; the end of the season can’t come quickly enough.
César Azpilicueta has seen this picture before. For him, as one of the leaders of the team, it was probably even more frustrating, especially after he put the Blues ahead with a rare goal in the 36th minute. It was a scruffy goal — his 3rd of the season, which is actually a new career high! (And his 7th link-up with Morata, joint-best in the Premier League this season.) — but it came after sublime football that should have already yielded a goal or two. It was followed by more sublime football that should have yielded some more.
7 - Cesar Azpilicueta and Alvaro Morata have combined for seven goals in the Premier League this season; no other teammate duo have combined for more (joint-high with Salah-Firmino and Salah-Mane). Compañeros. pic.twitter.com/4GBbs4fuqx
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 8, 2018
But as has happened so many times this season, Chelsea couldn’t finish what they started, the Hammers equalized and here we are again.
“What matters is the score at the end, I am frustrated today, we should be able to win this game. We controlled the game, we created enough chances to win but we struggled at the end and maybe they could have scored the winner. We are not happy.
”To get a draw at home in another London derby is really frustrating for all of us and all of the fans. It’s becoming harder and harder every game it goes on. We are further away than ever.”
Chelsea now trail Tottenham by 10 points with six matches left to play. Our Champions League hopes are dead. If last Sunday’s loss didn’t seal it, this Sunday’s draw did. Yes, there’s still the FA Cup to play for and it’s something worth looking forward to. But for Dave, the whole thing is bittersweet, and he’s undoubtedly not alone in that regard.
“The FA Cup is a massive trophy but it’s not enough for us. We will try to win it but the cup will not save our season.”
-César Azpilicueta; source: Star
Yet another frustrating day in a season that’s been full of frustrating days. Antonio Rudiger might have been a little more direct than Azpi in his language, but it’s clear that the anger and confusion about the team’s inability to close out a game runs deep in the Chelsea dressing room.