Willian happy to finally win at home, knows Chelsea have to be more clinical

Chelsea may have dominated the match against Brighton and Hove Albion yesterday at Stamford Bridge, but we did not make sure of the points until 15 minutes from time, when Willian scored Chelsea’s second, and ultimately last goal of the day. In fact, despite the dominance, the Blues did not find the initial breakthrough either until early in the second half, on what was our 20th shot of the game.

Not for the first time this season or in recent seasons, the need for clinical finishing was put into sharp focus, as Willian himself reflected afterwards.

“In the first-half, we created a lot of chances [but] we have to be more clinical. We have to kill the game. [...] We have to learn from that. We have to keep improving, keep pushing, keep working hard, and when we have a chance to score a goal, we have to do it.”

All’s well that ends well of course, and not only did Chelsea hang on to the win with relative ease — and, for once, with some assistance from the woodwork, rather than hindrance — we kept a clean sheet in what was a long overdue home league win for Frank Lampard, the second successive one in all competitions.

“Very important win. We’ve been working hard for weeks. Every day, every game. A couple of games ago we didn’t get the result at home. Today we finally get the three points. That’s very important for us because now we have more confidence to go to the next game, so now we just have to carry on the same way.”

Now, the attention shifts to the Champions League, where Chelsea also have work to do after losing at home in the first group game. Wednesday’s trip to Lille thus takes on extra significance.

“It’s a big game. We have to go there and do a good job, and make sure we come back with three points in the pocket, because we need it.”

-Willian; source: Chelsea TV

Indeed we do. And we’ll need Willian to keep on contributing as well, especially now that he’s inherited the weighty No.10 shirt.