Matic the secret weapon, as Costa destroys Everton

Diego Costa continued the sensational start to his debut season in the English Premier League by leading Chelsea to another victory in a nine-goal thriller against Everton on Saturday at Goodison Park.

The Brazilian-born Spain forward capped his performance with a brace, opening scoring after 35 seconds and rounding off a courageous display with a composed finish to complete a 6-3 demolition of the Toffees at the Merseyside.

It was the first real test to the London side’s tag as favourites for the title, and in fairness, they had to weather the storm in a feisty battle with Everton who overcame their early shock to make it a real contest.

After Branislav Ivanovic doubled the lead for the visitors with a cool finish within three minutes, it seemed as if the home side, buoyed by their ever-vociferous supporters, needed that challenge to get up to speed.

Matic (right) tackles  Jagielka during their encounter.  PHOTO: Chelsea FC

Chelsea were trying to control the game, but Roberto Martinez’s side ceaselessly attacked, particularly through their marauding fullback duo of Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines, and pressed high up the pitch.

Jose Mourinho opted for the more industrious pair of Ramires and Willian, and they worked really hard to repel Everton’s tenacity to come back into the game, with Kevin Mirallas and Aiden McGeedy supporting their big striker Romelu Lukaku.

Matic the man

The Blues had a more comfortable midfield task in their previous games against newcomers Burnley and Leicester with Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic in central midfield, but had their work cut out at Goodison Park.

Albeit Fabregas brilliantly set up the first goal and could have got another clever assist had Tim Howard not made a fantastic save from Costa, he suffered a bit in advanced role. As Eden Hazard and Fabregas laboured to put their feet on the game in the second half, Matic became fairly isolated in the task to control the game.

Yet Matic won great battles in the middle, making the most tackles (5), and scoring the fourth goal for Chelsea to restore their two-goal advantage at 4-2 with an unstoppable left-foot strike.

Claude Makelele was a stalwart in Mourinho’s back-to-back title success in his first stint at Stamford Bridge, but in the Serbian strongman, he has found a midfielder who possesses more creative slant to his game.

He could shield the back four comfortably, and stimulate the attack with similar efficiency.  77minutes gone in the game, with Everton looking to level after Eto’o had headed in at the other end, and with Gareth Barry closing him down, Matic slid through Ramires to ram home the fifth goal.

That two-touch decision highlights the fluidity the big midfielder has added to this Chelsea side. The team’s hitherto poor  mobility started witnessing a marked difference since his arrival in January, and has got even better with Fabregas by his side.

Costa aside, the former Benfica star has been Chelsea’s best performer over the first three games and could as well emerge the leading player in his position at the end of the season, if he stays injury free.

One thing is certain, after leaving Chelsea quietly to develop in Portugal, Matic is truly ready to play a huge role in Mourinho’s quest for another glorious spell in England.

Fabregas stars as Chelsea make a fine start

Cesc Fabregas made a stunning return to the Premier League as he led Chelsea to a 3-1 win over Burnley at Turf Moor on Monday night.

The Spaniard’s quality was never in doubt and he was in top form, putting up a commanding performance that earned him the official man-of-the-match award after his contribution to his team’s three goals.

Speculations on Jose Mourinho’s choice between Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois had drown out real specifics in the build up to the game but it was no surprise that the Blues boss opted for the Belgian, considering the clues of the last few days.

And Courtois was given a cold welcome after Scott Arfield fired a spectacular right-foot shot to send Burnley into the lead, 13minutes into the encounter. He had no chance as the ball flew in at a terrific pace with Chelsea defenders obscuring his view between the sticks.

It was a nervous start for the Blues but they showed a great reaction by imposing themselves on the game almost immediately with better composure and passing, led by the former Barcelona man in the heart of the midfield.

Costa levelled proceedings three minutes later. Fabregas found the overlapping Branislav Ivanovic with a nonchalant backheel, and the right back squares the ball across the face of the Clarets’ goal, only for the ball to rebound off the post –via a poor clearance-into Costa’s path to slot home the equaliser.

Then came the best moment of the game: a combination of 25 passes from Chelsea saw Germany’s Andre Schurrle finishing superbly a touch of genius from Fabregas, whose pass took out all of Burnley’s deep defensive line.

The former Arsenal captain’s vision was admirable, but his execution of the assist was even better; a cushioned half-volley pass off Ivanovic's cross.  It brought echoes of Eden Hazard’s sublime left-footed assist for Juan Mata’s goal at White Hart Lane, in the 2012/2013 season.

Fabregas was again the provider as his perfect corner-kick was volleyed home by Ivanovic to complete Chelsea’s 20-minute whirlwind that ultimately destroyed the newly promoted Burnley side.

Positives

Nemanja Matic found great comfort with the trio of Fabregas, Hazard and Oscar, with whom the Serbian giant was alternating roles to unsettle the Clarets, and that was great to watch.

Hazard, in particular, was the linchpin negotiating space in between a tight defensive block mounted by the hosts, who admittedly, didn’t actually ‘park the bus’. The Belgian was switching across the attacking midfield areas with Oscar and Schurrle, with Costa holding the ball up and stretching the Burnley central defence.

It is a promising sight and Chelsea fans have a lot to look forward to, when their players hit to gear.

Room for improvement

Chelsea lost a bit of composure in the second half as they could not express their game, especially from the defence. Mourinho’s rear guard will need to find more than clearances, in due course, to reduce the team’s loss of possession, when they come up against top teams.

Burnley pressed high and forced the Blues to play long, but they, themselves, lacked the quality to hurt their visitors. Hence the Blues were in control, except for a moment when Arfield forced Courtois to make a great save off another brilliant strike.

The Belgian keeper was impressive in claiming corners and calm in controling his territory, and Mourinho admitted he had earned his spot for the next game against Leicester City.

WEEKEND FLAKES

Early showers for Van Gaal’s United

Well, Swansea fancied their chances against a vulnerable Man United line up and they were spot to claim all points last Saturday.With a defence line comprising of Smalling, Jones, Blackett, Lingard and Young, Garry Monk and his side took a bold approach and got rewarded for their efforts.  

United must find and complete their transfer deals very quickly before the end of the window. In truth, the club’s failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League hasn’t helped in their bid to attract top targets. They will have to pay over the odds, like they did for Mata, to clinch crucial transactions.

Champions looking good

 Manchester City reminded us all that they are the team to beat with their 2-0 win at Newcastle United on Sunday.

I wonder if the overwhelming vote of confidence on Chelsea to win the title was a deliberate attempt by Premier League pundits to crank the pressure on Mourinho, otherwise it should be easy to tip the Citizens to defend their crown with their squad depth.

Manuel Pellegrini and City have done well to secure contract extensions early on, for key players including captain Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero, and David Silva, as well as strengthening with the signing of Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando.

Fernando was particularly impressive on his Premier League debut at St James’ Park with great sense of defensive anticipation, playing alongside Yaya Toure.  Aguero, who was on target, and powerhouse Fernandinho both started from the bench.

Liverpool’s new SAS

Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge continued their form since January, helping Liverpool to secure a hard-earned victory over Ronald Koeman’s Southampton.

Sterling, still only 19, looked set to play a major role for the Reds following Luis Suarez’s exit. His movement and composure to open scoring was impressive, suggesting good signs of steady progress in his game.

Sturridge who netted 21 league goals in 29 games last season scored a late winner and I must admit he is proving me (and a lot of skeptics wrong with his goals). Jordan Henderson is fast improving in his decisions as well, but I think Liverpool need top powerful and experience players in both their midfield and attack as they also challenge in the Champions League this season.

Gunners left it late

Aaron Ramsey’s late winner ensured Arsenal’s three points but Arsene Wenger must realise his side don’t look formidable enough to mount a title challenge.

The question however is: does Wenger really care about the title?