'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chelsea outplayed a hapless Huddersfield Town by a comprehensive margin of 5-0 to strengthen their bid for a top-four spot. More importantly, they avoided a third successive league defeat and restored their confidence back, heading into a busy yet crucial round of fixtures.
A brace each from Eden Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain meant that Chelsea responded to their recent woes in emphatic style. The Terriers did have some positive passages of play, but the hosts proved too powerful for them.
On that note, let's take a look at the major talking points from Chelsea's rampant victory over Huddersfield Town.
Also see :Calcutta Football League, Calcutta Football League Schedule, Calcutta Football League Points Table
#1 Chelsea look under-confident but Gonzalo Higuain gets his first goal
The Blues did have more of the ball from the outset, but there was a sense of precariousness among the supporters at the Bridge. The Blues didn't overly control the pace of the game, and the crowd was as silent at it could have been.
Many a time in the opening exchanges of the game, a few passes were played around, but none of them had a finishing touch written over their structure. Neither did Ross Barkley finish his chances, nor did Willian provide the cutting edge.
Barkley did have a shy on goal from about 25 yards out and his out-swinging effort was just wide, but barely anyone acknowledged it as they were all waiting for a killer move.
Having said that, Eden Hazard albeit, was on a different platform altogether. His flicks, movement, link-up with Alonso, Higuain and Willian and the footballing genius he brought in was a real threat - something that the other players had to learn and respond to.
However, N'Golo Kante played out a peach of a pass to Higuain, who had been spinning off the shoulders of Christopher Schindler. However, the established Argentine striker finally found the back of the net for Chelsea.
Kante faked the away side with a pass into the channel with the outside of his foot and Higuain, who was at a narrow-angle, struck a fierce shot past Jonathan Lossl to give Chelsea the lead and score his first goal for the Blues.
#2 Huddersfield grow into the game but concede a cheap penalty
After the opening goal, not all went Chelsea's way as the Terriers played some top quality football as they aimed to find an unlikely response.
They got out of their blocks, tried to take the attack to the opposition and play some football on the front foot. In the earlier stages, Isaac Mbenza, who was unfortunately hauled off due to injury, was finding some wide spaces down the left and whipping the ball in.
However, the highlight of the attempted reply was the direct approach illustrated by former AS Monaco man Adama Diakhaby. He got at the Chelsea defence, wriggled past challenges time and time again and entertained the away supporters with his sharp dribbling finesse.
Aaron Mooy launched one as well, but Andreas Christensen got down to put in a heroic block. Elsewhere, the likes of Billing and Kachunga had their ventures forward as the basement club pressed for a goal.
However, with them trying to play out, they left their midfield exposed, which in turn invited room for counter-attacks. And the master, Eden Hazard, looked absolutely electric while breaking for his side. Skipper Cesar Azpilicueta was nudged down and Chelsea won a penalty.
Chelsea's talisman stepped up, and you knew he was never in doubt!
#3 Higuain and Hazard turn comfortable into comprehensive, David Luiz gets his goal
Chelsea were 2-0 up at half time, but they never looked like settling in for an easy victory. The hunger was portrayed, the mentality that was questioned by the players and the manager over the last few days seemed to have returned in some style as the Blues struck two more against a side that has little to rue about anymore.
A win was important, in fact, quintessential. However, what was more important was to thump Huddersfield and get back to the free-flowing football that they are known for, especially under an attacking manager.
Eden Hazard, who had an enjoyable outing, received a sharp ball from Barkley and without any fuss, rounded the keeper and placed the ball into the back of the net. Owing to his ability to flip-flop past opponents and the form he was in, he should he netted a couple more. But as we all know, Hazard is arguably the most unselfish forward in world football.
Gonzalo Higuain then did his confidence a world of good by netting a screamer from about 25 yards out.
David Luiz, who had found himself free a number of times this evening, was once again in acres of space from a corner. The Brazilian made no mistake and therefore, scored his second of the campaign to complete a five-star performance.
#4 Eden Hazard was on a different planet
Let's take a moment to close our eyes and count the number of times Eden Hazard made the Huddersfield players look like practice cones. Every time he picked up the ball down that left side or in midfield, you knew he would maul the opposition players.
He did, indeed, dropping his shoulders repeatedly, playing one-twos with Higuain, completing take-ons for fun, exhibiting tricks and flicks and scoring a fine brace and what not! He was absolutely on fire.
The Belgian had to respond in this high-pressure encounter for Chelsea and he did so by leading from the front. He pulled the strings, orchestrated the flow of proceedings and made the yellow shirts dance to his rhythmic football.
The more we speak, the more it seems like there is left. He picked up a man of the match performance, which was arguably an understatement to his display.
#5 It is Chelsea's midfield that holds key to creativity
The Blues had to respond, they had to reinstall their confidence, and they did so. They did so through goals from their star forwards, but also due to the sense of urgency evoked by the midfielders - something that lacked in recent games.
A lot of talk has been reiterated over the lack of creativity from the likes of Barkley and Kovacic, Jorginho's poor defensive abilities and Kante's position, but for now, the critics were silenced. What was important to see is that the three-man midfield was what played a major hand in Hazard's impressive showing.
The talismanic winger was able to fabricate magical football only with the help of Kante and Barkley. Yes, of course, his runs were simply unstoppable, but Hazard is at his prolific best when he's bringing the best out of everyone around him.
Barkley registered an assist, while Kante recorded two. While the former enjoyed a lot of space, the latter stayed close to Jorginho and defended brilliantly. Alongside that, Kante made daunting runs forward and showed how good he can be. Regardless of his position, Kante went about his job brilliantly and quietly.
The Frenchman now has a few creative passes in his locker, and those need to come out on a regular basis. Barkley too moved the ball around a little bit quicker and moreover, worked much harder in the final third of the pitch, which is what made Chelsea look so effortlessly mesmerizing.
Thus, the Chelsea midfield needs to be sharper and more creative. They need to feed passes into Hazard quicker, exchange positions and defend well. They are crucial, extremely crucial.
