5 Things Learnt From Chelsea's 2-0 Win Over West Ham United

Chelsea moved two points clear at the top of the league table after a 2-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday. It was Chelsea’s first win in three league games after the previous two ended in a draw against Southampton and a heavy defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Both side met a month ago and it was Newcastle who ran away with all three points and ending Jose Mourinho’s season unbeaten record in the process.

Chelsea was well aware of the upset Newcastle could cause but were well prepared to take a revenge on the Magpies who just released their manager Alan Pardew.

Newcastle looked like they will indeed cause an upset in the early exchanges with the likes of Rémy Cabella, Sissoko causing Terry and Cech all sort of problems but it was Chelsea who did the needful – actually scoring the goals.

Though, not a vintage performance from Chelsea by their own standard, but the two goals from Oscar and Diego Costa were enough for the Blue to take three points and give them a breathing space from the chasing pack especially as City could only draw their own match.

Here are five things we learnt from the win;

Chelsea Are Well Secured At The Back:

With a minor injury to Thibaut Courtois’ finger, Mourinho decided not to risk his no.1 and started with Petr Cech. The veteran goalkeeper was as calm as ever and produce world class saves you’d begin to doubt the choice of Courtois as no.1

The Czech brings experience, a calm composure to his defence line and a perfect understanding with his defenders. Chelsea is simply lucky to have two world class goalkeepers at their disposal and I don’t think there is any team in Europe that can match the club in that department.

Chelsea Simply Got The Job Done:

It wasn’t a particularly vintage performance from the Blues but the players knew what was at stake and did enough to get the job done.

Newcastle was simply the best team in the opening half hour if not the entire first half with Remy Cabella posing a great threat anytime he bursts forward. He drew some brilliant saves from Petr Cech and Moussa Sissoko also clipping the wood work.

But the moment Chelsea took the lead through Oscar; their win was never in doubt. Chelsea really showed why they are good for the title. Taking all the three points while not playing particularly impressive is one of the hallmarks of champions.

Chelsea Can Get 100% Home Record:

Chelsea so far have not drawn or lost any league match at Stamford Bridge this season. And the win yesterday further consolidated the idea the team can keep a 100% home record this season.

Chelsea possesses the best home record already in the league this season with ten win out of ten. They scored 24 times and conceding just 3 in the process. That makes Stamford Bridge the fortress it once was and teams will definitely dread coming to West London. With the level of competition in the league, winning home matches is now important and that exactly is what Chelsea does – win all their home matches.

Zouma Progress:

The young Frenchman has really come in leap and bound for Chelsea. Match after match, each time he gets to play he has always been outstanding with his performance.

His confidence and composure on the ball is something uncharacteristic of defenders of his age and he is really adapting to the pace of the Premier League at a good speed.

Chelsea does not look troubled anytime he gets to start in place of either John Terry or Gary Cahill as evident yesterday. He always put up an assured performance. The club can look to the future in his department with great assurance that there is a capable hand to take over from the ageing captain.

Mourinho Continue His Dominance Over Newcastle At SW6:

Newcastle United has not taken a single point off Jose Mourinho Chelsea both in his first and second stint at the club.

Mourinho has maintained a 100% home record against Newcastle just as the Magpies have made life difficult for the special one at St. James Park.

Not only has Newcastle not taken a point off a Jose Mourinho-led Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in six meetings, they have also failed to muster a single goal past Petr Cech and co in the process. Yesterday’s win will make it 7-0 in favour of Mourinho at SW6 with 19 goals scored. That’s an average of 0.3 goals shy of 3 goals per game; a bizarre record for the Magpies if you ask me.