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Chelsea continue perfect start to season with 2-1 win over Aston Villa
JOSE MOURINHO continues to rule Stamford Bridge as a fortress after his Chelsea side won consecutive home games by beating Aston Villa 2-1.
It was a heated match that boiled over in places and could have seen red cards and penalties given.
The home side got off to an early dream start with Eden Hazard working magic down the wing to force an own goal from Villa full-back Antonio Luna.
Danger man Christian Benteke then demonstrated why he is a feared striker by scoring right before the referee blew for half time.
Serb international Branislav Ivanovic again proved his knack for finding the net after he slammed in a powerful header from a Frank Lampard free-kick in the second-half, sealing the win.
The Blues began the game in a buoyant mood, dominating possession and teasing the visitors’ defence in and around the box.
Juan Mata was handed a first start under the second Mourinho era, and he began well, linking intelligently with Oscar and Hazard.
It only took six minutes before Chelsea made the difference. Hazard was played through on the left channel by Demba Ba, and the Belgian cut in on goal, luring Brad Guzman out. The keeper could only parry the ball straight into the backpedalling Luna, who knew nothing about the ball bouncing in off his chest into the net.
The goal settled Mourinho’s men and they started to dictate play, keeping Villa at arm’s length.
It took until the 23rd minute before the away fans had a shot in anger to cheer about – midfielder Karim El Ahmadi flashed a hopeful distance effort wide.
However, Villa did score with their first attempt on target that ruined Petr Cech's chance of claiming a 200th club clean sheet.
The home side must have had their minds in the dressing room as the third minute of added time counted down to half-time when Benteke struck.
The big Belgian collected a neat, low cross from Gabriel Agbonlahor, who worked well down the left, and the striker turned unleashing a sweet hit past Cech’s near post. It was slack defending at best from the home rearguard, with captain John Terry nowhere near close enough to his man.
It was the best end to the half Villa boss Paul Lambert could have hoped for – up until that point his players had left Cech untested.
ENGLISH AFFAIR: Fabian Delph, centre right, battles with Chelsea's Frank Lampard (PA)
The contest got a lot more spicy in the second 45, which saw both sets of players lose their tempers.
Young Englishman Fabian Delph acquitted himself excellently in the middle of the park; destroying Chelsea’s pretty patterns and leaving their flair players no time on the ball.
Mata showed he was not quite match fit and began to fade – he uncharacteristically overhit crosses, was bullied off the ball and caught in possession.
Mourinho knew he had to mix things up and made the inevitable changes soon after the hour mark, bringing on Romelu Lukaku and Andre Schurrle for Ba and Mata respectively.
Chelsea immediately tried to test the visitors’ resolve with balls pumped into their young Belgian hitman, and Lukaku exhibited his awesome pace and power but could not work a clear scoring chance.
However, his brute strength brought a foul in the 73rd minute, and England veteran Lampard curled in a beautiful ball from the right that Ivanovic guided home with the force of a missile.
It was a controversial goal, because minutes earlier Villa players were appealing for a red card to be shown to the right-back, whom they accused of elbowing Benteke.
When referee Kevin Friend only produced a yellow card, Lambert went ballistic, almost tearing down half the stadium. The match winner from the Serb must have only darkened his mood.
Yet there was worse to come for the Scottish manager, as Friend waved away appeals for a penalty after Terry looked like he handled the ball in the box. The former England captain flung his arm in the air – always unwise to do in the area – and the ball struck his arm while his head was turned, which may have led to the official thinking it was unintentional.
It was nail biting stuff for the home crowd as the clock counted down five minutes of added time – Agbonlahor nearly volleyed in an equaliser, but was denied by a fine reaction save from the keeper.
Ultimately, Chelsea hung on to bag another three points from the Villans, and showed why many are tipping them for the title.
Mourinho said afterwards he is “happy” with his strikers, despite none scoring in his first two games. Wayne Rooney still remains the name on everyone’s lips.
Meanwhile, Lambert can be proud of his young side that pushed the Europa League holders all the way – after all, three points from two games against Arsenal and Chelsea is not a bad reflection of the progress Villa have made.
Moreover, it was a vast improvement on the abject display they put on here last season when Chelsea slaughtered Lambert's boys 8-0.