toptop
Chelsea
returned to winning ways as they beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on
Saturday afternoon.
Diego Costa profited from a defensive mix-up for the visitors as the Blues
looked to bounce back from the 3-1 defeat to Southampton before the
international break.
The unfortunate Alan Hutton then diverted the ball into his own net shortly
after the break, and the visitors never really looked like getting back into the
game.
It's Chelsea's second home win of the season and only their third in the opening
nine games, but it's a vital result for Mourinho's men as they look to
kick-start their campaign.
The hosts looked nervy in the opening stages, with Villa trying to take
advantage and attacking regularly down the right-hand side, putting pressure on
debutant Baba.
Alan Hutton was having plenty of joy along that wing, but he spurned a good
chance early on as he worked space in the box, but then fired straight at Asmir
Begovic before missing the rebound.
Jordan Ayew then went close as he curled a free kick on to the roof of the net,
before Rudy Gestede should have put Sherwood's men in front, somehow lifting
Ayew's cross over the bar with an outstretched leg from close range.
John Terry headed over from a Willian free kick, but moments later Chelsea took
the lead after a howler from Brad Guzan in the 34th minute.
The goalkeeper played a terrible ball out to Joleon Lescott and Willian was able
to steal the ball, before moving into the box and squaring to Costa, who had the
simplest of finishes to put the hosts in front.
Mourinho's men started the second half much better than they did the first, and
on 54 minutes their lead was doubled.
Cesc Fabregas clipped a superb ball over the top for Costa, who did well to
bring the ball down in the box and cut back on to his right, and his attempted
pass was blocked by Hutton, but the ball looped off his leg and beyond Guzan
before rolling into the net.
Villa looked dejected after a massive slice of luck for the hosts, and Chelsea
looked more likely to score again than the visitors did to pull one back.
Pedro curled wide from a good position, but Sherwood's men did have a good
chance as a Carles Gil free kick was met by Lescott, who couldn't connect with a
header properly. The ball did drop for him, but Cesar Azpilicueta made a vital
block to stop him firing home from close range.
Fabregas missed an opportunity to make it three late on as he started and
finished a move, playing the ball out to Willian before racing into the box to
meet his return ball, but the Spaniard could only flash a shot wide of the far
post.
With Villa looking out of ideas, Chelsea were able to see out the closing stages
comfortably and take a well-needed win as well as securing just their second
clean sheet of the season.
Click Here For Official Teamsheet
Player ratings
Chelsea: Begovic (6), Azpilicueta (7), Terry (6), Zouma (6),
Baba (4), Loftus-Cheek (6), Fabregas (7), Ramires (7), Willian (7), Pedro (5),
Costa (8).
Used subs: Hazard (6), Remy (6), Matic (7).
Aston Villa: Guzan (4), Hutton (7), Richards (7), Lescott (6),
Richardson (6), Gana (5), Westwood (5), Grealish (7), Ayew (6), Gil (5), Gestede
(6).
Used subs: Traore (6), Amavi (6).
Man of the match: Diego Costa
Teams
Chelsea Begovic, Azpilicueta, Terry (c), Zouma, Rahman,
Ramires, Loftus-Cheek (Matic 45), Willian (Remy 90+1), Fabregas, Pedro (Hazard
83), Costa
Subs Not Used Blackman, Cahill, Mikel, Oscar
Booked Willian
Goals Costa 34, Hutton 54 (og)
Aston Villa Guzan, Hutton, Richards, Lescott, Richardson (Amavi
64), Gueye, Westwood, Grealish, Ayew (Traore 68), Gil, Gestede
Subs Not Used Bacuna, Sinclair, Sanchez, Bunn, Crespo
Booked Ayew, Richardson, Grealish
Goals
Attendance 41,596
Referee Roger East