You just don’t know what to make of Chelsea’s form that went from losing to a Championship side in midweek to beating Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
It was a nervy win for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, but a much-needed three points, with Cole Palmer scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot.
Alan Shearer lauded Chelsea’s summer signing and how he ‘loves his attitude’, as he told Premier League Productions (13/01/24 at 8:10 pm).
The recently under-fire Raheem Sterling was also praised by Alan Shearer for winning the penalty after his quick footwork inside the penalty area proved to be too good for the ‘stupid’ and ‘sloppy’ Issa Diop.
It all stemmed from Cole Palmer’s brilliant reverse pass, which also impressed John Terry on Twitter.
That moment of magic was the standout moment of the game and it came from Chelsea’s Player of the Season so far.
And unsurprisingly, he was lauded by Alan Shearer and John Terry, alongside Raheem Sterling.
Cole Palmer scores again for Chelsea
“From a Chelsea point of view, it was really well worked,” said Shearer. “The pass from Palmer was superb.
“That skill from Raheem Sterling was superb. But I mean, it’s a stupid tackle from Diop. He is a yard and a half away. He is nowhere near the ball. Really sloppy challenge and it was a penalty
“Cole Palmer then sticks it away really well. He is really confident. We have seen him do that many times this season. Full of confidence and full of belief. I love his attitude.”
Chelsea up to eighth
Only three points separate eighth-placed Chelsea and David Moyes’ West Ham United in sixth, although they do have a game in hand.
You feel these next six weeks will determine what road the London club will go down this season and what mood the fans will be in.
Added to Premier League fixtures, they have the second leg of their League Cup semi-final tie, as well as Aston Villa in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup.
It also needs to be noted that only six points separate 12th-placed Bournemouth, who have two games in hand, and Chelsea in their current position.
This is going to go one way and one way only. Either, Pochettino is still in both domestic cup competitions and looking up the table.
Or out of the League and FA Cup, as well as heading towards the bottom-half of the table because you simply can’t see any in-between from this side.
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