CHELSEA PRODUCED A workmanlike performance to secure a 2-1 victory after a stubborn defensive effort from Aston Villa tonight.
Jose Mourinho had previously gone four Premier League games without registering a victory over Villa, but he finally bucked that trend at Stamford Bridge courtesy of Branislav Ivanovic’s thumping header.
Chelsea made a flying start when Antonio Luna inadvertently scored past his own goalkeeper before Christian Benteke levelled proceedings on the stroke of half-time.
And it looked like the home side would be frustrated until Ivanovic met Frank Lampard’s free-kick with 17 minutes remaining.
Jose Mourinho made two changes to the Chelsea team that beat Hull City on Sunday, with Juan Mata and Demba Ba replacing Kevin De Bruyne and Fernando Torres, the Spaniard omitted from the squad altogether.
Paul Lambert had to make one enforced change from Villa side that opened with a win against Arsenal on Saturday, as Ciaran Clark came in for the injured Nathan Baker.
Chelsea started with plenty of intent and caused the Villa backline plenty of trouble, and they were rewarded with the breakthrough after just six minutes. Oscar threaded a through-ball into the path of Eden Hazard on the left-hand side of the box and his curling effort was saved by Brad Guzan only to unluckily rebound off Luna and into the back of the net.
After scarcely touching the ball in the opening 20 minutes, Villa finally started to settle into the game. They had their first glimpse of goal in the 22nd minute when Benteke picked up the ball in midfield and the Belgian laid into the path of Karim El Ahmadi but his long-range effort went harmlessly wide.
But Chelsea’s inability to convert possession into goals cost them dearly deep into first-half stoppage time.
Gabriel Agbonlahor beat Ivanovic for pace on the left and picked out Benteke, who took one touch before firing home a left-foot strike that squeezed inside Petr Cech’s near post.
The second half continued in a similar fashion with Chelsea enjoying the majority of the play but unable to break down a stubborn Villa defence.
And they were nearly punished in the 61st minute when Matthew Lowton broke on the right and played a pass along the floor that Benteke stepped over before Agbonlahor hit a first-time strike that curled just over the crossbar.
Just two minutes later and Villa once more came desperately close.
Benteke picked up the ball on the left and crossed deep to the far post where Andreas Weimann connected well with a right-foot volley but he was denied by a smart save from Cech.
Chelsea made a double change with Andre Schurrle and Romelu Lukaku replacing Mata and Ba.
And the changes sparked the home side into life when Ivanovic found the breakthrough in the 73rd minute.
Lampard played a teasing outswinging free-kick from the right and the Serbian timed his run well to head beyond Guzan.
There was almost time for one more twist when Weimann hit a half-volley from Benteke’s assist but he was thwarted by Cech.
Chelsea now turn to their attention to Monday’s trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford, while Lambert’s side welcome Liverpool to Villa Park on Saturday.
You sound surprised lads. The “big clubs” have been getting these decisions for the last 20 years.
It doesn’t cease to amaze me that people are still surprised by it.
Would that penalty have been given at the other end? You can bet your house it would have been
No mention of what should have been a red card for Ivanovic or the handball by Terry (are you sky sports in disguise).
I don’t care Chelski, they don’t care about me, all I care about is A.V.F.C
Ivanovic shouldn’t of been on the pitch to score the winner and Terry’s handball how the referee missed that he must of been blind or a blue disgraceful decision
Fair play to Villa worth the draw, the ref was shocking, but sure Ivanovic was foiled in the box by Brady on Sunday. As the old cliche goes these things even out over the season, or a couple of days in this case. Roll on MNF.
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Definite penalty for Villa at the death!
Correct. Shameful refereeing. Villa deserved a draw.
You sound surprised lads. The “big clubs” have been getting these decisions for the last 20 years.
It doesn’t cease to amaze me that people are still surprised by it.
Would that penalty have been given at the other end? You can bet your house it would have been
Dont know why chelsea bother spending big if they are just gonna buy the ref! Shocking display
Right ok they buy refs. What was the transfer fee? Undisclosed? No decisions just go the wrong way sometimes, stop being dramatic
No mention of what should have been a red card for Ivanovic or the handball by Terry (are you sky sports in disguise).
I don’t care Chelski, they don’t care about me, all I care about is A.V.F.C
They have a a. special Friend now !
Hazard (my captain) not even credited for the assist on fantasy football, annoyed.
Update: Later awarded the points.
Ivanovic shouldn’t of been on the pitch to score the winner and Terry’s handball how the referee missed that he must of been blind or a blue disgraceful decision
Fair play to Villa worth the draw, the ref was shocking, but sure Ivanovic was foiled in the box by Brady on Sunday. As the old cliche goes these things even out over the season, or a couple of days in this case. Roll on MNF.
Chelsea are being very good to me in Fantasy Football!