Whoops of joy celebrated Chelsea’s return to Champions League football next year. Pushing United and Arsenal down into the Europa places made it doubly sweet as the last league game looms at Leicester.
Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Watford summed the season up. The first half was rubbish – only illuminated by a save of the season as Kepa switched hands while airborne to push Troy Deeney’s goalbound header wide.
But the second half turned into an unexpected romp, with quickfire goals by Ruben Loftus-Cheek and David Luiz followed by a cute lofted dink by Gonzalo Higuain.
A decision will be made by the board on whether to stick with Morrie Sarri and Higuain in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, there’s a glimmer of hope that Eden Hazard – creator of two Blues goals on Sunday – may delay his move to Real Madrid and stay at the Bridge to see out the last year of his contract, then pocket a hefty signing-on fee himself.
Hazard was chosen to model Chelsea’s new-look shirt (red neck stripe and scribbles on the traditional blue), suggesting he plans to wear it.
Gary Cahill made a brief final appearance for Chelsea as a late sub, earning a standing ovation. In any other team he’d have been a regular, but Sarri never took to him.
His short cameo before the players’ traditional lap of appreciation showed he’s still fit, fast, tall and useful – and is likely to be snapped up by Frank Lampard or John Terry.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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