As unlikely as it would have felt in the immediate aftermath of Kepa Arrizabalaga’s histrionics and that penalty shoot-out defeat at Wembley, this has been a restorative week for Chelsea. A second successive derby victory in the period since, albeit one ground out against spirited opposition, has moved Maurizio Sarri’s side back to within two points of the top four, and only five off third-placed Tottenham Hotspur, and all with a game still in hand to fuel hope.
More significantly, perhaps, there are signs of acceptance again amid what had been a mutinous support. Just 10 days after being booed on to the turf by his team’s own fans, Jorginho, a player who personifies Maurizio Sarri’s regime, was serenaded appreciatively by those in the Putney End after his most impressive, progressive display in weeks, albeit against a Fulham side who opted against employing a man-marker to snap at his every touch of the ball. Sarri, too, will have curried favour with successive victories over local rivals and departed with a wave and a smile, while Kepa is re-established as this team’s first-choice.
Continue reading...from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2IQQ2Ra
via
0 Comments