Chelsea 3-0 Crystal Palace: The one with a dream Premier League debut

Things you love to see

The first match of the season is always a special one. Seeing familiar faces. Catching up after a summer off. But with the pandemic shutting out fans since March of last year - the day started with an even bigger buzz than normal. At least for the fans who still had their seats. With those in charge failing to take care of the match-going fans, nearly one thousand Chelsea supporters found themselves without a seat on opening day - with less than 24 hours notice.

Thomas Tuchel confirms Christian Pulisic withdrew from Training ahead of Southampton clash

Christian Pulisic facing another injury

Captain America may need to re-consult Dr. Abraham Erksine if he is to get his Chelsea career back on track sooner than later.

Christian Pulisic was withdrawn from training on Thursday afternoon ahead of Chelsea's lunch time clash with Southampton. 

Thomas Tuchel insists that the American is not injured, but they are taking precautionary measures to ensure it does not become a bigger issue.

Chelsea 1-1 Aston Villa: The One that Chelsea threw away

This man is goals

Frank Lampard rung in the changes following Chelsea's embarrassing defeat at Arsenal. In part to send a warning, in part because Monday's Aston Villa clash fell less than 48 hours later. Only the boss really knows. 

Chelsea 3-1 Leeds: The one that saw the return of actual fans

Unbeaten in the air

It's been eight long months but Saturday night finally saw the return of fans to Stamford Bridge. It may have only been two thousand and the ticket prices were grossly inflated - do better Chelsea - but it was magic to see supporters back in the stands. It was a step in the right direction.

Crystal Palace 2-3 Chelsea: The one that saw Jorginho return

Nobody does it better

 Who remembers when Crystal Palace lost seven games to start the season without scoring a goal - and then beat Cheslea. The last five minutes at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night brought back all those feels in the very worst ways. Going 3-1 up against a team that has scored the second fewest goals in the league should have felt a lot more relaxed.

But then it wouldn't be Chelsea if it were easy.

Chelsea 3-0 Watford: The one where an American starred on the Fourth of July

Olivier Giroud: Like a fine wine

After Wednesday's shocking performance against West Ham, Chelsea managed to bounce back with aplomb against another relegation battler Watford.

Frank Lampard dropped Marcos Alonso, Antonio Rudiger and Tammy Abraham for the part they played in letting Man United close the gap on fourth to just two points. While Rudiger definitely made two prolific mistakes in that match, he remains more consistent overall than his partner Andreas Christensen. I'm not saying the Dane has blackmail material over the boss. But I'm not not saying it.

West Ham 3-2 Chelsea: The one that would have seen Chelsea go third

Christian Pulisic could not have done more

Despite the season being nowhere near over, commercial commitments took centre stage on Wednesday night as Chelsea new kit and sponsor were unveiled. It has yet to be confirmed that Chelsea conceded three shocking goals as an homage to their new shirt sponsor. Let's just hope it's not a trend that they plan to continue.

West Ham have now done the double over the Blues for the first time since 2002-03, a season in which they were relegated. To further contextualize that - 20 per cent of all the points West Ham have won this season have been against Chelsea. Frank Lampard could shockingly be the man to win Liverpool the title AND keep West Ham up.

Chelsea 2-1 Man City: The one that Liverpool were NOT playing in

Captain America can't be stopped

Chelsea hosted Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night in one of their most important matches of Project Restart. With Man United having closed the gap to just two points with a win over Sheffield United the night before, this was a must win game for the Blues in their bid to secure a Champions League place for next season.

But you wouldn't have known it was an important game if you were listening to the punditry on BT Sport. In fact, their focus was so singular that you wouldn't have known the two teams that were actually involved in the actual football match playing out if it weren't for your own eyeballs seeing it play out on screen. I appreciate narrative as part of sport - who doesn't love a story - but there are levels.

Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea: The first one of Project Restart

Frank Lampard sits where he wants

It took more than 100 days but the Premier League is finally back in all of our lives. But not quite as we know it. No fans, lots of elbow bumps and far too many water breaks. But who cares?! How good was it to be able to watch Chelsea again? And by good I definitely mean nerve wracking and a bit shouty at times, at least in my front room.

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle: The one where Marcos Alonso trolled Newcastle

'You're just a sad Mackem bastard'

Sunderland legend Marcos Alonso the difference in Chelsea’s win against Newcastle on Saturday. Satisfying on so many levels. Five wins from five across all competitions and fourth in the Premier League on goal difference — just two points off of champions Manchester City. Too soon to get excited about where the team could finish this season?

There were huge questions marks looming over the squad ahead of Saturday’s clash. The most recent international break saw FOUR Chelsea stars aggravate pre-existing injuries or come off with new ones. The most worrying was N’Golo Kante who has not been able to regain any sort of fitness this season - thanks in part to Didier Deschamps.

Barcelona 1-2 Chelsea: The one that saw Frank Lampard lift his first trophy

The big one... all hail the Rakuten Cup

One month into his new role and Frank Lampard has led Chelsea to the dizzying heights of Rakuten Cup champions. A completely meaningful trophy that shall no doubt be revered for some time to come. Insert terrible overplayed jokes about it being more trophies than Mauricio Pochettino, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, etc and so on. Still no idea why actual trophies are given out in these pre-season friendlies. It’s odd. So nevermind that, Chelsea only went and did a win against fierce rivals Barcelona.