Leicester vs Chelsea: The One That Was Fab-Phwoar

True love

As a little something special for former manager and overall lovely man, Claudio Ranieri, it was really generous of Chelsea to absolutely gift his side a two goal lead on Tuesday night. It’s been tragically overlooked how benevolent Chelsea have made their approach to games these days. Of course there is always the chance that the defence is too s*dding casual.

Like his lengthy diatribe on BBC after the Swansea game, once again Gary Cahill atoned for what was, at least in part, his error. But this time in the form of a goal. And because of this I will reserve criticism of the Yorkshireman until he let’s Arsenal score something that never should have been on Saturday. He may or may not have actually meant the goal but no matter, it’s his and swung momentum in the right way just before halftime at the King Power.

Chelsea vs Bristol Rovers: The One That Was in the 2nd Round of the League Cup

Batman & Ruben

Remember when Tuesday night’s were for Champions League matches? Me neither. COME BACK CHAMPIONS LEAGUE — I MISS YOU It doesn’t get much better than the second round of the league cup. The last time Chelsea made an appearance this early Antonio Conte was lifting the Champions League trophy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek had just arrived in the world and Take That were splitting up. All in all a pretty good year.

Chelsea vs Liverpool: The One Where Nil-Nils Are Fun

How Diego Costa celebrates a goal

Familiarity breeds contempt. A sentiment that never seems to ring truer than when Liverpool face Chelsea again and again and again. With the first leg remaining fairly tempered it was bound to bubble over last night — and definitely did. A lot.

After a fairly turgid display from both sides in the bigger and better cup FA Cup this weekend, it was good to see there was some fighting spirit in the players. Quite literally. But it wasn’t all Diego Costa’s crimes* against nature and the never-ending farewell tour of Saint Steven. Some actual football snuck in here and there.

Most surprisingly was the performance of, unrecognised by his own manager, Simon Mignolet. Some people *cough* presumed if you shot anywhere in and around his area that the goals would come flooding in. They. Did. Not. Mignolet produced some fine saves in the absence of injured Brad Jones and could just see out the season in his smashing purple garb.

Liverpool vs Chelsea: The One Where Chelsea Forgot to Shoot

Luis explaining the importance of a headband for his 'look'

With Liverpool's exit from the Champions League a few seasons ago, supporters across the world were given a reprieve from watching them face Chelsea 60 odd times a season. But the League Cup* semi-final draw had other plans, it was feeling nostalgic for those days. Maybe it was the 'mind games', or the post-match 'banter' or the football that made you question what happened to the 90 minutes of your life that you'd never get back. Thankfully both sides have evolved beyond trying to bore the other into submission. More or less anyways.

After some pretty hapless performances from the home side as of late, it appears they saved all their vim and vigour up for last night's match. They started well and tested the re-instated Thibaut Courtois early and often. The partnership of John Obi Mikel and Nemanja Matic which had been so effective at Stoke looked sluggish or like they'd never met one another (they definitely have). Either way it left John Terry and Co. more exposed than usual. But it wasn't until the second half that there was any real damage to Chelsea's quest for another trip to Wembley.