Cardiff vs Chelsea: The Little Horse Gets Over the Final Hurdle

Torres + Schürrle counting Salah's offtarget shots

With the little horse completely out of the title race on the final day of the season, discussion in the build-up focused on how many of the players who limped to a 0-0 against Norwich (NORWICH FFS) may have played their last game at Stamford Bridge. Thankfully, the World Cup may reduce the number of tedious rumours that will surround half the team until pens are put to paper.

With the back five arguably creating the majority of highlights this season, Mourinho opted for a complete rejigging … just because he can. Which gave Ashley Cole one more opportunity to remind Mourinho that he’s good enough to attend Christmas parties — wherever they are being held. It also gave the travelling support one more chance to try and reduce him to tears letting him know they want him to stay.

Fernando Torres got the nod ahead of Demba Ba and Samuel 'only scores at Stamford Bridge’ Eto’o. Torres, of course, promptly rewarded Mourinho with that vote of confidence by getting tangled up in some balloons in the opening minutes and then having his brilliant shot denied by Steven Caulker. Only then did the Cardiff grounds crew decide that they needed to dispose of the balloons before the game continued.

Swansea vs Chelsea: Continuing the BA-ttle

"Hold Me Closer, Tony Danza"

If Sunday's early game did anything it was to throw Chelsea supporters into a bit of a wobble as they tried to do some quick math and put personal feelings aside. Which result would be most palatable pitted against which result would benefit Chelsea's title hopes the most. Taking a moment here to curse Pulis' Palace for this decision even having to be made and then moving on.

Mathematically, a Liverpool win was Chelsea's most beneficial result, as distasteful as it felt. If Chelsea went on to beat Swansea (spoiler alert: they did) it would mean that if Chelsea don't Palace it up again and win their remaining 4 (FOUR!) games with City dropping a couple of points in one of their 26 games in hand - we could see Mourinho wear a trophy like a crown once again.

Sounds easy enough. Chelsea have shown time and again this season that they know how to handle a big match matching title challengers and just about every step. The crux of that ,of course, is 3 of Chelsea's 4 remaining games are against relegation fodder. The fixtures that recall the recent trips to Palace and Villa or even the visit from London's Eastenders.

Chelsea vs Stoke: Stoke’s Aversion to Goals at the Bridge Continues

So. Much. Hair.

After losing 3-1 away in a Champions League tie, is to host Stoke in the PL right before the continental types make their way to Stamford Bridge. Of course this time around there wasn’t a flurry of other matches and managerial changes before Stoke at home but the similarities are close enough to give those in and around SW6 enough hope going into Tuesday night’s tie.