Another day in the office for Chelsea! They defended the home court, beat a tricky opponents that are Aston Villa, and moved to the third Premier League spot. In addition, the duel against the Villans was “same old, same old” for Nicolas Jackson as well, since the Senegalese netted his eighth goal of the season after seven minutes of play. The Blues captain, Enzo Fernandez made it 2-0 in the 36th, knocking the visitors down altogether. Cole Palmer’s 83rd-minute beauty was only the final touch on the Blues impeccable performance – 3-0!Unai Emery’s crew somewhat disappointed, creating only one massive chance Ollie Watkins wasted in the 15th minute. Hence, this match was a derby only in prospect, as Chelsea controlled the game completely and looked like a Champions League team more than the Birmingham squad.4 – Nicolas Jackson has opened the scoring inside 10 minutes in four different Premier League games in 2024; the most of any player this year. Urgency. pic.twitter.com/vxxRhf6IXL— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 1, 2024 The fans at Stamford Bridge didn’t have to wait long to see their favourites shine – only seven minutes! Villa’s Jaden Philogene lost the ball near the box to Marc Cucurella, who rushed into the area and crossed it in for Nicolas Jackson, who easily sent it home for 1-0!The Villans could have returned in the same way – after the rivals’ mistake in the 15th minute when Ollie Watkins outsmarted Wesley Fofana, creating a one-on-one situation for himself, only to be stopped by terrific Robert Sanchez.An interesting moment occurred midway through the first half, as Chelsea were awarded an indirect kick due to Pau Torres and Emiliano Martinez’s misunderstanding. Yet, the Argentinian custodian managed to redeem himself, stopping Cole Palmer’s eight-meter effort. Nevertheless, the Blues crowned their way better performance nine minutes before the break when Enzo Fernandez made it 2-0 after a short-pass action with Palmer!Villa opened the second period with a decent chance for John McGinn, whose effort from the edge of the area Sanchez deflected. That moment seems to have sealed the visitors’ fate in today’s clash, as the Villans seriously struggled to near Chelsea’s goal and threaten.Conversely, the Blues were close to the third goal, and Jackson was close to completing a brace, but the Senegalese unleashed a close-range effort far over the bar. Yet, what Jackson failed to do, Palmer managed seven minutes before the end, netting a screamer and finding Martinez’s top right corner – 3-0!Ninth time in five years…Expected or not, Enzo Maresca’s boys smashed the Villans, taking no prisoners. Obligations in the Champions League could be Emery’s team’s excuse, but Villa raised the bar last season, and now must be in line with it. In three days, the Blues travel to Southampton and, if they repeat today’s display, the Saints won’t stand a chance. Aston Villa on the other hand, await Brentford, facing another challenging task.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 13Friday Brighton – Southampton 1-1 (1-0)/Mitoma 29 – Downes 59/Saturday Brentford – Leicester 4-1 (3-1)/Wissa 25, Schade 29, 45+8, 59 – Buonanotte 21/Crystal Palace – Newcastle 1-1 (0-0)/Munoz 90+4 – Guehi 53 og/Nott.Forest – Ipswich 1-0 (0-0)/Wood 48 pen/Wolverhampton – Bournemouth 2-4 (1-3)/Larsen 5, 69 – Kluivert 3 pen, 16 pen, 74 pen, Kerkez 8/West Ham – Arsenal 2-5 (2-5)/Wan-Bissaka 38, Emerson 40 – Gabriel 10, Trossard 27, Odegaard 34 pen, Havertz 36, Saka 45+5 pen/Sunday Chelsea – Aston Villa 3-0 (2-0)/Jackson 7, Fernandez 36, Palmer 83/Man.Utd. – Everton 4-0 (2-0)/Rashford 34, 46, Zirkzee 41, 64/Tottenham – Fulham 1-1 (0-0)/Johnson 54 – Cairney 67/19.00: (2.15) Liverpool (3.90) Man.City (3.25)***odds are subject to change***
