Aston Villa vs. Chelsea: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
It was Branislav Ivanovic to the rescue.
Needing a goal vs. Aston Villa to extend their lead at the Premier League's summit, Chelsea were handed arguably their biggest three points to date from the Serbian right-back after 66 minutes.
With Manchester City drawing at home, Jose Mourinho now maintains a seven-point cushion after registering his first ever win at Villa Park.
Securing victory without Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis, the title appears Chelsea's to lose—but one could make the argument it always has been.
Winner: Eden Hazard, Who Opened Scoring and Tormented Aston Villa All Day
1 of 6
As the most-fouled player in the Premier League, Eden Hazard must be aching after every matchday. Placing his body in harm's way for free kicks, bookings and to create havoc, the Belgian international was at his best again on Saturday.
Latching on to a Willian pass in the eighth minute, Hazard slotted his shot past American goalkeeper Brad Guzan, which set the tempo for Chelsea's eventual win.
Aston Villa scoring first would have created doubt and anxiety, but Hazard's calm finish was exactly what the title challengers needed—and that's what they got.
Loser: Paul Lambert, Whose Side Haven't Won an EPL Game Since 7 December
2 of 6
Though scoring a goal for the first time in 660 Premier League minutes, Paul Lambert's Aston Villa will look at the domestic standings and worry.
With teams overhead and behind them with games in hand, the Villans are hanging ever so delicately above the relegation zone.
Playing Hull City, Leicester City, Stoke City, Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion over their next five games, if Villa do not find form—and quickly—against mid-table competition, it stands to reason their days of Premier League football are numbered, as the 2014/15 season is winding down in a hurry.
Winner: Willian, Who Has Raised His Level Since Juan Cuadrado's Expected Arrival
3 of 6
Logging two assists in Chelsea's last three games in all competitions, it would appear Willian has either mastered his role in Jose Mourinho's side, been spurred on by challengers to his spot or something of both.
Juan Cuadrado was bought for £27 million on January's transfer deadline day, his inclusion in Chelsea's squad serving a clear threat to the Brazilian. Giving Mourinho no reason to change personnel, Willian will be the first-choice option on the right-hand side until further notice.
The Blues' new Colombian acquisition will represent added impetus and competition.
Loser: Neil Swarbrick, Who Was Absent on More Than One Occasion
4 of 6
Handing Ramires a yellow card based more on reputation, not stopping play when Didier Drogba went down with a head injury and adding a phantom extra minute in second-half stoppage time, Neil Swarbrick did not have the best refereeing performance.
The Premier League has emphasized awareness of head injuries over the past three seasons, and referees are tasked with making sure any potential concussions are dealt with promptly.
Players sometimes take advantage of these rules to break up play and/or deflect their mistakes, but to wave play on with a participant laid prostrate is unquestionably vacuous—reckless, even.
Loser: Christian Benteke, Who Was Benched (but Villa's Problems Are Much Deeper)
5 of 6
Christian Benteke was a wanted man last season before his Achilles injury. Thought to be wanted by Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur—per the Daily Express' Ben Jefferson—Aston Villa were lucky to keep their domineering Belgian striker, but things have not gone to plan this year.
Missing the World Cup, Villa's pre-season and playing his first game in October, Benteke has yet to reacquire his form.
And how could he?
Aston Villa are the worst attacking team in England by goalscoring numbers, so expecting a recovering player to carry his squad with bags of goals was unrealistic.
Winner: Jose Mourinho, Whose Premier League Advantage Is Now Seven Points
6 of 6
So much for campaigns when your team wins.
Despite questionable calls and/or miscalls, Jose Mourinho's team persevered through Branislav Ivanovic's go-ahead goal. With Manchester City dropping two points vs. Hull City, the Portuguese boss now has a seven-point gap atop the Premier League table.
Judged rather harshly by some for taking a "negative" approach vs. City at Stamford Bridge last weekend, Mourinho would seem justified in letting other results improve his team's overall lead.
The Chelsea boss, though, was his usual pessimistic self; following the match he told reporters, per the London Evening Standard:
"In another country I would say [a seven-point lead] is fantastic, in this country I would say it's nothing. Every game is difficult, anything can happen. It's very, very difficult.
Seven points means seven points, we have 14 matches to go. We are speaking about 42 points to play for and in 42 we have a lead of seven. I think it's nothing.
"
With 14 games left to parse, however, only an implosion—whether on the pitch or the physiotherapist's table—could derail this Blues train.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
