This season actually saw two different versions of Chelsea. In the first half of the season, Chelsea played some really beautiful football. There was quick passing, chance creation, trickery, flair, speed, and good defending as well. It was pleasing on the eye and saw plenty of goals. However, January saw a different Chelsea side, that started grinding out wins slowly and methodically.
Whether it was due to fatigue, critical injuries or suspensions or teams adapting to their style of play, Chelsea fell out of the attacking rhythm they had developed in the first few months of the season.
But Mourinho knows how to get results, and he set his team out to win, and win they did. Consistently, methodically, one game at a time. It is this consistency that saw Chelsea win the league. The team were top of the league since day 1, and lost only twice all season, freak results that no one really saw coming. Some weak refereeing in big games meant Chelsea had to settle for draws with the big teams instead of wins, but those results ended up working out in Chelsea’s favour anyway.
But it was crucial wins against Everton, QPR, West Ham and Hull that saw Chelsea pull ahead of Manchester City, who had drawn level on points with Chelsea in January when the team lost 5-3 to Tottenham of all teams (Shocking right?). But as the second half of the season wore on, Chelsea pulled away from City again, creating another big gap in points.
It is typical of Mourinho sides, but this Chelsea side just know how to win. Whenever a goal was needed, someone stepped up and provided it. Whenever a good defensive performance was needed, the team dug in, rolled up their sleeves and got the job done.
Whenever a big a game was played in the league, Chelsea focused and kept their shape, using counter attacks to devastating effect. Nice performances are great, but wins are what matter, and Chelsea developed a knack of getting those 3 points every game, somehow, someway. That’s how champions are made, and that’s how champions stay at the top.
