Dynamo Kiev 0-0 Chelsea: Five Talking Points

Manager Jose Mourinho would not be too worried with last night’s outcomeJose Mourinho said he had targetted four points in the two back-to-back matches against Dynamo Kiev. He has completed half of that expectation with a draw in Kiev as his team shone on the night but could not clinch all three points.Eden Hazard was restored into the lineup in place of the injured Pedro while Jose Mourinho preferred to start Kurt Zouma at fullback over Baba Rahman, shifting Azpilicueta back to the left. Despite the scoreline, Chelsea had a number of opportunities, especially in the first half, and this was a much better showing from the Blues.Eden Hazard and Willian both hit the post while Cesc Fabregas was seemingly denied a clear penalty early on in the game. Chelsea had a brief scare late on, but it was a more accomplished performance from the Blues.Chelsea are now on four points from three games, within three points off top spot and having played both their difficult away games they can now look forward to the two home games and an away fixture against Maccabi Tel-Aviv who lost 2-0 to Porto last night. Work still needs to be done, but the goal is still well within reach.

#1 Hazard and Matic step up

Hazard showed glimpses of his genius which will be encouraging for the side

Jose Mourinho benched Eden Hazard at the weekend, citing his side’s lack of defensive stability as the prime reason as to why he was benched. One reason for that could be how Pedro was brought in to protect young full-back Baba Rahman, who had a torrid game at the weekend.

However, Pedro’s injury opened the door for the Belgian to stake his claim for first team action and with Azpilicueta back behind him to do the defensive duties, Hazard had an improved performance. Granted, it still wasn’t the Eden Hazard of old, but this was still something to marvel at.

Capitalising on a rebound from a Fabregas attempt on goal, Eden Hazard rifled in a shot which was tipped on to the post. He also showed better movement in the second half to reach Willian’s cut-back before seeing his effort blocked. Hazard worked harder than we have seen him all game and showed his trademark driving runs at the opposition.

Meanwhile, Nemanja Matic had a fine performance as well. Trusted by Jose to shield the back four, Matic returned to the player we have come to know. Perfectly timing tackles and distributing the ball well, Matic also looked to respond to Jose’s public outburst at him and play himself back in. He also could have scored, nearly converting a good run into a goal early on.

The signs are positive, despite the result, that this Chelsea team is slowly firing up. Performances like these will always help that cause.

#2 The defence thrives, for once

Chelsea’s defence are gradually beginning to show signs of last season’s form

Chelsea recorded their third clean sheet of this campaign at Kiev. John Terry and Gary Cahill were imperious in the first half, but their lack of pace did show for a moment or two in the second, being bailed out by Begovic. However, overall they marshalled the Dynamo forwards really well and looked much more like the partnership from last season.

Cesar Azpilicueta looked a little awkward at right-back against Aston Villa, but Chelsea’s most consistent defender upped his game again on this European night. Azpilicueta stuck tight and consistently kept Andriy Yarmolenko in check, with the Ukranian needing to shift out to the other flank to find any joy.

Azpilicueta has been one of the most defensively solid and consistent defenders in world football since Jose has returned to the Blues and tonight was no different. This freed Hazard of some of his defensive responsibilities and allowed him to focus more on his attacking game.

Chelsea’s forward play kind of fell apart towards the end, and they needed Begovic to help them out of a few tight spots. The Bosnian came up with a couple of solid, if a little unspectacular, saves at the end. Begovic has been reliable in every appearance and has proved what a necessary buy he was as backup to Thibaut Courtois.

Kurt Zouma meanwhile was a major improvement on the defensive side of things from Branislav Ivanovic and Baba Rahman. Zouma coped well with defensive threats while adding height to the team, which Jose Mourinho likes. However, he looked completely like a conventional centre-back in attack, showcasing limited technical ability and pace. Probably should start again but there is room for improvement.

#3 Cesc Fabregas denied a clear penalty

Chelsea were denied a blatant penalty when Cesc Fabregas was fouled in the box

Late in 2015, Cesc Fabregas was adjudged to have dived under pressure from Matthew Targett of Southampton, though replays suggested it was a penalty. Jose was angered and made no sign to hide in the press conference.

"There is a campaign against Chelsea. I don't know why there is this campaign and I do not care.

"Everybody knows it was a penalty. The referee made a mistake, people make mistakes and he made a big mistake. He is a good referee and a good guy, he is young, he has years and years of football ahead of him but it is a big mistake."

Last night, Jose was visibly angered again. This season, Chelsea have been denied clear penalties against Southampton and FC Porto while there have been possibly legitimate cases to possible red cards to Steven Naismith and Yaya Toure/Fernando of Manchester City. Though Jose, on the other hand, has failed to recognize some decisions in favor of Chelsea, particularly against Southampton.

Last night, Cesc Fabregas was clattered and sandwiched between defenders, with another clear penalty denied to Chelsea (the second in successive CL games). Jose once again voiced his displeasures to the media, stating:

"The referee was weak and naive. Big penalty.”

“The referee and the goal referee decide not to give [it]," Mourinho added. "Against Porto it was a clear handball, last minute, a decision crucial for the result of the game.

"Today it was not last minute but it was a clear penalty. I don't know. The referee didn't see it? The referee decided not to give it?"

Maybe Jose has a point? Or do these things even themselves out over the season?

#4 Willian and Ramires keep up their form

Brazilian Ramires has been one of the few who have performed well this season for Chelsea

Since their super-sub heroics at St. James’s Park, Willian and Ramires have been two bright spots in a gloomy time. The two Brazilians have been staples in the team during recent times and have consistently delivered.

Prior to this game, Willian had 6 goals and one assist in his last 7 games, and very nearly added to that tally here. Given a free kick roughly 30 yards from goal, Willian applied his trademark curled free kick and very nearly succeeded for the 5th time in 6 games. Unfortunately, this time the ball didn’t dip enough in time and just struck the woodwork. Aside from that, Willian kept up his fine form we have seen this season.

While we have seen his tireless defensive work and pressing, he seems to have added some attacking impetus as well this time around. Willian also set up Hazard with a smart cut-back before barely missing the goal with a late effort. Willian started September as arguably the 4th choice attacking midfielder for the team, he’s now become one of the first names in the teamsheet.

Ramires, meanwhile, has staked his claim more for his consistency rather than raising his game up a new level. While others around him have seen their stocks diminish, Ramires has still been the high-energy and relentless Brazilian we have come to know. Defensively solid and still toeing the line of aggression, Ramires has had much more solidity to the middle of the park. Unfortunately, his technical limitations are still laid bare.

Ramires time and time again missed simple passes and doesn’t offer much of a creative option in there. However, till Jose can start trusting Fabregas to sit deep again, Ramires is needed to fill in and do a job. That’s something he hasn’t failed since his return from injury.

#5 Ruben Loftus-Cheek fails to make the bench

Loftus-Cheek was absent from the game in Ukraine as Mourinho still has doubts over his defensive efforts

One factor noted once the teams were out but forgotten after the performance was the absence of a certain Ruben Loftus-Cheek for the 18-man squad. Jose Mourinho, instead, opted to include Bertrand Traore for a rare bench role.

After the home humiliation against Southampton, Jose Mourinho addressed the media about how he believed it was time for him to start integrating young players and how he felt that the youngster most ready for the step up was Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Mourinho promised Loftus-Cheek a run of games in the starting XI to prove himself in the team, a move heavily endorsed by the fans.

Jose started Ruben Loftus-Cheek against Aston Villa as an attacking midfielder, rather than his more accustomed deeper lying role, and the youngster showed plenty of energy and endeavor. His final ball was off at times, but it wasn’t a bad impression from the youngster. However, Jose hooked him off at half-time for Nemanja Matic.

Later, Jose Mourinho explained about how he has complete faith in Loftus-Cheek’s ability on the ball but is troubled by his work-ethic off it. This was a point he referenced in Chelsea’s post-season tour against Sydney as well. This has subsequently now led to Loftus-Cheek’s failure

Jose Mourinho is known for being hard on his youngsters, pressing them to learn the defensive trade as well and become better players. Some players have taken his methods to the heart and improved their gameplay, such as Eden Hazard or Joe Cole. Others have been frustrated by this and elected to leave his regime, such as Kevin de Bruyne. Which side will Loftus-Cheek fall on?