Chelsea made it four unbeaten EPL games in a row as they took all three points in a 2-1 victory Saturday against an impressive Aston Villa team performance at Villa Park.
Chelsea started the match without star striker Diego Costa, currently suspended for three matches, giving the legendary Didier Drogba a rare start.
The Premier League champions-elect started the game as the expected force, unsurprisingly dominating the ball and possession.
As Villa scrambled to get a foothold in the game, Manchester United loanee Tom Cleverley dived in with a dangerous challenge on Cesar Azpilicueta, earning himself a spot in the referee's book after just four minutes of play.
Chelsea continued their swagger through the opening gambit of the tie, and it was no surprise when they took the lead through the diminutive talent of Eden Hazard.
Oscar chased the ball down on the right wing and slipped a pass inside to fellow Brazilian Willian, who reacted quickly to find Hazard in the box. He finished with ease, giving Chelsea a one-goal lead eight minutes into the match.
The Guardian's Daniel Taylor believed the early goal could signal a long afternoon for the home team from the midlands, while WhoScored.com cited the Belgian's impressive stats:
Villa began to weather the storm, however, and started to see much more territory fall their way as the match progressed.
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was not looking his usual imperious self, coming and flapping at a couple of Villa corners.
Still, it was the Blues who were looking for a second goal on 23 minutes, with Jose Mourinho and Co. appealing for a penalty. The replays showed the ball had brushed the arm of Aly Cissokho, but a penalty decision would have been harsh.
Villa continued to find their way back into the game as Chelsea appeared to take their foot off the gas. Taylor criticised Drogba for his forward play—and chronic play-acting—as the Blues' game began to wain:
However, Chelsea maintained their lead into half-time, with Villa clearly pleased with their own efforts.
The Villains were rewarded for their endeavour just after the restart as Jores Okore headed the equaliser on 48 minutes.
Some excellent work on the right from Carles Gil saw the ball crossed into the box, making it a simple free-header for Okore to score.
BBC Sport's Garth Crooks criticised Mourinho's defence and said the Special One would be disappointed after Villa scored:
I have to say, I wouldn't like to hear what Jose Mourinho has to say about his defenders. Three of them all misjudged the flight of the ball completely. It was a good ball in, but it's missed all the Chelsea defence and it's allowed the Villa centre-half to get round the back and nod it into an almost empty net. Mourinho will not be happy at all.
However, with Villa Park in the ascendancy, the EPL leaders retook control of the result with a quality finish from Branislav Ivanovic.
Okore failed to clear the ball, allowing Azpilicueta in, and the Spaniard found his defensive partner, who volleyed the ball into the net to make it 2-1.
ESPN football economics writer, Jake Cohen, spoke of Ivanovic's amazing goalscoring contribution to Chelsea:
Despite the goal, Villa continued to play well and put the Stamford Bridge club under consistent pressure.
And as the game entered the last 12 minutes, Mourinho decided to throw on his big January signing, Juan Cuadrado, who came on for the well-worked Willian.
The new signing was soon in the game, as he dribbled down the right side, giving Villa's defence something extra to think about.
But Lambert's team finished the stronger of the two, as Mourinho sat back and let his team play deep on the counter.
However, the Blues had done enough to claim the three points after what was a much improved display from Villa.
Relevant Player Grades
Carles Gil: A-
The former Elche midfielder is starting to look like a supremely economical signing for Villa, and he had a strong day against the leaders.
He caused many problems for Chelsea in the final third and his performance promises that much more from him is to come.
BBC Radio 5 Live's Chris Waddle paid tribute to the player and highlighted his contribution to Okore's goal:
I have got to say I have been impressed by Carles Gil, he's got a trick, he's very nippy, and he moves the ball past Oscar before standing it up at the far post. Jores Okore got a free header and nods it down into the ground. A great start to the second half from Villa.
Didier Drogba: D
The years have now caught up with Drogba and the striker was clearly off the pace on Saturday afternoon.
His touch is no longer what it used to be, and his overall play has significantly diminished.
His early substitution reinforced this fact, and Chelsea were soon back in the lead after his exit.
Eden Hazard: B-
It was not a vintage performance from Chelsea's star man, but he once again contributed to a victory for his team.
The player took his goal well, despite not making a clean strike on the ball, but he faded as the match progressed.
Chelsea will need Hazard to play better than this in the run-in, but the absence of Costa limited the Belgium international's options in front of him.
Post-Match Reaction
Bleacher Report's Duncan Castles acknowledged the points gap created by Chelsea after their win, and took swipe at the FA for their retrospective punishment of Costa:
The BBC's Robbie Savage declared the title race to be over as Manchester City drew against Hull City, leaving Chelsea clear at the top of the Premier League:
It was a good days work for Chelsea after what became a difficult win for them to navigate. Villa gave one of their best performances of the season, forcing Mourinho's team to give a professional display to claim the points.
It surely looks like the Stamford Bridge team has the EPL crown in the bag as they look to be such a tough unit to claim any points from.
Mourinho will not be pleased with some of Chelsea's endeavours on Saturday afternoon, but he will be able to sense the title is almost in his grasp.
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