Chelsea illustrate stuff of champions

IF seasons hinge, twisting and turning almost imperceptibly, on numerous weekends of subtle momentum shifts, then Chelsea’s impressive victory at Ewood Park on Saturday may well prove to be one such moment in their attempt to hold onto the Premier League title.

A goal down, then level at 1-1, Chelsea were forced to survive a moment of late good fortune when Blackburn substitute Jason Roberts missed the target with Peter Cech and the visitors’ net at his mercy, before a dramatic late winner from Branislav Ivanovic.

The game was, in microcosm, an example of why Chelsea won the title last season and why many observers – including Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce – are pretty much prepared to accept that, barring a spate of serious injury problems, Chelsea will also win it in 2011, a bold statement given that it came before the end of October.