1. It would have been an engrossing finish to the game if the controversial moment had gone Derby’s way
Chelsea were the better team in the game as a whole but there was a period after the 70th minute when the momentum shifted to Derby after the Rams pulled a goal back and the Blues where pinned back in their half.
Chelsea released a long ball that prompted a foot race towards Derby’s goal between Jake Buxton and Loic Remy. Arms became entwined and both players went down. The inevitable question was: who grabbed who first?
Replays showed that Remy may have been guilty, while another argument suggested Buxton had been the initial offender, placing his arm across his opponent. Jose Mourinho claimed he did not see it while Steve McClaren was adamant that his side were robbed as Buxton was sent-off.
All the pressure from the home side died out after they lost Buxton and Chelsea went on to seal their victory but it would have been an interesting finish to the game had referee Jon Moss judged against the Blues.
2. The progressive Derby glimpsed what they are fighting for
Derby are one of the favourite sides to get promoted to the Premier League this season and this game gave them a good taste of what it would be like in the Premier League since they faced a powerful Chelsea side.
The Rams were punished for the mistakes they made in their defensive-third. Captain Richard Keogh unnecessarily conceded possession to Cesc Fabregas on the edge of Derby’s penalty box and the Blues midfielder set up Eden Hazard’s goal.
The second goal came from another mistake in a dangerous area as Will Hughes fouled Didier Drogba, only for Filipe Luis to convert the resulting free-kick. This is what will be awaiting them in the top flight: unforgiving opponents with the quality to punish every mistake in that critical area.
3. Chelsea can still be a formidable force with a defensive line-up
Mourinho still set his side to dominate possession and keep play in the opposition half but the Blues started with Nemanja Matic and John Obi Mikel as holding midfielders, which meant that they did not have an extra midfielder pushing on to support the three attacking midfielders.
That slightly reduced their offensive threat but Fabregas linked up well with Andre Schurrle and Hazard to create chances. Crucially, Chelsea were significantly more solid as Derby only mastered their first shot after 50 minutes despite moving the ball well and committing a healthy amount of players in their attacks.
Chelsea fans would ideally want to see their side continue to be ultra-offensive in games but if compelled by injuries or suspensions to field both Matic and Mikel in their side, they will still be able to keep their winning form, though they may have to grind out narrow victories.
4. Hughes expressed his quality in a difficult match
One of Derby’s best players was 19-year old Hughes. The youngster was sharp, busy and neat in possession in central midfield, but his teammates were sometimes not on the same wavelength as him.
He still has a lot to learn – as his mistake in fouling Drogba showed – but his quality in possession is undeniable. Most potentially top class youngsters shine in high profile games and this young Englishman performed well against arguably the best team in the country at the moment.
5. Chelsea will be glad that Kurt Zouma’s injury was not too serious
Zouma is clearly growing in value for the Blues through his solid displays when he gets a chance and some questionable performances from Gary Cahill. Central defence is Chelsea’s area of concern as they do not have enough good contingencies other than the French defender and Branislav Ivanovic, so Mourinho was understandably a relieved man when he broke the news that the young defender will be available for Monday night trip to Stoke City.
