Following a brilliant season for the Blues, which saw the champions top the Barclays Premier League from day one whilst also winning the Capital One Cup, here is a countdown of the top five goals of the season.
Number 5 – Diego Costa vs Newcastle
At number five, I’ve chosen a brilliant team goal, finished off by Diego Costa. The striker starts the move on the left wing before playing the ball to Hazard. The Belgian magician plays a quick one-two with Filipe Luis on the edge of the area, before a little dinked pass in behind the Newcastle defence for Oscar. The Brazilian then produces a brilliant first-time Cruyff-turn-pass for Costa, who steadies himself before firing a low shot past Tim Krul in the Newcastle goal. The quick passing and movement, before a brilliant assist and a cool finish made this goal a solid contender for number five.
Number 4 – Andre Schurrle vs Manchester City
At number four, I’ve picked a brilliant counter attacking goal against Manchester City at the Etihad. Schurrle starts the move just outside the Chelsea penalty area with a flicked pass to Eden Hazard, who switches the ball to Fabregas. The Spaniard, just inside the City half, feeds Ivanovic who continues his surging run before a quick pass to Diego Costa. The striker skips past a challenge before spreading the ball to Hazard, who joined the attack thanks to a brilliant run from Schurrle to create the space out wide. Hazard then returns the favour by producing an inch perfect pass into the City six-yard box for Schurrle, who finished coolly past Joe Hart. I’ve picked this goal at number four as it encapsulates everything Jose Mourinho loves from his players. Good defending at one end; before quick passing and willing runners resulting in a swift counter attack and a Chelsea goal.
Number 3 – Fabregas vs Crystal Palace
Yet another brilliant team goal makes the top five, this time at number three. Facing competition from a brilliant solo effort earlier in the same game from Oscar, Fabregas’ goal had to be a good one. And it was. Ivanovic starts the move just outside the Palace penalty area with a quick turn and pass to Matic, who finds Hazard with his back to goal. The Belgian lays it back to Fabregas, who starts a quick ‘tika-taka’ move before a calm finish. The Spaniard plays a quick one-two with Hazard, then another with Oscar on the edge of the area to burst through the Palace defence, before producing a composed finish to round off a brilliant move.
Number 2 – Schurrle vs Burnley
Rewind to the first game of the season away at Burnley for number two, and it’s another goal in the top five for Schurrle. And once again, it’s another exquisite team goal. Fabregas starts the move with a pass to Schurrle inside the Burnley half, who lays off to Hazard. The Belgian is once again the catalyst for the Chelsea attack as he steps on the accelerator to drive at the Burnley defence, before jinking his way to the edge of the area to play Ivanovic in, on the right hand side. The Serbian clips the ball back to Fabregas on the edge of the area, who plays a delightfully weighted first-time pass to meet Schurrle’s brilliant burst in behind the Burnley defence, and the German finishes to cap off another fantastically worked Chelsea move.
Number 1 – Oscar vs QPR.
Now to the best Chelsea goal of the season and Oscar’s fantastic outside of the foot strike. Fabregas was once again involved and he teed the Brazilian up after a commanding run through the QPR midfield. Oscar then produced a stunning solo effort with the outside of his boot, which curled past Robert Green into the far corner. The Brazilian midfielder, who picked up the Goal of the Year award at Chelsea’s awards ceremony, also won the award back in 2013 for a brilliant strike against Juventus.
