Chelsea have had nothing short of seamless start. Comprehensive 6-0 thrashings of both West Brom and Wigan set alarm bells ringing around title rivals. But against Stoke things were not so easy, and although Ancelotti’s side picked up a 2-0 win to continue their 100% record, the Potters were more than competitive for most of the game.
Having said that though you have to admit that Chelsea have had a supremely impressive start to the campaign, they playing with the fluidity and confidence that hasn’t been seen since the days of a certain Mr Mourinho.
But what made Mourinho so successful was his ability to go to places like West Ham and win. Anything other than a win on Saturday would somewhat diminish Chelsea’s emphatic start and that is the sort of pressure that comes with been reigning champions.
West Ham themselves need for the points for completely different reasons. A trip to Upton Park is never easy, but with West Ham still looking for their first points of the season a result for the Hammers is more important than ever. Couple that with Avram Grant taking on his former club and we have a game that will prove very difficult for the champions.
The Hammers start has been bitterly disappointing but they shouldn’t panic just yet. Carlton Cole remains at Upton Park after constantly been linked away with a move, and in fairness opening away trips to Aston Villa and Manchester United were always going to be difficult for the Hammers.
But it was the home defeat to Bolton that has lead to worry beginning to spread around East London, but in fairness West Ham should of picked something up from that game, and there is no need for mass panic just yet.
There shouldn’t be mass panic even if Chelsea pick up three points on Saturday. But personally I can see West Ham getting a much needed point to kick start their season and a result that installs hope around the league that Chelsea aren’t invincible after all.
