Posted July 11, 20159 yr Taken from the official site, kicking off naturally enough with August. August The fifth championship-winning campaign in our history conjured up some memorable images and today the official Chelsea website begins a look back at a selection, starting off by turning the clock back 10 months... In the opening game of the campaign, away at Burnley, the Blues of 2014/15 fell behind but soon set a pattern for the rest of the season when some lovely football turned the game around emphatically. Putting us back on level terms that Monday night was a fierce left-footed drive by Diego Costa, his first goal for the club. Andre Schurrle then gave us the lead, latching on to a stunning Cesc Fabregas pass, the shape of assists to come, and finishing clinically. The earlier build-up to the goal was of the highest quality too and it put us in control of the contest. Branislav Ivanovic had added a third before the break and late in the game a legend began a new chapter. Didier Drogba, re-signed and back in blue, replaced Eden Hazard for the closing stages of the game. The opening home game of the season was next. Chelsea and Leicester City players emerged in front of an expectant Stamford Bridge In what had been a tight game with the newly promoted visitors impressing, the deadlock was broken courtesy of more predatory instinct from Diego Costa following brilliant play between Oscar and Branislav Ivanovic.Eden Hazard made sure of the three points when he added a second goal late on. The most dramatic game of the season came early on, away at Everton, a problematic fixture in recent times. Not so this August as the Blues ran out 6-3 winners.We raced into a 2-0 lead when another Diego Costa's opener was quickly followed by a sweet Ivanovic finish. With the Blues leading 4-3, and Everton still very much in the game, Ramires restored our two-goal advantage with a well-taken goal. Diego Costa then rounded off the scoring to cap a memorable early evening on Merseyside. No other Premier League game during the season would serve up as many away goals September The fifth championship-winning campaign in our history conjured up some memorable images and today the official Chelsea website continues a look back at a selection of them, focusing on the first full month... Our 4-2 win over Swansea at Stamford Bridge was notable not just for keeping a 100 per cent record going but also for Diego Costa's first Chelsea hat-trick.The Blues came from behind to win and the third of the striker's three goals was a close-range finish. He had scored seven in the opening four matches and, not surprisingly, was quickly becoming a firm fans' favourite. The opening Champions League game of the season was at home to Schalke - familiar opponents - but one of our new faces, Cesc Fabregas, grabbed an early lead with his first goal for the club. We were forced to settle for a point however after the visitors equalised through Klaas Jan-Huntelaar during the second half. It was a case of friends reunited when we made an early season trip to take on then champions Manchester City. Frank Lampard faced the Blues for the first time since leaving.He came off the bench to score a late leveller after Andre Schurrle had fired the visitors in front. Our supporters had seen Lampard do it so many times previously in a Chelsea shirt and showed their class at the final whistle as 'Super Frankie Lampard' rang out from the away end. What a first impression! Kurt Zouma scored a debut goal in our Capital One Cup game against Bolton Wanderers, the youngster reacting quickest to pounce on a loose ball inside the penalty area and fire his team in front. After Bolton had equalised shortly before the break, Oscar ensured the name Chelsea was in the hat with a brilliant winner, picking the ball up 25 yards from goal and drilling his strike into the bottom corner. John Mikel Obi was first on the scene to congratulate the Brazilian, whose goal was his first of the campaign. The first points may have been dropped at Man City but this was still a fine start in the Premier League, emphasised by a comfortable 3-0 win over Aston Villa. Goals from Oscar and Diego Costa took control of the contest, before Willian completed the scoring late in the game to maintain a 100 per cent home record in the league. Back on track in Europe. Having drawn the opening Champions League game, a positive result was needed away at Sporting Lisbon and all three points came courtesy of Nemanja Matic who headed home the only goal. A former Benfica man did the damage on his return to the Portuguese capital. The locals were not amused!
July 11, 20159 yr Author October The fifth championship-winning campaign in our history conjured up some memorable images and today the official Chelsea website continues a look back at a selection, focusing on a month in which early season momentum was maintained... Chelsea and Arsenal players shook hands at Stamford Bridge ahead of a derby kick-off that was delayed, but when the game got underway it was the Blues who settled quicker, with Cesc Fabregas playing against his former club for the first time. Eden Hazard had given us a first-half lead from the penalty spot and it was in-form Diego Costa who extended the advantage after the break, racing on to Fabregas's long pass and executing a brilliant lob. Didier Drogba had caused Arsenal so many problems down the years and the Gunners now had a new Chelsea striker to worry about. The quality goals kept on coming. Another London derby, this time away at Crystal Palace, and an early lead courtesy of a wonderful Oscar free-kick. On a ground where we had struggled the previous season, the Brazilian bent his strike up and over the wall for his third goal of the season. It was also the occasion for Fabregas's first goal in the league, making sure of the points when he rounded off a marvellous team move to make it 2-0. Palace did reduce the deficit with a late consolation but Chelsea were worthy winners. 'We're top of the league,' sang the travelling fans, and they would continue to bellow it out for the rest of the season Back on track in the Champions League after an opening home draw against Schalke, Jose Mourinho's men followed up a win in Lisbon with a 6-0 thumping of Maribor at Stamford Bridge - our best ever win the competition. Loic Remy broke the deadlock against the Slovenians with a sweetly-struck left-footed drive, although unfortunately coming off injured moments later. Next up a visit to Old Trafford where Drogba was chosen to lead the line in the absence of both Diego Costa and Remy , and the Ivorian rolled back the years with a towering header to give us the lead in the second half. It was his first league goal since returning, and what a time - and a place - to get it. He celebrated in front of the away fans with Branislav Ivanovic. Unfortunately the defender was sent off shortly before the home side scored a very late equaliser. Only two days later the Capital One Cup campaign continued at Shrewsbury. The promotion-bound League Two side hosted a typical English cup tie with no quarter given as both sides scrapped to progress in wind and rain. After Drogba's second goal in three days had been cancelled out by a late equaliser, the winner came just moments later when Willian's cross from out wide led to an own-goal, Chelsea progressing to the quarter-finals with the 2-1 win. November The fifth championship-winning campaign in our history conjured up some memorable images and today the official Chelsea website continues a look back at a selection, focusing on another unbeaten month... Jose Mourinho and Harry Redknapp, QPR manager at the time, shared a joke before the west London derby at Stamford Bridge. Prior to kick-off, players and supporters from both teams observed a minute's silence to mark the 100-year anniversary of the start of World War One. The result of the match was 2-1 to the Blues, including Oscar's goal of the season, celebrated in the top image. After beating Maribor 6-0 at home, we went behind when we played the Slovenians away, Nemanja Matic scoring the equaliser in a 1-1 draw. Mourinho's men were presented with a golden opportunity to win it late on but there was a rare save from an Eden Hazard penalty. Still, an away draw kept us top of our Champions League group. Games at Anfield are notoriously tricky, and the task was made all the more difficult when the Blues went 1-0 down early on. There was no shortage of character however, and we responded quickly, Gary Cahill firing home in front of a stunned Kop. Diego Costa simply couldn't stop scoring during the early part of the campaign, and he netted a deserved winner in the second half from a Cesar Azpilicueta cross, sending the travelling Chelsea fans packed in behind the goal delirious. With the game opening that weekend's round of fixtures, were able to sit back and relax, knowing our job was done. John Terry and Thibaut Courtois made their final preparations ahead of our home game against West Bromwich Albion as the 'Pride of London' flag was unfurled in the Matthew Harding Stand. A winning run at home in the league continued as goals from Diego Costa and Eden Hazard secured a 2-0 win over the Baggies. Momentum was continuing to build and the team were going from strength to strength. Mourinho's side produced one of our best performances of the season away at Schalke in the Champions League, running out 5-0 winners in Germany. Ramires, a late sub, scored arguably the goal of the night when he arrived at the far post to head home a Didier Drogba cross from a tight angle. The result equalled our biggest away win in the competition, which had been set at Galatasaray in 1999. Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois warmed up together before our game at Sunderland. The match on Wearside ended goalless, one of only two 0-0 draws all season.
July 11, 20159 yr Author December The fifth championship-winning campaign in our history conjured up some memorable images and today the official Chelsea website continues a look back at a selection, focusing on the busiest month... Tottenham remain without a win at Stamford Bridge since 1990, and after Eden Hazard had given the home side the lead with a well-worked goal, the visitors didn't look like altering that particular statistic. Shortly after teeing up Hazard for the first goal, Didier Drogba added a second, latching on to an Oscar pass and supplying a trademark finish on an electrifying night at the Bridge. The players walked off the pitch together after suffering the first defeat of the season, losing 2-1 away at Newcastle. After trailing 2-0, Drogba pulled one back but the team were unable to find what would have been a deserved equaliser. We bounced back immediately by beating Hull City 2-0. Goals were coming frequently for Eden Hazard and he secured a first-half lead, Diego Costa extending the advantage after the break with a wonderful finish. The striker's appetite for scoring was proving insatiable. The first of the festive fixtures was a tough one, away at Stoke, but a hugely impressive, steely performance was produced to win 2-0. John Terry provided the dream start when he headed home inside the opening couple of minutes. We always looked in control of the game, but at 1-0 Stoke were never out of it. Cesc Fabregas made sure of the points, rounding off a brilliant team move to make it 2-0 late on. High-flying West Ham visited Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day and the display was even better than the one which preceded it. Terry again gave his side a first-half lead, before Diego Costa scored a wonderful goal after the break to secure a 2-0 victory. The Blues played some tremendous football from the very first whistle and could have won by a bigger margin but for the heroics of Adrian in the West Ham goal. Former collleagues Jose Mourinho and Ronald Koeman share a joke before we played Southampton at St Mary's in our last game of 2014. The hosts took the lead midway through the first half but a point was earned thanks to Hazard's piece of individual brilliance to equalise just before half-time. January The fifth championship-winning campaign in our history conjured up some memorable images and today the official Chelsea website continues a look back at a selection, focusing on the start of 2015... Above is Oscar arriving at White Hart Lane for our New Year's Day derby against Tottenham. The Brazilian had a hand in the goal which put the league leaders 1-0 up, but after conceding three times before the break we were left with too much to do, eventually losing 5-3. The trophy hunt added a fourth competition to the schedule three days later as the Blues bounced back in our FA Cup third round tie against Watford. Willian gave us the lead against the Championship side with a brilliant strike, and further goals from Loic Remy and Kurt Zouma safely secured passage to the fourth round. It was exactly the type of response wanted following a rare defeat. The visit of Newcastle to the Bridge was the opportunity to get back on track in the league, and it was taken with a confident display in a 2-0 win. Oscar scored in the first half, and the Brazilian then produced a wonderful flick to lay on our second goal for Diego Costa. Pure quality. Games away at Swansea are notoriously difficult, but the Blues produced one of the finest performances of the season at the Liberty Stadium, running out 5-0 winners. Diego Costa and Oscar netted a brace apiece, with Andre Schurrle coming off the bench to score his final goal for the club before leaving. We led 4-0 at half-time following a totally dominant first-half performance and it could have been even more. Having being drawn against Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup, the Blues headed to Anfield for the first leg on a bitterly cold night. Eden Hazard slotted from the penalty spot, sending Simon Mignolet the wrong way. Raheem Sterling's second-half equaliser meant it was all to play for back at the Bridge. Our FA Cup involvement, however, came to an end when we were beaten 4-2 by Bradford City. Young Danish defender Andreas Christensen started the game at right-back for the Blues. One of the most pulsating games of the season ended with the Blues securing our place in the Capital One Cup final. A tight, tense second leg against Liverpool required extra time to separate the sides, but Branislav Ivanovic headed home the decisive goal from a Willian free-kick, sparking jubilant scenes inside the stadium. It was certainly not the first time the Serbian had inflicted damage on the Merseysiders. The goalscorer, Hazard and Oscar celebrated reaching Wembley at the final whistle. The big matches kept on coming, and only a few days later Manchester City were the visitors to SW6. Loic Remy fired the Blues in front following brilliant build-up play between Ivanovic and Hazard, but City equalised soon after and the match ended 1-1. In truth, it was a fair result, and one which consolidated our position at the top of the table. On an emotional evening, club legend Frank Lampard returned to Stamford Bridge for the first time since departing, coming on as a late substitute for the visitors. Here, he is shown saluting the Matthew Harding Stand shortly after the final whistle, acknowledging fans who cheered his every move during his 13 years at the club.
July 11, 20159 yr Author February The fifth championship-winning campaign in our history conjured up some memorable images and today the official Chelsea website continues a look back at a selection, focusing on a month in which our consistency in the league continued and European competition resumed... He does it again! After scoring the winner against Liverpool in the Capital One Cup at the end of the previous month, Branislav Ivanovic was the hero once more, this time during our Barclays Premier League game at Aston Villa. The Serbian displayed wonderful technique to score the decisive goal in a 2-1 win, firing a superb left-footed strike into the top corner. As in the previous season's corresponding fixture, it was another late, late show at home to Everton. On this occasion, with time ticking away, Willian fired through a crowded penalty area to earn a huge three points and spark celebratory scenes inside the Bridge. The Brazilian, at the bottom of the pile, is mobbed by his delighted team-mates following the late winner. After a lengthy break, the Champions League returned in February. For the second season in succession we were paired with Paris Saint-Germain in the knockout stages, and the first leg in France saw the Blues take the lead courtesy of yet another Ivanovic goal, who rounded off a move which had involved both John Terry and Gary Cahill. Jose Mourinho saluted the travelling Chelsea faithful following a 1-1 draw, which left the tie delicately poised ahead of the return in London. The Chelsea and Burnley players shake hands ahead of our league game at Stamford Bridge. A hugely prolific period for Ivanovic continued when he scored once again to give us the lead against Sean Dyche's side, finishing from close range after an excellent run and cross by Eden Hazard. A second-half equaliser for the visitors, however, meant we were forced to settle for a point, while Nemanja Matic was harshly sent off, ruling him out of the Capital One Cup final. March The fifth championship-winning campaign in our history conjured up some memorable images and today the official Chelsea website continues a look back at a selection, turning our attention to a month in which the first of two trophies was secured... For Chelsea fans, it doesn't get much bigger than a Wembley date against Tottenham, so with that in mind John Terry chose the perfect moment to score at the famous stadium for the first time in a blue shirt, the skipper breaking the deadlock in our Capital One Cup final win over the north London outfit. Diego Costa added a second after the break and we ran out comfortable 2-0 winners to secure our first trophy of the season. Here, the players celebrate at the final whistle as a dejected Roberto Soldado looks on. It was the second time in succession we'd beaten Tottenham at Wembley following the 5-1 FA Cup semi-final win in 2012. Just three days later we faced another London derby, this time away at West Ham in the league. It was a massive test for Jose Mourinho's men after the Wembley win, and they came through it with flying colours. An entertaining affair was settled when Eden Hazard scored the only goal of the game, heading home a Ramires cross in the first half. Terry leads the celebrations as the players salute the travelling Chelsea fans at Upton Park, knowing a difficult test had been successfully overcome. Thibaut Courtois, and the defensive unit as a whole, performed brilliantly to keep the home side at bay as they pressed for an equaliser. Gary Cahill gave us a late lead in the second leg of our Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain. Unfortunately, though, the visitors levelled through former Blue David Luiz, and with the game finishing 2-2 after extra-time it was the French side who progressed on away goals. With only the Premier League to focus on after our European exit, we had the chance to bounce back when Southampton visited Stamford Bridge. It was Diego Costa who opened the scoring with a well-placed header in the first half, rising high to powerfully guide his effort beyond Fraser Forster. Ronald Koeman's side restored parity from the spot soon after, however, and Thibaut Courtois produced a brilliant save in the second half from a Toby Alderweireld free-kick to keep the scores level. Just like it did when the two teams met at St Mary's, the match ended 1-1. We returned to winning ways a week later at Hull, although the game proved a lot tougher than it appeared it was going to be when Hazard scored a brilliant opener inside three minutes, the Belgian advancing from deep and crashing a wonderful left-footed strike into the far corner. Diego Costa extended our lead soon after with a superb second, but the hosts replied with two goals in quick succession before the break. Second-half substitute Loic Remy, though, secured all three points when he scored the winner with his first touch. The importance of the victory was lost on nobody as players, management and fans alike celebrated wildly at the final whistle.
July 11, 20159 yr Author April The fifth championship-winning campaign in our history conjured up some memorable images and today the official Chelsea website continues a look back at a selection, focusing on a month in which we produced a string of results which left us on the cusp of glory... Having netted a crucial winner away at Hull, Loic Remy came up with the goods once again, this time in our home game against Stoke. Charlie Adam had scored from inside his own half to cancel out Eden Hazard's opener, but the Frenchman scored from close range just after the hour mark to win it for the Blues. With two London derbies and a clash against Manchester United to come later in the month, it was the perfect way to start April. A week later we made the short trip across London to take on QPR at Loftus Road. Both teams were equally in need of the points, albeit for different reasons, and with a scrappy game seemingly heading for stalemate, Cesc Fabregas popped up with a dramatic late winner, scoring one of our most important goals of the season to take all three points. In-form Manchester United were next up, in a game which saw Juan Mata return to Stamford Bridge. Here, he catches up with Didier Drogba just before kick-off. It was, of course, Mata's corner from which the Ivorian headed our late equaliser in the 2012 Champions League final. The Spaniard received a wonderful ovation from Chelsea supporters when he was withdrawn in the second half. The game itself was settled by a brilliant Hazard goal late in the first half. The Belgian latched on to a clever Oscar back-heel and finished confidently, sliding the ball through the legs of David De Gea. Hazard almost doubled his tally in the second half but his effort hit the outside of the post. It was a win which strengthened our position at the top of the table with only six matches remaining. Chelsea and Arsenal players observe a minute's silence ahead of our game at the Emirates, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Bradford Fire Disaster. With Arsenal one of the teams in pursuit, the goalless draw suited the Blues, although we had the better chances to take all three points. Knowing the importance of the result, Nemanja Matic, John Terry and Didier Drogba celebrate at the final whistle. For our penultimate away game of the campaign the Blues - who were wearing yellow - travelled to Leicester, where we were forced to come from behind. Having trailed 1-0 at the break, goals from Drogba and Terry turned the game on its head, and Ramires made sure of the points with a stunning late strike. Within touching distance. That win left us just 90 minutes away from being crowned Barclays Premier League champions. A victory in the next game, at home to Crystal Palace, would secure the title.
July 12, 20159 yr Author And finally, the one you've all been waiting for: May The fifth championship-winning campaign in our history conjured up some memorable images and today the official Chelsea website continues a look back at a selection, focusing on the final month of the campaign, when a dream became reality... A title-clinching moment! We went into the home game against Crystal Palace knowing a victory would crown us champions for the first time since 2010. As he had done so often over the course of the season, Eden Hazard again produced the goods when it really mattered. The Belgian's penalty was saved by Julian Speroni, but he reacted quickest to pounce on the rebound and head home, sending those fans packed into the Matthew Harding Stand behind the goal delirious Party time at the Bridge! The final whistle sounds and the Blues are Barclays Premier League champions. The jubilant players huddle together and celebrate a wonderful achievement. For some, it was their first title, while for others, it was another to add to their list of honours. For all, though, it was the moment they had been working towards since the start of the season. John Terry, Oscar - who missed the game through injury - and Willian lead the celebrations in front of the Shed End. For the two Brazilians, it was their biggest achievement since signing for the club. A week later, in what was our penultimate home game of the campaign, Liverpool visited Stamford Bridge, and the visitors welcomed us on to the pitch with a guard of honour in recognition of our title triumph. Unsurprisingly, it was a moment the Chelsea supporters savoured. History maker! Terry gave us the lead early in the game, rising highest inside the box to head home from a corner, and with the goal our skipper entered the record books as the highest goalscoring defender in Premier League history, a fantastic achievement. We travelled to West Bromwich Albion for our final away game of the season, and Izzy Brown was handed his first team debut by Jose Mourinho, coming on as a second-half substitute against his former club. It was only our third league defeat of the season at the Hawthorns, and at the final whistle Mourinho headed straight for the away end, holding one finger in the air to acknowledge our travelling supporters and the fact we were champions. Speaking after the game he praised the fans for the backing they had given the team on the road all season The last goodbye! Having announced it would be his final game for the club, Didier Drogba was handed the captain's armband for the last game of the season at home to Sunderland. Here, he leads the team out alongside his children, and the Ivorian was carried off the field by his team-mates when he was substituted just before half-time, bringing the curtain down on a marvellous Chelsea career. The Blues fell behind but Diego Costa equalised from the penalty spot after Juan Cuadrado had been brought down. Two second-half Loic Remy goals secured a 3-1 win and ensured we ended the season unbeaten at home in the league, the only team in all four divisions to do so. Shortly after the final whistle the Blues were presented with the Premier League trophy. Here, five players - Diego Costa, Drogba, Nemanja Matic, Remy and Kurt Zouma - pose for pictures at the end of a long, hard but ultimately hugely successful campaign. The day after our final game of the season came the a victory parade around the streets of west London as the first team celebrated winning the title and Capital One Cup, while our Academy marked their successes in both the UEFA Youth League and FA Youth Cup. Thousands of supporters turned out to greet their heroes, with various players - and Jose Mourinho - taking hold of the microphone and starting sing-alongs from the top of the bus.
July 12, 20159 yr Blimey! I don't know how I missed this thread. Amazing pictures. Thanks for that FQ.
July 13, 20159 yr Blimey! I don't know how I missed this thread. Amazing pictures. Thanks for that FQ. Missed it? It's brand new.
