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Chelsea defence can help the Blues win the title

Chelsea defence can help the Blues win the title
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When Chelsea moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday, as goalscorer Diego Costa was labelled the hero. However, the victory was secured with yet another fantastic defensive display by the Blues.

The game saw Antonio Conte’s side record a ninth clean sheet in their last 11 outings, all have which have resulted in victories. The Blues backline has swept aside doubts over their ability and forged a very solid unit.

Brazilian international centre-back David Luiz has been highly impressive, despite eyebrows raised by his return to the club from PSG late in the summer transfer window. During his first stint at the club, Luiz was considered rash and a player who took unnecessary risks at times by some.

However, Luiz seems to have matured in his few years in Paris. The centre-back seems like a more level-headed individual than the player that graced the club in his first spell at Stamford Bridge. In many ways, he is the key to that Chelsea defensive solidity.

Another player who has impressed for the Blues in defence is Spanish star Cesar Azpilicueta. The former Marseille star has impressed at centre-back, despite spending the majority of his career playing as a full-back.

The 27-year-old has been one of the Blues unsung heroes at times this season. He continues to produce stellar performance in that unfamiliar position.

England centre-back Gary Cahill has come in for criticism at times during his Blues career. However, the experienced former Aston Villa star also deserves credit for the Blues defensive record, as he is now keeping things simple.

The likes of Diego Costa and Eden Hazard may get all the attention for scoring the goals. However, it may just be at the other end of the pitch that the Premier League title is won by Chelsea.

Premier League
OVERALL TABLE PTS GP W D L +/-
1
Arsenal 80 35 25 5 5 57
2
Manchester City 79 34 24 7 3 50
3
Liverpool 75 35 22 9 4 41
4
Aston Villa 67 35 20 7 8 21
5
Tottenham 60 33 18 6 9 15
6
Manchester United 54 34 16 6 12 1
7
Newcastle United 53 34 16 5 13 19
8
West Ham 49 35 13 10 12 -9
9
Chelsea 48 33 13 9 11 4
10
Bournemouth 48 35 13 9 13 -8
11
Wolverhampton 46 35 13 7 15 -7
12
Brighton 44 34 11 11 12 -5
13
Fulham 43 35 12 7 16 -4
14
Crystal Palace 40 35 10 10 15 -12
15
Everton 36 35 12 8 15 -11
16
Brentford 35 35 9 8 18 -8
17
Nottingham Forest 26 35 7 9 19 -20
18
Luton Town 25 35 6 7 22 -29
19
Burnley 24 35 5 9 21 -32
20
Sheffield United 16 35 3 7 25 -63

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