Chelsea's ability to infuriate its supporters is nothing new. Blues fans' exasperation levels typically ebb and flow like the waves of the sea and, following Wednesday night's demoralising Carabao Cup semifinal defeat to Arsenal, the sense of annoyance was palpable.

But with one route to Wembley closed, thoughts soon turned to another: the FA Cup and Sunday's visit of Newcastle United to Stamford Bridge.

Ordinarily, facing the Magpies at home is viewed as a banker. It's usually not a question of whether Chelsea will win, rather one of by how much. Right now however, it's proving impossible for supporters to predict how their team will perform. With the future of increasingly agitated manager Antonio Conte shrouded in doubt, searching questions are being asked about the cast-iron commitment of the players and the London club's board to the Italian.

Coming off the back of a series of mundane draws, three of them goalless, last Saturday's 4-0 trouncing of Brighton at the Amex had buoyed Chelsea's followers ahead of the Arsenal match.

On the south coast, a mercurial Conte rediscovered the secret elixir his players required to find the back of the net. Against the Seagulls, this involved deploying a 3-4-3 set up which saw Eden Hazard and Willian flanking striker Michy Batshuayi up front.

It's true Brighton aren't Barcelona, but they are a well-organised side and to dismantle their defence so comprehensively was no mean feat, especially given Chelsea's recent struggles. Hazard, Willian and the much-maligned Batshuayi traumatised their opponents and the trio combined to concoct what surely has to be a candidate for goal of the season -- a flowing move culminating in Willian leathering the ball into the net early on.

The portents had looked favourable for the Arsenal game. However, rather than sticking with the template that had brought success against Brighton, Conte shuffled his pack, benching Batshuayi and playing Hazard as a No. 9 and flanking him with Willian and Pedro.

The Chelsea manager's plan appeared sound enough when Hazard gave his side the lead inside the opening 10 minutes and, backed by a vociferous army of 5,000 fans at the Emirates, it seemed the Blues were set to coast to victory. Instead they rapidly contrived to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Arsenal were soon level and when Willian was forced off after 30 minutes, Conte opted to send on new boy Ross Barkley. It was a nice idea, but flawed as the former Everton man's lack of game-time following a long injury lay-off showed. Worse still, in the second-half, Conte was out-strategised by opposite number Arsene Wenger who shifted Mohamed Elneny deeper to successfully snuff out the threat of Hazard.

When the Gunners took the lead, it became apparent there would be no way back for Chelsea who lacked the type of inspiration and leadership that has got them out of jail so many times in the past. In the end, their challenge fizzled out.

Conte bemoaned Arsenal's "strange" goals and suggested his side were "unlucky," but his comments sounded lame. Simply speaking, Chelsea lost because they lacked direction and a desire to win when it mattered. It was a shabby performance and Blues supporters had every right to feel aggrieved at the all too familiar boom and bust scenario that appears to be unfolding once more at the Bridge.

Whether or not Conte leaves at the end of the season or Abramovich backs him with some quality signings in the January transfer window should be immaterial as far as the team is concerned.

After the tepid Arsenal cup exit, the players owe the fans. Soundly beating Newcastle will allay creeping fears that they don't really care and that the hefty international contingent among them may already have their minds set on self-preservation ahead of the World Cup this summer. Such thoughts never occurred when the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba and Petr Cech formed Chelsea's spine, but that backbone looks brittle now.

As ever, when it comes to football, talk is cheap; the real action comes on the pitch.

For all their inconsistencies this season, Chelsea remain in the top four in the Premier League and will play Barca for a place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. It's not all bad, but things can unravel quickly as they did at the Emirates. In truth, the FA Cup now represents the Blues' most realistic chance of silverware this season. Conte and company must recognise this fact on Sunday.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by MARK WORRALL

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