Chelsea persevering with to show doubters incorrect to the delight of James

Chelsea captain Reece James revelled in proving the Blues’ Champions League doubters incorrect after their large 1-0 win over Manchester United on Friday.

James performed an important position in the one purpose of the sport, neatly turning earlier than offering the cross for Marc Cucurella to go residence the winner within the 71st minute.

The outcome proved an important one after Aston Villa’s win over Tottenham Hotspur earlier within the day, with Chelsea shifting as much as fourth, stage on factors with Unai Emery’s crew.

Chelsea are certainly one of three groups on 66 factors, although Newcastle United have a sport in hand in opposition to Arsenal on Sunday, with the Blues dealing with Nottingham Forest on the ultimate day.

James is the one participant remaining within the Chelsea squad that was a part of their Champions League success in 2020-21, and believes the membership belongs amongst Europe’s elite.

“I believe that’s the place the membership belongs, within the Champions League. Competing in the perfect competitions,” James stated.

“Individuals like to put in writing us off and name us inexperienced. We performed in opposition to a really skilled United crew right now.

“We had been there and we gained the sport. We bought what we wanted to do.”

Ought to Chelsea seal a top-five end this season, it is going to be right down to their spectacular kind at Stamford Bridge because the flip of the yr.

The Blues stay unbeaten within the Premier League at Stamford Bridge in 2025, successful eight and drawing two of 10 video games.

They’ve gained extra factors on residence soil (26) than another aspect this calendar yr, and Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca believed his crew had been deserving of their newest victory.

“It was fairly assured as a result of I understand how troublesome it’s to play in opposition to United,” Maresca informed Sky Sports activities.

“We anticipated a really robust sport. They performed very nicely. I used to be fully assured. General, it was a sport the place we might have a great second and rating a purpose.

“I used to observe 5, six, seven video games after we performed in opposition to a crew. I’ve by no means watched them [Man Utd] so aggressive – they had been man to man, and it was very troublesome.

“Off the ball I believe we performed a unbelievable sport. The crew was very aggressive till the tip. We tried to press greater, and I believe we deserved to win the sport.

“It’s good to work on some options, and then you definitely rating.”

And Chelsea’s newest residence success was clinched by Cucurella, who netted his fifth Premier League purpose of the season.

Certainly, all six of Cucurella’s Premier League objectives have been on residence soil (one for Brighton, 5 for Chelsea).

In Premier League historical past, solely Clive Wilson (9), Jeff Kenna and Ronny Johnsen (each eight) have scored extra objectives with 100% of them coming at residence.

However away from private glory, Cucurella was readily available to emphasize the necessity for Champions League soccer, whereas additionally believing one thing particular was constructing at Chelsea.

“It is vitally necessary [to get Champions League]. Step-by-step we’re creating one thing particular and now there are solely two video games left to realize one thing particular,” he added.

“An important factor is it is determined by us, so we’ve to play the sport on Sunday, after which we’re desirous about the [Conference League] remaining.

“Right now is a second to take pleasure in as a result of we work all season for these moments, so now we’ve ambitions to realize these items.”