Alonso: “João Pedro gives us a different way to attack”

The Chelsea head coach on his five-goal forward and the shape change that has produced back-to-back clean sheets.

The numbers frame it: Chelsea have 13 points from 7 matches, with 17 scored and 13 conceded, sitting 4th after Matchweek 7.

What happens next is the interesting part. Supporters will want to see whether this becomes a pattern or a footnote, and the next fixture is the first real test of that.

As ever, the conversation continues in the supporters room, where the mood after full time tends to be a better barometer than any table.