Has the international break set Chelsea up for a good run to Christmas?

The three week international break came at a good time for Chelsea – after starting the season well they had suddenly gone four games without a win, and injuries were mounting.

The team needed a reset , and every extra day working with new manager Xabi Alonso was potentially useful. It did increase the pressure on the game against Bournemouth, however.

All of those good reasons to expect improvements meant that a bad showing would have been even less tolerable. Fortunately the team met and even exceeded the expectations of those who wanted to see them come back with a bang.