By Henry Vinter | 6 May 2056
It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t poetic, and it certainly wasn’t the free-flowing football that has defined this historic season. But at Home Park on Saturday, Calin Dimario’s Chelsea did what they always do: they won.
A solitary header from Scott Crichton was enough to secure a gritty 1-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle, a result that carries significant numerical weight. With three games still to play, the Blues have officially crossed the 100-point barrier, sitting on 101 points.
In a week defined by the glitz of the Champions League, this was a reminder of the grind required to be domestic untouchables.
Crichton Settles a Scrappy Affair
The game itself will not live long in the memory of the traveling support. Reports from Devon described a “low key affair” where “quality was in short supply” and the “vast majority of shots failed to even hit the target”.
The decisive moment came early. In the 18th minute, Scott Crichton—operating on the left wing—rose to meet a cross, burying a header past the Plymouth keeper. It was his only contribution to the scoreboard, but it was all that was needed.
Plymouth fought hard, accumulating an xG of 0.80 to Chelsea’s 1.13, but the champions’ defense held firm to record yet another clean sheet.
Haigh Shines amidst the Gloom
While the team performance was disjointed, Joseph Haigh was a beacon of quality. The playmaker provided the assist for Crichton and was voted Player of the Match with a 7.7 rating.
In a match where creativity went to die, Haigh was the only player capable of finding a pulse.
Enter Matt Allen
With the title long since secured, Dimario used the opportunity to look to the future. The 72nd minute saw the introduction of Matt Allen, a 16-year-old academy product making his professional debut.
Replacing the goalscorer Crichton, Allen showed glimpses of promise in his cameo. It was a proud moment for the youngster, who is currently weighing up a contract offer from the club amidst rumors of interest from elsewhere. If he needs a reason to sign, he need only look at the league table.
The Century Men
Chelsea now have 101 points and a +113 goal difference. They have turned the Premier League into a procession.
This win wasn’t about sending a message; the message was delivered months ago. This was about professionalism, rotation, and keeping the winning habit alive as the season reaches its climax.