Branislav Ivanovic names three stars who can overhaul Chelsea's season after Arsenal win

BRANISLAV IVANOVIC believes Sunday’s hard-fought win against Arsenal was down to “team spirit” and praised manager Guus Hiddink for having already rediscovered two of the three vital pieces of the jigsaw needed to mend Jose Mourinho’s broken team.

 

Fabregas (right) was man of the match at Arsenal, while Costa scored and Hazard (left) came on

 

Diego Costa scored his sixth goal in six games under the Dutchman moments after his speed of attack caught out Per Mertesacker, who hacked him down as he ran through on goal to earn a red card for his troubles.

And former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas was named man of the match on his return to the Emirates after what was far and away the best display of a largely indifferent season.

Ivanovic, who also looked back to his best after some shaky displays in the final months of Mourinho’s reign, is convinced the pair have benefitted from having time to work more with Hiddink after the hectic festive schedule and is backing the final piece to come good now.   

Cesc and Diego are playing really well

Branislav Ivanovic

Eden Hazard has struggled all season with loss of form and niggling injuries and only made a brief cameo from the bench on Sunday.

But once last season’s double player of the year is back up and running, Chelsea can put their miserable start to the season behind them and start to move up the table.

“The key point was the team spirit and we can be happy with the three points against Arsenal,” Ivanovic said.

“We haven't just played well against Arsenal, we have played well in the last few weeks but in the last few games we didn't get the results.

 

"This win compensates for that and we can be happy.

"Cesc and Diego are playing really well. When you have these kind of guys in attack, with the special things they both have, you get results.

“We have had a week between games and we have been working very hard.

"We have improved our physical condition and the result of that is showing on the pitch.

“Against Arsenal and the last few matches, they have given a lot for the team.

"It's always the guys in attack that make the difference. For us it's very important for Diego to score, for Cesc to assist with great passes because it gives a lot for the team.

 

“We are starting to do our puzzle again and these are two important pieces for us to have a good end to the season.

“Hazard is the one piece what we really need and miss.

"He is also working very hard the last couple of weeks after getting an injury.

"He is physically in good shape and for sure he will be there in the next couple of games.”

 

Branislav Ivanovic (centre) says Chelsea can kick start their season after beating Arsenal

 

Going forward now, Ivanovic’s main concern is complacency.

It is all very well rising up for the challenge of a high-octane London derby, but too many points have been dropped against the lesser teams, particularly at Stamford Bridge.

“We have to be careful because every time we play this kind of game where we are worried about being beaten, we are very focused and get something positive," he said.

“But when we relax, when we play at home for instance... all the season we have gone one step forward then we go two back.

 

“Maybe this will be the turning point, but it depends on the next match.

"We have to be really careful, we have to get the points from every game. We have to starting winning games regularly.

"We don't know where we can finish, but we are not thinking about that because we know the season for us has been very, very disappointing.

"It's not finished, but that's a positive because we can still change something.”