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Chelsea send a title message worth far more than three points vs Tottenham

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Getty Images

Marcos Alonso kickstarted Chelsea's season as Antonio Conte's Premier League champions beat Tottenham 2-1 at Wembley.

Following their opening-day home defeat to Burnley, Chelsea needed a result away to Spurs - and Alonso got the ball rolling in the first half with a superb free-kick.

Spurs thought they had rescued a point in their Premier League bow at Wembley after substitute Michy Batshuayi headed into his own net late on, but Alonso was once again on the scoresheet as he beat a weak Hugo Lloris with three minutes on the clock to seal the win.

Simon Johnson analyses the key talking points for Chelsea at Wembley...

This is worth more than three points to Chelsea

(AFP/Getty Images)
(AFP/Getty Images)

Make no mistake about it, this is a massive result for Conte and his players that will completely lift the mood in the camp.

Had they suffered another setback here, the talk of a Chelsea crisis and Conte's job being under threat would have grown even louder over the next few days.

Instead, the self-belief will return in abundance, plus a message has been sent loud and clear that they won't give up their title without a fight.

Chelsea had a habit of bouncing back from adversity on the way to finishing top this term - it is a useful asset to have and they still boast it.

Heads could have easily gone down following Michy Batshuayi's own goal, but they didn't give up and have been rewarded

Bakayoko needs time

(AFP/Getty Images)
(AFP/Getty Images)

Chelsea coach Antonio Conte warned Tiemoue Bakayoko wasn't fully match fit and that was clear for everyone to see at Wembley.

Bakayoko, who had a minor knee operation after the end of last season, was making his first start since joining from Monaco for £40m this summer.

He was only in the starting line-up because of the lack of options at Conte's disposal following Cesc Fabregas's red card last week.

Conte gave him a run-out in a friendly played behind closed doors at Cobham on Thursday, but that's the only match he's played for over two months.

Inevitably, Bakayoko looked a yard off the pace throughout and was bullied by Mousa Dembele on several occasions.

However, the fact he put in such work-rate under the circumstances spoke volumes and one charging run before half-time provided a flash of what Chelsea can expect when he's 100 per cent.

Alonso has an impressive strike rate

(AFP/Getty Images)
(AFP/Getty Images)

This was Alonso's 33rd League game for Chelsea and he has already scored eight goals for the club - that's some return for a left wing back.

The thing about the Spainiard, especially from set pieces, is that it's not a surprise when he finds the target.

There are a few names that can strike a mean free kick at Chelsea - Willian and David Luiz spring to mind.

But Alonso is the best of the lot when the ball is placed 25 yards out to the right of an opponent's goal.

It is rare that he wastes the opportunity by shooting it into the wall of harmlessly over. More often than not the keeper, the woodwork or the back of the net has got in the way. Hugo Lloris could do nothing to stop his first half shot as it curled beautifully into the top corner.

Perhaps the France international should have done better with Alonso's late winner, however Alonso's run and finish was impressive.

There maybe some question marks about Alonso defensively, but he remains a useful weapon in attack.

David Luiz stands out in midfield

(Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
(Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

Conte spoke in his pre-match press conference about how he can only see Luiz as a centre half - clearly he was bluffing.

For here he was in front of Chelsea's back three and proving a major obstacle to Tottenham's attack.

Chelsea fans won't have been taken aback that Luiz looked so comfortable there. He performed admirably as a defensive midfielder during the 2013-14 season.

The Brazilian wants to be a centre back first and foremost, but sometimes he looks even more of a natural in this position.

Chelsea have yet to agree a deal for Danny Drinkwater and if they fail to add another midfielder, then Luiz can surely expect to play there a lot more.

Christensen shows his potential

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

The Denmark international wasn't faultless against Spurs, yet he can be very happy with his first League start for Chelsea.

Conte showed his backing for the young Denmark international by picking him in the middle of the back three rather than the more experienced Luiz.

There were times where his nativity was exposed, most noticeably when Harry Kane easily cut inside him to fire a shot against the post.

However, there were a number of other occasions where he put in a telling block or clearance as the 'home' side laid siege to Chelsea's goal.