But didn't we beat Manchester United 3-0 last year? Didn't we beat Liverpool 4-0? I can also remember wins against Leeds and Newcastle last year, games which were won convincingly. And at the end of the day, games that meant nothing due to our inability to beat the so called "smaller" teams in the Premiership.
Whilst this Newcastle game will have signalled our intentions to the rest of the Premiership, I feel that our two previous victories were much important to us.
We know that we can beat the big boys but it has always been our inability to beat the lesser teams that has set us back. Well, victories against Blackburn and Charlton look to have given the players the biggest confidence boost that they could have hoped for.
You see, last year, we were beaten by Charlton at the Valley, a game which we should have at least taken a point from. After going behind to a Jason Euell goal, Frank Lampard levelled things up late on. But rather than push on and win the game, we completely lost the plot and ended up losing the game. This year, we found ourselves behind at Charlton again. Two goals behind! And, despite not putting in the most convincing of performances, we managed to go on and win the game.
That is a tremendous feat and the mark of a great team. For a side that used to panic after conceding a goal it is even more impressive.
On Wednesday night at Ewood Park, Chelsea went behind again, from a disputed penalty. But rather than lose our heads, we gradually fought our way back into the match and got, in my opinion, a deserved equaliser. But, as would happen so often last year, we would go behind again and never comeback. Not this year... Two goals later and we had overcome another potential banana skin as, let's face it, on their day Blackburn can compete with the big boys.
The difference from this season to last... the coming of-age of Claudio Ranieri . The eccentric Italian coach still has his doubters amongst the Chelsea faithful, but he has his biggest fans in the shape of Chelsea Mad. Now, rather than settle for a point against Charlton and Blackburn, Claudio has made attacking changes when it matters.
The arrival of Eidur and Carlton Cole against Charlton completely changed the match and his decision to bring on Zenden at Blackburn was inspired as the Dutchman set up Zola for his wonder goal.
It's the small decisions that often make the difference but Claudio is doing it by making big changes. I don't just mean big substitutions, I mean big changes to the club.
Not only has he dramatically lowered the average age of the squad but he has done it by improving the side. For De Goey, we have Carlo Cudicini. For Lebouef, we have William Gallas. For Albert Ferrer, we have Mario Melchiot. For Petrescu, we have Gronkjaer. For Poyet, we have Zenden. And for Dennis Wise, we have a new cult hero at Chelsea in Frank Lampard.
Yes I know, a couple of those are Luca's signings, but Claudio has really brought them on in leaps and bounds. He did exactly the same at Valencia and, after a shaky start there, he turned them into a challenger for La Liga. Following his departure, the club went on to play in successive Champions League finals, before actually winning La Liga last season.
But it was all done with Claudio's team. He must regret not taking Valencia to the next level himself, but he has the chance to lay those demons to rest by doing it with Chelsea. We have the potential, although our debts remain a big problem. If overcome though, there's no reason why we can't be the English Valencia! Anything's possible in football...
And on that note, what a comeback to the first-team for Mario Stanic! I'll admit to not being his biggest fan and I was certain that he would leave this summer to recoup some money. And when he was left out of the first few matches completely, I thought that it had to be the end of the line for him. Yet he has now forced himself back into the first team picture and he is going to be hard to push out. A solid performance as a sub against Arsenal was followed by successive starts against Blackburn and Newcastle. He has taken his chance superbly and he seems to be another midfielder to have hit top form.
Keep up the good work boys!