Failure to convert chances hurt Chelsea during Sunday's 3-0 loss at Manchester City but the champions have enough time to pick up the points they have dropped in their opening two matches, the club's summer recruit Asmir Begovic has said.
Bosnian international goalkeeper Begovic, who joined Chelsea from Stoke City on a four-year contract last month, got his first start on Sunday after first-choice Thibaut Courtois was suspended for his red card in the 2-2 draw against Swansea City.
Begovic said Chelsea failed to match the intensity of City in the first half but responded well in the second half.
"We came to get a win or at least a point. Man City had a point to prove and they came on aggressively from the start," the 28-year-old told the club's website (www.chelseafc.com).
"We didn't match that intensity in the first half, but we responded and in the second half had some chances and were more in control of the game.
"If you don't score it's difficult though and unfortunately they sucker-punched us with the second goal which killed the game."
Chelsea have conceded five goals in their first two Premier League games and Begovic is keen to get back to winning ways, starting with their visit to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
"All we can do is get past this start, improve on the training ground, get our sharpness going and look to West Brom," Begovic added.
"It's still early so we have time to pick up the points we have lost but we need to get so me results in the next couple of games to get our season going and then hopefully we can push on for the rest of the season."
ArticleBegovic: We'll close five point gap with City Chelsea F.c.ChelseaAsmir BegovicThibaut Courtois
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1/26 Manchester City 3 Chelsea 0
Who stood out at the Etihad Stadium?
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2/26 Joe Hart: 7
The goalkeeper had hardly anything to do in the first half, but responded well when called in action particularly for Hazard’s second-half shot.
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3/26 Bacary Sagna: 6
Did well to pressurise Hazard early on, and also combined well with his defensive partners to stop the Belgian finding space to attack.
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4/26 Vincent Kompany: 8
Put in another commanding performance similar to against West Brom as the City skipper provided the strength to stop the threat of Costa and was later rewarded with another headed goal.
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5/26 Eliaquim Mangala: 6
Partnered well with Kompany, and had a good chance to double City’s lead but headed wide minutes before the break.
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6/26 Aleksandar Kolarov: 7
The full-back kept finding the space that helped build-up City’s attack on the left flank.
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7/26 Yaya Toure: 7
Played a one-two with Aguero for the opener and his strength proved crucial in preventing Chelsea’s forwards from finding a way through the middle of the pitch.
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8/26 Fernandinho: 8
Could have been sent off for his elbow to Costa but, otherwise, did his defensive duties well and netted a superb strike late on.
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9/26 Jesus Navas: 7
The Spaniard’s pace was a constant issue for Chelsea, and he was consistently involved in the home side’s attacks. A fine performance from the winger.
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10/26 David Silva: 7
The Spaniard pulled the strings in midfield and worked small pockets of space well to find his teammates. He also assisted for Fernandinho’s goal.
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11/26 Raheem Sterling: 7
His pace on the left allowed him to skip past Ramires and Ivanovic several times in the clash. City’s summer signing showed a really good understanding with Silva, Aguero and the rest of his teammates to cause Chelsea problems.
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12/26 Sergio Aguero: 9
Got the opening goal and could easily have had more with no less than five shots at goal in the first half. The Argentine gelled well with Sterling and Navas and was easily one of City’s best performers.
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13/26 Samir Nasri: 7
The Frenchman proved an inspired substitution and he played a key role in City’s second and third goal.
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14/26 Asmir Begovic: 6
Dealt with his early tests well, but could not keep out City’s goals. Showcased why he will pressurise Courtois for the No.1 spot this season.
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15/26 Branislav Ivanovic: 3
Like last week against Jefferson Montero, Chelsea’s vice-captain struggled with pace of Sterling and could not stop Kolarov from using the left flank to drive in crosses into the box. Was beaten by Kompany for City’s second goal and had a day to forget.
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16/26 Gary Cahill: 5
The centre-back was outwitted by Silva’s fancy footwork for the opening goal, which ultimately allowed Aguero to gain possession and shoot. He was off the pace although he improved in the second half.
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17/26 John Terry: 5
Could not command and organise his back line as he usually does so well, with Chelsea looking disorganised in defence.
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18/26 Cesar Azpilicueta: 5
Navas proved a nuisance for the left-back and Azpilicueta found his compatriot’s pace too much to deal with.
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19/26 Ramires: 5
Worked hard in midfield, but couldn’t get past City’s stalwart defending.
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20/26 Nemanja Matic: 6
Battled well in midfield, but was unable to stop the physical threat of Toure and the pace provided by City’s forwards.
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21/26 Willian: 6
Was a source of pace for Chelsea and while he did well to provide crosses into the area for the visitors, was helpless to do much else.
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22/26 Cesc Fabregas: 5
Linked up well with his teammates from his slightly defensive position, but couldn’t breach City’s defence.
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23/26 Eden Hazard: 5
Last year’s PFA Player of the Year was stifled and could not find the space to make the difference.
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24/26 Diego Costa: 6
The striker was dealt with in brilliant fashion by City’s defence and while his work rate was good, Costa cut a frustrated figure throughout the game.
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25/26 Kurt Zouma: 5
Provided more of a physical presence after he came on, but half dealt with the danger in the build-up to the third goal.
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26/26 Juan Cuadrado: 6
Injected pace for the Blues on the right, but was unable to do much else than cross the ball in.
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Chelsea have time to pick up lost points, says Asmir BegovicManchester City 3 Chelsea 0: Mourinho's side crushed as Aguero, Kompany and Fernandinho seal comfortable victoryManchester City vs Chelsea: Player RatingsImagePublishedMedium widthMonday, August 17, 2015 - 09:47Duel: Begovic thwarted Aguero on several occasions before the Argentine scored OnSource: http://ift.tt/1IW4zSf
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