How Cole Palmer upset the odds and made Chelsea ‘the Best Team in the World’.

Going into the Club World Cup final, and indeed at the outset of the competition, not too many pundits, or fans, were predicting that Chelsea would win it.

Indeed few of their own domestic supporters had made the trip to the USA although some did come out just for the final game.

For many it was just as much a surprise triumph as for many of the football commentators.

How they did can be put down to a balanced tournament effort, shrewd tactics, some Cole Palmer magic, and, perhaps, one game too many for the Parisians.

Over 81,000 made it into the MetLife Stadium on a typically hot Sunday afternoon, probably expecting another PSG masterclass (especially after their semi-final demolition of Real Madrid)

But right from the start it was the Londoners who looked sharper with Palmer and Gusto combining before the England midfielder shot wide.

It was a portent of what was to come as Chelsea continued to threaten down the Parisians  left flank.

That same pair were then involved in the first goal on 22 minutes when the ex-Manchester City star curled (in that cool style) a left footer past Donnarumma.

It was deserved, although Desire Doue might have put PSG in front earlier after he chose the wrong option from Ruiz’ excellent delivery.

But the half would be dominated by Enzo Maresca’s team after Palmer produced another left foot special, this time he feinted, made space and aimed for the same corner.

It would get worse for PSG, as with a couple of minutes to go before the break Palmer set up Joao Pedro who neatly chipped over Donnarumma.

In reply, Joao Neves did test Sanchez in the Chelsea goal before the interval.

But the Spanish goalie stayed solid and he would remain so throughout the match, again contradicting some expectations.

It was a 45 minutes that stunned many and served to endorse Maresca’s tactics against a seemingly unstoppable opponent.

After an extended interval of musical entertainment (another portent of things to come perhaps?) the second half belonged to Sanchez who kept PSG at arm’s length with a series of stops.

Naturally Chelsea consolidated and it was threats from Viitinha, Dembele, and occasionally Kvaratskhelia that ensured their goalie was kept busy, but generally well in control.

Indeed the Blues might have even added another with their new striker Rory Delap going close a couple of times.

However Sanchez, Colwill, Chalobah and co. merited their clean sheet against potentially the most feared attack.

With Chelsea easing towards the first, official, FIFA Club World Cup title the match would end on a sour note as Joao Neves was dismissed for pulling Cucurella’s (long) hair and that was followed by an altercation on the pitch after the whistle.

No doubt, it was hard to take for the much praised Champions League winners who had been overwhelmingly favoured.

But, after some tactical tweaks and some Palmer magic Chelsea upheld the power of the Premier League and celebrated, somewhat perplexed, alongside President Trump.

Analysis – John Bethell, in New Jersey.