Regarding game-changing moments in matches, Kepa Arrizabalaga's triple save in the first half of Chelsea's win over Aston Villa has to be up there.
The Blues, who were 1-0 up at the time thanks to a Mason Mount volley on six minutes, were facing a spell of Villa pressure. John McGinn saw his shot parried away by Kepa before the ball fell to Jacob Ramsey, with the Spaniard forced to make a world-class save as he tipped it onto the post. Danny Ings then shot from the follow-up, and it was again kept out, although the flag went up for offside moments later.
"We work on these types of things during the week, but then in the game, it's completely different," Kepa explained to club media after the game. "You have no time to think. You have to be ready because anything can happen.
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"I'm feeling very well, with confidence, with and without the ball. Self-confidence and belief in your work, in what you're doing, and belief in the process is very important.
"Of course, I had really tough moments. I had really good moments, but in the end, it's like life. You have ups and downs, and you have to be strong mentally, stick with your ideas and keep working. Now I am enjoying all the work."
As he mentioned, it's not been easy for Kepa at Chelsea. The club dished out an astonishing £71million for his services back in the summer of 2018, and there was huge expectations placed on his shoulders.
When Edouard Mendy was signed in 2020, the Senegal international took over Kepa as the first-choice goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge. However, the Spaniard has won his place back recently under new head coach Graham Potter.
"I'm delighted with the three points and delighted with the clean sheet and pleased for Mason and Kepa in particular, in that they've managed to help us get over the line," Potter explained. "That will probably be the story, but different players needed to step up today, and they've done it.
"Kepa's contributing to us with clean sheets. He's contributing to how we want to play and the environment about the place. I've got to say all three goalkeepers we have here have been really good in that regard, supporting each other, providing good competition, and that keeps everybody's level up."
It's now five wins on the bounce for Chelsea in all competitions as their perfect October continues. In that time, also, Kepa has kept four clean sheets in a row against AC Milan (x2), Wolves and Villa. The Spanish shot-stopper is starting to prove David Luiz's prediction right from four years ago.
Kepa's former team-mate said this in August 2018, not too long after he was brought in from Athletic Bilbao: "He is a great 'keeper, that is why everybody is talking about him. The financial side – every club in the world spends money, not just Chelsea.
"The numbers don't matter, we are happy because Chelsea are always doing the best for the club. When you play for Chelsea, you have to think about titles. It doesn't matter the name of the competition. We have to always try to win."
Chelsea supporters will be hoping Kepa can continue this inspired run of form while Mendy waits patiently for his chance. Next up for Chelsea is a trip to Brentford on Wednesday evening, the scene of a Mendy masterclass last season.
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