Chelsea's Poor Luck Masks Deeper Concerns

Welcome to The Debrief, a Sky Sports column where Adam Bate analyzes key Premier League stories using data and opinion. This week, Liam Rosenior's Chelsea are under scrutiny after a string of poor results, including a defeat to Manchester United that made it four losses in a row, with three coming at home. Rosenior attributed the loss to bad luck, but the statistics tell a different story. Since mid-March, Chelsea are the only team in the Premier League not to score, despite having the most shots. Their finishing has been spectacularly bad, and it's not just a matter of luck. The team's chances have been of lower quality, and they've struggled to penetrate the penalty box. This poor form has raised concerns about the team's style of play and personnel. Perhaps the lack of a proven scorer like Matheus Cunha, who found the net for United, is a contributing factor. Meanwhile, Liverpool's Florian Wirtz has been underwhelming, despite his impressive statistics. He's created many chances but has struggled to retain possession and impose himself on the game. Newcastle, on the other hand, are still playing with intensity but are leaving gaps in their defense. Their approach is leaving them vulnerable, and their home form has been alarming, with five losses in their last six Premier League games at St James' Park. Manager Eddie Howe is under pressure to find answers, particularly in defense, where the team's record is one of the worst in the league.