Comfortable win in the end. I was expecting more from West Ham, but they didn't really show up for this one. The only slightly disappointing thing about our performances recently has been the goal return from the chances created. Today we had 28 shots, 9 on target, but only managed the 2 goals. We will need to improve on that when playing better teams.
Another fine team performance, I thought Costa had a terrific game and showed everything we were missing during the Torres years. Even without his goal, Diego showed us text book example of how a modern CF should play the game. Hazard was brilliant again, unplayable at times, and Matic is fast becoming one of the best defensive midfielders in the world..in my opinion. Maybe I'm being a bit OTT there, but I can't think of anyone I'd swap him for right now.
With City stomping Brom right now, Sunday's game against Southampton is a must win considering City will be playing another bottom 5 team at home on Sunday.
Matic is excellent. I knew he'd be good defensively, but he's proving to be so much more than that.
Bit worrying that we only got 2. We really need to put 4 or 5 past someone when we dominate a match like today. Only takes 1 mistake for the opposition to get back into a match.
Another professional and well worked result. Very good balance to the team now, and it was nice to see some changes late on to use other players like Ramires, especially during the very busy period.
One criticism of Jose Mourhino in the past is his reluctance to change the side until the side loses. Perfection would be recognising when a player is getting tired, and / or the play is becoming too predictable and making the adjustment before the loss happens.
The rivals are still winning and Chelsea need to do the same and go on a run of 9 or 10 wins to really put the pressure on.
Southampton has been exposed against top of the table teams the last few weeks. However we have had our issues on the road as well the last few weeks. With City playing a regulation team at home on Sunday, this is a must win to keep the pressure on them to win. Probably would start Drogba over Costa as well.
I don't understand the obsession with changing things for changing sake. This is a very new team in terms of players and the system they playing they need to play with each other week in week out if we are to challenge for the title season after season, We are still a long way from how good we could (and should) be and we only going to get better with playing time. The new players have come in and settled well into English football but not well enough that a break would be a benefit (more so at the moment when they are not use to the short turnaround in games). We are dealing with highly fit professional athletes yes they will be feeling tired etc but their professionalism will kick in. Other the coming seasons I would hope the poor level of the league will improve greatly and we need to be ready for that
So Torres is joining AC Milan permanently in January, then being sent straight out to Atletico Madrid for the rest of the season in a loan swap for one of their players? Interesting move. At least we will have properly washed our hands of him.
Mourhino will probably bring some fresh legs in. Probably Luis, Mikel, Schurrle and maybe Drogba or Ramires. Essential over the very busy period. The spine will be the same, and Chelsea should win this one, although Southampton are good and on a good run of form.
I wouldn't entirely blame John Terry though. There didn't appear to be any danger, they had pushed up bu a sloppy pass by Mikel gave the ball away. Then Mikel and Ivanovic seemed to get in each others way allowing the Southamton player to burst through.
I would have taken off Mikel, after a couple of decent games he appears to have gone back to the player we knew only too well..slow and far too casual.
Comments
Merry Christmas to you too!
Even our boys in blue are wishing us a merry Christmas too...
http://instagram.com/p/w_RJ8gOjCK/?modal=true (Edit - click to play the video)
Here's hoping for 3 lovely points tomorrow (late Christmas pressie from Santa).:p
Subs: Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Ramires, Schurrle, Drogba.
Glad to see Hazard's ok.
9-0-0 at Home and 6 point up at the moment on City. No time for celebrating, now we have to play Southhampton on short rest
Another fine team performance, I thought Costa had a terrific game and showed everything we were missing during the Torres years. Even without his goal, Diego showed us text book example of how a modern CF should play the game. Hazard was brilliant again, unplayable at times, and Matic is fast becoming one of the best defensive midfielders in the world..in my opinion. Maybe I'm being a bit OTT there, but I can't think of anyone I'd swap him for right now.
Bit worrying that we only got 2. We really need to put 4 or 5 past someone when we dominate a match like today. Only takes 1 mistake for the opposition to get back into a match.
One criticism of Jose Mourhino in the past is his reluctance to change the side until the side loses. Perfection would be recognising when a player is getting tired, and / or the play is becoming too predictable and making the adjustment before the loss happens.
The rivals are still winning and Chelsea need to do the same and go on a run of 9 or 10 wins to really put the pressure on.
Yes he was not the player we expected but he does leave after creating some amazing memories
Mourhino will probably bring some fresh legs in. Probably Luis, Mikel, Schurrle and maybe Drogba or Ramires. Essential over the very busy period. The spine will be the same, and Chelsea should win this one, although Southampton are good and on a good run of form.
Prediction. Chelsea 3 - 1 win.
Come on the Chels'! :cool:
I wouldn't entirely blame John Terry though. There didn't appear to be any danger, they had pushed up bu a sloppy pass by Mikel gave the ball away. Then Mikel and Ivanovic seemed to get in each others way allowing the Southamton player to burst through.
I would have taken off Mikel, after a couple of decent games he appears to have gone back to the player we knew only too well..slow and far too casual.