If I don't get the chance tomorrow, I would just like to wish everyone here, a very merry Christmas, I hope that jolly old Saint Nicholas brings everyone what they want!

Same back to you

Cech; Ivanovic, D Luiz, Terry (c), Cole, Ramires, Mikel; Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o

Schwarzer, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Lampard, Schurrle, Willian, Torres


Currently expecting to miss todays match, so we'll probably ending up playing well for once

I missed it as well, sounds like a classic Jose 1-0. Not that im complaining.

It was as dire as ever. Pool 1-0 up

Sounds like another wasteful performance from Eto'o..?

Way Jose's talking I really expect movement in January.

Not great again but its 3 points. Rather get the points than get praise in defeat. Liverpool fans are amusing on this forum that's for sure.

There's a lot of speculation that we are about to sign Higuain from Napoli ? The fee suggested is £48m, giving Napoli a £13.5m profit in a few months. But around £30m was probably a realistic price, Wenger wasn't interested about going any higher.
If its true, that's way over the top in my opinion. Higuain is a good finisher, he will get goals, but there's not much more to his game. I wouldn't put him in the £50m bracket. But if we could arrange some kind of part exchange with Torres, maybe it wouldn't be so bad ?

Not so long ago we was worried about letting in cheap goals and that is something Jose has clearly worked on it.

We are just still lacking that extra 5% at the moment.

I still think by the end of the season we will give someone a right beating

Ramires suspended for the Liverpool match?

That's a blow as we would need his engine. David Luiz replacing him as a one off? I hope Jose doesn't chance Essien as a replacement as he has lost a yard of something. Azpilicueta Ivanovic Terry Cole in defence.

No it wasn't. We played really well in the first half and the start of the second half. Because we didn't take our chances ( again ) we got nervous and started to let Swansea back into it.

If we had took our chances we would have had a comfortable 3 or 4-0 win.

Wins for City and United.

Wish I could feel confident for tomorrow...without Ramires I have no confidence at all in our CM. It's going to be a very long 90 minutes.

Am nerveous for today myself think we will miss Ramires big time in the middle and for the sheer amount of running he does.

Would take a draw now!!!!

Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; D Luiz, Lampard; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o

Schwarzer, Cole, Essien, Mikel, Schurrle, Mata, Torres

Luiz in midfield!

I like it. Especially Luiz in midfield and not starting Torres. A win would be nice.

Also starting with Terry, Cahill and Ivanovic would allow Jose to change to 3 at the back and two strikers later on if we're chasing a goal. Feeling positive.

Luiz in Midfield, hes either going to get sent off or have an absolute stormer, score a free kick and dominate the midfield. I hope its the latter.

Can't believe there is no Mata. Surely will want to move in Jan.

Yes, I find Mourinho's attitude about Mata totally bewildering. Willian offers more pace, but Mata offers more in terms of his all round game..in my opinion.
Oscar will presumably play deeper, making it more of a 4-3-3. So perhaps Jose thinks Willian and Hazard will give us more width.

Good start

sucker punch. No idea what Eto'o was trying to do with the kneecap kick

That's all we needed. Oh well, now we'll see where we really stand.

We're playing quite well though, so not all bad

Boooooomm

Fantastic goal from the 100th best player in the world. We'd be totally screwed without him right now.