Cahill had a very shaky start but did improve as the game went on. Made one great last ditch tackle.

As usual i got to see the whole game.

In the first 45, after out great goal, Palace did cause us some problems down our right hand side.

Fraizer Campbell seemed to have the beating of Cahill in this period, or rather Cahill was letting the ball bounce causing himself trouble rather than just clearing it.

In the 2nd half cahill was back to his best, and did a goal saving tackle to prevent us drawing. So inconsistent rather than his usual high standards.

We did control the game 2nd half, and at 10 v 10 it was a stroll in the park for us. The Fabregas goal was an example.

It was a shame that we let palace get a goal back, as we had pressure for a few minutes - but Chelsea, if they want to win, MUST be able to see out 5 minutes against palace. And they did.

Delaney could have gone before his 2nd yellow, he only got a talking to from the ref, so the ref had no choice when he did the same thing for a 3rd time.

It was a good result without Costa. Whatever anyone says about Remy, he is absolutely no Costa and he was a huge miss.

A plus point was oscar, he almost ran the show and was very tough in the tackle, all over the park!

Thanks mate, always better to get a report from one of the regulars.
Glad to hear Cahill was better in the 2nd half, on the radio I kept hearing that Campbell was giving him the run-around. Great to hear Oscar is back to his best, Matic had another good game as well didn't he ?
I'm interested to hear about Remy, he wasn't mentioned much. In the brief bits shown on MOTD he appeared to link up ok and showed a couple of nice touches. How do you rate him ?

Campbell is a real handful. Good energy, strong running, and a few tricks. We played a high line with did not favor Cahill against him 1 on 1. Palace were lumping it up to them, and on a few occasions Cahill let it bounce first which gave him a problem. On others, campbells trickery allowed him to get a couple of shots off (one of which should have gone in).

Cahill is one of our best players. We forget he came in for no money really, and has since become a top PL defender and should actually be England captain. I can forgive him one shaky half.

Matic is a player that defenders love to have in front of them. He really does cover every blade box to box. He should have scored with a free header though. He is being held back by Jose, he could play as Toure plays for City as he is great going forward (if we had a sitting player alongside) and is a monster!

Oscar isnt back to his best. I remember he was outshining even Hazard when he was on top form! But he is getting there, and always puts in 100% and tackles back. He is also a lot bigger and tougher than people think when just watching on TV.

Remy was disappointing, but its not his fault. Chelsea are set up at the moment to play to Costas strengths, and the team did not adapt to his absence yesterday. Remy is quick and strong, but he cannot hold the ball up like costa can, and doesnt seem to make those amazing runs in the box where costa just happens to be in the right place at the right time.

If the players around Remy adapt, then he can do a job for us, but he spent more time outside of the box than in it.

Thanks again codeblue, interesting observations.
Yes, Cahill is usually a safe, consistent defender. He always appears to have a poorish game after England duty, probably picks up bad habits.
It's difficult for Oscar in my opinion, previously he had a set role in the team, but with the arrival of Fabregas they often appear to be competing for the same role.
Agree with you about Matic. As I've said before he's a much better footballer than I had expected, much more than just a big, midfield ball-winner. But while we play Fabregas as his partner in DM, I suppose he'll have to remain anchored for most of the game.
I haven't seen much of Remy in a Chelsea shirt. He wouldn't have been my choice as back-up to Costa, but I was hoping to be proved wrong. Still, he hasn't had many chances yet, so he may surprise us.

I would always pick Oscar for the more forward role, Cesc is a fantastic player but IMO it would be a risk letting him play further up the pitch, Him and Matic are a perfect partnership, They really compliment each other, While yes Cesc can play further up the pitch and creatively it would be great to watch but it would at a cost of the performance of the team as a whole. Cesc has been fantastic in this role and I hope it continues on. For Oscar is going to be the main man in a few years and could be something special

Just seen that Man City kick-off at 5 tonight. Guess that explains why ITV are showing us......

lets hope everyone comes though ready for united at the weekend.

I know playing Cesc deeper has worked well up to now (our results show that) but I still think It can leave Matic exposed. We did get away with it a bit against Man City, Arsenal didn't give us too many problems, but Man Utd will be a big test.
I hope you're right, as you say they're a joy to watch. I just don't want us to get caught out against some of the better teams who may have world class attacking midfield players and fowards.

United have Dr Maria as the danger man. For me, RVP is off form and falcao is yet to show his class.

Apart from that, in centre mid and at the back, they are very average indeed.

Tonight's line-up:

Čech; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry (c), Filipe Luis; Matic, Fàbregas, Willian, Oscar, Eden Hazard; Remy.

I thought Dave might've played as he's out for the Man U game.

Great first half, we are a class above them.

Only problem is groin injury to remy.

Lucky with the penalty, but it was a stroll in the park after that. I think Jose will tell them to cut out the showboating, which is a pity as it's fun to watch.
Another couple of goals and keep a clean sheet, that would do me.

Fun night Good to see some cameos from the youngsters.

Zouma fitted in just fine, Luiz was brilliant and are made some good challenges.

Let's hope either remy or Costa are fit for the weekend

A certain player who a now missing poster accused of being a lower league player who just ran around had a really good game

I'm wondering about Costa, It's rumoured he did turn up for training as usual on Monday but was told to rest. It's also hard to believe that Spain would wait until the 82nd minute before bringing him off against Luxembourg when they were coasting the game.
It wouldn't surprise me if he starts against United.

He'd better. I really don't like the idea of us lining up with Drogba.

Hazard, when asked after the game why he let Didier take the penalty, said, ... "He asked and I said no problem. I couldn't say no ( with a smile ) ... He is the King"



Love that kind of respect from the young guns

Yeah strange that now we are doing well he's no longer posting.

It was good to see three of the young players given a run out. Zouma kept it simple as you'd expect, but he didn't do much wrong and came up with one of his trademark headers. The guy is going to be a monster in the the opponents box in dead ball situations.
I thought Ake looked impressive in his 30 minutes. Working hard, regaining possession a couple of times and using the ball sensibly. I think we can forgive him that one shot into the stands.
Solanke only had a 15/20 minute cameo, but he didn't look overawed. Hard to imagine he's only just turned 17,

Is zouma a replacement for terry?

Luis looked the part - good signing.

Great win for us last night. Sure the opposition wasn't up to much, but you can only beat what's in front of you, and we did that emphatically. Hazard in particular was a delight to watch. Good to see the Drog scoring, and Zouma, Ake and Solanke all involved.

I don't know. I think Varane would have been Mourinho's first choice, but he's still with RM. Then there's Mangala, but he went to Man City. Zouma is younger than either of them and was very highly rated. I think all three played together for France in some under-21 games. I wouldnt be surprised if Jose tried to prise Varane away from Real, he's a player that he obviously rates very highly. France are certainly not short of young quality defenders !

Was at the match on Tuesday and was especially nice to see Dominic Solanke make his debut. He was at school with my nephew and I've heard about him on and off for ages. Ake and Zouma also did well, but Solanke and Baker making it would be extra special.
There's a pic in the media with a ridiculously young Solanke (about 8ish?) posing with a young looking John Terry, definitely makes you feel your age.