Closed Chelsea 1-0 Stoke

[Magic Lamps 11,450]

Well, at least we already know whether we win this competition or not in the next round.

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

Shame we only won one nil, those dirty Stoke cunts deserve to be humiliated.

It could've been a massacre but well a comfortable win will just do.

Matic was awesome, exactly the player we need, so composed and effective, thrilled to have him back!

Oscar's performance showed why he is preferred over Mata, all around midfield superstar is raising.

Now, HAZARD! Just take a bow son! Absolutely ridiculous, purely unplayable. He dribbled pass opponents like they were simply not existed. I adore Mata, but what that United fan JayC said about Mata being more naturally talented than Hazard is just blatant lie.

[robsblubot 3,222]

Great CB work! Mechanics were just right with luiz chasing and Cahill covering. You can really see Jose's touch in the positioning...

Calm presence of Matic really helps with possession and control. Cm was a bit slow without Ramires though perhaps the reason we didn't score more goals - not many players joining the attack.

[sdrcfc 461]

Prediction:

Chelsea, Fulham, Liverpool, Hull, Wigan, Chalrton, Southampton, Everton

Hull, Wigan, Chalrton

[Barbara 15,149]

The scoreline doesn't tell the story of this match.

What a joy (except for our finishing that is, although we were unlucky with two balls in the post). That was a great performance from our attacking players, but also an immense debut by Matic. Playing just a few minutes against ManUtd wouldn't do it for him, ofc, but he was flawless there.

Oscar and Hazard were on fire and I particularly want to highlight Oscar's character in the response from the Mata transfer. A lot of people will look at him as the guy who's displaced Mata from the team (which is only partially true, it was more the system than Oscar) and they'll demand from him to up his level in the attack to justify Mata leaving the team.

I said it in the Mata thread (I guess, or maybe it was Oscar's), but this is the boy who at age 21 took Brazil's #10 shirt and position and controlled our midfield - especially in the Confed's Cup. This boy is mature beyond his years and he doesn't walk away from challenges, but face them as a man. I'm really happy with his response and I think maybe now he'll play even better without the pressure and the responsibility of benching Mata in the process. I think he'll play more carefree and he won't even acknowledge the pressure.

Hazard was incredible, as usual. His easiness to pass by as many defenders as if it was a cake walk is astonishing. I do hope we give him a new contract soon and pay him a ridiculous wage. I don't want him to be even tempted to leave and I'm thankful we have Thorgan. Somehow I think he'd love to play by his brother's side in a few years, as he seems absolutely proud of him. Sign Killian already, Roman, just to make sure we give him enough reasons to stay

edit: and we were fucked in the draw. City at the Etihad... FML

[Wolfe_21 21]

Matic can play even better, you'll see.

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

We have to beat City to win the trophy anyway so it really doesn't matter we face them in the semi or the final.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

One of our best games of the year easily. Score is deceptive. We dominated them.

[Stingray 9,441]

Away at the etihad, ... walk-over

Yes Time for a lesson Mou.

[Rmpr 8,977]

Where is Hazard on the MOTM poll?

[Barbara 15,149]

the only comfort of playing City:

City's next six matches are Spurs (a), Chelsea (h), Norwich (a), Sunderland (h), Chelsea (h), and Barcelona (h).

[LAB 1,030]

Delicious football played today. Enormous amounts of bad f***ing luck which continued btw on the draw ffs!!! Can't wait to smash them on both PL & FA CUP.

[didierforever 7,349]

Where is Hazard on the MOTM poll?

below willian (1) and above etoo.

[Special Juan 27,103]

What a free kick that was. It overall was solid but for me matic was immense, everything went through him and he just did the basics well and everything perfect.

[TrippingStep 336]

The scoreline doesn't tell the story of this match.

What a joy (except for our finishing that is, although we were unlucky with two balls in the post). That was a great performance from our attacking players, but also an immense debut by Matic. Playing just a few minutes against ManUtd wouldn't do it for him, ofc, but he was flawless there.

Oscar and Hazard were on fire and I particularly want to highlight Oscar's character in the response from the Mata transfer. A lot of people will look at him as the guy who's displaced Mata from the team (which is only partially true, it was more the system than Oscar) and they'll demand from him to up his level in the attack to justify Mata leaving the team.

I said it in the Mata thread (I guess, or maybe it was Oscar's), but this is the boy who at age 21 took Brazil's #10 shirt and position and controlled our midfield - especially in the Confed's Cup. This boy is mature beyond his years and he doesn't walk away from challenges, but face them as a man. I'm really happy with his response and I think maybe now he'll play even better without the pressure and the responsibility of benching Mata in the process. I think he'll play more carefree and he won't even acknowledge the pressure.

Hazard was incredible, as usual. His easiness to pass by as many defenders as if it was a cake walk is astonishing. I do hope we give him a new contract soon and pay him a ridiculous wage. I don't want him to be even tempted to leave and I'm thankful we have Thorgan. Somehow I think he'd love to play by his brother's side in a few years, as he seems absolutely proud of him. Sign Killian already, Roman, just to make sure we give him enough reasons to stay

edit: and we were fucked in the draw. City at the Etihad... FML

That's what I'm hoping for Oscar that Mata exit free his mind as on some matches he was rushing too much in attack, trying to do too much.

[Despiadado.Maleante 1,046]

Oscar, hazard and matic were brilliant

[Mustafa 885]

City away... I called it before the draw and I reckon we can beat them !!

[TrippingStep 336]

One of our best games of the year easily. Score is deceptive. We dominated them.

I bet their backline needed oxygen at half time as they had to do so many last ditche tackle lol.