ChelseasMessiah

This game showed what I mean by Lampard being deployed in a position that is alien to him. In the first 15 minutes he was in his element, we had a glimpse of a Lampard of old, spraying marvellous long balls left and right, with time on the ball and no defensive duties as we were pinning Norwich back and playing direct football with a strong, tall and up-for-it Ba leading the line. After that, especially in the second half we got the Lampard of today, the Lampard that's resorting time and time again to attempting to hold, grab and tug players' shirts as they still go past him with ease, whilst leaving inviting gaps in a crucial area in front of our back 4. We look very fragile at the back, but not because of the back four itself, but the two players who are deployed in front of it, Ramires is world-class at what he does, and that mitigates the problem a little but it's still obvious to see we need a lot better to parter him.

That goal was due to a world class cross, but if you're gonna blame players then do it fairly and properly. Ashley allowed the cross to be whipped in, Terry lost the header and Luiz didn't reach the follow up. All 3 are to blame. but that's football, it's a game of goals.

An absolute superstar! 94 minutes of pure class.

His English is actually decent but he's an introvert like Oscar, never hides on the pitch though.

As I have said before, let the lad play and develop. He's gonna be a beast.

Pal, you're in a Chelsea FC forum, not De Bruyne or the Belgium National Team's discussion board, deriding a world-class player to make a point for one of the only 3 or 4 players you enjoy watching in a blue jersey will get you nowhere.

And I believe if he does leave, many a folk in here would be moving along with him... People are hyperbolising a small ear flick Mourinho gave him. He's a great prospect and will work hard for the manager again.

Ramires made the difference in that respect, Lampard was part of that midfield duo in both halves.

Frank did not own Paulinho Phil, you are looking at things sentimentally as opposed to objectively. Tottenham have an excellent selection for the two pivots in Sando, Paulinho, Capoue and Dembele, although City top them with Yaya and Fernandinho - who is a colossal player - , I believe Ramires would still walk into their first 11, but not Lampard of nowadays.

Most of our boys on loan would walk into Liverpool's first 11 with the likes of Henderson in there, the most technically inept player I've ever seen, on par with Andy Carroll.

Hi Phil, I hold my hands up and say that in the second half our Frank was much much better with the help of Ramires. But that's always the thing with Frankie, in his prime, he was an utter star, but at 35 his mobility is mostly gone, and in those two pivots we can't afford to have a lack of physical prowess against the top sides, it's not his fault, it's not him being lazy or slacking around not caring, he cares more than others, but age is catching up with him.

Oscar is quite clearly the superior talent in every aspect but that's no shame on Kevin as he is a very good prospect also. I'm just rather baffled with this whole thing though, as in, Lampard - free kicks aside - has been anonymous since the start of the season and he never gets the hook and yet young Kevin is crucified and thrown in no man's land for a few bad performances. I have absolutely no doubt we would be a much better, faster and solider team with KDB alongside Ramires in the two pivots.

We'll go all guns blazing for this one!

Like I said, all he ever needed was games to sharpen up. 3 goals and 3 assists in his last 3 games.

I think that's a very harsh decision by the management team. This lad is a star.

He's playing like a boss!

I almost hugged the telly when I saw that yesterday. I can't help but like Paulinho, the lad, who at 17, was getting stones and bananas thrown at him 24/7 on the streets of Lithuania, suffered from depression and now is where he is today. The boy is a Spurs player but is a man of character, were that Bale being tugged by Iva in the first half in the box he would have thrown himself to the ground like the gazelle on ice he is to con the ref to get a penalty, Paulinho stayed on his feet like a man should. F**k Spurs but kudos to him.

Indeed, him and Terry were superb. Mourinho got a few more of the answers he needed today. Spotless defending and that pass to Torres in Mata's disallowed goal was mesmerising.

I didn't think he was that bad to be honest. It's just that covering for Lampard against a Spurs side playing at home and firing in all cylinders in that first half was a tad overwhelming for him. Specially as Mourinho decided to concentrate our defensive cover on the flanks with Ramires out wide, which meant they explored the space behind our 3 attacking midfielders.

I hope Cahill will be nowhere near the first 11 in the next games, especially in this one.

Yeah, I thought he worked hard but nothing really payed divident. He'll flourish soon enough. I just thought Mourinho could have waited 10 more minutes before bringing him on as we were really on top with Mata Oscar and Hazard on at the same time.

Cech Iva Luiz Terry Cole Mikel Ramires Oscar Mata Hazard Torres That's how it think it should be, although I think Jose will field Frank instead of Mikel.

I wouldn't think much of it to be honest, he's probably been watching Diego Costa's displays for his former club Atletico Madrid and is trying some of his antics over here. Seriously though, Jose will have a word with him and tell him to calm down a little.

No need for that as Luiz can do it much better.

We should go with in the Champions League: Mikel - Ramires Oscar - Mata - Hazard (all interchanging) Torres