Kostas

...or Carlo needed this in Instanbul

No wonder I didn't remember that. I have deleted that game from my memory, most frustrating result since Barcelona.

I've been one for as long as I can remember.

If he trusted them we wouldn't have bidded for Begovic.

As long as Malouda plays and has a good game we won't have any trouble what-so-ever.We're playing a midtable team FFS,we don't need Lampard or Essien against them.

Jimmy's free kicks were amazing

Malouda was a winger when he joined us. I believe Kakuta doesn't "belong" on the wings as he's not that fast and his creativity is wasted there.Our system is more similar to a 4-3-3 with Anelka having a free role than 4-3-2-1. Much like Deco I don't see how our formation suits his style.

I think we could even finish 1st losing the next two games but having the best goal difference..

Were does Kakuta fit in our system?

I'm aware that Carlo is a smart man who isn't going to give away our plans to the press but as far as I can remember everything he has said about transfers has so far been confirmed. Last January he ruled out any transfer activity and we didn't get anyone. During the summer he mentioned planning to sign more players and according to reliable sources(club presidents,official websites) we did bid for (at least)three player but were rejected. Around late August when some were expecting us to make a late surprise he came out and said that our transfers were finished, which was confirmed the day the transfer window closed. Clearly the situation and the planning can change with some bad results and long term injuries but I'm willing to believe that this man speaks the truth. That said I believe that we need a couple of player to last the three competitions that we're competing for.A goalkeeper and a central defender would be high on my list, even loanees may do.

IMHO we can do just fine in Europe or against the real title challengers with this tactic.We just let the opposition get tired and control the game without even having much of the ball.Spartak didn't create anything of note and we defended brilliantly in the first half.Better teams will exploit our weaknesses but if we can keep defending as a unit as good as we do now few can score against us.

When was the last time we conceded from a corner?

In that respect we miss Ballack as he was capable of taking set pieces and had quite a header.Of the young players I think only Bruma can claim being good with a dead ball.

To be honest none of the league games look hard and we should be disappointed if we drop any points.December on the other hand is extremely hard and combined with our usual atrocious December form shall be decisive for the league.

Drogba's corners are well above average but we terribly miss his presence in the box.

Got the stats from uefa.com, guess they can't do anything right

God I'd love him to single-handedly destroy them again

Anelka has 4 CL goals with 6 attempts on target,makes you wonder why he switched to a "creator".

Soaked up pressure well in the first half and got them tired. Finished them off in the 2nd. Good games by most and I can only think of either Zhirkov or Ramires being average. Ivan my MoM,can't beat scoring two goals as a CB. Kalou had a good game, he rarely does that as a starter so that's an improvement. Good enough performances by the kids, Kakuta had his usual flash and Josh was tidy and confident.

GOAL! Get another one for revenge.

hahaha kept the clean sheet! snap

wtf Danny!

Paulo Ferreira got the armband.Thought Cech was next in the order.

Danny and Gael coming on

Good run by Anelka,their keeper did well.