DYC.

Benitez?! Are you kidding me? What a nightmare.

Again and again and again. If my love for Chelsea wasn't so strong..

This is a game where I think Di Matteo messed up. This was just so poor. But we're not out yet. Slim chance but still a chance.

This is a game where I think Di Matteo messed up. This was just so poor. But we're not out yet. Slim chance but still a chance.

Yup blame Luiz. Ignorance.

I applaud for holding on to the ball as well as he's done, it hasn't been easy for him. But he needs better support.

So from the first minutes of the match it was obvious we were not playing to win. I will never understand such tactics, and I will never support them. It's suicide 9 out of 10 times. But I still believe we can get back in this match. Though I hope the coach makes changes. Azpi at RB, Ivan at CB and Cahill off for Moses is what I'd like to see.

Clearly worried about the Asamoah threat but then again, do we really need two defenders to stop him? I'd think a winger who also knows to defend, Moses, and Azpi would be enough but the coach thinks differently. Let's see how it works out. Come on Chelsea!

Sounds like something Rio Ferdinand would say.

Definitely. It's not even about Lamps necessarily starting games but also having him on the bench to add firepower to the team when needed, which has been the case in pretty much every game he's been out for. Or even when we're struggling a bit and need to hold on to a lead, bringing Lamps on with his experience is a very useful move. And I'd personally like to see him play in the centre attacking midfielder role. I know he didn't do well in the role at the top of the diamond under Ancelotti, the role never suited him anyway, but this is completely different. In this set-up he's not the playmaker as he has others around him to help in that department. While he has constant support around him (the other two attacking midfielders and the man up front) so he won't have to hold on the ball for too long. He can also stay close to the forward, almost as a second striker, making runs and try for goal. He'd give us a different option compared to Oscar's style.

Fair enough. Don't think we'll get anywhere if we continue discussing, so I'll just leave it like this .

Benzema and Van Persie are the same type of striker. The difference between him and Van Persie is Van Persie knows how to perfectly balance his role as a goal-scorer and his involvement in build-up play. Benzema is still a work in progress in that aspect. Sometimes great, sometimes pretty anonymous. But he's got everything you want in a striker. He's a great finisher, the man can score the most amazing goals. Just look at the goal he scored against Bilbao, that's typical Benzema. But he's inconsistent, he'll have games where he can't seem to finish. It's incredibly weird. Benzema has always underperformed for France and he's not the first to do so for his country. Not all his fault though. France have some great names but they're disjointed and they've been like that for years. The problem with poachers is when you don't play well and have a hard time creating chances, you're basically playing with 10 men. Falcao is currently thriving in a counter-attacking team. That's their game. They don't like to have possession, they want to hit you on the break, that's when they get space. That's what they did against us so well in the Super Cup. But we usually have games where we enjoy most of possession and the opposition will sit back, denying us space. And in such a set-up, you need all you're attacking players to contribute well in the build-up/creation of chances. You can't have 3 players doing everything against 8/9 players. I'm not saying Falcao will fail here but as long as we aim to play possession football, a Van Persie/Benzema type is ideal.

Cavani reminds of Drogba actually, though he's more of a poacher. He'll drop back to get involved a bit. Not as good as Drogs though but he's pretty decent at it. He also knows how to hold on the ball quite well imo. And what I've always liked about him is his pretty decent long passing which he uses to switch play, a handy trait. Not to forget his high work-rate.

Agree. Ideally there would be another Van Persie/Benzema type walking around who we could pick up.

Messi's 8 goals away from breaking Gerd Muller's record of scoring 85 goals in a calendar year.

Mehh depends on your definition of good finisher. If you specialize in scoring tap-ins, you're shooting doesn't need to be special at all. But what are we talking about, doesn't really matter. We'll see how he'll manage if he gets a chance.

I remember Sturridge getting a lot of stick for messing up good opportunities last season. He mostly scored tap-ins last season if I remember well, a good finish here and there. His finishing has always been his weakest point for me as a natural striker. Better than not shooting at all though.

Another Player of the Year award on his way. He'll need to win the league for PL Player of the Year.

Mata was brilliant. Sturridge's movement was great, his passing and link-up play was good (but his finishing was very poor). Cech almost scored a scissor kick haha. Torres did what no man has ever done in the history of mankind. He disappeared into thin air, quite an achievement (but sadly I'll think he's back already). That's it.

Mata outperformed everyone in his 30 min or so cameo if you ask me.

I am in love with Mata and his velvet touch. That moment where he killed the ball out of the air on the move and then played that lovely pass for Sturridge was a stunning play from Juan. What a player.

I know Danny's messed up with his finishing, and I do fault him for missing good opportunities, but notice how with the same players behind him he's actually getting opportunities to score goals. He's taken more shot and has had more opportunities to score than Torres has in over a month or two. At least with him up front, the players behind the striker have someone to look for, just needs to work on his finishing. I've always criticized his shooting. He has enough power in his feet but the accuracy and technique he really needs to improve. But it's mostly the type of shots he tends to use. He's always going for power shots, even when it's obvious he should place it. Which is a pure case of decision making and has nothing to do with ability.

Take of Torres for Mata and play Hazard up front please.

We really needed that, very happy.

A cross, a goal. Hazard!