LDN Blue

Like Esk said. It's hard to find a top notch goal keeper who's basically going to sit on the bench to Cech and give him competition at the same time. That's why we must trust in Walker, Sabek and Delac. Because these guys are already at the club and Delac sounds like a great keeper already. All we can do is hope they keep improving and eventually break through to succeed Turnbull/Hilario & perhaps Cech! We bought Cech when he was 22 and relatively unknown. Much like Delac. I'm sure Cech thought he would be 2nd to Cudicini but he eventually went on to succeed him. Maybe Delac is history repeating itself?

Looking at the goal again, I hope Ramires learns now.. You don't get much time on the ball in the Premier League, a lot of that game he did get dispossessed for taking too long on the ball.

Yeah I know, defensively (except for the goal) we were focused the entire game. That one slip in getting slow to come back was the only time City were able to score and on that note the team should be proud. If we do the same thing vs Arsenal we'll come out on top

The most important fact of the weekend

So I guess it's Lyon & PSG who are the title dogs now? Well then I hope he scores the winners against them

I see what you mean. But personally I thought we were totally outplayed, ManCity had done their homework on us. The young left back Boyata showed great bravery in taking on Drogba aggressively but at time I felt Drogba just went down, didn't really show that strength we knows he has. When City countered they went in numbers and 90% of the time we were on top of it so we were on point there. Attacking though we were sloppy and ManCity read us well, they saw our passes and intercepted quite a lot of them, players like De Jong, Touré (both) and Kompany closed us down when passing. Cole had a tough time going forward today, City read him well and kept him quiet. I think ManCity outplayed us today totally in my opinion & with Drogba's lack of interest added onto that, we weren't the best side today. I hate Shitty as much as the next person but credit where credit's due. We were our own downfall today.

Damn really?! I remember when Marseille were one of the best teams in France! What happened to them? Also, what do you think the reaction to Anelka will be like for the French fans?

Were we?

I wish! But I don't think Carlo will start those 2. Marseille is no walk in the park, they're a top team in France full of some good players! Rémy will give us problems if he makes one of his runs and at the back Taiwo is a good defender and a bit of a dead ball specialist. They'll definitely give us a game with nothing to lose on their part. I see us lining up as: Cech Ivanovic - Alex - Terry© - Cole Mikel Essien - Zhirkov Sturridge - Anelka - Malouda I'd rather Sturridge played more central and Anelka outwide, but Carlo's made it clear he likes Sturridge's pace and prefers him bombing down the right wing, hopefully Sturridge will adapt to playing there because in past game he hasn't looked to great there.

Yeah, definitely agreed. Alex doesn't seem to be that on point now that Carvalho's gone, his next competitor is Bruma and Alex knows Bruma won't be started ahead of him for a while, once Bosingwa's 100% our defence could be the best in the country, mouthwatering: ........................................Cech.................................. Bosingwa..............Ivanovic..............Terry..............Cole

Oh man that's hard.. I hope she gets better man!

Lampard & Benayoun may not be available for the games vs Marseille, Arsenal & Villa. There's no doubt we're missing Lampard right now, but I'm sure we'll bounce back in the only way we know how. By winning our next few games.

He was awful today, didn't look interested. I applauded Carlo for taking him off.

We can beat Arsenal at home. That will be a win for us. Today was always going to be difficult, remember though City did the double on us last season but we still won the League comfortably

We'll still be top of the table by the end of the weekend

Defensively we've been on point. But we could attack them a bit more, a decent performance though

True. But it means there's a high chance of seeing one of those youths to come on today! Maybe even make themselves a hero

Carlo's showing some real intent with that bench!

Malouda, Drogba & Anelka will definitely give ManCity problems now. They're defensively much weaker than last season and a good defence is always key to a good attack, I have a feeling we're going to win this one. But guys, a draw wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.. Just saying

You're definitely right! A midfield with Essien, Mikel & Ramires (as quality filled as it is) sounds a bit defensive (bar Essien of course). But this could work in our favour, between Drogba, Malouda & Anelka we have 10 goals already, 12 including Essien. I think we'll have to play the possession game, we know City have the attacking quality but they don't have the defensive quality as they normally would. Keeping the ball would frustrate them and give us a better chance to attack..

Balotelli, Wright-Phillips, Bridge, Kolarov, Nimely & Richards are all injured. Boateng & Lescott are both doubtful.

Better late than never

Ah my bad!! Sorry BomTrett.. Mods, please delete this

The control on 2:08.. Amazing! I really loved watching him play that night, the commentator had nothing but praise! I've never heard so much excitement about a Chelsea player from one, he even said "I wonder if a star is born tonight"

The Guardian newspaper has today (Thursday) published a letter by Chelsea Football Club chairman Bruce Buck, written in response to an article in the paper's sport section. The club do not believe the article accurately reflected our policy of both condemning anti-semitic and other discriminatory behaviour and acting strongly when such behaviour occurs. The letter in full is below: