coolhead23

Not sure about dominating Barca but I did feel Liverpool played really well ... And had they taken the chances like Barca did on the first (third was just class) on the chances which feel to LIverpool, would had been a different scoreline. At of the day, it was the class of Messi which took it away.

Looks better than decent ... kinda of army camouflage but in blue. Not sure why so many of the fans didnt like it when it was out.

Damn!!! From having 4 teams (from the EPL) in the quarter-final to possibly have none in the final.

It would have made sense to hope that Hazard stays if the board was building / re-building for the future because someone like Hazard is the integral part of the setup/transition However currently we arent doing anything on those lines, infact the team/board/manager everyone are piggy banking on Hazard to pull them out and win things. In the current situation, for Hazard who is in his prime and with Madrid along with Zidane calling he has to go. Yes we will crumble and the board needs to feel that pain to start acting and it is high time that we find our new Hazard. I dont mind finishing outside of the top 4 for the next 2 seasons if we can ensure that the next 4 seasons we win more than 3 titles & are fighting it out on all level to be the number 1.

United will play the counter attack game which mean they will allow possession to us which we really dont make use of. For once, I would have loved to play the park the bus strategy against this Ole's United ... his players specially the 2 upfront and the full backs are always on the run trying to beat the defense which allow the central players to move up and crowd the opposition half... If a team sits behind it doesnt allow them gap like Burnely in the last game, United would be on the back foot. But Sarri will play his usual false 9 on this trying to counter the pace on the flanks with Pedro and Willian and Alonso and Azpi ... going to the same old thing. As i mentioned before we dont win at OT unless an individual steps up which for us is Hazard.

I agree that Conte could have been here for a while, he took an average team and transformed into champions (I mean who thought Moses will be an integral part of the team). Had he got his players... then who knows? But I feel post winning the title he went too aggressive on the board when his demand was not met, not siding with the board they are equally to be blamed. But I feel he could have played it smart rather than going out all guns blazing. If & Buts ...

So now City will take the title home ... 2 year in running. Hats off to Pep and team. Also kudos to Liverpool for the fighting. I feel the next few years the title favorites would be between City and Pool.

I agree they played better ... it was just the class and determination which was the difference. We're not winning at OT ... it is a fight between 2 distorted team and with home advantage feel United will come on top. Our only hope would be and has been Hazard.

Honestly, lets enjoy a world class player in his prime playing for a sub par team like Chelsea ... He's already auditioning for Madrid and I wouldnt blame him for that, he deserve a better setup and we are not up to it ... would we be? I sure Hazard must have asked that lot a times. Anyways lets enjoy while it lasts!!!

So this was Chelsea's way of telling the top 4 contenders ... if you can drop points we are not far behind. Saw the second half only and it started to and fro to begin which was later park the bus thing from Burnley. What is shock in the entire second half was there wasnt a single shot which threatened the opponent. They played the way they would had against an top opposition but we just dont have any meaningful penetration. What is the use of possession if we cant break down the opposition!!! Like I mentioned before too, we need a plan B which hasnt been there for a while ... we could have sacrificed a defender/Jorginho to have 2 strikers ... one strong in the air and other to cut lines to open gaps..... Guess Sarri knows better!!!

WHAT A GAME!!! for the neutrals which most of us are not ... I wanted City to win it because they are clear better team than Spurs but then u have to give it to Spurs without Kane & with luck they hit 3 at City which not many have done ... It had everything that a blockbuster movie needs. Moving away from that game, I feel Liverpool would beat Barca over the 2 leg.

Hats off to Ajax!!! Loved the way bunch of young guns coupled with some experience have fought with determination and have come victorious against the big ones. What was impressive is that they havent sulked under pressure when playing against the big names ... like how United did last night against Barca. Currently lot of teams should get inspired (us included) from Ajax on the way they took the fight to their opposition.

Completely agree. Modern day defenders are becoming ball playing CBs even Goalkeepers are expected to do the same.

I for one wants the ban to happen from this summer itself in the hope that this will open the eyes of the management to have a proper vision for the future .... ready to take a year's fall if something good comes out instead of years and years of mediocrity if the current trend continues.

The only positive today was RLC, Odio & Emerson starting... And the first 15-20 mins of the game where Chelsea played really well. Rest of it was just bad. I seriously dont understand Hazard as striker/false 9 or whatever it is called ahead of someone like Giroud. You have big strong physically players in the center which will cut off Hazard and that is what they did. There was this one very distinct moment I remember in the first half i guess ... Hazard has the ball and there are 4 players around him with no one else around and he doesnt has anywhere to go. Getting in Higuain as the change ... WHY??? U need a physically presence to see off the opposition and Sarri gets in someone who is just a lost cause right now. We played badly in the second half, it was like we lost out our determination once we went back in the dressing room. Emerson was bad, Odio was average, Hazard was cut off from doing anything, Kante slogged ... we were bad and got what we deserved.

Thats why I said he needs protection in any team in the PL. But at the same time the team dynamics can be exploited if you identified the weak link ... yes he can really pass the ball but when if you crowd out your main passer and keep pressing him you're putting a lot of pressure on the supply line. If your passer is strong and can hold ground, the threat is reduced considerable but if someone like a Jorginho is pressed he just runs out of idea. Thats why I mention for me he is a weak link whether our team or anyone else specially in the PL.

Jorginho is a player who needs protection if he is playing for your side specially in the PL. Even if he was in City he would have been exposed if not given protection ... he on his own is not able to stand ground, when pressed aggressively he runs out of idea. Now whether it is just a Chelsea/Sarri thing or not is difficult to stay just like it is difficult to say that he would have done well at City. For me after seeing him for most of season, he is still the weak link whether at Chelsea or City.

Credit to Sarri for a good selection post the mid week game baring Higuain (U cant get it all i presume ) Wouldnt talk about Hazard because he is in a different league. For me RLC was the surprise he was aggressive, physical and quite creative at times ... but I like the determination he had. It was very refreshing to see a player who couldnt last an entire 90 mins and has received criticism big time ... is now really stepping up. And Kante was really good last night. Back to back game for Odio and it seems that it was overwhelming for him, he had an average game but some of his crosses is so good to see ... very direct and always in the area of uncertainty. He has to have more starts. On the flip side, we need to finish our chances else it can quickly turn against us. Giroiud need to start over Higauin, its no brainier anymore. Good game for us. Glad we were up for the task.

Seriously!!! This wouldnt even make his top 10.

Brilliant goal!!! Left-Right was just sublime!!! He is preparing for Madrid ... He is going to kill it in a league which is less physically.

... and the bubble is gone

Perfecto!!! Even ready to swap Navas + money and have a young kid as a backup for a year or so who can be integrated as the no1.

Decent game for us ... importantly a clean win. Kudos. All the bench boys were up to the tasks when given an opportunity ... it was a good sight to have CHO, RLC, Christensen, Emerson and even Giroud starting in a PL game and doing good. Now off to Monday, let see if the Bench boys get another chance for their good work!!! On the flip side, it seems Jorginho wouldnt make the cut in PL ... he is found lost at times, slow and defensively bad. Azpi is now becoming a worry, seems age is catching up with him as well ... he is not able to keep up with the pacy players anymore 1v1 reminds so much of Gary Neville in his last years at United.

So post today, Sarri stays on for another match day ...

Even our incompetent board is not capable for doing something like this ... specially after dumping tons of money on Kepa.