Blue Armour

That last charge towards goal (where he blazed a shot over the crossbar) showed his real strength, quite literally. I think posters like Torontochelsea do have a valid point when they say a prolific striker for one team will not necessarily achieve similar stats for another, no matter how much technically better the second team may be. Everton are set up one way,to achieve their season objectives and Chelsea another. Chelsea don't always play a direct game, and try to make full use of their midfield qualities to win a match.As such, the build-up play demands more from the strikers as opposed to just making runs into dangerous areas. It will take more than a prolific goal scorer to work with this team. However Lukaku has shown, albeit inconsistently, that there is much more to his game than just being a lethal finisher. He has all the talent needed to mold him into the type of forward this Chelsea team needs.

This. When he plays, he adds an extra dimension to our attack. Right now, the best we can get out of our defense are inconsistent crosses from Ivanovic.

Lieutenant Lukaku.

So frustrating...just a couple of weeks back it seemed that all three forwards were at their top, and Torres could do a job.. I still think Eto'o should be given a chance. He has been out for quite a while, and Stoke is not a team against whom you would expect him to work his magic.

It was evident to viewers during the game, but Jose said that Schurrle wanted to get subbed because of it

I would pin that one on Mikel actually.. Anyway Cahill yeah...good squad player yes...regular starter, no.

He did,in fact, say the same. He wants Luiz to come back so he can rotate.... The effects of playing the same back four have been clearly felt....6 goals in the last two games makes for real poor reading.

Its a shame about the injury,... He should have started a lot more matches for us by now...

Schurrle had a calf injury. You can say what you want about the manager, but it was individual mistakes that cost us the game today.

I think City have already triggered their "ON" switch...Its time for Chelsea to do the same. December could be the most crucial point in this season.

Absolutely agree. How much more can a manager do in a match? The team were completely in control in that first half..and things should have stayed that way if it were not for that blunder by the keeper. This kind of result takes the attention away from so many of the positives. Schurrle, and of course, Hazard. Eden was unplayable for nearly two thirds of the match, and could have presented us with a host of opportunities if Chelsea still had the lead at half time.

Was quite lazy to keep up with Ireland for the second Stoke goal. Terry was screaming and waving for a player to mark Ireland when he went out to block the incoming cross, but Mikel just jogged back (like he did against Juventus last season) and failed to stay with his closest attacker. Its no wonder he doesn't start more often.

Really annoying performance from him today. Barely tested by Stoke today, and whenever he did get tested he looked clueless. It reminds of the time back in 2008 when him and Reina were competing for the comedy keeper award.

Jose and Torres have been part of the same of team only for a few months. But yes, Jose doesn't have to wait for Torres to score. If he doesn't keep up his early season standards, he should be dropped.

Well that was an over-reaction too, but you can't blame people for being optimistic (its more natural than being pessimistic for most) after nearly two seasons of no-show from Torres. And yes, the problem is people over-react. be it praise or criticism.

Lol..Don't ever bring that name up again.

Of course, I agree Torres was, and is, not completely faultless. The chances he spurned today, are inexcusable considering the way he has set himself up earlier this season. I'm saying consider Torres this season, under Mourinho, and also under different,likely better tactics, and accept that the Sunderland game was just a bad day. I just feel the reaction to his performance today and Essien's blunder last Sunday has been overstated. Because of the wins, most people have little else to complain about and hence clutch at smaller things.

Is it possible Mourinho tried to rile up Lukaku just before the United game?

Players like Frank and Ashley need to remain fresh to boost their performances,...the latter more than the former. I'm sure Cole will put in a good performance like Frank did today, the next time he starts.

I'm pretty sure people were complaining about service prior to this season. And its not just about Torres...Fact is when we lacked a target-man of Drogba's quality, or a hard worker like Anelka or Eto'o, there is little productivity from the forwards. The only other forward who bucked the trend for a while was Sturridge playing out of position, and out of his skin to secure his starting eleven spot.

Brilliant.

Well the service excuse was there for a reason...when a former sharp shooter like Ba ends up struggling to score despite being surrounded by a midfield technically better than Newcastle's, you have to wonder...Things are better this season,though. This.

True...I think people are over-reacting to that one back pass. While the rest of the first half wasn't too great for Essien, you have to remember this player who has almost zero match practice with the team in recent weeks, was brought back to the first team against a tough opponent. Mourinho said the reason why he subbed Essien at half time was only because of his early yellow card. I think he can still do a job as a squad player this season. He wasn't too shabby against Arsenal when playing in the Carling cup, so there are still options to play him.

I think the three combined would have worked against teams that press high up the pitch and leave gaps for the three of them to exploit. (Like Arsenal/Tottenham). Provided they have the stability of defensive Central midfield behind them (Ramires+Mikel)...It would have been a good lineup for todays game if we hadn't gone a goal down and needed an extra striker to break down the withdrawn Southampton defense. I personally prefer a pure winger in place of an AM, just to give a different dimension in the build up play.

That's true..and I'm happy that all three strikers put in a good shift when called upon, despite knowing their starting spots are not permanently secured. I just wish they could get better service though. The best chances today were the one which Mata tried to cross into the box, and when Ramires set Ba through,...we need to see more of that coming from midfield. It also helps when there are pure wingers like Schurrle in the team.