Jase

Worth noting that this game is played just 4 days before we face Bayern in the UEFA Super Cup and they play their German league game this Saturday. So Mourinho might have that game in mind when making his team selection for this game against United but no doubt this is far more important than that Super Cup match. And Mourinho will hold his pre-match press conference for this United game tomorrow at 1pm UK time.

Another reason for that approach play is likely because the attacking 3 behind Ba wasn't able to create anything of note and nothing came from the pivot either. And we sort of then just jumped it forward. The tragic thing was Villa played a high line yesterday and we hardly even exploited it. Just awful.

Oh gawd. I nearly went in rage over that! Imagine if Mikel does that though...

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/21/rio-ferdinand-manchester-united-chelsea

Media are already sharpening their knives. We played very well overall against Hull and yes, we suffered against Villa but somehow, they deemed us to be making spluttering start already. It was only today we struggled. Just utterly hilarious journalism!

Funnily enough, in our second game last season against Reading at the Bridge, we also needed some luck to break Reading down through Torres's offside goal. What's even more funny though is that Ivanovic was sent off in the Community Shield back then and was supposed to be suspended for 3 games but ruled out by the FA because it wasn't a competitive match and he then goes and score against Wigan and Reading. The goal against Wigan being the crucial one since it was the opening goal of the game.

Err, what?! Mata spent most of the night playing out wide. Started at RW, moved to CAM momentarily and then played at LW for the second half. He didn't even clash with the space that Lampard operates at!

Just wait for people to turn against him when he makes a mistake.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10258568/Chelsea-ride-their-luck-as-spluttering-start-to-season-continues-under-Jose-Mourinho-after-defeat-of-Aston-Villa.html 'Chelsea ride their luck as spluttering start to season continues under Jose Mourinho after defeat of Aston Villa' I know we were somewhat fortunate to beat Villa but deary me, that headline from Telegraph is awful. Spluttering start? Continues?! WTF!!! The media have probably been waiting for this moment to get on our backs. When United used to win games like this under Fergie, it's because they are the champions, have the know how etc. When we or others win like this, it's because we got lucky! Never condemn United but also target other clubs! :rant:

His lack of match fitness is probably the main reason why he was rather quiet tonight in regards to his performance. However, he looks rather isolated and ineffective playing out wide on the RW. And judging by Mourinho's comments so far, seems that he wants Mata to play at RW and mainly favors Oscar as the No.10 at CAM. Getting paranoid I think but if it continues to be like this, then I do worry about Mata's future under Mourinho.

Manchester United vs Chelsea PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION AND LIVE CHAT English Premier League Matchday 3 26th August, Monday, 2013 Old Trafford 20:00 Kick Off (UK time)

Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea POST-MATCH DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS English Premier League Matchday 3 26th August, Monday, 2013 Old Trafford 20:00 Kick Off (UK time) [Match Stats]

Anything wrong with the philosophy looking alike? I mean we bought all these attacking talents to play the kind of football that we showed in the 1st half against Hull no? And of course Mourinho will tweak certain minor things in our play accordingly and as I said, it's still early. Give time before passing judgment.

Just because we complain, doesn't mean we don't enjoy the win. We do but also we want the best for our team. We look at the deficiencies and speak about it, win or lose. Don't see what's wrong with that really. And mind you, even though United does most of the time, have seen their fans complain about Fergie before.

That was against Villa. Just not sure if Mourinho will think the same about starting Azpi in a really big game against United at OT. Might be a struggle for him just like we have seen with Mata tonight. TBF, would like to give that a bit more time before passing judgment. Players still adapting to Mourinho and don't forget they have also played a lot during the summer with pre-season matches in two different continent and 3 matches in a week. Tough ask a bit at the start of the season. As for being the same team under RDM, would say at least we are better now than back then. The playing style maybe similar but least we have now under Jose is the proper organization as a team, both defensively and offensively. It wasn't like that under RDM when the players just unleashed to do whatever they want out there. Allowed to attack around freely but defensively, we were shambolic and had no defensive organization and commitment whatsoever.

TBF, think Benitez got slaughtered as well for his team selection and tactics even though we won but didn't play well. So, not sure why Mourinho should escape criticism for that either. And just because we won, doesn't mean we can't criticize the manager for his decision making. We do that to players every time as well, win or lose. Otherwise, what is the point of analyzing and having discussion?

Not sure about starting 2 players who are not fully fit yet for a game against United at Old Trafford... If anything, the back 4 will likely remain the same. Just changes being made in the midfield and striker.

Think the main problem with our play today is that we were just so narrow. There was nobody providing the width and we ended up congesting the midfield with nowhere to go and hardly even created anything. Mata, playing on the RW, was always going to come inside anyway and he wasn't fully fit either. On the other hand, Hazard is one that frustrates me though. He can go on the outside of opposition's defence, stretching the play and provide us width but hate the fact that he always come inside! And our FBs didn't exactly get forward a lot to provide the width though it was probably done on purpose to prevent us getting caught on the counter. But it was just frustrating overall!

Calm down. It's just a 'technical error'. Will make sure it's not there next game.

Still getting bypassed a bit too easily in the pivot it seems. Though it probably doesn't helped with Lampard partnering him there.

Deary me, what's with him getting caught offside today?! Think it happened like 5 times and he's trying to rival Benteke's offside rubbishness last season! And Torres!

Even though he scored the winner today but bloody hell, could have been sent off for his challenge against Benteke and again, his defending against Agbonlahor was horrific. Got sold and turned inside out by him. That was so like Cahill in recent times!

Second match of the season only and we already experienced through panic attacks and nervy moments. Never dull with Chelsea eh? Admittedly, we escaped with a few lucky decisions from the referee but then again, we got screwed quite a lot in the last run of games last season. So yeah...On the other hand, we didn't play well but still managed to get the win and at this early stage of the season, can't ask for better I guess. Winning games will always help to breed winning mentality especially for a team like ours now. Also, we have played 2 games, won 2 and have 6 points. Top of the table. No doubt we still need to improve a lot as many of our ongoing problems are still visible but players are still finding their feet under Mourinho and still yet to fully understand one another on the pitch. Will only get better collectively as it goes, I hope.

Five more Champions League play-off tie being played tonight and here are the results: Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 Austria Wien Fenerbahce 0-3 Arsenal Ludogorets Razgrad 2-4 Basel Schalke 1-1 PAOK Thessaloniki Steaua Bucharest 1-1 Legia Warsaw Have included those results in the first post. And Looks like Arsenal are through to the group stage then. Their qualification means Arsenal will be in Pot 1 for the draw while Atletico Madrid will be in Pot 2.. The second leg of those 10 play-off ties will be played next Tuesday and Wednesday.