Jase

In the 26 games under Benitez, Ivanovic has started in 25 of them. The one he missed? Sparta Prague at home last week.

Went through the records and found out that Mata is the only player that has played every game under Benitez so far. Started in 22 games and came on as sub in other 4.

Chelsea face fixture crisis if they are held to FA Cup draw at Middlesbrough Did say I want us to win the FA Cup again this season but gotta wonder if its worth tossing away that chance on Wednesday. The number of games we have played this season is madness and can't deny the fact that it is taking its toll on the players, if not already. And besides, the 2 Manchester clubs are still in it. With Benitez around, we'll get embarrassed at OT if we get past Boro.

According to his agent... http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1353781/lewandowskis-agent-drops-exit-hint?cc=4716 Looking at that, don't think he will be joining us. *sigh*

They are slowly building a good team but seem over reliant on Bale these days and it's only our inconsistency that has made them looked this good in the league. Had we not dropped silly points from winning position and winning games that we should be winning, we would be miles ahead of them right now! Moreover, I don't quite bother if Spurs deserves 3rd place or not. We should look to finish in there at the very least because it guarantees qualification into the CL group stage, 4th doesn't. Might end up in the Europa League again!

Guess we will all be supporting West Ham tonight against Spurs. As long as Spurs do not win, we will remain in 3rd.

That only happens when they face the bigger sides in the CL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rceSZA2yZ0Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5Hd4a01BYI

Same here. Happened in the shootout and in the League Cup. That's why.

Nope. His last penalty miss was against Newcastle away last season. http://www.thechels.co.uk/3469-frank-lampard-penalty-record/

Negative thinking but after seeing our performance against Man City today, not sure I would be happy if we beat Boro and face United at OT in the next round. Likely to get thrashed at their place.

In games like this and especially when it's away from home, Lampard should not be playing TBH. Yes, he offers a goal threat but other than I don't think he is likely to offer anything else. Also incidentally, he missed the penalty against Man City away too in the 09/10 season. Had he scored it, we would have drawn 2-2 then but he didn't and we lost 2-1. Could have gotten something from the game today had he scored it.

Can hardly blame him. We flogged him to death last season by playing in nearly all our of 50+ games then. He then went to the Euros. Played in the Olympics. And only got a bit of rest earlier this season under RDM. Since then, he has hardly got one. Partly thanks to our over reliance of him and reluctance of Benitez to rest in certain small games.

In his time at Liverpool(2004-2010), Rafa Benitez's Premier League away record against the big teams(Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal then) reads - P18 W2 D3 L13. 04/05 Chelsea - LOST 1-0 Man Utd - LOST 2-1 Arsenal - LOST 3-1 05/06 Chelsea - LOST 2-0 Man Utd - LOST 1-0 Arsenal - LOST 2-1 06/07 Chelsea - LOST 1-0 Man Utd - LOST 2-0 Arsenal - LOST 3-0 07/08 Chelsea - DREW 0-0 Man Utd - LOST 3-0 Arsenal - DREW 1-1 08/09 Chelsea - WON 1-0 Man Utd - WON 4-1 Arsenal - DREW 1-1 09/10 Chelsea - LOST 2-0 Man Utd - LOST 2-1 Arsenal - LOST 1-0

Middlesbrough vs Chelsea PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION AND LIVE CHAT FA Cup 5th Round 27th February, Wednesday 2013 Riverside Stadium 19:45 Kick Off (UK time)

Middlesbrough vs Chelsea POST-MATCH DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS FA Cup 5th Round 27th February, Wednesday 2013 Riverside Stadium 19:45 Kick Off (UK time)

Swansea should be thanking Ivanovic for winning the League Cup...

Thanks for the depressing reminder of the (slightly) better days. And Carlo..

Said this many many times before, playing him at RB would likely to end in disaster. He always backs off opponents, allow crosses to come in and hardly ever tackle the opposition in his position. Play the physical game against him, he's fine. However, when you start to play the passing game around him, he gets found out. Can't deal with it and that in the end always invite pressure on the backline and forces us to drop back so deep!

Nearly died from laughing and crying watching his touches today. The first, the second, everything about him in the game was just woeful!

Wasn't expecting to get anything from the game but least I, or rather all of us, expect is showing fight, desire and determination in the game, win, lose or draw. Saw none of that today whatsoever. It was a gutless, spineless and soulles performance from the start to finish. Almost everyone in the team was just going through the motions and hope(HOPE!) for something to happen rather than trying to make things happen. It's an absolute disgrace. Even Arsenal and Liverpool showed more spirit and guts than us here against Man City at the Etihad. Embarrassing!

Funny how people say just because Cahill tends to make last ditch challenges, it's all his fault because he was caught out of position etc. Yes, sometimes it is. Sometimes it's not. There are situations where he had to run back to prevent someone from scoring if we get caught out playing a high line OR because someone in the defence messed things up and he needed to cover them. He's a covering defender, not a CB like Luiz who takes the initiative and tackle opponents early on. Thing with Cahill is when it comes to making challenges, blocking shots, making interceptions, winning headers etc, he is good at it. Only problem with him is the inconsistency in terms of his concentration and positioning at times. That's the frustration with him. It's this small little and basic mistakes that he commits when you least expect it. He's only 27 y/o and might not be a world class defender in the end but he can be a really good defender if he improves on the few aspects mentioned.

You know, for all the talk of Benitez managing the squad and rotating the players, he seems adamant of running Mata into the ground and flog him to death. It has been so obvious recently that he's feeling tired and yet like today, he doesn't take off Mata but instead Hazard!

This was exactly the same starting XI that faced Man City at the Etihad last season barring 2 changes - Ba for Torres & Hazard for Meireles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFzDOcGDQ7o