Stats

Not the pretties but a win nonetheless and I am pretty sure for the first time this season that is 3 league wins on the trot. Will take it. Slowly picking things up. I thought knowing our luck, Gusto was going to get that card upgraded to a red. He needs to be more careful. You would think he would learn his lesson after being sent off against Villa or an identical challenge. I thought Enzo was better today but I am surprised the pundits on TNT Sports gave him MOTM. For me MOTM was definitely Palmer or Colwill. Palmer is a joy to watch. Just doing the same things on a regular basis. Nothing new. Colwill was excellent going forward and had a real burst of pace and energy today. Was solid defensively but surprisingly he was more of a threat offensively today. Much improved from Tuesday's game and for me was my choice of MOTM. I thought he brought Madueke on at the right time. One criticism was although it was nice to Chilwell back after so many months out, I thought he brought him on at the wrong stage. 2-0 I understand but at the time of the game, we should be looking to kill the game off with our offensive players. Missed a trick there and think Sterling would of got more space on the counter if he stayed on. Anyway, just happy about another 3 points now. A good break we have now until our next league game. Focus now for the 2nd leg of the semis. Next game in league Liverpool who for once we have a rival who have almost identical absentees for the game.

I literally was going to mention before that penalty is that we should maybe take off one of the CM and put Palmer in the central AM role and Madueke on the right. We looked exposed when Robinson and Willian are attacking because Palmer is not electric fast to catch up with them. We need to give Gusto more protection because they keep getting in down there. If I had my way, I personally would take of Enzo or Gallagher and put Madueke on the right. It probably would help us more on counter too.

And spending the amount of money we do on a player without much proven experience is utterly shambolic. He looks no way near ready and Poch clearly thinks the same. Just under £20m on a player we are hesitant to bring on is completely shameful.

Good to see Liverpool beat Arsenal. More humble pie for Arsenal fan and also ensures on the last weekend of January, Liverpool have a fixture just before we play them in the week in the league. So no more additional rest for them than us.

Currently on AFCON duty too. A late bloomer and does look good but again question marks is, he has never really scored consistently in his career bar this and last season, nor has he played for a big team. But for the reported fee, a low risk gamble.

Anyone stating Rice for Arsenal being worse clearly has an agenda. He has been class this season and been their outstanding player. What this season shows is that Xhaka was really under-appreciated. He made them tick and Arsenal would of been a lot better with Rice and Xhaka compared to fitting Havertz in there. Havertz will give them an additional goal threat but he has made their play worse. Rice though bar the games against West Ham and Fulham, has been exceptional this season. No denying it. But as a team, they are playing worse than last season. Too young and risky. Ferguson's goals has dried up. Can't remember the last time he scored. He is only 19 but you can see he is not fully ready yet. Will be at Brighton for a while unless someone pays over £100m for him. Gimenez is class but again big difference between the two leagues. Boniface only joined Leverkusen in the summer and is spearheading their title charge. Will not leave and is on AFCON duty. Sesko doesn't get into Leipzig's starting 11 and they play with 2 up front. Gyokeres been brilliant and looks all round striker. Think he made 3 assists on Friday but again is playing in an inferior league and the fee wanted is too risky.

That game was too nerve wracking. I was so close to not watching those last few minutes as my heart was racing up and down. Although we conceded 2 late on and were close to conceding 3, I thought the defence generally done well. If they did get back, Poch would defo had to take a lot of the blame. I think he left Sterling on the bench to teach him a lesson after his selfish display against Wolves, but we really could of done with him in the second half for the counter attack and added attacking threat. Palmer brilliant but I do believe with the nature of the game as we were being dominated heavily for the past 20 minutes, he should have come off for Sterling. Palmer is very good attackingly, however when being dominated is not as effective in terms of keeping up with the defence side as he is not blisteringly fast so sometimes the game can run past him. Noticed it against United too. Couple times or more yesterday, Chong was racing through our midfield and Palmer was doing his best to catch him but could not to a point where I wanted Palmer to get a yellow card just to take one for the team. But we were being trapped by Luton and no escape route. Thankfully we held on to the win but like I say I also think Poch's lack of subs did not help. Can we finally do something we have not managed to do all season against Fulham? Get 3 league wins on the trot? Hopefully not... Nice to end 2023 on a win anyway as a Luton equalizer would have ruined my whole evening tonight.

As predicted. Embarrassing set of players. Should donate some of their salaries to a good cause because they are getting paid for producing jack-shit.

Shows current state we are in that bookies have Everton as favourites. I don't like being pessimistic all the time, but I would go as far to say I would be shocked if we win this. Bench is weak too.

If I am being honest, Raya was brilliant last season for Brentford. He was top class but it was just an odd move for Arsenal to make when they had a good keeper as it stands. Can't stand Arsenal. Their fans arrogance approaching this game about this being an easy game etc just shows why so many people don't want them to win the league and it's because of their arrogant for no reason fans.

Wilson, Longstaff, Willock, Tonali, Burn, Botman, Barnes, Murphy, Anderson. That is a depleted squad. Yes, they have had a few but at least 5 of those players are starting if available today. Possibly more. Not good enough at all.

One step forward. Two steps backwards. Ridiculous. Let's not forget this is against a depleted Newcastle squad. Embarrassing.

Outstanding performance. Especially in attack. Nice to get a point which finally feels like a win. Palmer, Sterling very good. Gallagher too but as a whole the team cohesion attacking was brilliant to watch. Was impressed with how Cucurella held himself after picking that yellow. I understand why Palmer got MOTM but Sterling should have got it. He was definitely the best player on the pitch. All game he was sensational. He has nothing to prove to that idiot Southgate.

Playing Newcastle after the international break and probably the best time to play them. They have so many injuries atm. Almiron has joined the injury list too. They probably will recover 1 or 2, but they have a depleted squad right now. Both recognised strikers currently injured too.

He has been best player on the pitch tonight. Brilliant performance. PSG cannot handle his explosive runs.

Inconsistency will happen with this squad. Despite the money spent, I would say the attackers all have a question mark over them in terms of potential and current level of ability, however the constant back and forth regarding players is so irritating. Jackson during pre-season was meant to be a bargain of a striker and everything we hoped Lukaku to be. Madueke put in a top performance against Bournemouth last season in our 3-1 win and people were talking about how good he will be. Madueke started his first PL game yesterday so always expected he wouldn't be totally up to scratch. Cucurella was slated by majority of fanbase but last few games, people were suddenly saying he deserves a spot in team. Poor loss but the constant knee-jerk reactions is annoying. from fans. Evert other game also we have one-two players who get injured or absent for one reason or another. Once (if) we get a fully fit team, then I will still reserve judgement. But yeah, that Brentford goal seemed inevitable after our profligacy in front of goal.

They have beaten us at the Bridge on the last three meetings and in the last 7 games between us, they have beaten us 6 times and we have only won once 😮 Need to beat them and this game hopefully is the one. They will go in as favourites but we need to get over this hoodoo. They have done the reverse on us now. We used to beat them for fun. How I would crave a victory on Saturday.

Fortunately, seems just a dead leg. Hopefully he is rested from the U21's game against Ukraine so he can come back fully recovered with us.

Best player I have witnessed play in a Chelsea shirt. Was a genius. So many wonderful moments. Often is asked what is his best Chelsea goal. My favourite was his second goal in the hattrick he got against Newcastle. What a goal. Goes a bit under the radar but that is as good as a goal you will get. The whole hattrick was phenomenal. The penalty which completed his hattrick was so cooly taken in that slow motion penalty style he loved. 1:23 is his second goal and my favourite one. So many joyful moments.

Bar the Chilwell news, good news is that Mudryk was back on the grass today. Broja was training and doing gym work with the rest of the boys. Caicedo not seen in the training pics, however the Evening Standard have said that he should be fit for the weekend, so hopefully it is just more recovery for him and he joins the group tomorrow. At least no long term injury to any other players for now anyway.

That is good. I literally thought they were waiting after the Burnley game to ban him. So at least he misses a game that he wouldn't have played anyway. When I see £90k fine, it makes me think how lucky these footballers are. That is change to them. It would take me years to pay that.

It was good seeing Caicedo playing the way he did yesterday. That was the Brighton player we bought. He dominated that midfield. Looked assured in possession and won his duels well. I really want to see Colwill have a run at CB but his performance at LB yesterday was brilliant. Defensively and most noteably offensively he was immense. His passing is out of this world. Despite all the players bought it was also good to see that 3 of the starters yesterday were from the academy. Broja, Colwill and Gallagher when there was a realistic chance that all three could of been playing elsewhere this summer. It shows what hard work does. Cowill was assured about his game time if he does well and has started every league game. Same with Gallagher.

Relief. Very good performance too. So many candidates for MOTM. Colwill, Gallagher for me were the pick for me. However Caicedo was brilliant too. Broja was such a bonus. His pace and power added a different dimension. He will be useful to rotate with Jackson. A long time coming and Mudryk scoring put a smile on every Chelsea fans. Delighted he has that monkey of his back now and hopefully onwards and upwards. Also those people who slate Gallagher need to look at performances like this and see why we need him in the squad. Simply fantastic and was rightly given MOTM. Worked his socks off and was a menace to Fulham all night. Must win against Burnley now before the international break. 2 wins on the bounce… is that a lot to ask for?

He is improving and improving. Such an underrated striker. All round, he is prob one of the best striker in Europe. Works hard, is strong, good at running with the ball and last season he scored a decent return. Just consistency and he defo could get a bigger move imo.

I thought Palmer did well but only criticism was that he got muscled off the ball way too easily sometimes. More pros than cons but few times lost the battle way too easily. Maybe needs to develop on the physical side. Mudryk had a good game and caused a lot of issues and you can see his confidence growing. Colwill solid as a rock. Good to see him play his natural position too. Feels good to experience a win again. Well fought as well against a very good team.