Barbara

I don't think he had a bad match against Hull. I guess I'd like him to be more incisive actually rather than consistent as I don't think consistency is one of this problems.

Proof I'm not indeed a Centaurus as showed in the pics above: and that I can be quite jealous and bratty about it (it was a joke)

actually Squawka (which is one I like the best because I can see the time when the play happened when I click on it and evaluate if I agree with them or not) gave him 16 clearances out of 16 (10 of which aerial duels), in addition to 4 interceptions. 16 clearances is just insane. 78% passing isn't that bad either. He had 8 long passes completed and missed 6 which is rather good considering the risk of a long pass. Two of those completed long passes were from the defensive half into the box. I remember the pass to Eden, but there was another at 49' and another one was from the defensive half right into the edge side of the box. If he doesn't play for us we don't have that kind of pass. I wouldn't call that bad at all. Far from it. http://epl.squawka.com/hull-city-vs-chelsea/11-01-2014/english-barclays-premier-league/matches

Went to a pub, got the most weird pics of me ever seen. Don't ask how I ended up like that. It doesn't seem anatomically possible, but well... it reminded me of @Pizy's comment the other day Beware. Now this pic is normal - that's because last minute I decided sitting on the lap is as tacky as it gets. So it's not as bad as the two previous ones.

In all honesty? I have no idea what you're talking about... My comments were made based on a general reaction I've seen from people here and on Twitter talking about many problems we had in the first half. I think the biggest problem we had was a playing away against a very solid and organized team that used our own poison (high pressing) against us. So instead of tiring ourselves, we tired them and took advantage of their lower energy in the second. I have no idea you complained about the pivot (maybe I even read your post, but I don't remember) and I don't think it bothered me if I don't even remember it. Then in my post (not the part you quoted) I said I wouldn't talk about the pivot because it continues to be our problem and explaining why would be repetitive... do you mean that? Because I didn't explain what didn't work in the pivot because we've gone through that a thousand times. I'm at loss here and have no idea what you're talking about. Sorry.

yeah, but there are difficult matches even for Barça and Bayern on their best days. Today was a difficult match but it wasn't ugly by any standards imo. We did what we had to do, it wasn't only about being effective, but especially being in control and having patience. We knew we were the best team and we tired them out and then played our game in the second. It seems strategical more than lacking inspiration. I'll take those matches along with some great performances we did have this season already. My point had nothing to do with ugliness or inspiration, but how people simply overlooked the difficulty of the match. It was a tough match and that's why we didn't dominate, despite controlling. I think expecting that is being grounded... I didn't expect any less before or during the match. Hull is one of the best teams in the league playing at their turf and they had only conceded 6 goals there in all season (and they had a bad day in the office when they've conceded those three goals to ManU a week ago). At the end of the day we're a better team than we've been in years imo. We're progressing right now and the prospects are good. I can see some serious evolution in the style, in the effectiveness, but also a lot of maturity, calm and patience when it's required. A lot of steps in the right direction and when we're finally the finished product I'm sure it'll be more beautiful and inspiring to watch. But then again that's my take of it. I'm not one of those people who's thirsty to see pretty, inspiring football by a team. I'm in for entertaining, good football with our players have a beautiful, inspiring moment a few times in the match. I'm here to be entertained by the match and many times I am without it being beautiful or inspiring. So at the end of the day it's how you approach the sport and what you expect from it. I've enjoyed a big deal our latest matches (before this one) and have been quite entertained by them, so I'm good with the team, the progress, the style, the evolution...

Unstoppable. Unplayable. Unmarkable. UNF!!!!!!!! Now in all seriousness, he's been amazing for us as we all knew he'd be and some more. It's a giant pleasure to watch this guy playing. The way he glues the ball on his feet and gets rid of so many markers is nothing short of brilliant and genial. the sky is the limit for Eden and he's improving seriously our chances of winning EPL. The way we've been solid defensively and he's winning us match when we can't find other solutions is a big deal. that's what you expect from the team's star and he keeps delivering, all with a great deal of work-rate as well. Irreplaceable.

Yeah, I forgot to mention Torres in my summary. Bad match overall, but he was amazing in the goal. The finishing was great, so I think it makes up for previous 80 minutes he's had.

he had a long ball perfect on Eden's feet at the edge of the box in the first half, but Eden's ball control let him down. I don't think his passing was horrible, better than Ramires imo. He's playing out of position, I don't expect him to excel it. He's had a good match imo, but nothing that stands out.

very solid match by us against a team that was flawless marking and pressing in the first half. It was obvious they wouldn't be able to keep it up the 90 minutes because for a high pressing team to master it, they have to play like that the whole season and the physical drills in training sessions must support it otherwise the energy runs out quickly - which it did. I agree we didn't create much in the first, but this team is patient, we've been in control the whole time and we weren't threatened. I've never felt like we weren't winning this (although that 2nd goal was unexpected for me). Our defense stopped having the blips it had on Oscar's absence (which may be or not a coincidence), and proved again that we're very solid defensively. Hazard is the guy, he's really making the difference for us. I think Ramires had a bad match until Mikel came in. Azpilicueta also didn't have a great match imo... he had better matches in the left than today in his rightful. People seem to overreact though about our 'lack of style'. First of all this is a lie, we have a style. We don't rely on our individual brilliance as much as people make it out to be. When you have such a brilliant defensive work done by the opponent ofc you're going to rely on individual plays! breaking collectively is hard because the other team makes it hard. I don't understand most complaints people had about that first half. It was a difficult first half, playing away against a very solid team. What was the expectation? We continue to be solid, both offensively and defensively. Our pivot continues to be our letdown, but it's a broken record repeating it, stating the obvious so I won't say much about it. Cole had a good match, his best in a very long time - probably the season... One more thing though. Hazard normally drags 2-3 (or four like today) players with him, we should be able to capitalize the space it creates for other players. It's mathematical... there are only 10 outfield players, if the opposition has 2, 3, 4 in one guy it means the other guys have less people marking them. We need to learn to explore it better.

Torres can't believe what I've seen but YAY

now two timing saving subs, Mou Etoo for Torres and Mata or André for Eden.

Squawka Football ‏@Squawka 43s Eden Hazard has scored 9 goals, created 50 chances and picked up 5 assists in the Premier League this season. #CFC :worship:

Ramires has been shocking. Really. The worst on our side by a fair lead.

he deserves either way and we should be able to ask Cahill yellow to be removed.

FFS that was on his shoulder/chest. UGH Clattercunt!

FUCK TOLD YA HAZARD!!!!

see? this is exactly what I thought would happen. We're already having more chances. This is under control imo. The normal thing now is us to grow and then score. 1x0, 3 points, back to London

and yeah, Oscar should have scored, but let's not for a second pretend that wasn't a good finishing. It was, McGregor was outstanding and Oscar could have tried the other side, but I can't fault him for a bad finishing because it wasn't a bad finishing imo, it just could have been better position (like to the right instead of the left), but the way you read people it seems like it was one of Torres' sitters. I know it was our only chance and we should have capitalized, but let's not get carried away.

I feel the opposite actually (from most posts). I think we've had a difficult first half because they were pressing and marking brilliantly, but they already showed tiredness and I think we'll break them in the second. I can see us scoring one goal soon. seriously this isn't one of those matches that feels like we couldn't score. It feels like it's approaching. I'm not worried nor do I have a bad feeling about this. Quite calm about it (although the passing was frustrating - especially Ramires, as usual)

thing is first half hasn't even finished and you already see Hull players getting rid of balls early in the match they wouldn't give us a throw. All the pressing and playing the ball on their feet. we've tired them out already, so I suppose it'll be easier to break out now. I'd still play Mata early in the second

Luiz long ball What a shame, Eden

finally a break!

We've been frustratingly shaky in our passing here... not winning as many second balls as usual.

in addition to that the new Adidas contract didn't show in this year's numbers, that alone is £300 for 10 years and they to have pay at least £30 now (supposing they pay by year, which I'm not that sure they do - as some sponsors especially for kits prefer to pay 3-5 years worth of contract at once). They also mentioned a deal with Audi, so I think we're way positioned to comply their demands. What bugs me is how City that had a loss of £98 spend another £90 and UEFA does nothing. So some teams comply, others don't, and there are no repercussions? I'd love to see RM's numbers...