Barbara

I'd like to stress something because I've read the opposite a few times here the past few days. We aren't winning with minimum scoreline because of a style. I read somewhere people syaing we win 1x0, 2x1. That's because of the inneficiency of our attack (mainly our strikers) and some out of this world defenses and clearances by opposition. Back in 2004 we won by minumum because it was Mourinho's plan and system. Today (and against Arsenal and even against Swansea in the first) even after we took the lead, we kept looking for the goal. We were defensively by the middle of the second half on, imo, and played a bit more based on counter attack (I could be wrong as I was distracted watching a post-match report while watching it), but there were too many chances created by us before and after we took the lead. The fact we don't score more isn't because of a defensive system, but because we still suck putting the ball into the net, especially the strikers. The team is gelling imo and I see we're back to where we were in October. All we need now is the same focus, dedication and hard work from the players against sides in the bottom half of the table. How I wish we had a reliable striker, but if Hazard continues confident to shoot, and now with Oscar back in form, let's hope they keep scoring and partially making up for the disappointment Eto'o, Torres and Ba keep bringing.

Another great match by him. I guess he's fully recovered now and I feel really, really relieved. The way this boy gets our whole team together is impressive. He was very present in the attack, had a couple of very good passes then, an assist and he was brilliant tackling. That Lucas tackle at the endge of the box, that he then takes a shot, his ball control in the first half in a long pass from the defense that he then passed to Hazard was out of this world I'm still dizzy trying to understand what his legs did in that shot. He brings our team together, he presses, he tackles, he plays deep, he plays high, he's a very complete player and one we need a lot. Does anyone know an account that makes vids of all his touches in a match? I want to rewatch him today.

you know I don't mind your post-match cute (or not) nicknames, Ron. Go ahead, darling Also enjoy our Blues Cheers, mate

actually Fox normally have them up. He interrupted Luiz and Eden's interview and hugged Luiz, but then they've stopped showing and I don't know what happened from there on.

absolutely perfect match by the boys. We played very well the whole match, never looked really threatened imo, although they did have a few chances, and for a change we didn't have a bad 2nd half. It wasn't as good as the first, but it was a solid one imo. Hazard is my motm (still don't see a poll to vote) and it's amazing to finally see Eden on fire. Oscar was absolutely brilliant, a second motm imo. Thank God he's finally fit again and I can't help but notice how well we've been playing since he's been fulfilling his role in the team again. When he wasn't playing or he was in bad form, we've suffered, now he's recovered and so are we. Luiz can't play in DM imo. Yes, we needed him there today and I supported Mourinho's choice, but he proved imo why he is indeed a CB and not a DM. He was lost in his positioning a few times, still had some clueless marking a few times. The positive of him in this position is how he adds up to our attack. His pass at the end of the second half for Hazard (or was it Eto'o?), and the way he dribbled the guy marking him was mouth watering. But please, back to CB now (although imo Cahill continues to play better than him). Our defense was flawless, I don't blame them in that lucky Skrtel goal. We were unlucky. Lampard, Willian, Mikel, Eto'o were all good, although nothing special. Cole started shaky - as I expected, but he didn't compromise defensively (as I expected), so I'm thankful for that. And how great it's to watch Azpili on the right And once again the team and Mourinho shut up some fans here who were once again so sure we'd lose. I hope to meet a better reaction than I saw here after the Arsenal match.

words can't describe how much I hate this cunt Howard Webb.

thanks, Sky Sports for the anti-jinx. Goal by Hazard, assist by Oscar, they only missed including how long our strikers haven't scored.

@CHOULO19, @, @, lovelies, until when we'll have to stand this troll disguised as a Chelsea fan? His choice of pic and member id is SO transparent. He's getting on everyone's nerves. I trust your judgment on this matter

THIS IS BLOODY CHELSEA!!!!! FUCK YEAH!

damn it. The last thing we needed in this match was Cole

This is one hell of a game by us so far. I don't even discredit our defense on that set-piece goal because it was a lucky goal. We had an amazing dominating first half against Swansea too. This is some great footie we've been playing. I think our presentation against Arsenal was actually very good too, although it was counter-attack based and people want me to convince we played better football under other managers since our last EPL title... We're not there yet, but we're on the way

Terry is bloody brilliant!

How I love Eden Hazard

I'm normally against Luiz on the pivot, but given Rami is missing this, that was the only thing I was hoping Mourinho to do. It came to a point I absolutely trust his lineups, even when I disagree, but Luiz replacing Ramires was the one thing I really hoped he'd do and he did. With all mistakes he's done this season (which weren't many imo), I still trust this manager to get the best lineup every single match. Huge disappointment on Cissohko being benched. He was such a transition liability against City. But in Sakho we trust.

You mates are all very strong and tough... some said they got a tear, others a smile. I was crying copiously through most of it. I'm such a cry baby Touching vid though. Wasn't Willian in the game and he wanted him to sign the shirt too? Is that so? JT forever and ever. They may say he's a dick or whatever, well in that case he's my dick then - although I don't think he's one. He's a fine guy and proved it many times. He's just overly active

Count me out next month, mates.

I think the plan was for him to be released from heavy defensive duties, but we've been so shaky defensively that Mourinho probably can't afford to give Eden as much freedom as they both wished. The whole team needs to mature now, not only Hazard. The only players solid throughout the season imo are Terry and Ramires (and we all know Rami has his limitations). Everyone else either has to find form or mature thier game some. Once this starts working as an oiled machine I'm positive Eden will have more freedom to roam. Mourinho didn't hide for one minute Hazard is his star whereas Oscar is his hard-worker. One is supposed to have more freedom and the other to hold the team together. But fot all of them finally start to work well together they'll have to start producing individually their best or close to that. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4G using Tapatalk

I'd repeat Mazacar or at least have Oscar to play and press Liverpool's transition, especially sissoko and sakho - both of which big liabilities in Liverpool's defensive system. I guess that's something we can take big advantage of. I'd make an exception and play Luiz in the pivot as Ramires is set to miss the match. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4G using Tapatalk

That was a very good first half and a few unlucky chances in addition to Etoo wasting some incredible clear chances a striker just has to net. I think tha 1st half was actually good football by us. Mazacar had a very good 45 minutes imo. They were fluid and link up well. Finally Oscar had a good match after the injury, he was immense defensively and I came undone with some of his tackles. Mata also had a couple of orgasmic passes and Hazard was very good again. Two things I think make a difference in our system: Luiz's long balls in the attack and Oscar's defensive contributions that gives us balance. Now January can't be here soon enough. If we don't sign a striker I honestly think we don't have a chance to win the league, but with a half good striker I guess we actually stand a chance. I'll pretend Ramires won't miss the Liverpool match... Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4G using Tapatalk

don't trust a manager (unless it's Wenger and Moyes) saying they won't sign someone else

Well, I based on the kind of complaints I've seen about this match I stated such. It weren't complaints about foundations, but about how we should have gone to the win in the last 20 minutes the same way we've gone the first 70. It has nothing to do with foundation. Which is why I said I take the defensive posture in the end, I accept the subs because we don't need two of our best players currently to be burn out with minutes when we have three important matches coming in less than 10 days, the first of which only 2 days later. The complaints I addressed were people - including you - complaining about the result and the posture in this match I didn't refute anyone talking about the team's evolution. This team has been oscillating way too much, so I'm happy we played a good match and also grabbed one point that I think isn't too little. It is an amazing result imo given how shaky we've been lately. If we were nearly the end product, I'd agree totally with you. But given how bad we finished matches lately, I'm behind Mourinho's decisions and the point achieved. But ofc we can agree to disagree, as I said to Strike in Mourinho's thread. It's exactly because we aren't the end product I'm happy with a good presentation and one point away from a title contender. In other circumstances I'd be inclined to agree with you, but right now? I'm taking what I can. It's been four months of official competition, I'm not sure how to measure the evolution. Benitez took about the same to have Chelsea playing well last season, but then again, he wasn't building a style, a system, anything. He was just trying to accomplish the results. In some matches worked, but we also looked clueless in many of them (from March one), so I guess it's realistic to ask a little bit more from Mourinho, but he's trying something permanent, not a quick fix like Benitez (which was what he was hired for). (ps. I tried to answer in the proper thread, but it was locked while I was writing, so I transferred it here)

This team misses Oscar playing well - defensively even more so than offensively. He brings such a balance to the team, although we shouldn't have to rely on his tackles this much. But it seems whenever he plays well, the team is more balanced... And I have no complaints about Mazacar today, it's working very well. The three of them are individually playing very well and linking up greatly. If only the striker wasn't Eto'o (not sure who to replace him and actually make a difference)...

is this presentation some sort of belated Christmas gift?

things I've missed dearly: Luiz's passes in the final third and Oscar having a good match

We can agree to disagree. I can't see how people are so sure we'd score in the last 20 minutes if when our players were fresh they couldn't. Of course they could have scored, a lucky goal, a individual talent goal, a collective effort goal, whatever goal you want it to be. It's just that given our recent history chances are that wouldn't happen. we've been conceding goals towards the end of the matches lately, not scoring them and while that doesn't mean we'd concede, it's still what's been happening. I'm not saying there's no way we would have scored, but I'm inclined to think otherwise given our recent form. So as I just said in the match's thread, I'll support Mourinho in his coward decision and will take the one point happily. We were better than Arsenal, we've never dominated them though for people to be so adamant we should have kept a tired Hazard and not only risk conceding because he and especially Willian were very tired, but also risk burning them out when we'll need them in form the next 10 days to play 3 very important and difficult matches. I'm 100% behind Mourinho in this one and I'd bitching til tomorrow if he kept Eden, but especially Willian, regardless of the final result. I'm looking at the big picture here and I guess he is too.