Chelsea 3-0 Valencia

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Today we gave everybody a slap in the face!

I love this man!

[CHOULO19 24,332]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4S8hmOg_Ow&feature=g-u

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO_jMTK330E&feature=g-u

[Krypt 241]

Great game , just can’t believe the difference , Drogba looked like a changed man , though you could tell he was tierd towards the end. Romeu is a class act really hope we keep hold of him in half a season he has outclassed Mikel in that role.

Defence looked much shaper working as a unit.

Let’s hope we can carry this on when we play city.

Last 16 here we come

[The Big Drog 1,110]

Legend. Never count out Didier Drogba. It was inspirational last night from the big Ivorian. From the pre match pep talk in the huddle, delivered to the lads by Terry and Drogba, to the simply awesome display leading the line on his own, vintage Drogba featuring the sheer power, pace and technique that have become the trademarks of Drogba down through the years. The great man entered something of a masterclass last night, justifying his manager's decision to make him the first choice striker. He scored the first, he set up the second, he scored the third and he bullied the Valencia back line throughout, it could not have been more comprehensive. ZonalMarking put it best when they said at some stage every Chelsea manager has tried to build a team without Drogba and every time when the going gets tough they once again end up relying on Drogba, for AVB this is no different, Didier Drogba was not supposed to be cast in a lead role this season, rather he was simply meant to be an extra and quietly depart from Stamford Bridge ala Alex or Anelka, but that isn't Drogba's style and when the going got tough Didier Drogba stood up and answered the call. Last night was such an emotional night, I will admit to being close to tears because we may have been witnessing one of the last truly great Drogba performances in a Chelsea jersey but what a delight it was to witness the greatest lone striker of his generation in top form once again, for me, even when Torres was in his prime, there was still never a comparison, Drogba is one of the finest all round strikers to ever grace the game, even in the Spaniards prime I always rated Drogba higher, now, at 33 years of age, in a team built for Torres, I still rate Drogba a hell of a lot higher, he is, and has always been, Chelsea's main man, our one truly great player, a club legend.

Other standout performances came from Romeu, an absolute beast in midfield. On any other night he would have gotten my pick for MOTM, but with Drogba's performance this wasn't just any other night. Romeu is exactly what we have been missing since Makelele left/Essien's decline began, he is quick, he wins the ball well, he has a wonderful passing range, he is very aware defensively, and his quality header into Mata created the third goal, last night was a virtuoso performance from the young Spaniard, lets hope Barcelona weren't watching. Terry and Luiz marshalled the backline well, Ivanovic was solid on the right, Cech was excellent in goal, Ramires is a ball of energy, took his goal well and hast fast established himself as the key midfielder at Chelsea, Meireles was quietly impressive last night and justified AVB's decision to pick him, Sturridge was a constant threat down the flank on the counter, decision making could have been better through and Mata performed his role well, created the first and third goals too.

Huge credit goes to Andre Villas Boas. Went against his attacking principles to set up the team in a solid, defensive manner, which was what this game required and it worked a treat. What last night showed is that when we want to, we can still form that defensive wall (with the attacking threat of Drogba and the quick counter) that posed so many problems for Barcelona in the semi finals a few years ago, playing like that, we are a threat to any team. Credit to AVB for dropping Lampard, given the way the team was set up, Meireles was the right pick, credit to AVB for picking the inexperienced Romeu in holding midfield, some managers with so much at stake would have reverted to experience but AVB put his faith in youth and it paid off, credit to AVB for sticking with Luiz despite the media storm against him, last night he showed how disciplined and how much quality he has playing in a more covering centre back role and full credit to AVB for not beating a dead horse and simply appeasing Roman Abramovich by starting the 50 million pound British transfer record, AVB has put his faith in Didier Drogba to lead this team, to be Chelsea's main man for as long as he is at the club and that decision paid dividends last night, you would have to think it wasn't the most popular decision with RA and the belief was that RA hired AVB to build a team to get the best out of Torres but right now there is no question, Drogba is the right choice.

[Ollie 4,400]

Just like watching Chelsea of old. Solid, strong, ruthless, excellent. Made Valencia look like a poor side and hopefully now this sets us up for the remainder of the season. Drogba was a fucking beast last night, thought i'd never see that type of performance again but proved me sooo wrong. He is the main man, still and i really hope he doesn't leave because when he's feeling good, he's the best, even now. Unstoppable.

Other stand out performances were Romeu (again), Sturridge (again) and Mata (again). And of course our back 4 and GK were brilliant too. Great all round performance by everyone and ffs we even topped the group. HAPPY!

[Blue Armour 4,443]

That was like watching the old Chelsea again... Terry dominant, Cech fantastic and Drogba just ass-raping defenders with skill, speed and strength. Jizz-worthy, tbh.

It was what I noticed in the Newcastle game as well...clean sheet, Drogba header, Kalou the impact sub...AVB showing he has few tricks to grind out needed results just like ol' Mourinho

[BlueLion. 21,491]

There wasn't a single bad performer last night. I thought Raul gave the ball away a little too often, but his positional play and support running were both excellent last night. Lampard was hardly missed. Ramires and Oriol were outstanding; Terry and Luiz were solid, Cech pulled off a hat-trick of very, very good saves, but Drogba was absolutely stunning. Best I've seen him play for a long, long time.

[Laylabelle 9,535]

Ahahahahaha thats how you prove your critics wrong!! Didnt see that result..or performance coming but jesus that game!!!

Everything worked!! Everyone played bloody damn well and Luiz! Quiet for the right reasons!No booking no daft fouls they all just got on with it and looked like a team again!

Dropping Lampard...more of an issue made out then turned out to be..talk sport going on and on and on and on how it was a bad idea but it paid off! If they ball was lost they worked hard to get it back!

And Drogba god knows where he'd been hiding all of a sudden back to how he used to be.And the first goal as well,old Drogs from years back would've lay in the box rolling but stright on his feet and scored...and those goals showed exactly why he's been starting and Torres hasnt

Great night,great performance and really hope its onwards from here

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Luiz didn't get booked

[Amblève. 4,995]

Finally I have the chance to comment on the game...

Congrats guys, you played a great match, fully deserved to go through!

[ZanSnake 1,211]

Even from the highlights, it looked like the high defense line was abolished (is it true?), and Sturridge's cross to Mata was sublime! And it is also good to see Didi use his strength and power with his second goal - and the fact he didn't go down showed how much he was determined for both his place in the team and for the team as a whole.

[Kostas 1,468]

Even from the highlights, it looked like the high defense line was abolished (is it true?),

This was the most Mourinho-esque I've seen Chelsea play in years.

[manpe 10,861]

Even from the highlights, it looked like the high defense line was abolished (is it true?)

True.. AVB and Terry said it themselves

[Laylabelle 9,535]

And what a difference it made! No crazy where is the defence gone moments..there were always players back for when they attacked

[nullabletype 987]

So did the forum go in to melt down over the win? Or was the lack of availability coincidental.

[cousin benson 76]

it was a good atmosphere last night :blue scalf:

[didierforever 7,349]

how did i miss it... drogba now has 149 chelsea goals... come on dd

[DDA 9,941]

Fantastic Performance last night! I dont want to get carried away and say were back to being the old Chelsea because i was really hoping we would become a different team in the way we play football! Saying this though im just happy to win such an important game and be back winning again!

I hope we beat City Monday i really do! Comoon Chels!

[cousin benson 76]

Manure are out!

[cousin benson 76]

did anyone notice how that guy singing Blue is the Colour last night before kick off, couldn't keep up with the song. lol