Closed Chelsea 2-3 Man City

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Wigan line up should look something like this:

Cech (Captain)

Paulo Ferreira ( )-Cahill-David Luiz-Cole

Ramires-Meireles

"Azar"-Oscar-Mata

Torres

Bench:

Bertrand

Hutchinson

Essien

Lampard

Mikel

Marin

Sturridge

Terry should not play, he was absolutely terrible. Worst player on the pitch by some margin. First goal- why not leave it for Ramires to clear? Why try and make an off balance clearance? Second goal- Awful positioning, basically stumbled over himself trying to close down Tevez.

Oscar probably won't play unfortunately. Also unfortunately, Robbie will stick with Lampard and Mikel as the double pivot.

[Sheva. 5,373]

From Cap's lineup i would take off Oscar for Marin (hopefully he's fit) - Mata in the middle - and Romeu/Mikel for Meireles.

[Santiago. 1,500]

It's not a tragedy.

We were 10 men down and lost by only 1 goal to by far the best team in the land.

Certain key areas underperformed, specifically centre midfield and defence, but the attacking players all looked in pretty good shape. All in all it wasn't too concerning. This is the first I've seen of our pre-season, I don't get what all the fuss is about, I thought we were decent. Yet to hit 6th gear but still holding our own.

They won the title on goal difference from one of the worst United sides in seasons, wouldn't say they are by far the best team in the land.

[Shane 2,275]

They won the title on goal difference from one of the worst United sides in seasons, wouldn't say they are by far the best team in the land.

If that United team was the worst how come they acculamted the record amount of points for a team to not win the league? City are a top top side and will do very well in the Champions League this year.

Thats there team that know each other and have a season under their belts. Its a Chelsea team that had to accomdate Hazard, a very tired Juan Mata and a team trying to play a new style, with ten men, and we lost by a single goal. I'm happy with the performance the lads gave today, and can't wait to play City again in the season.

[capriccioso 2,545]

They won the title on goal difference from one of the worst United sides in seasons, wouldn't say they are by far the best team in the land.

Who can challenge them?

No-Midfield United?

No-Midfield or Defence Chelsea?

Nothing Liverpool?

Villas-Boas Spurs?

Unreliable/unproven Arsenal?

They wouldn't be the best if this team was up against our Double winning team or United's CL/PL double team; but at this point everyone has some key weaknesses that City don't. The only problem they have is a lot of deadwood.

[BlueSanti 290]

THIS ^^

I am just curious why do you have more reputation for that than me

I am kidding, I am delightet that someone even noticed it and agrees with me.

[Santiago. 1,500]

Who can challenge them?

No-Midfield United?

No-Midfield or Defence Chelsea?

Nothing Liverpool?

Villas-Boas Spurs?

Unreliable/unproven Arsenal?

They wouldn't be the best if this team was up against our Double winning team or United's CL/PL double team; but at this point everyone has some key weaknesses that City don't. The only problem they have is a lot of deadwood.

Never write United off. They lost the title on goal difference with a shit side because of SAF, now with new additions they are the ones to truly be the number one contender for the crown. City have made no new signings and our team is trying to gel together and sort everything out. Arsenal have made quality signings and easily took care of City their last encounter in the league. AVB's tottenham does infact look promising but i hope they end in epic failure.

So yes, they are not by far the best team in the league.

[Mustafa 885]

Was at the game today and i must say.. the referee is a proper wanker! He ruined the game with that sending off...

But its only the Charity Shield. Anyone else remember what happened the last time we were at the DW Stadium on the first day of the season ??

Heres a tip........ CRESPOOOOOOOOOO

[coolhead23 1,146]

Who can challenge them?

No-Midfield United?

No-Midfield or Defence Chelsea?

Nothing Liverpool?

Villas-Boas Spurs?

Unreliable/unproven Arsenal?

They wouldn't be the best if this team was up against our Double winning team or United's CL/PL double team; but at this point everyone has some key weaknesses that City don't. The only problem they have is a lot of deadwood.

United... simple and sweet ... Why? because they have Fergie who in my opinion is one of the best man manager. Even without a pathetic squad they have won titles. As a football fan, United is one of those teams whom u can always believe that they would make that comeback and they most of the time they do it. Thats one thing i have always envied about them.

[nachikethas 1,149]

comon people... city arent invincible... just clam and follow chelsea very much sure that we will win at least a FA cup

[gary gordon 1,777]

People..... we lost 3-1 to brighton and you didn't over react this much.. Calm down, still early days. Expect at least another 2 big signings..

[coolhead23 1,146]

comon people... city arent invincible... just clam and follow chelsea very much sure that we will win at least a FA cup

It is not about being invincible, it is that they have the complete team in the league right now and r playing very well in auto pilot mode. The only thing good that Manchini has done is get world class players and again he is after Rossi who would make the team even more powerful.

As far as Chelsea goes, it would take us a season to come close to the chemistry that City or United have.

[Jase 43,479]

One thing that City did great in this match was overlapping and overloading the wide areas and giving us massive headaches, which we seriously need to do. Just look at the threat that a team can cause when City worked into a 3 v 2 or 2 v 1 advantage in our FB areas. The amount of times they got in behind our defence was pathetic but that is seriously something we need to look to do attacking wise considering we have wingers now. We'll just continue to play into oppositions' hands if we are bring narrow in our play again!

And why on earth did RDM waited so long to make the substitutions yesterday?! Chasing the game and playing with 10 men in the second half was extremely tiring and even Mata went almost anonymous. RDM should have made the changes earlier and could have even brought on Essien and/or Meireles for Mikel and/or Lampard. He can make up to 5 changes FHS!

[Blu4Lyf 46]

If that United team was the worst how come they acculamted the record amount of points for a team to not win the league? City are a top top side and will do very well in the Champions League this year.

Thats there team that know each other and have a season under their belts. Its a Chelsea team that had to accomdate Hazard, a very tired Juan Mata and a team trying to play a new style, with ten men, and we lost by a single goal. I'm happy with the performance the lads gave today, and can't wait to play City again in the season.

Because the smaller clubs in the EPL last season were shit compared to other seasons.

[Shane 2,275]

Because the smaller clubs in the EPL last season were shit compared to other seasons.

Thats a ridiclouis point of view, with very little evidence to back it up. With Newcastle, Spurs, Liverpool and others all far better then they have been for the past few seasons, If anything the league got stronger, which is why we saw top teams losing to the lower ones.

United are a great side, still are. Valencia is a world class right winger, and they have Nani and Young on the other. Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Fletcher (before his illness) and others gave them great balance in the middle, and a solid pairing. Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Jones and Smalling are all good defenders, and De Gea came up with the goods after Christmas. Not to mention Rooney and Hernandez upfront, with the latter having a quiet season.

Quote me on this now, It'll be either City, United or maybe both contesting the Champions League final this year, without a doubt.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

The more you think about it, Citeh actually weren't even that great. We look as though we can get sharper and play better which is really encouraging. It seem we've almost entirely closed the Gap between us and those cunts. We might have a genuine chance to win the title here if everyone gels together. A few more signings to come as well.

[Blu4Lyf 46]

Thats a ridiclouis point of view, with very little evidence to back it up. With Newcastle, Spurs, Liverpool and others all far better then they have been for the past few seasons, If anything the league got stronger, which is why we saw top teams losing to the lower ones.

United are a great side, still are. Valencia is a world class right winger, and they have Nani and Young on the other. Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Fletcher (before his illness) and others gave them great balance in the middle, and a solid pairing. Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Jones and Smalling are all good defenders, and De Gea came up with the goods after Christmas. Not to mention Rooney and Hernandez upfront, with the latter having a quiet season.

Quote me on this now, It'll be either City, United or maybe both contesting the Champions League final this year, without a doubt.

Ridiculous? Very little evidence?

Let's see 2011-12 loopsided (4 goals+ difference) scores in the almighty EPL:

Arsenal-Blackburn 7-1

Blackburn-Man City 0-4

Bolton-Chelsea 1-5

Bolton-Man Utd 0-5

Bolton-Stoke 5-0

Chelsea-QPR 6-1

Everton-Fulham 4-0

Everton-Sunderland 4-0

Fulham-Man Utd 0-5

Fulham-QPR 6-0

Fulham-Wolves 5-0

Man City-Norwich 5-1

Man City-Swansea 4-0

Man City-West Brom 4-0

Man Utd-Arsenal 8-2

Man Utd-Aston Villa 4-0

Man Utd-Man City 1-6

Man Utd-Wigan 5-0

Norwich-Man City 1-6

QPR-Bolton 0-4

Sunderland-Stoke 4-0

Tottenham-Liverpool 4-0

Tottenham-Man Utd 1-5

Tottenham-Newcastle 5-0

West Brom-Sunderland 4-0

Wigan-Arsenal 0-4

Wigan-Newcastle 4-0

Wolves-Man Utd 0-5

Wolves-West Brom 1-5

La Liga has a lot of loopsided results too. Probably a lot more since Barcelona and Real Madrid are far too dominant than any other side in the world while there are a few Valencia, Atl Madrid and some other random teams with 4 goal margin wins.

Serie A:

Catania-Genoa 4-0

Fiorentina-Juventus 0-5

Inter-Parma 5-0

Juventus-Roma 4-0

Milan-Catania 4-0

Milan-Chievo 4-0

Napoli-Genoa 6-1

Novara-Juventus 0-4

Palermo-Lazio 5-1

Palermo-Milan 0-4

Roma-Cesena 5-1

Roma-Inter 4-0

Siena-Lazio 4-0

29 for EPL, 13 for Serie A. La Liga has 38. Excluding Barcelona and Real Madrid results, it's 17. Extremely top heavy league, but not as awkward as EPL. EPL without Manchester teams is 16 but it's not as top heavy as La Liga. Serie A without top two clubs goes to just 7...

[Steve 10,227]

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