Closed Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

A good win but not a good second half performance. It has gotten to a point where the first half is usually great but something happens at half time and the opponent completely dominates the second half, doesn't matter if it's a shit team like QPR or a top side. Something needs to be done about this, surely someone at the club has noticed this too because us fans sure as hell do see it every time beforehand and it's frustrating.

We really miss JT's team talk on the field. His superman mentality surely can affect other teammates.

[DDA 9,941]

I celebrated Cahill's game winning tackle as if I had been having highly intoxicated sex for 95 minutes and I had finally jizzed and now I can go to sleep.

[Azpinator 2,325]

So why didn't Wenger "say something" before the match. As for Rafa's half-time talks did you never hear about Istanbul 2005, Champions ;League final - Liverpool down 3-0 at half-time went on to win the match and the 5th CL Cup? The difference might be the difference between the supporters. As Chelsea team knows that a slip-up in 2nd half means they get booed at home. So they get jittery. A LFC team knows they never get booed even when they are 3-0 down. They get cheered to the final whistle.

No, I have never heard of Istanbul 2005 because I'm that ignorant in football.

Let's not forget how Shevchenko wasted an opportunity to make it 4-3 before the shootout. And still, that doesn't justify RB's bad timing when it comes to subs. We got lucky today and Liverpool got lucky back then.

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

Not only that, a few words can win you a match you practically lost or the other way around. In this case we were lucky not to concede another goal because they've outplayed us in the second half. Whatever he said in the HT could have been costly.

I honestly doubt you could be a top manager btw.

I'm genuinely curious what words can win you a match practically lost and the other way around except tactical talks? And what possible words he said in the HT to make the team played like shit in the second half?

[Rupert 130]

1) Santos? I assume you're talking about Oscar? Why on earth call him Santos?

2) Oscar had a good game (Well a good 1st half like the whole team). What on earth are you talking about?

Sorry - I meant Oscar, although his name is Oscar dos Santos. It would be too complicated to explain why I said Santos. Oscar too often loses the ball when in possession in opponents third causing a counter-attack, he has very little ability to get past an opponent and slows down the attack when he tries and even when he passes he is more often off-target. Some of his midfield passes to the wing find the target but they are very obvious, easy and too slow. He played badly today and in most of the games where he has started.

[Amblève. 4,995]

The difference might be the difference between the supporters. As Chelsea team knows that a slip-up in 2nd half means they get booed at home. So they get jittery. A LFC team knows they never get booed even when they are 3-0 down. They get cheered to the final whistle.

What are you on about? Did you even watch one single Liverpool game this season? Anfield is a grave nowadays, there's no such "cheering to the final whistle" thing.

And when did Chelsea fans start booing in the past? Right, at the end of those games when their team has already done fuck all. Those fans have got every right to boo because they've fucking paid for their tickets, just to whatch what? A team that doesn't fight? A manager who doesn't seem to accept his own mistakes?

But yeah go on with your Liverpool love. It's funny, tbh.

[robdog 2,084]

Rubbish - your anti -Torres and anti-Rafa bias blinds you. Although Torres did not penetrate much in the first half he dragged the defence around and allowed others access through the middle. He played a lot from the wings. In 2nd half he was Chelsea' main hope forcing Arsenal back and causing them to hesitate when in full attack mode - and he did this by himself without any support. How many times was he on the move only for his teammates failing to pass or messing up a pass to him?

funny most gooners tweeted in joy that torrid started. Hmm I wonder why

[Rupert 130]

I'm genuinely curious what words can win you a match practically lost and the other way around except tactical talks? And what possible words he said in the HT to make the team played like shit in the second half?

I am an admirer of Rafa but I can imagine how his half-time words might have contributed to the 2nd half performance given that Chelsea is an inexperienced team. He would have said, we need another goal. But we have a 2-0 lead and must not blow it. We must defend as a team. You can expect that Arsenal will attack with everything they have in the 2nd half (they don't have any choice). You must be compact and defend well. Score on the counter-attack. Don't expose your defence by being caught in Arsenal's half. Torres will be the spearhead (instead of playing from the wings as he did in the first half).

This is the kind of talk any first-class manager would give. Why throw away a 2-0 lead and three points by trying to get a couple of more goals especially against a team of Arsenal's speed and ability. So score more goals but on the counter attack.

The trouble is that Chelsea have been drilled by DiMatteo only to attack and cannot adjust easily.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Sigh there always has to be stupid arguments here. Happy with the win, we really need a DM though and a striker to replace Torres.

[Hutcho 8,443]

I told you last week that torrid would start. You said he wouldn't cause it would be suicide. What do you think now? I laughed so hard when torrid was subbed. Mr. Abramovich clapped very happily to see Ba Despite telly tubby's best efforts to throw the match, we prevailed. Excellent team effort. Good performances all over the pitch for Chels. le voyeur has lost the plot, but like the rest of the Chelsea fans, we want Wenger to stay @ le arse. One last thing, wilshire a freakin' twat. How he didn't see yellow is beyond words

Yep you did say that indeed. And i stand by what i said. Something like, he would have to be the most stupid manager in the world to play torres over Ba. What i think now is that we got the win and that is the most important thing as 3 points is very useful and keeps a cushion between us, but rafa and his second half tactics and subs (or lack of them) is a real problem. Ba cannot start every game... But arsenal at home is one where he absolutely must. He has to start vs swansea in midweek... Especially when we need to win by 2 goals.

[Rupert 130]

What are you on about? Did you even watch one single Liverpool game this season? Anfield is a grave nowadays, there's no such "cheering to the final whistle" thing.

And when did Chelsea fans start booing in the past? Right, at the end of those games when their team has already done fuck all. Those fans have got every right to boo because they've fucking paid for their tickets, just to whatch what? A team that doesn't fight? A manager who doesn't seem to accept his own mistakes?

But yeah go on with your Liverpool love. It's funny, tbh.

Chelsea fans boo before the game, during the game and after. And even after they win they complain on the forums. LFC fans do not boo. Fact! Nor do the fans of most other teams. They pay for tickets, too, but don't think it entitles them to boo their team..

[Chels 238]

Lets all stop moaning and enjoy.

We done the double over Arsenal,

FUCK YEAH......

[robdog 2,084]

At least we could say that this season we had some joy.

yeah the first two months of the season. then the other stuff can kick rocks

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

I am an admirer of Rafa but I can imagine how his half-time words might have contributed to the 2nd half performance given that Chelsea is an inexperienced team. He would have said, we need another goal. But we have a 2-0 lead and must not blow it. We must defend as a team. You can expect that Arsenal will attack with everything they have in the 2nd half (they don't have any choice). You must be compact and defend well. Score on the counter-attack. Don't expose your defence by being caught in Arsenal's half. Torres will be the spearhead (instead of playing from the wings as he did in the first half).

This is the kind of talk any first-class manager would give. Why throw away a 2-0 lead and three points by trying to get a couple of more goals especially against a team of Arsenal's speed and ability. So score more goals but on the counter attack.

The trouble is that Chelsea have been drilled by DiMatteo only to attack and cannot adjust easily.

That's tactical talks and I agree. I have never said he was spot on tactically, I just think people believe Rafa said some non-tactical shits to the players to make them play like shits in the second half is beyond retard. Ok I will leave it like that, people starts saying this is a stupid argument already, on a FORUM! Shocking. I am shutting up.

[Milan 17,958]

If we start against Swansea with Ba, I fully believe in going through. But Ba has to start.

[Laylabelle 9,535]

Got no reason not to seeing as he played only 10 mins of this game.We need an early goal and Torres aint gana get it

[robdog 2,084]

Chelsea fans boo before the game, during the game and after. And even after they win they complain on the forums. LFC fans do not boo. Fact! Nor do the fans of most other teams. They pay for tickets, too, but don't think it entitles them to boo their team..

no they burn their own kits

never walk alone whatever

[Laylabelle 9,535]

Yep and they were supportive of Hodgson throughout the time he was there...he didnt mention getting booed at all...and the reaction when Arsenal lost a few weeks back....they must have been something different...doesnt entitle them to but it happens...

[HNKS 508]

Not only that, a few words can win you a match you practically lost or the other way around. In this case we were lucky not to concede another goal because they've outplayed us in the second half. Whatever he said in the HT could have been costly.

I honestly doubt you could be a top manager btw.

Cant wait til Rafa leaves just so clueless people like this guy can shut up.

[Rupert 130]

Yep and they were supportive of Hodgson throughout the time he was there...he didnt mention getting booed at all...and the reaction when Arsenal lost a few weeks back....they must have been something different...doesnt entitle them to but it happens...

They never booed Hodgson. They tried to support him until he started producing the worst results in the history of the club, with atrocious defensive football and started talking up Ferguson and ManUtd while talking down the LFC supporters. Even then they didn't boo. There is no comparison with Chelsea supporters booing the manager before his first game and every game since, even in Japan, even when they are playing attractive, winning football with some of the highest scores they have ever had. The pathetic excuse for this aberrant behavior is that 7 years ago, when countering Mourinho's constant attacks, Rafa made a remark which never mentioned Chelsea but which has been interpreted to mean that Chelsea supporters lacked passion. If he meant Chelsea it seems he was right.