Closed West Ham 0-3 Chelsea

[Korea 734]

I voted for Oscar, but Hazard was second for me.

Hazard really has improved on the defensive side of the ball and he looked rather energetic and lively this game..

Congrats to Essien for his cameo! I miss the OLD BISON!

[Starman60 1,343]

Normal service has been resumed Absolutely delighted with that performance. Oscar was superb, but each and every player has played his part tonight. We closed them down at every opportunity, and the passion, hunger and commitment shown here really bodes well for the future. Best game I've seen them play in the League this season.

And West Ham?.......................MIND THE GAP

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

[Barbara 15,149]

so here goes my feelings about the match (will try to keep it short, )

Mourinho is a genius and I'm a worshiper in his altar when it comes to football praising. That formation was brilliant and I finally understood why he used it with Ramires instead of any of the AMs we had. This match was all about interchanging.

4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, make your pick because we interchanged between the two formations, but unlike other matches it had nothing to do with attacking one way, defending the other. It was like a cyclone, we just rotated it and Lampard and Ramires took turns going forward, although the two of them went at the same time many times (I guess the latter only happened because West Ham was a no-show, otherwise, I think they would stick to interchanging). That's something Wilian, for example, can't do, because he isn't a CM and Ramires is. It's also very clever from Mourinho because he capitalizes the best in Lampard and exposes his weaknesses much less than playing him fixed in the pivot.

We've talked before about the AMs interchange and how it confuses the defense, but I think one of the reasons West Ham struggled so much was because we confused them with the 4-2-3-1 interchange in attacking phases and with Lampard and Ramires both playing mainly centered, creating all kind of havoc in their defense. This is variation in a whole new level - one I haven't seen in our team before. We've rotated AMs, we've rotated the pivot and we've rotated the system.

As a first time experience we were helped by WHU inability to react and combat that. Poor Sam even did two, not only one, changes in 1st time trying to find a response, but were were just too good for his weak side to handle. I think if we give this formation a few more chances, it can be sharpened and it might be our best option. I just hope Mourinho doesn't bring it to Souton because I think they'll handle better with it, and it may expose us, but it's a great alternative to be our main formation for the season.

Hazard was amazing in the first half. Now that's what I call a player who creates chances. I didn't check the stats, but if they tell me he was the most creative player for us, I co-sign. He played liked I expect him to be and like I've been waiting him to play and I hope he can carry on and keep improving. It was a shame he didn't score.

Oscar was my MOTM. His passing is still a bit off - to his own standards - and he missed a few easy passes, but he was everywhere, tacking, intercepting, being the perfect AM if you ask me because he also created or contributed for others to create. That's the thing with Oscar playing for us. He helps us dictate matches. He may not be the one that creates us the most chances, but he's the only that undoubtedly creates opportunities for others to create chances simply because he presses, he intercepts, he recovers possession, he starts counter-attacks, he passes the ball smartly to players that will find themselves in the position to assist others. And he's been improving considerably in the wing this season. If my memory doesn't betray me, he had his best match in the RW for us in the many cameos he made in that zone today.

Azpilicueta must start. Even playing in the opposite wing, he still managed that great cross for Oscar, and today he was better in the attack than I expected. In the defense he was a MONSTER. Seriously, if I didn't give my MOTM to Oscar I'd give it to Azpili, although Lampard and Hazard were also in contest. So good to see Lamps being played in a position that allows him to give us his best contributions. Mikel was flawless in the pivot and I'd say that's the way to go. Mourinho made me eat my words about the lineup (I had problems with Ramires in the RW) and I'll think twice before bitching about his lineups and just wait and see what he's cooked. Lesson learned.

[Gil 28]

Great all around performance but West Ham are utter shit and offered no threat all game.

[petr.breu 1,618]

So happy, great match...

[Korea 734]

Andy Carroll really is perfect for the West Ham Team....

I expect a different side next time around with Carroll on the team sheet.

[bushman 2,043]

so here goes my feelings about the match (will try to keep it short, )

Mourinho is a genius and I'm a worshiper in his altar when it comes to football praising. That formation was brilliant and I finally understood why he used it with Ramires instead of any of the AMs we had. This match was all about interchanging.

4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, make your pick because we interchanged between the two formations, but unlike other matches it had nothing to do with attacking one way, defending the other. It was like a cyclone, we just rotated it and Lampard and Ramires took turns going forward, although the two of them went at the same time many times (I guess the latter only happened because West Ham was a no-show, otherwise, I think they would stick to interchanging). That's something Wilian, for example, can't do, because he isn't a CM and Ramires is. It's also very clever from Mourinho because he capitalizes the best in Lampard and exposes his weaknesses much less than playing him fixed in the pivot.

We've talked before about the AMs interchange and how it confuses the defense, but I think one of the reasons West Ham struggled so much was because we confused them with the 4-2-3-1 interchange in attacking phases and with Lampard and Ramires both playing mainly centered, creating all kind of havoc in their defense. This is variation in a whole new level - one I haven't seen in our team before. We've rotated AMs, we've rotated the pivot and we've rotated the system.

As a first time experience we were helped by WHU inability to react and combat that. Poor Sam even did two, not only one, changes in 1st time trying to find a response, but were were just too good for his weak side to handle. I think if we give this formation a few more chances, it can be sharpened and it might be our best option. I just hope Mourinho doesn't bring it to Souton because I think they'll handle better with it, and it may expose us, but it's a great alternative to be our main formation for the season.

Hazard was amazing in the first half. Now that's what I call a player who creates chances. I didn't check the stats, but if they tell me he was the most creative player for us, I co-sign. He played liked I expect him to be and like I've been waiting him to play and I hope he can carry on and keep improving. It was a shame he didn't score.

Oscar was my MOTM. His passing is still a bit off - to his own standards - and he missed a few easy passes, but he was everywhere, tacking, intercepting, being the perfect AM if you ask me because he also created or contributed for others to create. That's the thing with Oscar playing for us. He helps us dictate matches. He may not be the one that creates us the most chances, but he's the only that undoubtedly creates opportunities for others to create chances simply because he presses, he intercepts, he recovers possession, he starts counter-attacks, he passes the ball smartly to players that will find themselves in the position to assist others. And he's been improving considerably in the wing this season. If my memory doesn't betray me, he had his best match in the RW for us in the many cameos he made in that zone today.

Azpilicueta must start. Even playing in the opposite wing, he still managed that great cross for Oscar, and today he was better in the attack than I expected. In the defense he was a MONSTER. Seriously, if I didn't give my MOTM to Oscar I'd give it to Azpili, although Lampard and Hazard were also in contest. So good to see Lamps being played in a position that allows him to give us his best contributions. Mikel was flawless in the pivot and I'd say that's the way to go. Mourinho made me eat my words about the lineup (I had problems with Ramires in the RW) and I'll think twice before bitching about his lineups and just wait and see what he's cooked. Lesson learned.

It´s unbelievably short. You could have added a bit more, I feel.

Some of us questioned the lineup, but Chelsea played well & WH played shit.

[Beirut_Blues 306]

Great result...

Unfortunately couldnt watch was too busy trying to get into my house.

[Weckerz 3,781]

Not gonna pretend I understood what Mourinho did today fielding this lineup, but it worked. That's why he's one of the best I suppose.

[Hybrid Angel 2,130]

[Korea 734]

Eh, rather than Mourinho formation.

We should be thanking Demel for our victory. Mistake after mistake after mistake...

[1chelsea 864]

Who is to be blame for the win

[robsblubot 3,595]

So, is the general consensus that other line ups wouldn't have worked today? That's causality gone wrong.

We will certainly need Mourinho's tactical genius when we play a top side with equally capable players. Or when we play a tough opponent like Southampton, esp away from home. Really, what player from WHU would be good enough to be a squad player at Chelsea? 1 or 2? None for me.

[Special Juan 28,141]

My little lad said at 40 minutes "dad we have controlled this and Oscar has been immense"

That's from a seven year old lad.

Drink up CFC fans enjoy your night! take care from special Juan.

[zolayes 14,489]

Hardly a match to watch for bystanders. WHU had a poor game; some of it was due to our pressuring high up the pitch (esp Oscar), but most of it was just lack of teamwork and overall ability on their side.

Their back line is so technically inapt - showcased by their inability to pick up a pass - that applying pressure against them will always produce results; it's like we've provided a playbook to be used against them at the moment. City and Everton prob done the same before.

Very risky to take much out of this aside from the 3 points of course. They may or may not improve in the future esp in Jan. If they do, that's good news for us since they will be making their opponent's life more difficult later on. We've played 2 of the worst sides in the premiere, Fulham and WHU. We've won both matches, so if they (or either one) improve that'd be great news.

Their also had no aggression, no drive, did not foul us much, which we'd expect in away games against smaller sides. So, very strange and easy match, esp for a "derby." (hardly so these days)

Happy for the result and that's about it - no conclusions to be made about tactics or performances IMO.

They were made to look crap .. A performance like that would beat any in the PL I think ..But I see a glass as half full while you see it as half empty ...

Perhaps you would be happier supporting the Palace.

[Barbara 15,149]

I've missed his trademark goals

x

[robsblubot 3,595]

They were made to look crap .. A performance like that would beat any in the PL I think ..But I see a glass as half full while you see it as half empty ...

Perhaps you would be happier supporting the Palace.

table disagrees...

Everton and City destroyed them away as well. Are they not relegation fodder right now?

Ignore these facts if you wish, but we did not break a sweat today.

Just putting things into perspective, something ppl here seem to chose to ignore. A performance like that was only possible because WHU allowed us possession without pressure. So, on the same token they've allowed us to play like that.

[Sheva. 5,373]

So, is the general consensus that other line ups wouldn't have worked today? That's causality gone wrong.

We will certainly need Mourinho's tactical genius when we play a top side with equally capable players. Or when we play a tough opponent like Southampton, esp away from home. Really, what player from WHU would be good enough to be a squad player at Chelsea? 1 or 2? None for me.

We have played something similar to this against City before and got dominated.

Better teams will make us pay for essentially having no threat on the right, but West Ham are a struggling side and we were able to just keep the ball on the side Hazard was pretty easily.

[Rmpr 8,977]

I missed the game, how were we?