Closed Chelsea 1-0 Swansea

[Barbara 15,149]

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...

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[Alan Partridge 1,124]

2-1 city

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

I am really excited about next season.I mean our midfielders played really well and provided some terrific service but unfortunately Eto'o could not finish at all.

Yes,I know its frustrating but if we can be in such a challenging position at this stage then next season is certainly ours to dominate.

As for this season,we just have to slug it out and see where that gets us.

[robsblubot 3,595]

well, City do have amazing CMs, prob best in the league. Not to mention great players in every position - they have a stronger squad than Liverpool.

Liverpool's Brendan plays good in possession, but they lack quality in certain positions, and heavily lack strength in depth.

To me this is the very best lineup we've got, with the exception of Eto'o. Yes, I still believe Torres is the better striker we've got. We could certainly improve in certain positions, but until then this is it.

We just can't play this well and be fighting to keep the score until the final whistle. Not to mention every time we won't be playing this well and we will need a striker to pull something special like Surez and Aguero do on a regular basis. Oh well.

Liverpool will be the less fit side on Sunday. just realized Ramires is suspended.

[bushman 2,043]

This thread is about Chelsea or isn´t it ?

To see, this team missing chances after chances is pissing me off.

Even though, chances were created, I still do not think, Chelsea were overwhelming as I expected. This team is far from being ready to challenge for the PL, I feel.

[aerlgenx 49]

I think we go 4-3-3 on Sunday against Liverpool

Cech

Iva Terry Luiz Cole/Azpi

Oscar Mikel Lampard

Mata Torres Hazard

Rami is a big loss =(

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I'll pretend Ramires won't miss the Liverpool match...

I'll join you. Then we can bash Jose when he doesn't start on Sunday!

[coolhead23 1,147]

Just an average performance or maybe below average .... The only silver lining is the clean sheet (first back to back clean sheet for the season .. wow)

Over reliance on Hazard and Ramiers in the center .. I m not sure if it is only me but I believe Hazard performance has gone down as compared to last season ...

E'to is just a liability.. i agree with Gary Neville that we play with 10 men!

Oscar continues to amaze me ... the kind of tackles and his work rate he puts in is just superb for a school boy sorry for a creative/attacking player.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Ramires got a silly yellow card. Puts us in a lot of trouble with that. Probably Essien next game?

Schwarzenegger in the pivot?

LOL I actually wrote Scwarzer, but apparently my iPad thinks we're better off playing Arnold there

It's not bad suggestion, tbh Maybe he can "terminate" the opponents attacks in midfield ;goober:

[hjperdeath 2,226]

LOL I actually wrote Scwarzer, but apparently my iPad thinks we're better off playing Arnold there

It's not bad suggestion, tbh Maybe he can "terminate" the opponents attacks in midfield ;goober:

hahaha, this is why. #iPadwankers

[Liquidator 5,176]

Eto'os finishing was beyond a joke, but he did hold the ball up well at times.

Noticed nobody has criticized Cole. He did some very, very stupid things today. Makes you wonder how he has 100 England caps when he jumps over the ball like a pony several times in the game, hoping that it goes out for a throw in and makes him look clever. Not so clever when on 2 occasions they keep the ball in is it?

[Mouri_Matic 560]

Eto'os finishing was beyond a joke, but he did hold the ball up well at times.

Noticed nobody has criticized Cole. He did some very, very stupid things today. Makes you wonder how he has 100 England caps when he jumps over the ball like a pony several times in the game, hoping that it goes out for a throw in and makes him look clever. Not so clever when on 2 occasions they keep the ball in is it?

Because everyone know this is Cole's last season for Chelsea

[The Mak 4,459]

I've noticed that Schurrle has a hard time influencing games from the bench. Much better starting. Willian should've always been the first sub to make. A fresh Willian is one of the last players an opposition team would want to deal with in the last 20mins.

Ramires has been atrocious in the final third recently. Say what you want, but there's no excuse for not being able to make simple passes, especially in important counter-attacking moments. If we ended up drawing that game I think there would've been a few more people to chastise him.

Seriously, if the striker situation isn't addressed in January there is something seriously wrong with the club. If we can find £30m for Willian, our 12th attacking-midfielder, I think people are entitled to expect a decent striker sometime soon. Even someone like Dzeko or Hernandez would be fine for now (not that we'd get them). Anyone at all, seriously. Ship out Ba for a few million (the only one we could ship) and get someone in.

We've spent a ridiculous amount in the past few years for a team still 'in transition'; you'd have to seriously question who is in-charge of bringing players in (Emenalo I'm guessing). Yes, Mata, Hazard, Oscar, Willian etc. are all fantastic but they're all the same fecking position (£100m for just those 4?).

[darrus 422]

We need a striker. Any half-decent guy who can understand that ball should be put in the net will do.

Good performance today, no gaps in defence, good in the middle, pressuring the opponent anc creating chances - that's one of the best I've seen us play this season and way to go. But it's just not funny anymore - having 20+ shots and only one goal to show for it.

I'm really not surprised anymore when our players (and not only strikers!) miss an open goal from 2 metres distance. I'm much more sirprised when I see us score.

[robsblubot 3,595]

heh true on Ramires, but what of Mikel?! Yes, we shouldn't expect much contribution from Mikel in the attack, but when we start him, a purely defensive player, at home against a team who aren't very strong in attack, but defend well, it is a bit puzzling. Or perhaps Jose thought we haven't been defending well enough to go without a holding mid. Mikel did miss a chance, I mean it wasn't a chance because he did not even try to score, but it could have been one.

Regardless, as I watch City, they don't really play any holding mids. Both Fernandinho and Toure are B2B and amazing players at that. They can defend, hold the ball, or make runs all in the same game depending on the situation as the match progresses. We don't have that either. Ramires can either make runs or defend (seen him do both), but not hold the ball. As much as I like Willian, I thought we bought the wrong Brazilian.

At least we don't have a player as poor as Lescott on our roster.

[Special Juan 28,141]

We need a striker.

A fucking good one.

[Korea 734]

eh, game should of been like 3-0...

Hazard scored another goal the GK should of saved and Eto missed a few sitters again.....

Oscar lost the ball quite a bit and Mata made a few fantastic passes...

This game was so weird......

[Special Juan 28,141]

Whilst we may not be the purring machine that everyone wants just take a look at the league table and ask yourself, can we get any worse and still be in the title race?

Can we fuck.

Up the Chelsea, big boxing day smiles from me!

[November33rd 84]

We're a striker away from running away with the league.

[Zone 290]

I think we played some brilliant football today. Nice to see the original 3 behind the striker all having a great game. Shame that we cannot kill teams off.

Some of you are being really harsh. Iva looked so nervous during the latter part of the game but Terry and Luiz were solid.

Bring on Liverpool! Hope that it'll be a classic with is winning it.