Closed Hull City 0-2 Chelsea

[Thendo 1,088]

Overall good performance! Top of the table for atleast a couple of hours and a Hazard that's starting to find some real consistency, Happy days!

[kobematabryant 400]

ANOTHER CLEAN SHEET!!

[AndersonBLUE 819]

Oh I didn't see the game, but how did Luiz do in midfield?

[Barbara 15,149]

very solid match by us against a team that was flawless marking and pressing in the first half. It was obvious they wouldn't be able to keep it up the 90 minutes because for a high pressing team to master it, they have to play like that the whole season and the physical drills in training sessions must support it otherwise the energy runs out quickly - which it did.

I agree we didn't create much in the first, but this team is patient, we've been in control the whole time and we weren't threatened. I've never felt like we weren't winning this (although that 2nd goal was unexpected for me).

Our defense stopped having the blips it had on Oscar's absence (which may be or not a coincidence), and proved again that we're very solid defensively.

Hazard is the guy, he's really making the difference for us.

I think Ramires had a bad match until Mikel came in. Azpilicueta also didn't have a great match imo... he had better matches in the left than today in his rightful.

People seem to overreact though about our 'lack of style'. First of all this is a lie, we have a style. We don't rely on our individual brilliance as much as people make it out to be. When you have such a brilliant defensive work done by the opponent ofc you're going to rely on individual plays! breaking collectively is hard because the other team makes it hard. I don't understand most complaints people had about that first half. It was a difficult first half, playing away against a very solid team. What was the expectation?

We continue to be solid, both offensively and defensively. Our pivot continues to be our letdown, but it's a broken record repeating it, stating the obvious so I won't say much about it. Cole had a good match, his best in a very long time - probably the season...

One more thing though. Hazard normally drags 2-3 (or four like today) players with him, we should be able to capitalize the space it creates for other players. It's mathematical... there are only 10 outfield players, if the opposition has 2, 3, 4 in one guy it means the other guys have less people marking them. We need to learn to explore it better.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Oh I didn't see the game, but how did Luiz do in midfield?

His passing was horrible. He missed a couple easy passes and never connected a long pass.

He made up for it defensively though for me, he intercepted many balls and dominated in the air when needed.

[borriske 330]

Not the most exciting game, but again we were playing against a team that played at home and didn't have any intention of trying to win. So good result and bring on manure.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Oh I didn't see the game, but how did Luiz do in midfield?

Really rather well. There's a greater deal of urgency to his passing than there is to Mikel's and some of his long passes were absolutely fantastic, turning the defence. Also started the move for the first goal. Defensively a bit of a rock too and the pressure he applies from the pivot is fantastic.

My MOTM.

[Cech's helmet 220]

Hazard needs to stop passing and be more individual, that's the way to go if he wants to score more goals. he needs to take on players, he's the best dribbiler I've ever seen in my life.

[Barbara 15,149]

His passing was horrible. He missed a couple easy passes and never connected a long pass.

He made up for it defensively though for me, he intercepted many balls and dominated in the air when needed.

he had a long ball perfect on Eden's feet at the edge of the box in the first half, but Eden's ball control let him down.

I don't think his passing was horrible, better than Ramires imo. He's playing out of position, I don't expect him to excel it. He's had a good match imo, but nothing that stands out.

[TrippingStep 336]

You could see the red mark on the upper cheek of Eden after some elbows from Hull players when he was interviewed.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

3 Points.

Top Of the League.

Clean Sheet.

Cech Break the Record.

Torres Scorred

Hazard MOTM again.

[Shane 2,275]

Defence was solid as a rock. Cole and Azpilicueta played well, Cole was involved in the build up in both the goal and Oscar's chance.

Luiz played well for me, Was a presence, seen alot of the ball. I think his long range passing needs some work, But he is also a threat going forward. Oscar never gave up the whole game, Willian kept going and Hazard was unplayable.

Torres was shite, but he scored. He's been playing well and not scoring for alot of his Chelsea career so fuck it, Well taken goal, More of that please.

Also, when was the last time we were top of the league in January? Feels good.

[Strike 7,252]

Torres wasn't good at all but took his goal well.

[Sheva. 5,373]

he had a long ball perfect on Eden's feet at the edge of the box in the first half, but Eden's ball control let him down.

I don't think his passing was horrible, better than Ramires imo. He's playing out of position, I don't expect him to excel it. He's had a good match imo, but nothing that stands out.

Anyone can pass better than Ramires but by his usual standards, he over-hit too many of his routine long balls.

But you're right about the one to Hazard, not Luiz' fault that.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Oh I didn't see the game, but how did Luiz do in midfield?

In short, incredible work rate in defense, terrible passing especially in the first half.

[Barbara 15,149]

Yeah, I forgot to mention Torres in my summary. Bad match overall, but he was amazing in the goal. The finishing was great, so I think it makes up for previous 80 minutes he's had.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Yeah, better off him having a terrible 90 minutes but finish it with a goal than being brilliant without scoring.

[Chelsea Buzz 487]

Outside of the first 25 minutes or so I thought the Blues were in complete control. What is the deal with these early kick-offs and slow starts?

Oscar should have scored in the first. Put it anywhere else and its in.

What else can be said about Hazard. What a magician! Very happy for Torres. Even though he was invisble at times today, he FINISHED when he needed to. Thought Willian and Luiz had solid games as well.

Other than the early goal by Liverpool on Boxing Day, it is no other goals allowed in the past 6 matches! The team really seems to be trending onwards and upwards!

Come on Chels!