Closed West Brom 1-1 Chelsea

[oman43 45]

Should have handled the iva situation better though.

Incidents like this happen, it shows the players are up for it and genuinely care (not suggesting you said otherwise). Cech was our captain tonight, so was right to confront him, but yes with JT on the pitch it would have played out differently.

[didierforever 7,349]

If this was an isolated case, then you'd probably have a point. But Iva does this every single time! He never closes down crosses. It has cost us in the past and it cost us again today.

at the start of the season, yes. Recently hell no. U can look at the city match, the newcastle match.

[oman43 45]

Oscar- another uncreative performance.

In line with my previous post. I agree with almost all of your ratings, particularly your view on Oscar. Just thinking of the alternates for that central role (not to start, Oscar is still the one JM is building the team around, but perhaps to bring on). Without Mata he is the only true option in that position. He does need to be more consistent.

[Jase 43,479]

First of all "dreadful error"??? Did he let ridgewell walk the ball in the net??? He let berahino cross the ball into a box full of xhelsea shirts. If the goal is anyone's fault then it luiz's for lwtting victor get ahead of him so easily. Or more so of letting such a big gap develop betweeb him and GC..

Berahino got the ball and shifted it to his right foot and that is when iva got into position. Iva in tring to pressure berahino and losinf out to him would have led to a 2 on 1 with mikel and a much worse situati on than we were in.

No. It was clear that as soon as Berahino got the ball, Ivanovic should be more aggressive and quicker in coming out to put pressure on the ball but he didn't. And what 2 v 1 situation are you talking about? Even if Berahino got past Ivanovic, there's Mikel and heck even Ramires to cover as he was standing so close to Ivanovic. Ridgewell was near the touchline and not even close to the penalty box.

[Hutcho 8,443]

Am I the only one worried about Terry being out? Luiz looked shaky against a Remy-less Newcastle and I know that Anichebe is no Drogba, but I fear that he might have a hard time against a big, strong striker, as he usually does. And I'm surprised people want Torres or Salah to start this game. This is a decisive time in our season and we need our strongest XI playing today. We still have 4 days rest till Man City.

These were my comments in the match preview. I guess there was a little bit of truth in them.

Yeah good point.

JT is essential in our defence, for his defending obviously, but also for his captaincy which is very important especially when trying to see games out. No doubt our defence is drastically better with JT in it.

[oman43 45]

Was mourinho actually serious when he said we shouldn't be challenging this season?

Of course not. He won't be saying that to the players will he? JM is brilliant in these situations. He'll say one thing to the media, complete different story to the players. It takes the pressure off them but more importantly puts pressure on other teams, particularly Man City. (Look at what him and Pellegrini in the media). Why shouldn't this team challenge for the title? Yes we are young and are building, but look at the talent and money spent. We are in this race, JM is protecting the club in case we come up short. He's a genius.

[didierforever 7,349]

No. It was clear that as soon as Berahino got the ball, Ivanovic should be more aggressive and quicker in coming out to put pressure on the ball but he didn't. And what 2 v 1 situation are you talking about? Even if Berahino got past Ivanovic, there's Mikel and heck even Ramires to cover as he was standing so close to Ivanovic. Ridgewell was near the touchline and not even close to the penalty box.

5 yards out dude. That is how close iva could get. Letting berahino go goal side or even cross to the near post would have been far worse options.

[Azpinator 2,325]

I blame Jose, Ashley and Schurrle should have started the match. Ramires should have been subbed at HT, and the 3rd sub shouldn't have been used in the last minutes in a game like this.

[StrategiC 73]

Every time I'm sad, I just remember Manchester United and laugh

[petre.ispirescu 4,928]

I see very little comments about Ramires. IMO, he was the worst player on the pitch for Chelsea today. Absolutely shocking game. No drive, no energy, poor passing (except the one to Hazard), poor touch, easily dispossed, offered NOTHING in attack and didn't cover for Brana or Willian when they pressured us. Simply put, he was useless. Matic made him look mediocre today.

And he's been useless for months now. Do people still believe he's a regular starter in this squad? I don't.People keep banging on about a striker, but we also need a CM who can dictate the tempo against defensive opposition like today. A Gundogan VIDAL type midfielder. We can't put all the creative burden on the 3 behind the striker, especially in games where there is no space. Add to the fact that our full-backs barely even over-lap these days (under orders from the manager), it leads to sterile, dull, uninventive football.

Corrected for you, that's the type of player you are talking about - world class attacking, defending, passing, tackling, shooting at the same time (heard they are talking about him as the best modern box-to-box midfielder in some reputable football academies around the world). I agree with you, Ramires is an average midfielder with huge stamina, but he is the type of player Jose loves to have in his team, a true soldier and I'm afraid this compensates for his poor passing, shooting etc. Still, I would not mind Ramires + €25-30M for Vidal, but this won't happen, it is Mikel who will leave this summer rather than Rami.

[mannyfreshh 164]

Top of the league!!! Still a lot of season left guys. Keep your heads up

[Korea 734]

eh, this one is on Jose....

Should of taken Cahill out and swap in Iva into cb and dave as rb and brought in cole.

After oscar subsitution, we just let them come at us......

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Not sure if we are tired, but most of team didnt give a fuck. Hazard was a man that dissapointed me most, he just didnt care and run enough. Usualy he puts much more effort but not tonight. Oscar is another cold-warm player. He can have perfect match or completely invisible. From a #10 (even if not the most typical one) I expect at least some playmaking and creating couple of good chances.

[Kieran. 6,317]

The title will really be decided by who's going to suck the least.

[Kunkka 19]

will be very hard until last match to keep Manchester city Rhythm ! without striker's

when aguero will be back they will be again unstoppable

[Tomo 21,751]

Dont care what anyone says, the booing off Ramires from WBA fans was pathetic.

If we booed every player who was at the forefront off a controversial decision that went against Chelsea in the past we would be at it almost every game. Why can't they get their heads round the fact what comes around goes around? ffs last season they won at QPR because Fortune assaulted Rob Green.

I never use to mind WBA, now i want the fukers relegated.

[Arief 40]

i missed the game, how's salah doin, is he good?

[francozola 2,040]

In terms of going forward and creating chances we've become too reliant on Eden. Oscar plays extremely deep, unlike the way Mata used to, and Willian still hasn't found top gear yet in terms of creating clear cut chances.

When playing Azpi at LB, we've got even less going forward as though Bran gets into attacking positions, his final delivery is not effective to put it mildly.

Not complaining about any of the attacking midfielders, I'm delighted with the players we've got. But this kind of performance isn't surprising to me. Eden wasn't gonna keep up that breathtaking form forever. Tiredness, and a West Brom that were extremely up for it obviously had a huge part to play. Let's move on...

[Sheva. 5,373]

Hopefully Mourinho rotates more when CL starts; because 10 of the same players starting after only 2 days rest, is pretty much begging for trouble in the 2nd half.

[Excalibur KTBFFH 109]

Corrected for you, that's the type of player you are talking about - world class attacking, defending, passing, tackling, shooting at the same time (heard they are talking about him as the best modern box-to-box midfielder in some reputable football academies around the world). I agree with you, Ramires is an average midfielder with huge stamina, but he is the type of player Jose loves to have in his team, a true soldier and I'm afraid this compensates for his poor passing, shooting etc. Still, I would not mind Ramires + €25-30M for Vidal, but this won't happen, it is Mikel who will leave this summer rather than Rami.

Vidal or Gundogan will obviously improve us massively. I mentioned Gundogan because I like his style more and because he's more of a realistic target.