Closed Chelsea v Stoke

[LAB 1,030]

Very energetic 1st half. Mostly due to incredible work by Willian, Salah, Matic, Azpi.

[Beepu 1,714]

Havent seen us play this good for awhile now. Some nice passing by our front players.

Salah is doing very well, works hard and deserved the goal. Torres is at his usual standard, I hope Eto'o is fit soon.

[Pizy 18,907]

Utterly dominant performance but still blunt up front. Should've had 2 more.

Matic is an absolute tank and bossed the midfield once more.

Keep up the aggression and don't switch off and let Crouch have a free header or concede from a corner in the 89th minute.

[Barbara 15,149]

This is how we're supposed to approach matches, regardless of who the opponent is, but even more so against weaker opponents such as Stoke.

We've been lively, fast, played WIDE (is that a miracle?), worked really well in the attack and we're very firm in defense (at least in open play).

If we play like this against PSG - with Hazard in the team - I think we can beat them 2-0, 3-0.

That's what Mourinho envisions from the team. Fast-paced football, even if we have possession. It was very good, I'm very happy.

Willian and Salah had great 45 minutes imo. Lamps definitely improved from the first 10 minutes imo, Schurrle helped and I won't comment on the striker.

I think Matic is doing a great job and I like the exchanges and 2-1's everywhere. The full backs are presenting themselves to support the wingers and allowing them to narrow, cross, shoot. It's been really good imo. Maybe I'm high on optimism though

[blu35_army 551]

oscar next to matic would complete another experiment today. just try it mou....

[MAF 162]

Happy to see Hazard gets a rest and Mou is finally trying something different.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Pardon me, but this is a Chelsea thread and I feel I have the right to an opinion on the match. The fact is Stoke are making us look better than we actually are. The problems we have are still there, namely Torres still starting. I'm not even berating the team because we are playing well, despite how poor Stoke have been. There is nothing wrong with not getting too excited, considering the way we've been playing recently. That's not a sin. There is no need to turn on each other. If you don't like my "whining" then don't read the comment. It's not that difficult.

[MetsajCFC 1,255]

Azpilicueta, Matic and Salah been very good so far

[nmb66 0]

Matic MOTM until now. By far.

[SoBlues 4]

positive first half , hoping that the second half will be the same.

[De_ChrapQaa 192]

finally good 1st half, holy shit it feels good to be pumped for 2nd half

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

I have seen a lot of good link up plays this game. Last pass can improve though. I think Willian is showing TONS of character and is stepping up big time. Everyone is doing his job. Just need to finish this off and take it home baby.

[Barbara 15,149]

Squawka Football ‏@Squawka 1m

Salah's half in numbers - 1 goal, 100% (2/2) shot accuracy, 88% (22/25) pass accuracy, 100% take on success (2/2).

and I have to read he was poor beyond the goal

[xPetrCechx 13,570]

Matic To CL!

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Matic MOTM until now. By far.

Yep. If only he could start on Tuesday....

[cosmicway 1,333]

We can finish second.

Liverpool -in the normal course of events- can be no threat.

City enjoy some referee backing as well I noticed. But I don't like them winning the league beacuse they are Euro losers.

[SamP 1]

LOL what.

If you think salah played a great half you're either blind or your love for chelsea is making you seem other things

The positive was the goal, but for the rest he seemed way too nervous, so many bad touches etc while he wasnt even getting pressured

Oh and if Torres ruins that chance the way Salah did, 90% of this board is screaming to sell him

Was a good goal but overall Salah can do better. Making a goal doesnt mean your entire half can be labelled as 'great'

Cheers

[vergil_sparda 26]

Squawka Football ‏@Squawka 1m

Salah's half in numbers - 1 goal, 100% (2/2) shot accuracy, 88% (22/25) pass accuracy, 100% take on success (2/2).

and I have to read he was poor beyond the goal

I wonder if they even watch the match

[De_ChrapQaa 192]

Pardon me, but this is a Chelsea thread and I feel I have the right to an opinion on the match. The fact is Stoke are making us look better than we actually are. The problems we have are still there, namely Torres still starting. I'm not even berating the team because we are playing well, despite how poor Stoke have been. There is nothing wrong with not getting too excited, considering the way we've been playing recently. That's not a sin. There is no need to turn on each other. If you don't like my "whining" then don't read the comment. It's not that difficult.

I absolutely agree with you, but I think there was enough criticism in past weeks, just enjoy the game for a bit

[LAB 1,030]

We fucking bossed them big time! Stoke didn't manage to get a breath out there, and there's still complaining and bitching. Apart from our goalscoring ability everything else is just sublime. That's the Chelsea i love to watch. Keep it up boys!