Chelsea vs Everton

[zolayes 14,489]

In three games everything can change. Looks like i am the only one on this forum who still believes.

well done for KTF ...Im finding it very hard to think of any positives..guess I f I multiply 2 negatives together ,,,thats all I can think of.

[DYC. 7,542]

Mixed feelings about our first half for me. Good possession and good pressure when Everton had the ball but we weren't creating enough (real) chances. Our only real chances came from set-pieces, Terry attempt and Kalou header. Everton was defending well. Lucky to get the penalty (Anelka tapped the ball too far and just ran into him) but i'm not complaining.

It's been ages since we haven't started a game too slow or crappy so huge improvement. The off the ball movement needs to improve though. The options for a player on the ball to pass too is incredibly low.

So we need more movement and need to keep on the pressure. If we do that, we'll win.

Good to have Terry back. Am I the only one thinks Ivan and JT are football-twins? They're so much a like.

That triple tackle by Ivan was amazing and funny at the same time. So much determination, it's driving the Everton players crazy

Very poor second half. It almost looked as if the players settled for a one goal lead. Everton dominated the second half and made us look like a midtable-side playing a away game. I don't like to single out people but this draw really is CA's fault.

It all started at taking off Anelka for Ramires. Why would you take of a attacker for a midfielder when you're defending a one goal lead against a side that always gives troubles your side and with the defensive problems the team's had? Horrible decision. And than he took off Bosingwa for Paulo. Also a horrible decision. Every Everton attack came down that left side (our right side). And even though Paulo really tries, everybody knows it's very easy to get past him. Everton dangerous left wing + Paulo Fereirra = Chelsea headaches. Baines went past him as if he wasn't even there and Everton scored.

I've already stated many times CA ''subbing'' pretty much sucks and cost us 2 points.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Will you be back when we find our feet again ?

Do not make me sound like I'm abandoning the club, I take offence to that.

Call it a knee-jerk if you want, I really couldn't care less. I'll always stick with the club, through thick-and-thin, but today was disgusting. Like I said, I'll be back for our next game. But for this one, spare me your sarcastic comments implying I'm one of those fake fans.

Thanks.

[Styles 9,790]

Everton had a better bench today.

[NattyBlue 44]

They had a better everything in the second half

[Styles 9,790]

They had a better everything in the second half

True.

[chrismada9 1,948]

Very poor second half. It almost looked as if the players settled for a one goal lead. Everton dominated the second half and made us look like a midtable-side playing a away game. I don't like to single out people but this draw really is CA's fault.

It all started at taking off Anelka for Ramires. Why would you take of a attacker for a midfielder when you're defending a one goal lead against a side that always gives troubles your side and with the defensive problems the team's had? Horrible decision. And than he took off Bosingwa for Paulo. Also a horrible decision. Every Everton attack came down that left side (our right side). And even though Paulo really tries, everybody knows it's very easy to get past him. Everton dangerous left wing + Paulo Fereirra = Chelsea headaches. Baines went past him as if he wasn't even there and Everton scored.

I've already stated many times CA ''subbing'' pretty much sucks and cost us 2 points.

I agree with every word from this post!!

[Henrique 9,133]

First half was good. In second we let everything go.

Why are you concerned for wages? Do you pay them?

First half was far from being good. Was avarage, and in the second hald was awful. What im saying is, when a supporter compain about bad results, some call them glory hunters. But see, an Everton supporter cant ask for their team to play a top club football and fight for Premier League title. The amount of money invested on the club is not at the same level the kind of money invested in Manchester United, City or Chelsea.

A City supporter couldnt ask for the Premier League tittle two years ago, but now they can. Same to Chelsea. If you ask Terry to play here more years instead going to City, he will say that will only do that if you pay him more money, other ones just leave when you dont pay them what they want, like Joe Cole. They must play a football that is good enough to fight for trophies. Period.

Is the same to managers whot got loads of money.

[Kostas 1,468]

First half was far from being good. Was avarage, and in the second hald was awful.

Exactly.

We may have dominated posetion but we didn't create any clear chances from open play, after we lost the midfield battle in the 2nd half it was painfully obvious that we were going to do nothing upfront so our players kept clearing the ball.

In 97 minutes we created 1 clear chance.

Somehow Ashely missed it.

[toddandrewblue 19]

Where's the passion? Where's the ball control and the calm under pressure? Where's the urgency? How can it just disappear like this? Did it leave the team with Ray Wilkins?

I'm afraid this squad is just deflated beyond belief and possibly repair, at least in the League. I know we're only 2 points back of Arsenal, and there's a long way to go, but at this point I'm almost prepared to just say let's make an FA Cup run and a run at the CL title, without much regard for the league. Sad part is, if they play the way they have in the league in the knockout rounds of the CL, it'll be a short campaign. Hard to keep positive in the midst of so many negatives, but we've got to stay behind the team.

[gary gordon 1,777]

Wow from 5 points clear to third and falling! You really have to blame somebody aye?

Things i noticed tonight:

Anelka is way off pace! honestly besides nearly making a meal of the one on one with Howard, he literally did fuck all!

The team were very wasteful! Giving up cheap possession over and over again.

Everton at times were very average and still seemed to dominate us.

Our reserves are fucking weak! I remember looking at our bench over the last few season and saying "Any of these blokes would be starting in any other team in the world" Not now!

Structure has gone! We look more like a bunch of kids going after the same ball instead of trusting your team mate, getting in a decent fucking position so that when he does win it he has somebody to pass it to.

Moral of the story! I miss Lampard and Ballack!

[Peace. 4,352]

I'm fed up with these bull shits....

Roman, here an advice for you :

So you want to save your money, aren't you ? Then instead of fire Wilkins you should, no, I mean you must not pay our players...

[Henrique 9,133]

Wow from 5 points clear to third and falling! You really have to blame somebody aye?

Things i noticed tonight:

Anelka is way off pace! honestly besides nearly making a meal of the one on one with Howard, he literally did fuck all!

I dont get that...Anelka was one of the best player on the pitch and Drogba the worst, and people blame Anelka...The french fought, and Didier looks like that just care about winning Champions League before retiring, and people still asks for Nicolas' head and end up sayind that Didier is one the best of all time.

[Styles 9,790]

Where's the passion? Where's the ball control and the calm under pressure? Where's the urgency? How can it just disappear like this? Did it leave the team with Ray Wilkins?

I'm afraid this squad is just deflated beyond belief and possibly repair, at least in the League. I know we're only 2 points back of Arsenal, and there's a long way to go, but at this point I'm almost prepared to just say let's make an FA Cup run and a run at the CL title, without much regard for the league. Sad part is, if they play the way they have in the league in the knockout rounds of the CL, it'll be a short campaign. Hard to keep positive in the midst of so many negatives, but we've got to stay behind the team.

Against teams that just sit back we look like Barcelona with the ball control.

Against teams that actually press we play like Stoke. Get it up and out. Our players don't have the guile or speed of thought to play their way out of pressure.

[Randall 315]

I'm just glad I was still drunk from last night it kind of softened the blow. Now I am, however, hungover and angry. Shit times.

[Gappy 130]

Counter Attack used to be our great weapon

Nowadays I can leave to get some beer and when I'm back , they still cross the ball in the middle and wait the opponent to pack their defend tight.

After that we just try to pass the ball in to the box

[gary gordon 1,777]

I dont get that...Anelka was one of the best player on the pitch and Drogba the worst, and people blame Anelka...The french fought, and Didier looks like that just care about winning Champions League before retiring, and people still asks for Nicolas' head and end up sayind that Didier is one the best of all time.

You don't get that? Why am i not suprised! Drogba is a central striker who needs dynamic, fast passing, and quick footed players on each side of him for service. Anelka holds up the ball every time he gets it and waits for the opposition players to get into a defensive pattern before usually passing it directly to an opposing player, or goalie or corner flag.... Instead of dribbling it around the box, he needs to get it in there and force either a penalty or a defender to commit to a challenge. He does absolutely fuck all for me and is a wasted position on the wing. Anelka is a brilliant finisher, one of the best Ive seen, but he knows fuck all about playing out wide...

I'm off to bed! its 5 fucking am here and I'm raging!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I think Essien was wearing a poppy today in remembrance of that Double we won last season...

Considering our run of appaling recent form, it might be hard to stay positive. That being said, we just have to keep the faith.

It seems to me that Chelsea supporters are coming to a sudden realisation that we may indeed not win the title this season. At this moment in time it certainly looks that way.

However we cannot afford to stop believing. For all we know, we might steal a win at Tottenham next weekend and use it as a pivot to rekindle our title hopes. I simply refuse to believe that we will not win the title this season based on recent form. In fact, it makes me optimistic.

Why? Because, despite us showing the type of form that would make us candidates for relegation had the season started last month for the last month, we’re still in touching distance. Arsenal are two points clear and United have the opportunity to extend that to four should they win their game in hand, but let’s be frank – neither of those sides are world beaters. Arsenal are so vulnerable defensively that they are looking very susceptible to sustainable pressure, and as soon as they come up against an organised team they fire blanks. United may be unbeaten in the Premier League but they aren’t exactly setting the world alight, either. I fear facing neither of them, because I believe that we can beat them both on our day, injuries and confidence permitting, of course.

To me, it is clear what has to be done. Ancelotti, or more likely John Terry, has to go fucking mental at the squad. Three things are undermining our season – complacency. bad luck and a lack of commitment.

There are players on the pitch who simply do not deserve to be there – but by injury or reputation, they are automatic starters. You must put some of the blame on Ancelotti here – it seems to me he either has his favourites or simply does not have the balls to drop some of the big name stars. This must be addressed – the best way to do it is to drop players who are massively out of form or performing below par; the likes of Kalou, Anelka and Mikel. This will send a message out to the players who are simply taking the biscuit and do not seem to care as long as they get their £100,000-a-week wages every Wednesday.

That links in to another factor that is threatening to put our title challenge to bed – a lack of commitment. You can see it best in Drogba, Anelka and Malouda – besides when defending corners, those three players did not come back once to help out defensively and help out the full-backs. It meant that the midfield was swamped and we lost out in that particular battle, whilst Cech and the defence – who were all brilliant today, I can’t fault any of them – are having to work overtime. There are players in this team who are starting based purely on the name on the back of their shirts and the reputation that comes with it, and this must be addressed by Carlo stamping his authority, or, failing that, Terry showing why he is captain. Ancelotti is incredibly mild-mannered or so it seems, but someone has to blow their lid to show that this is simply not acceptable.

The third thing that is a factor in our poor form is bad luck. We should have been given a second penalty today and similarly Everton made some unbelievable blocks today, whilst the woodwork was also a defining factor. You can say that football is a game of karma and what goes around comes around, but some game-defining refereeing decisions are going against us whilst the woodwork is having a massive say in our season at the moment, also. We have been pitifully unlucky with injuries but that is a part of the game that must be taken with a pinch of salt – it was also quite predictable at the start of the season that we would struggle this season considering firstly the small size of our squad and all the transition over the summer, such as the myriad of players coming and going. It has been all-change and time is needed to solve this.

With all that being said, someone needs to stand up and point out the obvious – this is not good enough. Five points from the last six matches puts us sixteenth in the form table at the moment. We have not only blown a five-point lead but potentially allowed Manchester United to open up a four-point gap, should they win their game in hand, which they most definitely will at Blackpool.

Relegation form is unacceptable from a side trying to defend their championship. It must be acknowledged that defending a title is so much harder than winning it in the first instance. We saw that in 2005/06 – the second half to the season (April apart) was pretty average and we ground out results where we could, and we were able to rely on our early season form to win us the championship. However, with the league being so competitive and unpredictable this season, that is simply impossible.

Consistency is no longer a factor in the Premier League – the team that wins the title will essentially be the “least shit” out of us, United, Arsenal, City and (I hate to even mention them in this way, as title contenders) Tottenham. To say that the team that lifts the trophy is the one that drops the least points is a “no shit” sort of statement, but it is absolutely appropriate – every “big” team is dropping points at almost every opportunity. I think no more than 80 points will secure the league crown this season – a figure that would have been scoffed and laughed at even a couple of years back.

I believe that, as slumps go, we’ve hit rock bottom. Things can get worse on a results front – we might well lose our next three games and then almost absolutely be out of the title race – but even a single win against the three of Arsenal, United and Spurs could realistically spark our season back into life. Three wins from three might sound crazy considering what has gone before it, but in the most topsy-turvy Premier League season since its inception,

The return of Frank Lampard will most likely get us back on track, that is a likelihood – that man could single-handedly put us back in contention for honours this term. Many people say one man simply cannot make a team, but in Lampard’s case, it can. It is impossible to say when he will be back – and along with that, how long it will before he is back to his best, but that man is simply world class and we have missed him like a hole in the head this season.

Ultimately, we should not abandon hope. United and Arsenal are both beatable and they can be caught. Consider this – even if we lose to Spurs and United, we can realistically go the Arsenal and beat them. There is something in the North London air that Didier Drogba seems to get off on, and what better way to get a season back on track than a win at the home of your most bitter rivals?

Once this run of games is out of the way, our fixtures are comparatively easier than the other teams in the top four. We’ll have played Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester City away and faced United, Arsenal and Everton at the Bridge. Compare our run of games after the New Year to United and Arsenal, and we look like the team that will gain the most points next month, at least on paper.

This might be a shocking run of form but we cannot afford to give up. Keep the faith. Ignore the knee-jerk reactions. That being said, I don’t think it is fair for us, the majority of whom weren’t even at the game today, to criticise the fans who booed at the Bridge today. The performance was simply not good enough and people who pay £50 for a ticket are entitled to show their disgust if they are not happy with what they have paid to see.

All that being said – Carefree. It isn’t over until the Fat Lady sings.

[Laylabelle 9,535]

Pretty much sums it up

[zolayes 14,489]

well said Blue Lion ...all is not lost yet ,,BUT it is time for the players to stand up and put much more effort in ...today I felt too many were just coasting .

I will defend them in defeat if I can see 100% effort ..today didnt see that ,,,similar to the Sunderland game ...

they should be told they are in the last chance saloon now ....

big games coming up and for once Im not optimistic about the outcomes ...

c'mon Chelsea you are much better than this.