Chelsea dominated the game against Swansea but as Jose mentioned it before, we are struggling to kill teams off and as the game went on, the atmosphere at the Bridge turn nervy. Chelsea managed to hold on to get the three points, which has placed Chelsea on the 3rd spot 2 points behind Arsenal.
The 1-nil scoreline look a bit flattery to Swansea but in reality Chelsea dominated the game and if not for the woeful finishing from Eto’o we could have won the game with a healthy margin.
Eto’o was wasteful as Chelsea fail to convert the chances YET again
Chelsea were on the attack from the outset creating numerous chances most notably the one right after the start of the 2nd half, within 15 seconds it should have been game, set and match, if only Eto’o had his scoring boots on.
19 shots on goal, 7 on target and just one goal points to one thing only, we didn’t test the keeper enough and when we did the finishing was quite tame. This has been the story of our season thus far and really doesn’t look like improving until we sign a striker. It’s worrying and funny at the same time that the amount of chances we create and so little that we convert.
Jose though thinks otherwise and gives credit to the Swansea goalkeeper for making the fantastic saves today.
“Today I can say the biggest responsibility for the lack of goals was the Swansea goalkeeper because he made three or four big saves,” said Mourinho.
“He played really well and also this time I complain about a big penalty decision, so my words have changed a bit.”
“We didn’t miss chances, Tremmel made fantastic saves. The first-half save from Eto’o was brilliant, and the first save in the first minute of the second half was the same.”
“That action was good. David Luiz’s pass was good, Mata’s control and pass were fantastic and Eto’o attacked the ball perfectly. My striker made the right movement but the goalkeeper made a fantastic save, and after that he made another from Lampard’s deflected shot”
Back the back clean sheets. A Positive!
A scoreless draw away to Arsenal followed by a one nil win today. Fair to say the defense wasn’t tested much today but it will give our backline the confidence going into the game against Liverpool. Suarez will be in red hot form and Chelsea’s back 4, (5 infact with Cech included) will have to be at the top of their game if we want anything from that game.
Eden Hazard had a blinder again
Eden is Chelsea’s top scorer this season and his 7th of the season came when he cut in from the left and hit a swerving right foot shot which flew past everyone into the back of the net. He was once again our best player on the pitch and clearly our MOtM. Whenever he had an opportunity he terrorized the Swansea defenders.
Jose on Hazard’s overall performance today:
“The kid gave everything and his last action in the game was defending in our box the progression of Swansea’s left-back in a situation that was really dangerous. The kid was really tired when I took him off because he played a high intensity game three days ago.”
Chelsea will be without the services of Ramires who was booked at the end and will miss the all important game vs Liverpool. Jose’s take on that:
“Ramires stopped a dangerous counter-attack so it is the kind of yellow card when I don’t complain about the player. I don’t want to cry, I just want to think about the solutions we have and prepare the team without him. Because he suspended against Liverpool it means against Southampton he is fresh.”
Not entirely happy with the performance, but yet another 3 points to keep the title hopes alive. January come soon!
Chelsea FC 360 
the team will get better.the positive things,1) is that harzard is scoring goals.i tip him 2 be our messi in no distant time.
2) 2 consecutive cleansheet shows improvement.
3) let the team practise more on shooting.
4) we must convert corners into goals,terry & cahil take note.
when they get chance, they not take it. that the problem with chelsea strikers. i like the way chelsea players closing down the opponent. they also not holding the ball too long. i like it. i hope luiz and mata not to be sold. ktbffh!!!
Etoo is useless like torres
Am not xpecting any goal frm our striker again. Am i happy wit the performance? YES. We didnt finish well, we created chances, dat means our midfielder re doing great. Same story for strikers, they still cant convert chances. Eto’o link up is good as well as his movement but still cant score. Torres is still d best among our strikers, its just like a one eye man in d land of a blind. We re still in d title race, what else matter? One of the negative things today is ramires missing liverpool clash! Mou already said he ll find solution to it, yaya ve big impact in their encounter wit liverpool. He should ve been our own yaya. All is well, we still ve cover. Hey mate, can u imagine any of our strikers scoring a negredo like goal against liverpool? Huehue
Etto is Much way better then torres
Cox torres cannot even get chances unless he’s missing chances but he’s much way better then the other hes movements was good but torres doesn’t even get chances why ?????
Yes true fan. You are right 100% agree
But y re they so unlucky. Is beyond me honestly. I thought eto has already scored frm that mata’s cross. I looking at torres ability of taking defenders one on one, wit pace and dribble. Eto’o movement is better, and his link up wit hazard is a joy to watch. Hw i wish i can give them what they lack ‘a luck’
It’s true etto is better he can hold the Ball!! And he is really smart!!! We have to get a new striker and put eto in the bench for the las minutes or if we need two strikers!!! Bring Lukaku for his loan !!!
I like to see hazard mata and Oscar playing together!!! They create many opportunities!! They play faster!!!
Mikel did a good job!! The only thing is that he is too slow!!! In counterattack he has to think faster!!!
Cole was better
Terry ramires ❤ good
Luiz is playing better!!! His performance today was really good!!! His long pass omg!!!
Ivanovic crosses 😦 but defending was good
Another very important thing that we have to practice is the corners, we had 13 Corners and we didn't do anything!! And we have really good headers!!
Oscar was fantastic! Great tackles. I think he should be an option in the pivot
The boy is gud in that aspect. Dont knw he can tackle like this. I doubt if mou can give him a chance in the pivot. He s a genius
The only positive i could see from the match is that we were didnt concede for the 2nd in a row.Our defence and midfield is really improving.As for the attack,we dont even have a striker at all!Etoo is wasteful and at the same time useless!
Why dont mourinho try to use the False 9 formation where we can use Schurlle as our false striker…combine with 3 amigos Hazard, Willian, Mata……use Oscar and Mikel as pivot midfield….
Line up again Liverpool: Cech
Azpicueleta, David Luiz, Cahill, Cole
Oscar, Mikel
Mata, Willian, Hazard
Torres
U jst drafted that outa my mind, i think that wil b d perfect combo. Bt mou might opt 4 somthing entirely different, hop he doesn’t.
I think cfc club ll not want to do that. Maybe mou get away with it against man utd cos of his status or something. The idea is good but using a false 9 when we ve ’50m’ man on d bench, eto wit is huge wages is not encouraging. This is one of the reasons y di matteo was sacked. Lets see wot happen in january but i tink if we re to sign a striker, one must surely leave
Cech untroubled for the second game in a row.
Luiz is playing well like the way, we know he can.
Cole and Ivanovic were solid but offered little attacking width.
Terry was amazing with his comandeering of the backline.
Another Clean sheet wouldn’t hurt us.
Backline: 8/10
Mikel shielded the back 4 well yet again, I just hope he can be more adventurous with his forward passes.
Ramires was buzzing, tackling and running, typical Blue Kenyan performance. I just hope he can work on his final passes better.
Lampard came in later in the game, apart for the goal threat he brought to the game when the formation became 4-3-3, he was ineffectual.
Pivot/Trident: 6/10
Hazard was the MOTM for me, he scored the only goal and it was a CR7 kinda goal. Dribbled, dragged defenders out of position, passed the ball more quickly because he had Oscar and Mata along him
Mata should have had 2 assists to his name @ least. He found Eto’o with good clean balls. Like we always say, Mata complements Oscar and Hazard well.
Oscar, his last ditch tackling were awesome. Oscar worked hard as usual, his movements were faster and more controlled. A candidate for the pivot.
Willian and Shurrle didn’t offer much when they came on. They just sat deep and covered.
Attacking Trident: 7/10
Eto’o: In one word, Woeful.
2/10
We re going to miss ramires against liverpool for sure. Lampard is going to partner mikel, and torres up front. I hope they ve a gud game. Oscar is a candidate for d pivot no doubt but can he take d nod against liverpool? Mou ll not want to risk it. I ve a feelin dat willian is going to start against liverpool
So yesterday it was again the old story We keep wasting clear chances, Chelsea have Eden Hazard. That has been the case all season and it was again on Boxing Day, when the Belgian’s goal fired the Blues to a
1-0 win over Swansea at Stamford Bridge.
RAMIRES Is Suspended For The Game Against Liverpool, So I Hope Mourinho has Got A Back-up Plan !
My Line-Up For The Game Against Liverpool would be :-
———————————-Cech————————————
Ivanovic———- Terry—————– David Luiz————-Azpi
——————–Mikel——————–Lampard———————
———–Schürrle————-MATA—————Hazard———–
———————————TORRES——————————–
I love your lineup. Buh i tink i a match like dis mourinho wil likely risk the game remember’s unbeaten games at stamford bridge so i tink a defensive game wuld be better my XI vs liverpoos’s .: Cech, ivanovic, cahill, terry, anzpillicueta, luiz, mikel, mata schurrle hazard nd torres
I love your lineup. Buh i tink i a match like dis mourinho wil likely risk the game remember’s unbeaten games at stamford bridge so i tink a defensive game wuld be better my XI vs liverpoos’s .: Cech, ivanovic, cahill, terry, azpillicueta, luiz, mikel, mata schurrle hazard nd torres
In a match even if you are having a bad day and Mata is conducting the orchestra, you are forced to play some good stuffs. And that’s what Mata can do and does. He compliments all his team mates!!!
Ure right. If i see the trio against liverpool i ll be the most happy
Neville: Chelsea need striker
Gary Neville says Chelsea must invest in a new strike option after seeing the Blues forwards once again fail on the road on Monday Night Football.
The west London outfit drew 0-0 with capital neighbours Arsenal at a rain-drenched Emirates as both sides squandered the chance to snatch Premier League top spot at Christmas from Liverpool.
However, while a point gained in difficult conditions may suit both teams in the long run, Neville says Chelsea’s toothless attack away from Stamford Bridge is a major cause for concern and must be addressed when the transfer window opens next Wednesday.
Chelsea’s strikers have failed to score in a Premier League away game in 2013 and Sky Sports expert Neville said: “That is a staggering statistic.
“With the talent that’s in that team, with [support from] Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Oscar and Willian – you’re telling me their strikers can’t score away from home? That tells me more than anything.
“They’ve got experience and a lot of players who will dig out results, and that’s why they’re hanging in there, but they’re not killing teams off.
“Jose Mourinho has said he’s not going into the transfer market in January but I can’t believe that with Chelsea’s history.
“At the moment the difference between them and City is City can play Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko, who have real power up front and score goals.
“Chelsea don’t have that firepower.”
Mourinho selected Torres to lead the line for the visitors on Monday night but Neville said the goal-shy Spaniard was simply not performing at the levels required by a team challenging for a Premier League title.
And he argued that Chelsea’s alternatives, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o, don’t offer the solution either.
“I thought it was a really poor performance from Torres tonight,” he said.
“The way in which he showed for the ball, when it went up to him it didn’t stick… if you’re going to play with one striker, that is a tough position to play and you have to be an exceptional talent at this level to play there.
“But they’re not good enough.”
Neville’s fellow Monday Night Football pundit Jamie Carragher agreed and stated he feels the lone strikers for Chelsea are not contributing enough to the team.
The former Liverpool defender pointed out that the Blues are still fourth in the table and just two points off top spot but insists they are performing well below their best and must seek to improve in the New Year if they want to clinch the crown.
Carragher said: “Mourinho has been quite critical of his attacking players going forward and he’s talking about them not killing teams off. That makes me think ‘are they going to get sold? Are they going to bring players in?’.
“They’re two points off the top so we’re not talking about a bad season for Chelsea but they’re yet to really convince.
“They’ve come here and done a job, like in a European away game, like they did at Old Trafford earlier in the season – but something’s still not quite right.
“I feel for Mourinho when I see Chelsea play, though, because a lot of the time it’s like they’re playing with 10 men; they’re getting nothing from the striker.
“We can talk about the wide men not giving them much but the difference between winning and losing is putting away split-second chances. Torres doesn’t even get the chance.
“Whether you play Ba or Eto’o, whoever he plays just doesn’t seem to work.”
eto, torres are ok,but ba dont inspire hope in difficult games, either way he can leave or stay no problem, it is better not to sign anyplayer now. somebody tell me what effect lampard have on the team, im bored watching him play more times, to me his best time in every game is 10 mins and mata was not to be changed in that game, he is our spark, like silva, his and luis through passes brings hope for goal, against liverpool once i see lampard in the lineup believe me it smellslike a draw or a narrow escape game,
my suggested line up vs liverpool,
cech,
ivanonic cahil terry azpi
obi
oscar
mata willian hazard
eto.
due to form
torres for eto
schurrle for hazard
The suggestions some of these fans offer is just a bucket full of complaints.
I see people speculating of buying a striker when the problem primarily lies with Chelsea’s modus operandi, as one blocked shot from Eto’o is enough reason to cause stir.
Surprised though to see such a clear-cut chance but I hope to see plenty of such chances blocked by any GK b4 I finally draw my bitter conclusions on our strikers…
But before then, as long as we keep playing this silly kind of style, CFC won’t get much out of our strikers plus any prospective one coming in ( if at all in January). Today Eto’o is tagged ” useless” maybe he’ll be given another name when he probably scores 2 goals in a match.
Perfect comment. I agree. The problem is how we play. But it seems that everybody forget this and focus the attention only on the strikers. In my opinion we are too slow, teams pack the defence and we are in tigh spot in creating chances during the matches at home. We need to move the ball quicker from behind. We have big players inside the team and we admire their personal qualities but so far we don’t play as a team. Finally, good result, good third position but, as admin said, not so happy with the performance. Once more.
Have you seen some of the goals Suarez scores? If suarez can score from 40 yards out, then Eto should be able to score from 5 yards out. And 2 of his chances were brilliant and given to the striker, they were literally on a plate for him to devour. Maybe this is why Chelsea midfilders dont pass to strikers because when strikers have amazing chances they can’t net the ball. Look at torres against man city, he did okay in that game, but he missed the best chance – RIGHT in front of goal against Hart and he didn’t hit anything near the net.
How can we games off when we a big club like Chelseafc don’t have a potencial striker who scores rampantly? How can we kill off oppositions when we don’t put the little chances we create into goals. The earlier we buy a striker in January the better it will be for us. The same old story strikers not making use of opportunities. Mourinho has to use Shurrle more, i like him my favourite player. He has to start using him. Etoo is as poor as Demba ba. I just hope we win against Liverpool but i can smell a draw game.
If JM use tactic when Chelsea against Arsenal, draw is the answer. I want to watch the battle Torres against Sturridge. Mata and Luiz are not first choice player for the big game under JM. So, this 2 players will be not in starting lineup. JM will not change the tactic drastically in the big game. So, Oscar will not playing in pivot. So, my starting lineup is:
Cech
Ivan-Cahill-Terry-Cole
Mikel-Lampard
Schurrle-Oscar-Hazard
Torres
samuel eto’fils is better than torres.torres makes our midfielders look bad & selfish by hiding behind defenders.at least eto is opens up space in the box & is willing 2 recieve pass,but not torres.i hope torres will show up the same(tores) we saw against mcity on sunday.
Mikel-Lampard: doule-pivot Never works. We saw it time again and again. we need LUIZ- LAMPARD or Mikel-Oscar. I think mou will play 4-3-3. Mikel-Lampard-Oscar
@ adam i tink u ar right.mikel-lamp pivot doesnt seem 2 work,but lets hope it works or i will opt 4 this line up.cech
iva,terry,cahil,azpi.
mikel/willian
schurle,oscar,hazard
torres.
@ adam i tink u ar right.mikel-lamp pivot doesnt seem 2 work,but lets hope it works or i will opt 4 this line up.cech
iva,terry,cahil,azpi.
mikel/willian
schurle,oscar,hazard
torres.
Jose knows the best line-up though 2 face lpool.
i saw a lpool attacking trio that is dangerous with one touch,through pass,flick on & perfect understanding amongst them.if not 4 the ref blunder the match should ve been 2 all(coutinho,sterlin&suarez).if we can keep them quiet,then convert our chances,then we can beat them.skertel is somebdy our strikes must commit,he 1 error that must happen.
the reputation of our strikers hav droppd.wen a striker finds the net on weekly bases,his presence alone sends goose bums on defendas & keepas & they fret at their appearing.but torres & co hav made mockery of themselves so opponents know that they hav very litle 2 offer,so they feel comfortable attacking us.
Mou should be blamed, our play is bad. Stop blaming the players. Jose is not GOD execpt if someone is afraid of him.
Jose Mourinho has yet to organise his vast library of attacking midfielders into a certain first-choice unit capable of unleashing the elegant destruction that Roman Abramovich so clearly craves.
The awkward handling of Juan Mata has allowed fleeting spotlight efforts from Willian and Andre Schurrle, while Kevin De Bruyne remains a frustratingly restricted figure. Eden Hazard and Oscar have been arguably the standout performers.
If Samuel Eto’o, Fernando Torres or Demba Ba gets picked up front delivers the consistently average. Mourinho’s irritation with his non-striking strikers is plain but, in terms of depth, the absence of any one centre forward would not derail their current operations.
On paper, Chelsea are almost perfectly stocked behind the midfield, with two left-backs, four centre-backs and one right-back. But Branislav Ivanovic, arguably their best centre-back, has been the man stuck out on the right, while their specialist right-back, Cesar Azpilicueta, has been displacing both Ashley Cole and Ryan Bertrand on the left.
Youngsters like Nathan Ake are available should disaster strike and the Blues need bodies to fill in but Mourinho is at risk of creating depth problems if his recent selections are the blueprint for how he sees the long term.
@ neri just curled from goal.com.
Well,I’ve been reading so many comments and analysis and I discovered one thing;Oscar won’t be able to fit in a pivot position just becos of his stature.It’s very true that he can mark very well but just look at his stature he doesn’t have that kind of stamina and strength to excel in a pivot position and as for the forward position,pls forget about ETOO he doesn’t have anything to prove again,he’s only here to collect wages,not to score:a finíshed player,I don’t even expect him to be on the bench if MOU really want us to win the match against Liverpool.
Lastly,there’s one good thing to know from the present situation-we’re still in the title race coz by this time last year,we’re all only craving for the Top 4 finish!
Soccer has evolved from that era of physical astute as a measure of one’s compatability to play in a certain position. One thing that Oscar has in abundance is the stamina (the ability to last for a decent amount of time when doing an activity – usually a long or particularily straining activity without becoming too exhasted or tired.urbandictionary.com ” I noticed you don’t know what you are talking about here”) and that the reason he can attack and trackback through out the match. On strength, soccer is no rugby, where it is all about sheer power and energy, it is a tactical sport where ability with the ball matter and the reason why small players like andre pirlo, sergio basquets,arteta and cleverly have all been successful in the pivot position or whatever the defensive roles they have held in their teams.
dear matt that can happen in la liga,serie a,any other league,but not in epl,they will bully him.
In Liverpool match, it is better to start with Ba than Tor or Eto. Last time Torres match against Liverpool were so bad. Even starting with Sharrule or Eto is preferable than with Elano. Cfc can utilize Ba’s phyicality or Sharrule speed. My prefer lineup cech [Ivan Luiz/Cahil Terry Cole/AZP0] [Mik- William] [Sharrule -Osc/Mata- Haz] [Ba] Ch 2 – 0 Liv
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