2013 got off to a bad start for Chelsea as they lost 1-0 to QPR after possibly their worst performance of the season.
First Half:
The worst Chelsea performance of the season happened in the first half of this London derby. The main talking point of the half occurred just 3 minutes in with Marko Marin lunging in on Mbia and should have seen red. Lee Mason fortunately decided it was only worthy of a yellow and Marko Marin became a very lucky little man. Chances were very scarce with Julio Cesar only having to make one save – a smart reflex save from a deflected Oscar shot on 43 minutes. The only time the Chelsea fans were really heard was in the 16th minute, with “One Di Matteo” being sung quieter than in recent weeks.
Second Half:
The second half started much improved with Chelsea looking sharper and hungrier after the interval. For the first time in the game we had sustained pressure but nothing came of it. Turnbull was forced into some decent saves – first from Granero and then from a close header from Derry as QPR looked for a route back into the game. Hazard was brought on to replace the reckless and pretty disappointing Marko Marin on 60 minutes and gave Chelsea new life with his movement and vision.
Frank Lampard thought he’d equalled Dixon’s goal scoring record and had put Chelsea ahead in the 66th minute only to see it ruled out for offside. Replays showed it was possibly the correct decision. Chelsea continued to pile the pressure but no clear chances were created and Mata was brought on for Moses on 75 minutes to create an opening. It was all too late. Former blue Shaun Wright-Phillips struck home from the edge of the area after a lovely lay off by Adel Taarabt with QPR gaining a surprise lead. It was Wright-Phillips’ first goal since 2010.
Ramires was brought on for Lampard in response to the goal but it was all too late, an extremely below-par performance from Chelsea and a result that will give QPR fans euphoria. Chelsea were booed off at the final whistle and deservedly so, a great deal of improvement is needed if we consider ourselves title challengers.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Turnbull; Azpilacueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Bertrand; David Luiz, Lampard; Moses, Oscar, Marin; Torres
Subs: Hilario, Cole, Ferreira, Ramires, Mata, Hazard, Piazon
QPR (4-5-1): Cesar; Onuoha, Hill, Nelsen, Fabio; Derry, Mackie, Mbia, Granero, Hoilett; Taarabt
Subs: Green, Ferdinand, Park, Cisse, Wright-Phillips, Dyer, Faurlin
Let me tell you how it will be,
There’s one for QPR, and none for we,
‘Cause I’m the Rafman,
Yeah, I’m the Rafman.
Should Torres’ output appear too small,
Be thankful for those who didn’t watch at all.
‘Cause I’m the Rafman,
Yeah, I’m the Rafman.
(If ‘Arry parks the bus), they’ll clean the sheet,
(If you ought to sit), Raf’ll have you on your feet,
(If you get too old), Roman’ll put you on the street,
(If you take a walk), China’s waiting to compete.
Rafman.
‘Cause I’m the Rafman,
Yeah, I’m the Rafman.
Don’t ask me what I’m thinking of
(Haha! Roman!)
If you want me to pay some more
(Haha! Mister Buck!),
‘Cause I’m the Rafman,
Yeah, I’m the Rafman.
Now my advice for those who sigh, (Rafman!)
Just sit back and watch our league title hopes die, (Rafman!)
‘Cause I’m the Rafman,
Yeah, I’m the Rafman.
And my system’s not working for no-one including me,
(Rafman).
if I could like this. I would. I understand rotation but you don’t put your B team on against a squad we needed to smash for crying out loud… No mata, no hazard, no ramires and a pathetic (absolutely pathetic) Torres. That’s it I’m washing my hands of him. Last night, I had a fantasy we sold him + cash for Falcao because I just don’t ever want to see him in blue again
Since Rafa took over,he doesnt have a starting eleven which is very bad and last night line up is a typical example.Pls someone need to tell Luiz to play like DM!
Luiz needs a rest just as Torres needs it. Luiz has been playing non stop before and after the Japan trip and the midfield role requires maximum levels of stamina for a player to fully exert himself.
Benitez wasted chelsea,in the name of trying out with the second options…this is nothing else bt abig shame to loose at stamford against Qpr..The truth is that Di matteo is better than benitez
chelsea need a better coach who can select d best players not a coach that can not use his boys what was mata hazard john obi doing in d bench we lost due to poor selection lucas paizon is better than marko marin
This game was an absolute embarrassment for chelsea. How do you lose to qpr at home? I honestly thought we had a shot to catch the Manchester clubs but now we should be lucky to fight for a top 4 finish. The transfer window couldn’t come sooner for cfc. We need to do everything we can to extend lampards and Coles contracts and buy a quality striker like ba and a midfielder maybe even another defender.
Wat a big loss
Benitez is a disappointment,wht nonsense rotation he is talking about,we need winning in a time lik dis,Coach Rafa pls use our best 11 for us pls,no more mistake,what a shame