A game of two halves saw Chelsea pull away 2-0 in the first half and sit back in the second half allowing Arsenal a chance to equalize and possibly win the match. Thankfully for Benitez, it ended 2-1 as a spirited comeback was just barely held off by Chelsea. A very entertaining match saw the Twitter react in many ways – some calling for better refereeing by Atkinson, some wanting Torres out and many thrilled to see such an action-packed match. One of the better London Derby’s in recent years.
Scorers :
Stats :
What We Learned :
1. Demba Ba over Torres.
2. Juan Mata is our best player.
3. Mazascar deserves a chance under Benitez.
4. Ashley Cole shows why we need to keep him.
5. Frank Lampard might be worth keeping.
1. Demba Ba over Torres :
It couldn’t be clearer, could it? A decent Torres performance that saw only 1 shot on target that came in the 76th minute. Torres had a pair of good runs, but couldn’t provide the finished product. Ba, on the other hand, should why he was worth every penny paid for him. A great run that saw him round the goalkeeper and a fantastic goal-line clearance by Vermaelen denied him an instant impact goal. He didn’t do much other than that, but his 15 minutes of play was better than Torres’ 80 minutes of play. Benitez might be more used to Torres, but the fans and the performances have made it clear – Demba Ba.
2. Juan Mata is our best player :
What else is there to say? He’s an absolute magician. His goal was world class – an unbelievably amazing first touch capped off with a blistering finish that put us 1-0 up after 6 minutes. Mata looked dangerous with or without the ball, slotting through a fantastic pass for Ramires in the build-up to the penalty. Had a few sloppy moments in the second half (just like every other CFC player), but his performance in the first 45 minutes was excellent.
3. Mazascar deserves a chance under Benitez :
Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar started for the first time together under Benitez (I believe) – they were simply great. Hazard and Oscar made Sagna look like a fool and Mata as mentioned above, destroyed Arsenal with his lethal passing and movement. With Moses away and Marin out of favour, Benitez could look at Mata, Hazard and Oscar as his chance to leap towards City and United as Chelsea look at an improbable title season, but it could just come true if Benitez can keep Terry healthy and get the front 3 clicking with Torres or Ba.
4. Ashley Cole shows why we need to keep him :
With reports saying that Cole has signed for Chelsea (for another year), it was proved today why we need him. Goal.com said “Coped well with Walcott and Sagna in the first half and got forward well to support Oscar, but fortunate not to concede a late penalty after fouling Sagna on the edge of the box. However, Cole has been Chelsea’s most consistent performer for some time, and looks set to be rightly rewarded with an extended contract.” Spot on.
5. Frank Lampard might be worth keeping :
A lot of Chelsea fans want Lampard to stay (I’m not of those fans), but regardless he’s been pretty good as of late and given a lot to the club. He has scored mostly penalties this season, but it seems like his presence has given fans more confidence that he will stay. His has been relatively quiet on the subject, but he seems to not be shaken by the rumours as he keeps his composure in front of goal and on the ball. A new article about whether Lamps should be resigned or not will be published later tonight here on ChelseaFC360.com, so be on the lookout for it.
Other Points :
1. Should Demba Ba and Torres start together?
2. With Pep at Bayern, should Benitez be a FT candidate?
What do you think?
Irokotolamichael@gmail.com
Mata’s review word for word the same as goal.com ratings. Seriously lads… Also Mata was terrible second half. A couple of mistakes does not describe how many passes he fluffed.
I agree with you. There were times when the team was breaking and all Mata had to do was make a pass. It looked as if he felt the pressure but ya,this is definitely from goal.com. They didn’t have key stats for the preview article and this guy surely didn’t have them either.
Don’t give the job to Rafa, bring back Guus Hiddink
tu si sabes de futbol amigo , traer a hiddink seria lo mejor que haria roman
A great article, I totally agree with all 5 points you mention. Torres has had his last chance, there is no reason to keep him other than that we would be left with only one recognized striker if he left. If we can persuade someone to do a swap deal for him, I’d be happy to let him go. Lewandowski, Falcao, Cavani, Benzema, Neymar or anyone else with a good striker that will pay Torres’ wages. Torres + £15m for Cavani, maybe? Or Torres + £5m for Lewandowski? Neymar is the one I’d like most, but I can’t see Santos matching his wages that he gets here.
Regarding the last two questions, the answer to both is a definite no. Torres is finished. Demba Ba is good enough for Chelsea, Fernando Torres is not. Mazacar behind Ba is an excellent attacking force. Hazard, Mata and Oscar are all part of Chelsea’s strongest team, and you just can’t play those three and two strikers in the same team.
And Benitez as a full-time manager? Interim is bad enough. He’s still made the worst start of any Chelsea manager under Abramovich. We need the Special One back. Chelsea and Mourinho are a perfect fit, provided he gives our exciting young players (De Bruyne, Lukaku, Romeu etc) a proper chance to prove themselves. If not, go for Klopp, Simeone or Low, in that order of preference.
Check your email, mate. I have an offer for you.
Mata is better than Xavi, Fabregas, Santi , Silva and all the spaniards toghether
The DT that we need is Jurgen Klopp or Cesare Prandelli becose both of them has changed the style of play with young players (just what we are doing now)
rafa is the crisis at cfc, he should pave way for a better man who sees ba is better than tores.
Who says Torres and Ba cant play together . Y d hell r we obsessed with this 4-2-3-1 formation…. anyways… we need Mourinho back. Simple as that . Rest all is fine. Not too many changes required.
lets Demba Ba and Torres start together
they can change it to 4-3-3
i’d say torres and demba ba start together
ya i tink ba nd torres shuld start 2geda.
Lampard is a great Player,and I believe he deserves to be given a Year-Contract just like Cole.
Oscar is World-Class,he knows when to hold the ball,Pass the ball and he’s also good defensively.
Mata is World-Class too,but he is becoming EVIL these days…he loses the ball anyhow, he don’t like passing the ball on time,especially,when it has to do with Ba.
Terry should wait on bench.
Chelsea will look extremely dagerous with Ba to start.
Finally,if we cant get Mourinho,lets get Diego Simeone or Di Matteo.
N.B…..one of the reason I hate Rafa is because he is too sentimental. Against Southamton,towards second half,Mata became Useless,this Rafa-Man could not sub Mata…our midfield became too open,thats why they equalised.
Against Arsenal…Second-Half,at a point,Mata and Torres were extremely useless,but Rafa went to sub Oscar,who’s helping Lampard and Ramires at the midfield to do the marking. Rafa also allowed Torres to waste a whole 80-Minutes before sub. Tactically,Rafa is extremely POOR as a coach,added to sentiment.
Apart from the goal Mata scored,Oscar is 100% Better than him.
And if no action is taking,Rafa may kill Ba’s goal-scoring,by putting him every 9-Minutes to the end of the match.
Van Persi 18-Goals, Suarez 16-Goals…if Rafa had been playing Ba,he would have scored up to 16 or 17-Goals,and Rafa dont want that,cos it will send Torres out of Chelsea.
I think is better to let Rafa go now…so the sistant coach to take over,the man has being with Chelsea for almost 2-years and has worked under Di Matteo.
Some ppl seem not to be tired of Torres.. Pls if yu play Ba and Torres togeda, wu would yu drop from d midfield?? Will torres do better dan d person yu intend to drop?? Torres is minus one..period.. Are we owing him anything? He shld please go..
I love reading your posts. There is so much to read about, and I love it when you mix your life with those tips! Super!