The international break was finally over and it was Premier League as usual on the weekend. Chelsea were facing newly promoted Cardiff City, at home. Torres was fit but Jose decided to start with Eto’o upfront. Oscar was rested which meant that Hazard, Mata and Willian were the 3 behind the striker. Bertrand started as a LB for Chelsea in the absence of Ashley Cole.
Chelsea had a shaky start as an error of judgement from David Luiz as he left the ball for Cech to gather but Mutch pounced on it and put Cardiff City one up in the tenth minute. After that it was all Chelsea as the blues piled on the pressure on the Cardiff goal and looked for opportunity to unlock their defense. Cardiff sat deep with almost all our outfield players in their half. Cardiff had a chance as Odemwingie flicked but it was brilliantly saved by Cech. Mr reliable.
The breakthrough finally came in the 32nd minute in controversial fashion to say the least as Eto’o snatched the bouncing ball from the keeper and passed it to Eden, who returned the favor but Eto’o couldn’t finish it but Eden pounced on and buried it. The teams went level at half time.
There wasn’t much to choose between the two sides so Jose weaved his magic. Torres was introduced in place of Ryan Bertrand which meant Chelsea were playing 3 at the back, similar to the tactical change made vs Norwich. The change paid immediate dividends as Eto’o cut inside and scored for Chelsea.
Chelsea went to basics after the goal and introduced Azpi in place of Eto’o. Oscar was thrown in the mix as well and again the Brazilian found the back of the net for Chelsea. It was his third goal in the week and fifth of the season for Chelsea, he is in some form right now.
Chelsea wrapped up the points and put the result beyond any doubt in the 82nd minute when Hazard cut in and scored his 2nd of the game, a goalkeeping error one might say but it was a goal and Chelsea moved to 2nd with that win. A clinical performance in the 2nd half!
What We Learned Today?
Jose has it under control:
It is visible that Jose finally has things under control and he has steadied the ship that looked a bit wavy at the start of the season. His tactics are spot on and most importantly he knows his best playing XI. Everything in short is falling in place and we are all set for a great season it seems.
That self-belief is back. Whenever Chelsea go a goal down you just know that being Mourinho’s men we will make a comeback. We are assured at the back and beginning to look menacing going forward.
Terry is back to his imperious best:
Jose’s said in midweek that he wanted to make him the Terry he was and he is doing just that. Since Jose has taken over we are seeing the Terry of old. He is brilliant and has still got it in him. People said he is on a decline (including me) but here he is proving us all wrong. Let’s just hope he stays fit and gets better and better with every passing game!
Way to go JT. Captain, Leader, Legend.
Luiz: One day a Maldini, on another day a Titus Bramble
Luiz is brilliant, he is world class and he is one of my favorite defenders but he has lapses in concentration. One day he is at his imperious best but on another day he makes an error which is so very hard to defend. Imagine, if the error was made in the 86th minute and Chelsea went on to lose the game he would have been battered but since it happened early on and we covered up he is off the hook. Surely Jose will not be impressed and I’d be surprised if he starts the next game. Luiz needs to stay focused if he wants to keep his place in the side as we have Cahill waiting on the bench.
C’mon Luiz we love you! We know how good you are, JUST STAY FOCUSED!
The monkey is off the back Eto’o
Samuel finally scored and the monkey is off his back now, we hope the pressure is off now and it will be the first of many he scores for us. The goal itself was remarkable really lovely cut in great presence of mind and slotted in it. That’s like the Eto’o of old.
Also his part in the equalizer, a goal that may not have stood but it was his presence of mind again as he pounced on the bouncing ball. Signs are good, hope he scores more often now.
Till now it was his finishing was the question mark today’s goal was quite impressive.
Jose indeed is one of us
Jose was sent off to the stands and sat with the supporters and celebrated with them. He really proved his words that he is indeed one of us. A Chelsea fan!
A great win today. 3 points! Sets up perfectly for next week. KTBFFH!
Well, nice game we had today..we need to win mancity before I start believing in this mou’s team.remember we’re yet to win any of the big sides this season, and mou should start giving ceaser more game time. For me, I’ll pick ceaser ahead of iva anyday..
2 extra things we learnt:
Oscar (or MaZaCar) should start every game: Mata didn’t do a lot, but he had an average game. Willian was not really in the game today. Oscar on the other hand came off the bench and scored a screamer. This guy needs to start every match. He had earned it. I think Mata plays better when Oscar plays.
Its time for Bertrand to replace Ashley Cole: Bertrand may not have been tested enough as Cardiff used their left flank more, but Bertrand showed good touches, was decent going forward and good composure (his dribble accord his own box to take the ball out of danger; Luiz would be proud). Ashley Cole has been in the decline this season & has been awful in all Chelsea games this season. I think its time for us to give Bertrand a chance. Ashley WAS one if the best left full backs; but I think he had lost it due to age.
I would have to agree to that! Bertrand had a really good game. As far as the mazacar thing goes .. well Jose will have to rotate to keep all the attackers happy. also rotation is the key since we have a long season still ahead of us.
Oh man Willian did ok. pple think that scoring or assit is all players need to do on the pitch but that ain’t enough. i love how he was defending. he didn’t stop running which was important for a team which is playing with 3 in the back. Willian was highly better than Mata
we only played 3 in the back for a couple minutes, not up to 5mins if more then not up to 10
I felt Lampard made us flat and wasn’t substituted because Ramirez can’t hold that position alone, if Mikel was playing, Lampard would have been my first substitute because he dint free Mata and probably plays better with oscar on the pitch…..Eto had a good game, his hunger was good causing concern with good combination play…. Ivanovic played to many long balls to short Hazard and Mata wat was he tinking..
ya l felt Lampard was also slowing the game,, shud hav substituted him for De Bruyen or Obi… Eto was great
i feel the 35 or so million offer for david luiz from barca should of been excepted. he is great ( a personal favourite) but he loses concentration so easily its frustrating. a player like humbles would of been a great signing and he would cost less than 35 mill
no offer for Luiz, except higher than 60million would be accept he got appearance and leadership qualities, can spur a team on
its all smiles when u win against a less then average promoted side.. lets see ur write up after the face off with the citizens.. I hope u will tell us what we learnt because they just might school us for real.
have some respect, no team in the premier league is less than average thats why they can spring up surprises
that less average team beat Man City and has an equal chance of winning something this season like all the other teams
If Mou starts Lampard in d Ucl and against mancity nxt weekend then I would be forced to think that he picks his team based on sentiments cos’ he was shit against Cadiff and ought to have been subbed but I know some fanatics wouldn’t out of the luv they got for him. Lampard needs to sit out against Shalke04 if he must start against Mancity next week..I’m still skeptical about this Mourinho’s team…
Tnx ken, you watched the game Lamps was shit and bold enough to say it cos I love him
Right Ken, Lampard is a legend but why does he start every match? Of course he can’t play 90 min. As for yesterday, the 1st half was horrible, we played with arrogance as if we were the best team in the world. Ok, we have so many great players with really good qualities but still don’t have a decent team game. I’m skeptical too for the moment we play so individual but nevertheless we’re in 2nd position so let’s wait. Still a lot of work to do.
Delighted, delighted, and delighted. Did I say I was delighted?
4-1 phenomenal win. Oscar was immense. Eto’o is getting better and better. And I wish I was that sitting next to Mou in the stands.
Happy Day!
… Willian was one of e best player in that field on that cardiff game… His work rate and involvement in all attacks was just splendid… Ofcourse he started shacky when he cldnt even control e ball…. Az for luiz… All i can say is today was not his best day…. Defensively he was solid as ever but that error of judgement and poor communication with cech… Only that mistakes that result in goals are never forgotten… Cech’s passin blander made bendrant a hero as he dribble e whole cardiff strike force…. Bandrant proved to quality maybe because it was just a team that played direct offense not thru wings.. Lamps was playin us short one player… He cant manage every game anymore… Seems mou’s substitution are spot on because they result in goals…….. WHAT EVER THAT EXPRESSION MEANS PUTTIN E MONKEY WORD IN REFFERANCE TO US PPLE OF COLOUR IS RACISM:: BE SENSETIVE AND DONT LeaVE ANYROOM FOR ANY THOUGHTS: I NEVER SAW U WRITE THAT ‘THE PINK PIG FINNALY GET OFF TORRES BACK:: when he got his 1st…
I think Oscar can play Lamps role even better cuz he defends very well when the team is not in possession but Lamps doesn’t. And Mou, pls let’s Lamps rest awhile. He is not young anymore.
HNKHAN89 be more sensitive with choice of WORDS, it did sound RACIST and an apology would be in ORDER
The term monkey is off the back isn’t racist. It is an idiot that means he can now breathe a sigh of relief now. if that did .. well i am sorry there.
My sincere apologies to anyone offended.
I really appreciate your reply, you have shown to be the bigger man…In today’s sporting world and soccer in general there has been fuss about Racist slurs even as we try to be more opinionated we have to be conscious of it…You are very welcome
Tich zan thanks a lot. Willian had a great game. Some fans here know nothing about football. They only appreciate what a player did only when he sc
Tich zan thanks a lot. Willian had a great game. Some fans here know nothing about football. They only appreciate what a player did only when he scores. Lampard was the worst player on the pitch. Seriously I don’t get why always he is playing wtf he is a legend but he is not longer the same lamps we use to know. Time for young player like Bertrand..I really like what I saw. Bertrand played better than what Ashley did in couple of weeks ago
“Monkey off your back” is not racist at all and a very common English idiom. Research first before you call someone a racist. As the writer has written in English, using common idioms is, yet seeming racist is not the fault of the writer, but the interpretation of the reader. Do a little research next time before making such strong comments. Oh, and I’m black by the way before you incorrectly accuse me of racism as well.
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/a+monkey+on+back
And of course, KTBFFH
Idioms like that should be struck of, we can say the same about Hodgson’s comment about Townsend….
ya tich l kinda got the wrong idea wen l saw the MONKEY comment,, jus avoid such words in the future admin
People where critisizing Mourinho for playing Oscar ahead of Mata. It takes a good manager to discover the best and i tell you Mourinho is the best manager to have grace the game of football. RDM and Benitez buried Oscar talent and Mourinho have come to tell the world that Oscar is a future Ballon d’ore contestant. The lad has been awesome this season. The best mid fielder at the moment in EPL. Look at the way he revived J. Terry and Lampard
you don’t revive a player at the detriment of another and please easy on the Lamps praise cos he hasn’t been as solid
The Blues are starting to have winning mentality.
I’ll only be less skeptical should we win Mancity on sunday and I see Mourinho adopting a cagey strategy against City which might be detrimental cos it’s going to give City the room to attack us.
Moreover, I believe we should start Mikel and Rami in pivot and rest Lamps. This’ll help to repel City’s Fluidity.. KTBFFH!!!
I think mou should try giving oscar lampards position
Luiz did not have a good game today, but that can happen to every player. Remember Ivanovic with 2 horrendous errors against swansea which cost us a league cup? Remember the bad game that Terry had against liverpool the season before last? Luiz is more error prone than both of them, but offers whole lot more than both of them when hes in his best.
lamp gave the pass 2 hazard 4 his second solo goal.apart from that he didnt do much.even ramirez talent was cagged in that holding midfield role.i tink mikel should play d holding role & ramirez should play as the box 2 box midfielder.again there was no urgency in our play in the 1st half.against city i wil prefare dis line-up
cech
ivanovic,cahil,terry,bertrand
ramirez,mikel
hazard,oscar,schurrle/willian
torres/eto.
lamp gave the pass 2 hazard 4 his second solo goal.apart from that he didnt do much.even ramirez talent was cagged in that holding midfield role.i tink mikel should play d holding role & ramirez should play as the box 2 box midfielder.again there was no urgency in our play in the 1st half.against city i wil prefare dis line-up
cech
ivanovic,cahil,terry,bertrand
ramirez,mikel
hazard,oscar,schurrle or willian
torres or eto.
Gvin Oscar Lamps’ role wud stifle his attackin prowess.He’s great @ no 10.Monkey in that context is in no way racist.
In Jose we trust. CHELSEA 4 life, Up blues!!!!!!!!!
Am not yet convinced with mourinho tactics. Chelsea’s midfield is quite porous with Lampard in the middle. Mourinho should play mikel and ramirez in the middle of the pack. Then oscar, schurrle, and hazard plays the front three. With Eto’o or Torres. Lampard can come in when the game is dead and buried. Azpilicueta played well in the left wing though he is not yet accustomed to that. cadiff couldnt penetrate through that wing when azpi was on. City’s attacking threat could pose a problem for Chelsea if the likes of Ashley cole, Lampard plays because they are simply no where their best. Chelsea midfield is leaky when they face a small team then how will it pan out when they face as attack-minded as city. Your guess is as good as mine. Perhaps mourinho knows better. Have you watched mikel play for Nigeria? He’s always outstanding in the midfield for his country. Why cant mourinho give him that opportunity at Chelsea. Honestly, mikel is better currently in both defense and attack than lampard. He is stronger in tackle, he is better in the air, and he is better in protecting the back four. Mourinho should know what to do otherwise man city would run riot. My best starting eleven will be: cech,
ivanovic, luiz, Terry, azpilicueta
Ramirez, Mikel
Hazard, Oscar, schurrle
Torres
we are chelsea forever
essien anyone?
I love Chelsea with all my life!
I wish Luiz to play in mid field then Cahil also get a chance to play.