Chelsea were back to winning ways in the Barclays Premier League as we beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. We go to 3rd (temporarily) and could stay there depending on the Spurs-Arsenal result on Sunday. Nonetheless, Chelsea were dominate throughout most of the match, but were certainly wasteful. The scoreline flatters West Brom, who came into action in the final 10 minutes. Chelsea could of easily won 3-0, but it was a deserved win that cools the hostile situation at Chelsea. Also, I would like to apologise for the lack of WWL after many matches – I’ve been very busy, but WWL is now back.
Scorers :
Stats :
What We Learned :
1. Demba Ba > Torres
2. Chelsea are wasteful in front of goal
3. Lampard-Ramires in the double pivot doesn’t work
4. Mazascar is very efficient in chance making
1. Demba Ba > Torres :
Demba Ba was in the right place in the right time for the Chelsea goal and it was a decent performance from Demba Ba who wasn’t involved as much has he would have liked in the first quarter of the game but stayed alert and took his one chance of the game. Didn’t have much joy in the second period. However, Ba’s efficiency/shot accuracy is something Chelsea fans are willing to take over Torres’ inconsistency and poor finishing that has marked his Chelsea career as a flop. Nonetheless, Demba Ba is the better option for Chelsea.
2. Chelsea are wasteful in front of goal :
Chelsea created 24 chances and only 9 were on target and only 1 of those 9 found the back of the net. Oscar had 3 glorious chances and should of finished all 3 of them, Lampard has blasted a few over the bar and wasted many freekicks. The lack of finishing is a real concern and it’s been our weak link under Rafael Benitez. The inability for our players to beat the keeper has been a huge flaw and it’s something that has led to our decline in recent weeks. If our finishing was better, we could of possibly beaten Corinthians in the CWC Final and seen more league success (and COC as well). This problem continues even when we win and if not fixed soon, we could miss out on European Football.
3. Lampard-Ramires in the double pivot doesn’t work :
Lampard was kept very busy in central midfield and was neat and tidy with most of his work in the first half, had a fairly uneventful afternoon by his recent standards. Wasted a chance to grab another goal to add to his tally late on while Ramires played a magnificent pass forward to Mata late in the first half but was unlucky to see the Spaniard flagged offside. Wasted a chance with a poor decision to shot when Chelsea had a opportunity to break late on. However, they were either sitting back too much or going forward too much and most of the time they did it together. That is a big no-no. We can’t afford to see our “holding midfielders” do this, because bigger teams will take advantage of it (Manchester City, for example). It isn’t as noticeable and detrimental against lower opposition, but we can’t have this problem going on against bigger sides.
4. Mazascar is very efficient in chance making :
Like I said, we created 24 chances. Even though we wasted many of them, it’s still a bright sign. And the fact that it was Mata, Hazard and Oscar starting together (simply known as Mazascar) was even more promising. I’m sure all Chelsea fans are with me that chance creation is key to our success and I’d rather see us create many chances than create none. However, I would like to see us take advantage of chances more. As I mentioned above, it will cost us and that problem combined with the Lampard-Ramires problem is 2 problems too many. We must eliminate one problem and as long as Mazascar as creating the chances, Ba should have no problem finishing them (as he did today). It’s not Ba that’s wasting them as much as it is everyone else, but it seems that starting Mata, Hazard and Oscar together helps us create the chances needed to win that we’ve lacked so much in recent weeks.
Other Points :
1. More hatred/resentment shown towards Rafa
2. Marko Marin no where to be found
3. Defensive solidarity is key to victory no matter who plays in the back
Thanks for reading! Once again, I’m sorry for the lack of “What We Learned” articles, but I’m happy that they’re back. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. Up the Chels!
(Y)…keep it up dude
I’ll go with the lampard,luiz duo in defensiv cause luiz’s long ball helps our attackers to score…and please rafa keep cahill in the centre back,u cant just drop him..he is the best centre defender so far for us…
Good performance from the boys. Creating chances which is rare but looking like it’s actually starting to happen now in recent games. By this I mean more sensible balls being sent forward to the attackers.
Oscar has really picked up his game in recent weeks and he looks so mature and confident in possession. He looks more like the player we saw at the olympics. I’m guessing he’s settled and focusing more on his own game now-meaning his part in the squad’s transition is coming along great.
In general,the team looked mature together so it’s a good sign that a fresh start next season could be fruitful. They had my stomach in knots during the later stages of the game but I’m just glad they saw out the game.
Ervin,did you get my email mate?
Well said, pal. And yes, I just saw it and replied.
Well said Zane, been a while. Regards Ervin. The CFC CEO’s commented about new signings in Bangkok yesterday, so, we can only hope the squad’s transition will be complimented at the end of the day by these arrivals and a brilliant manager.
Nice game but kinda find benitez late subs disturbing
Ba definitely has to start every single match as long as his knee allows him to play every time.Torres should only be used in the Europa league and whenever Ba is injured or tired(I’d prefer Feruz over Torres but Feruz is very inexperienced). The trio behind Ba really should try and give first time through balls to Ba occasionally instead of passing it around pointlessly. Great article, covered the whole match in one article.
Great goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely wonderful. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it sensible. I can not wait to read much more from you. This is really a tremendous site.
Nice job bro. I believe Chelsea can get another attacker ( not too expensive though) that can help Ba upfront. I have given up on Torres. Sincerely
Hang so you’re complaining that Lampard and Ramires are sitting to deep and then are sitting to far forward!! make your mind up where you want them to play. yes i know neither is a holding midfielder but from the match i watched they played pretty well, picked up any clearances from WBA defence and distrubuted fairly, and then when they sat back they provided a good shield for the CB’s. They moved up and down the pitch depending on were they where needed, and thats what they needed to do as holding midielders, giving extra numbers to an attack or extra numbes at the back. They’ll adapt against each team we play depending on how the game is going, if we needed an extra man back to cover for a counter, they will, if we are chasing the game then they push forward and take the risk.
Bit of a stupid thing to complain about from my point of view, and perhaps you need to view you’re understanding of the holding midfield role.
They’re defensive midfielders. They shouldn’t be attacking at all or at least 1 of them should be and the other should sit back. Also when sitting back, they’re too deep allowing other teams to come at us instead of pressing.
Nice job man,i will prefer a lampard/Mikel because Mikel is good at the holding role allowing Lampard to be offensive. Unlike Mata Hazard and Oscar partnership Moses many times is always very direct towards goal,he dribbles towards the opponents goal post which is also very good to employ through the flanks while Ba remains the man at the front…….
U’re so right! On d holding midfield issue, I’ll always say dat Mikel is more required for dat role than what rafa thinks! I dunno, is it me or our attacking midfielders (mata especially) refuse to give Ba clean cut clear passes when he’s obviously d better option during our attacking moves!!! Dey give Torres more chances to score than dey v given BA!!! Kip up d gud work mate and gud dat ur back on dis! Up Blues for life!