Steven Reid has had a wonderful first half at right back.
Chelsea came into it near the end of the second half.
Anelka equalises.
Olsson too busy telling Lampard to get up after an embarrassing dive to close down Anelka early enough.
Chelsea could have gone ahead there but Anelka’s shot was unconvincing and Reid made a wonderful block from Malouda.
Ben Foster was obviously bored back there before rushing out for that ball. Clown.
Ridiculous piece of refereeing there to let Cole away with that. You could tell Terry had intimidated him and he was quick to let Chelsea off the hook as a response to favour the big club. Pathetic.
Indeed. Terry and Cole were embarrassing at the end. Chelsea were very unimpressive. Need to get Modric and/or Mata signed up to add creativity. Very functional but lacking imagination.
I’ve no idea why I was so annoyed with that because a Chelsea win favoured me financially but I hate seeing so-called tough guys like Terry losing their head like that and pretending they’ve been cynically “done” by someone. This bollox about grabbing his jersey and then mouthing off to the ref - I have no idea why the Premier League are so afraid of clamping down on that sort of shite. Cole then being his typically sneaky self and the patsy in black will get a pat on the back from the powers that be for not letting things boil over (i.e. not annoying Chelsea).
Mikel, Ramires and Boswinga were the impressive performers for Chelsea.
Drogba and Torres are struggling with the way Chelsea play, it’s very congested and hard for them to find space. With the way Chelsea play they could do with more of a ‘streetwise’ striker, someone in the mould of an Inzaghi who’s anticipation and awarness will get him that bit of time and space in the box. I don’t think Drogba and Torres are great penalty box strikers - they’re more physical and dynamic front players and they struggle when the space around them is curtailed.
Villas-Boas has a difficult job as there is an onus to accomodate the likes of Lampard, Terry, Essien, Drogba, Torres etc. into the team, if he doesn’t the huge egos in the dressing room will be almost unmanageable.
I do think he’s got the midfield playing sector playing much better, Mikel and Ramires have looked more comfortable on the ball than they have before, some creativity is needed but I see Drogba and Torres continuing to struggle for them.
I don’t think Chelsea do a very good job of stretching opposing defences. Modric or Mata would help that (and signing them both certainly would) but I think they sometimes make 4-3-3 look very predictable.
When Barca or Real play 4-3-3 they have some excellent players in the front 3 who are capable of playing wide, so stretching the defence, and also capable of drifting inside and either moving off the wing in between full backs and centre backs or drifting in and playing a bit short of the front player. I don’t think Anelka for example has that movement or the same ability to drop deeper and cause problems from there. Malouda and Kalou are more suited to that but I don’t think Kalou is good enough frankly and Malouda is streaky. Playing the likes of Torres or Drogba anywhere other than centre forward doesn’t work either. Sometimes all Chelsea succeed in doing when they play 4-3-3 is isolating their centre forward and sacrificing the other either by putting him on the bench or playing him out of position in a less suitable wide role.
Bringing in a bit of creativity inside will certainly help because the midfield needs to attract defenders but I think they’ll find neither Mata nor Modric will be effective wide in a 4-3-3 either so they may need to look at changing things.
Ah that was a lovely finish from Long 
I greatly dislike Blackburn at the best of times, not sure why exactly. They have the look of a club going downhill at a rate of knots given their current owners carry on. At this early stage I fancy Wigan to go with them. Hodgson and WBA looking more and more a v decent fit. Think they’ll comfortably stay up.
Thoughts on McLeish so far KIB/Rint?
Dzeko really showing his worth these days. Funny how quickly some were to write him off.
Agreed.
I also think Kolarov is a far better option than Clichy for the left back slot. So much more intelligence in his play.
Manchester City will win this EPL at a canter.
Probably.
Wolves are flying high early doors and Mick McCarthy was asked about the prospect of European football coming to Wolves next season. Mick, however, thinks the big guns will overtake them but feels the Europa League would be an unnecessary distraction in any event:
“If we ever look like winning the fair play league then I’ll run on the pitch and tackle someone myself.”
:lol:
hes shit and a clown.
mcleish is being given no money and apathy at villa park is back to the o’leary days. wouldnt read much into yesterdays result as blackburn are certainties for the drop I feel but good to see Gabby score. he is a better manager than houllier and dunne and collins havent been punching coaching staff nor drinking magners on the bus back from games yet this season so I guess thats a positive. warnock back in the side seems to be doing alright though i never rated him. given is miles better than friedel too but his groin problems are worrying. early in the season but stevie ireland is a long way down the pecking order. mcleish preferring to go with brawn with heskey and gabby over ball players. dont think against better sides that will suit bent. going to be a shit league this year. pity we havent money to invest as I think fourth place is up for whoever really wants it this year.
his intelligent play last season seemed to be to get within 30 yards of goal and fire a shot into the stand. zero pace on the turn either. wasnt impressed with him at all last season. clichy will be better I feel.
Tevez is back
His intelligent play is the timing of his runs and his constant presence in getting in behind his oppossing full back and delivering. Clichy is pretty brainless and his career in football is almost solely reliant on his pace.