Blatantly obvious that that free kick was going to clear the barOne final thing, Walker can’t even pick out a cross so what makes him think he can put the ball in the top corner via a free kick?
That’s all I have to say.
The problem was we had no midfield. I believe if we had done the Kova substitute earlier we would have gained control and won the game. Doku for Grealish shouldn’t have been the first substitute.
He definitely got a slight touch, but I think it would still have been a penalty anyway as he went straight through the player.Probably get slated for this, but am I the only one who saw that Dias, (who was really poor tonight), touch the ball in that Broja challenge? It hasn't even been mentioned or highlighted, unlike the Halaand pen in the first half, when we watched over and over the 'initial pull by Halaand '. Whether it was a pen surely it was worth looking at?
He used to take a long run and put his foot through them on free kicks, not sure why he suddenly thinks hes Yaya.He took one against Bournemouth too. Maybe he’s next in line after Alvarez?
Doesn’t matter if you win the ball these days. If you so much as brush the opposition player after it’s a penProbably get slated for this, but am I the only one who saw that Dias, (who was really poor tonight), touch the ball in that Broja challenge? It hasn't even been mentioned or highlighted, unlike the Halaand pen in the first half, when we watched over and over the 'initial pull by Halaand '. Whether it was a pen surely it was worth looking at?
It certainly was the former, but not the latter.That’s entertainment and proper football.
I know Rico is young but he’s grown out of a Bibb.With hindsight wondering whether after going up with 4th goal we put Rico (or even Bibb) on in midfield and take off Harlaand and just try and keep ball. After 4th went in I was confident. We had won it. Fuming now.
He took out the man too so penProbably get slated for this, but am I the only one who saw that Dias, (who was really poor tonight), touch the ball in that Broja challenge? It hasn't even been mentioned or highlighted, unlike the Halaand pen in the first half, when we watched over and over the 'initial pull by Halaand '. Whether it was a pen surely it was worth looking at?
First time since both halves against Bournemouth in the league.At least we scored from a corner!
We miss Ake a lot more than Zinchenko.We had no midfield and now a sparta gladiator playing LB. Strong defending Gvardiol is, but missing out on an LB tactical creative like Zinchenko.
Might take time for Gvardiol to be more agile, when against a team with nimble footwork like Sterling.
Yes, agree with this- algho1ugh thought we had control for most of ghe second half. I think them going through our midfield was in part due to both Raheem and Cole having super games, us giving the ball away in difficult positions and the fact ghat they played really well. The second goal came from Reuben giving the ball away snd then Gvardiol cooking up.it was there to win, especially after 3-2. Alvarez had a volley too from penalty spot just not enough power on it and didnt go wide enough to the post. Doku had some good positions as well.
some crosses were blocked very well by Chelsea in that period. also Sanchez was good in that period, no ball came back from him while Ederson unfortunately could keep the ball setting up Jackson with it.
what really cost us is how easily Chelsea were able to go through our midfield like hot knife through the butter. you cannot allow that. that also put pressure on the defenders who generally had an awful game but not much protection they got from midfield. but still made some bad individual errors.
1 or 2 passes and they were at our box.
I think all season we had two games where we were really tested Arsenal and Chelsea, we need to take these tests better in the future. Pool is up next, they will test us as well, up to us to react.
He had every right to shoot in that posistion, but he needs to download that finishing aspect asap,In the replay it was clear Phil was wide open for a tap in, a two goal lead at that time would probably have killed the game. Pep saw it and hooked him straight away. Doku will learn from that. re Palmer, a monumental bollock dropped by us, and when Lavia is fit we may see another one. I called it when we bought Philips and sold Lavia in the same window. Time will tell. Personally I'd help Kalvin on to a new club in January and recall Tommy Doyle. When a coach/club tells a young player "we believe in you" they can be transformed overnight. Given the game time Kelvin will get in 2024 we should give those minutes to Rico and Tommy.
Quite right.We miss Ake a lot more than Zinchenko.
I don't think it's the end result that's making everyone shift uncomfortably -- giving away four goals and not seeming to really control the match the way we had been is nerve-inducing. I'm with you though -- said pre-match I'd take a point and at least acquisition of said point was entertaining. Had we not put five shots right at their keeper we could have been racing away with it. But we looked a little tired, a little sloppy, a little slow and a little cavalier -- and a LOT damp.Just remember..
We are top after playing Arsenal,Chelsea & Rags away.
We are normally not top until after New Year so all ahead of our normal schedule.
Agreed. If Chelsea keep playing like that they will take plenty of points off our rivals.I know Rico is young but he’s grown out of a Bibb.
Gutted we didn’t see out a 4-3 but I’m a glass half full really and that could be a valuable point come May.
It doesn't matter if the defender touches the ball, if he doesn't knock it out of playing distance of the opponentProbably get slated for this, but am I the only one who saw that Dias, (who was really poor tonight), touch the ball in that Broja challenge? It hasn't even been mentioned or highlighted, unlike the Halaand pen in the first half, when we watched over and over the 'initial pull by Halaand '. Whether it was a pen surely it was worth looking at?