Chelsea (a) post match thread

[Marvin]

We had at least two on target in second half. Stones header and Aguero from Nolito's ball.

It seems Delph agrees with @Dribble.

Delph: "We were the better team by far – by a country mile."

In some aspects we were. But we can outplay teams in the middle of the park all season long, but if the attack does not function it counts for nothing

The plus is, get it right, and we will destroy all opposition

 

[Rolee]

But that has been the City we have watched all season. Great in possessions,and unable to create scoring opportunities.

It took a huge slice of luck to score: a mis-kick by Courtois, and then Silva's shot rebounded perfectly to Aguero. We had chances, but mostly from set-pieces. I remember Sane going through one on one and Courtois just got a touch to it. And also Fernandinho. Stones had two chances from set pieces but they were from crosses.

So it was good up to a point. We're still not creating chances from open play. I think it's because whilst Aguero can finish chances, he's not got he speed to create space for himself in the box, or behind the defence. Jesus has, so long term this does not bother me.

I thought the defence was better against Chelsea and Kompany was for me MoM. We looked a treat from set-pieces, and he was reading the game so well, but remember Chelsea decided to sit back for a half, and played within themselves because for them the 3 points were everything.

This criticism of our failure to create much in that second half is unwarranted or at least it's harsh. This was the champions elect on their own turf playing with ten men behind the ball, not many teams are going to create much if anything at all of note in them circumstances.

 

[inchy14]

But that has been the City we have watched all season. Great in possessions,and unable to create scoring opportunities.

It took a huge slice of luck to score: a mis-kick by Courtois, and then Silva's shot rebounded perfectly to Aguero. We had chances, but mostly from set-pieces. I remember Sane going through one on one and Courtois just got a touch to it. And also Fernandinho. Stones had two chances from set pieces but they were from crosses.

So it was good up to a point. We're still not creating chances from open play. I think it's because whilst Aguero can finish chances, he's not got he speed to create space for himself in the box, or behind the defence. Jesus has, so long term this does not bother me.

I thought the defence was better against Chelsea and Kompany was for me MoM. We looked a treat from set-pieces, and he was reading the game so well, but remember Chelsea decided to sit back for a half, and played within themselves because for them the 3 points were everything.

We create plenty of chances @Marvin , it's the taking them that's been the issue.

 

[Marvin]

This criticism of our failure to create much in that second half is unwarranted or at least it's harsh. This was the champions elect on their own turf playing with ten men behind the ball, not many teams are going to create much if anything at all of note in them circumstances.

I just object to the claim that we played a great game. We didn't. Aspects were good. Retaining the ball under pressure, getting to the danger zone where we can play a killer-ball good, but in terms of chance creation from open play not great. That was the over-riding message I got from this game, it summed City's attacking play up

Defensively I thought we did a good job. A one off error by Fernandinho and a fluke deflection. ANd that from a team who are excellent on the counter attack. Where was Costa? hazard may have got two goals, but he could easily have been their villain rather than hero. City were very good up to a point. We're not far off which is why I am optimistic about what we are doing. I can see that Guardiola's system will work if we can improve the strike-rate on goal. I find it a bit disappointing we haven't tried Kelechi, or KDB, Sane, Sterling as an out and out striker. Is Guardiola wary of upsetting City fans by being seen to move against Aguero after Hart? For me, a lot of the stultified forward play stems from Aguero's lack of speed. He never ever runs off the shoulder of the last defender. I don't remember a single goal of his this season coming from that when that used to be his bread and butter.

 

[Rolee]

I just object to the claim that we played a great game. We didn't. Aspects were good. Retaining the ball under pressure, getting to the danger zone where we can play a killer-ball good, but in terms of chance creation from open play not great. That was the over-riding message I got from this game, it summed City's attacking play up

Defensively I thought we did a good job. A one off error by Fernandinho and a fluke deflection. ANd that from a team who are excellent on the counter attack. Where was Costa? hazard may have got two goals, but he could easily have been their villain rather than hero. City were very good up to a point. We're not far off which is why I am optimistic about what we are doing. I can see that Guardiola's system will work if we can improve the strike-rate on goal. I find it a bit disappointing we haven't tried Kelechi, or KDB, Sane, Sterling as an out and out striker. Is Guardiola wary of upsetting City fans by being seen to move against Aguero after Hart? For me, a lot of the stultified forward play stems from Aguero's lack of speed. He never ever runs off the shoulder of the last defender. I don't remember a single goal of his this season coming from that when that used to be his bread and butter.

I'd be more inclined to put it down to Chelsea's excellent defensive display in the second half rather than criticism of our attacking play.

Their systematic fouling of Silva worked a treat too, they screamed blue murder when the rags did it to Hazard yet no one bats an eyelid when they do the same to Silva.

 

[SilverFox2]

In some aspects we were. But we can outplay teams in the middle of the park all season long, but if the attack does not function it counts for nothing

The plus is, get it right, and we will destroy all opposition

100% correct.

However it is a chronic season long problem that our admirable passing game does not extend to having a blue shirt in the back of the opposition net for that final pass.

 

[mekonmcfc]

Summed him up perfectly.

He's what you call in cricket a Flat track bully, great when we are leading but doesn't do anywhere near enough in tough games

 

[BluessinceHydeRoad]

Wednesday was in many ways an infuriating match. We played a team well clear at the top of the table. A team that is very well organised but also very cautious, a team which plays one up front when it needs goals. It was typical of this season that we didn't make a mistake so much as drop a real clanger in the 12th minute. We got back into the game and threw away another goal thanks to another mistake. This took the decision for Chelsea and solved all their difficulties about game management. It allowed them to get everyone behind the ball and we were never going to create many chances in a congested final third. No-one could, not Chelsea, Real, Barca or anyone else. So I don't think we can be blamed for bad finishing on Wednesday since we created half chances more than anything. Dean's display helped Chelsea by slowing us down, breaking up the play and ensuring Chelsea never risked a red card.

In addition, Sergio is playing in a slightly different style and has not yet adapted fully and KdB isn't entirely at home in his new deeper role. That's before we get to the players who won't be in the team next season.... So, Wednesday belongs to this season: nex season will be much better and very different.

 

[Airbags Optional]

This criticism of our failure to create much in that second half is unwarranted or at least it's harsh. This was the champions elect on their own turf playing with ten men behind the ball, not many teams are going to create much if anything at all of note in them circumstances.

The key in all this is 10! Behind the ball. Chelsea are not all that, very disciplined, with 2-3 great players. Their football is miles behind ours. I think we could stop teams creating against us if we did not attack but thank god we play football how it should be

 

[SilverFox2]

The key in all this is 10! Behind the ball. Chelsea are not all that, very disciplined, with 2-3 great players. Their football is miles behind ours. I think we could stop teams creating against us if we did not attack but thank god we play football how it should be

The key is to find a way to get those who shoot to actually hit the target with accuracy that increases our chances of one of them actually scoring.

How can a team that passes to each other with moving targets so accurately lose this ability when presented with a static goal post defined area.