Chelsea 4 Manchester City 4

[Holymoly]

So glad we got the penalty at the end as we really did not deserve to lose that game.

I reckon if the teams had swapped strikers before kickoff we would have won at a canter. City without KdB depends entirely on Haaland to avoid being an average side.

Perhaps we should ask every team we face that they wear light blue shirts as it seems to be the one thing that motivates Sterling.

Edited November 12, 2023 by Holymoly

[imperialblue_eyes]

Hmmm. Good comebacks by Chelsea. The first penalty never was one (even over on the RefChat forum they say so).

Disappointed that we didn't take 3 points but the positive is that we've stood toe to toe with the Scousers, Arse, Spuds and City and none of them have beaten us.

It augurs well for the future.

 

[paulw66]

Just got home from a whistle stop visit to Milan. 

Am hearing we were good value for a point?

[boratsbrother]

1 hour ago, johnnybozo said:

If you think defensive drills are what this squad needs to work on you need a head wobble. Our issue for the last half a decade has been scoring goals while we Wenger it up in the final third.

I agree with Floyd about the defence.

Of course, all teams, even the very best, give away sloppy goals, but it's the amount of them that we're giving away which has become a problem. We are giving away goals due to simple lapses of concentration and poor marking. Good thing is these problems should be fixed as time goes by.

Agree with your second point.

[boratsbrother]

2 hours ago, CarefreeMuratcan said:

Imagine this team with a fully fit James-Chilwell and Nkunku. We are going to tear this league apart. 

Very pleasing signs of real progress and hope for the future but let's not get too carried away too quickly. Let's be patient and accept there remains a lot of work to do before we get back to where we want to be and there will be still be lots of ups and downs along the way. 

All I wanted from this season is to see that real progress and hope for the future, so I'm well happy with the way things are starting to go.

[chara]

3 minutes ago, imperialblue_eyes said:

Hmmm. Good comebacks by Chelsea. The first penalty never was one (even over on the RefChat forum they say so).

Disappointed that we didn't take 3 points but the positive is that we've stood toe to toe with the Scousers, Arse, Spuds and City and none of them have beaten us.

It augurs well for the future.

 

Big H had already gone to ground  in his mind once  Cucu grabbed his shirt,,,straight down the second he could..far too quick but an easy con,,,like a believable lie there has to be something believable in the picture.

Just a comment...part of the game by Big H but Citeh looked disgraceful arguing the penalty or rather causing as much disruption as possible..old Pro Walker did just that.

Conor had the space for his shot because Mudryk took three players out of the mix before the lay off..

BUT,,fantastic result and performance...last weeks game was against the League Leaders  (I think) going into the weeked,,,same this week,,,and four points that seemed impossible just a short while back.

Citeh came to SB to win the game which made it such a spectacle...unlike the sides that come to SB and start of with a point they intend to keep with plan B to get a lucky break.

[Chelsea_Matt]

21 minutes ago, paulw66 said:

Just got home from a whistle stop visit to Milan. 

Am hearing we were good value for a point?

Deserved to win🧨💙

[paulw66]

7 minutes ago, Chelsea_Matt said:

Deserved to win🧨💙

Just seen the goals. A soft penalty and a big deflection for them

Good character to come back 3 times

 

[Ham]

4 minutes ago, paulw66 said:

Just seen the goals. A soft penalty and a big deflection for them

Good character to come back 3 times

 

2nd game in a row that we've conceded an outrageously unlucky deflected goal.  

[Dwmh]

5 minutes ago, Ham said:

2nd game in a row that we've conceded an outrageously unlucky deflected goal.  

Don't think Sanchez was going to save that shot anyway, even though he had committed himself already.  
Which is why I don't think Carragher was right to blame Silva for putting his foot in the way.  No silverfoot and it is a rocket. 

[Original 21]

I don’t think Sanchez in goal did much wrong today. Made a crucial save from Haaland. Pretty much held onto everything else. Distribution was good and played it long when needed. 

[Max Fowler]

Was in London randomly today and so nearly got a ticket for the first time in years. But wasn’t sure to trust how we’d play 😅 Now I regret it!! Sounds like the boys did us proud today 💙

[paulw66]

31 minutes ago, Dwmh said:

Don't think Sanchez was going to save that shot anyway, even though he had committed himself already.  
 

Incredibile supposition. We'll never know. The ball still had a way to travel so difficult to pin point (without hawkeye) exactly where it would have ended up 

[JonnyCFC]

Great performance today, could easily have won, almost lost, so a point is a decent result. It’s the performance that’s so encouraging though, we really gave as good as we got against City today and the whole team looked very good.

If we can continue to improve we might have a shot at a cup and let’s see where we get in the league. I think we will still have a lot of frustrating games against the teams that stick everyone behind the ball, so won’t get too carried away just yet.

How frustrating is that Brentford result though, we’ve played well in this current run of games and they were the least worthy of getting the points. 

[Willian Dollar Baby]

Feels fun to be watching Chelsea again which is a nice feeling. Vs Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs and City we've been the better side and should have won. We're good when teams go at us and struggle against deep blocks. Reinforces how bizarre the suicidal high line from Spurs was last Monday. When we go a goal down we no longer throw in the towell, our team is physically fit and can outrun anyone. 

A proper goalscorer and a bit more nous would have resulted in a very different season. Hopefully Nkunku is the guy to help us unlock the deep block and start beating the weaker sides. I do like Jackson, he's raw but an absolute nuisance for centre backs to deal with. Composure in front of goal will come with time and experience. We could and most certainly have done a lot worse. 

 

Sterling was a man possessed today. A real unsung performer for us this year and he's been consistently carrying our attack. Yet again, him and James showing a real connection on the pitch when they play together. Kyle Walker is undoubtedly one of the best defensive right backs of his generation and has pocketed Mbappe, Neymar and many more. Today Sterling tore him to pieces. I'll be shocked if he doesn't make the Euros.

James as he so often does is straight into top form on return from injury. I like that we're finally managing his minutes rather than running him into the ground the second he's half fit. Gusto signing was the best thing for him. 

Cole Palmer - plays like he's got a cigar in his mouth and always feels like he has so much time on the ball. He's not got lightning pace but he's quick enough, using body feints and twists to beat his man, his passing is incredible and the final finishing touch will come. The emphatic penalty in added time against his boyhood club illustrates the lad has got some character. 

Finally Connor Gallagher. If this guy is allowed to leave it would be an absolute travesty. The closest thing we'll get to a Kante replacement and Chelsea through and through. Get this man a new contract ASAP. He's playing to a level that's seeing Enzo subbed before him. Lavia better get a loan move sorted because he's not breaking into this side. 

Loved seeing the Bridge rocking again. Up the Chels. 💙

Edited November 12, 2023 by Willian Dollar Baby

[NoblyBobly]

2 hours ago, Ham said:

Perhaps a few on here will finally admit that they got it badly wrong in criticising TBSD in relation to recruitment.

Injuries was the killer for us. As options come back, we look better.

I hate to say I told you so about this squad but I told you so. 

 

I have to admit I never saw this performance coming! I had it as a draw on the prediction poll but 60% thought we would lose , which I did find a bit surprising . I know it was City but nevertheless a home tie on the back of the Spurs win should have seen a bit more optimism. 
 

But make no mistake , this was head and shoulders above anything else this season. Normally I struggle to pick the players who had performed well, but today it was tough to find anyone who didn’t. Right from the keeper through to Jackson was an 8/10. And we were fearless too. ..Poch got it spot on.  And we were direct when we needed to be. My pet hate of playing every move out from the back was set aside for a more unpredictable approach. Our second goal came about after Sanchez launched it upfield in the general direction of Chelsea players . 
 

And as you say , our injuries are starting to heal, together with our painful lack of confidence. I’m slowly leaning to love some of these players. They haven’t made it easy tbh and there’s always a chance that this was a one off, but I think this could be a very significant performance in our season. Sadly I think we have  blown top 4 already. 

Edited November 12, 2023 by NoblyBobly

[NoblyBobly]

2 hours ago, imperialblue_eyes said:

Hmmm. Good comebacks by Chelsea. The first penalty never was one (even over on the RefChat forum they say so).

 

Well that’s strange because MOTD commentator said it was a stick on!!! 

[Backbiter]

How come he wasn't booked for this? 

 

[ROTG]

Once all the hysteria dies down. 

One has to ask was it a point gained or two points dropped?

[ROTG]

25 minutes ago, Backbiter said:

How come he wasn't booked for this? 

 

YAWN. 

[chara]

7 minutes ago, ROTG said:

Once all the hysteria dies down. 

One has to ask was it a point gained or two points dropped?

A point earned might be the way to look at it?

[ROTG]

3 hours ago, Ham said:

Perhaps a few on here will finally admit that they got it badly wrong in criticising TBSD in relation to recruitment.

Injuries was the killer for us. As options come back, we look better.

I hate to say I told you so about this squad but I told you so. 

 

What are you saying the recruitment has produced a team capable of 10th in the PL

[Dwmh]

43 minutes ago, Backbiter said:

How come he wasn't booked for this? 

 

Cucurella?  Quite, it seems as though the city player pulls out 4 feet away and our lad goes down like a truck hit him.

[Floyd25]

5 hours ago, johnnybozo said:

If you think defensive drills are what this squad needs to work on you need a head wobble. Our issue for the last half a decade has been scoring goals while we Wenger it up in the final third.

Sure, but this has been improving as of late, two against Arsenal, four against spurs, 4 against City, you honestly don’t think the defence is a concern? Leaving opponents with free headers, no marking etc… 

[Floyd25]

4 hours ago, Ham said:

Injuries was the killer for us. As options come back, we look better.

I hate to say I told you so about this squad but I told you so. 

If we can start winning games against teams we dominate and not lose to the likes of Brentford, aside from just looking good against bigger teams then I’ll be happy to eat my words.