Elliott

As Jose said a few seasons ago, a team of Azpi's would win everything (or words similar). That said, Kante for me. His forward runs got in behind City more than any other player, which was crucial.

I think what pleased me most about the match was Sarri's game management. For the first time this season he showed he was willing to be flexible and adapt our style. He had a different game plan, and the players managed to execute it. I would even go as far as saying that he tactically outwitted Guardiola (albeit with some luck) and he must be given huge credit for that. Pep expected us to play our usual high press and wanted to exploit the space behind us by using Sterling as the roving striker. Sarri knew that this would've played straight into their hands, so we defended very deep (to Guardiola's surprise) and drew them forward before taking advantage either with a ball over the top, or with passing combinations to get behind their marauding full backs - Kante did this to great effect in the second half against Delph. It didn’t work quite so well in the first half and we were struggling to get out, but with a couple of tweaks in the second half, we looked the most likely to score. It was also the first time that Sarri has used both Kante and Kovacic in deeper positions alongside Jorginho to help block their runners. Tactically, it was a fascinating game, and we showed the rest of the league a way to beat them. It wasn't pretty, but it got the result. I don't think many of us saw it coming. I was worried for the players after the first 30 minutes. It looked like we could've been on the end of a hiding, but they defended brilliantly. We may have got lucky with the goals, but City were limited to very few clear cut chances, which is no mean feat. I still have reservations about the mentality of some of our players. Being up for this game, but not the likes of Wolves or Spurs is a concern. Hopefully Sarri can use this game as an example to some of them, as in; ''THIS is how I want you to defend!''.

Funny how a couple of bad performances can swing your opinion. After a solid start to the season (though we were riding our luck), my completely honest view after last night's display, and having witnessed the Spurs capitulation in person is that clearly, Sarri has run out of ideas and the players know it. Some of them are showng signs of not giving 100% and usually this goes only one way. Yes, there are major shortcomings within the squad (primarily defenders that can't defend and strikers that can't score), but this doesn't excuse a lack of effort and if a certain player isn't doing what's expected, they should be dropped, regardless of status. The club, and the team's peformance should always come first. Sarri says he doesn't know what happened in the last 35 mins, and why we didn't try. Why not? He's been here long enough to know his players. It would be interesting to hear a Napoli supporter's view on Sarri's methods, and what he is (or maybe isn't) likely do to now that results are going against him. It's time for him to make some bold decisions rather than banging the same old drum.

I don't buy into the view that Kante is playing in the 'wrong' position, as it all depends on how the manager wants us to play. Sarri clearly wants an energetic, ball playing midfielder with a top ability (vision) to pick passes. He wants his teams to dictate play and dominate the ball. Kante is the best ball-winner in world football, but I wouldn't say he's an amazing passer. His strength is driving forward with the ball (having won it), and starting counter-attacks (Conte's Chelsea) which is exactly the style that Sarri wants to move away from. Sarri's style relies on the whole team pressing at high tempo, and we were nowhere near doing that versus Spurs. The defeat was due to a collective underperformance rather than bad performances in specific positions. The problem we are now finding is that teams have worked us out, and we don't really have a plan B. You stop Chelsea from playing by nullifying Hazard (as best as possible) and by putting pressure on Jorginho. This is now Sarri's challenge and personally, I'd like to see more flexibility from the manager in these situations rather than us trying to play the same way at all costs.

Points thrown away through having the wrong attitude. Thought Spurs played OK - nothing amazing, just did the basics well. Hassled, closed down, won first and second balls. Chelsea didn't turn up and made it so easy for them. Play like that against anyone in the league and you'll get punished. Why wasn't the attitude there? Performance levels have dropped recently. Have the players already started to turn against Sarri's ways?

Spot on. Jose has always been about himself, and that is what makes him successful, but ultimately, it's also his undoing. He acts like a child, and then expects blind loyalty. As you say, it works both ways.

True. Although the Morata deal did make sense; European pedigree, good age etc. I can't help but think it's coming to the end of the road now, though. Chelsea find themselves in a tricky situation.... - Keep playing Morata, and without dramatic improvement (which doesn't look likely) we could miss out on top four again. - Confirm Giroud as no1 choice, and Morata's confidence takes another knock, not to mention his value. - Cut your losses and attempt to sell in January, but then who would be available that is good enough and without costing big money? - Take a chance and bring back Batshuayi? Is that even possible under the terms of the loan? Abraham doesn't look like a realistic option right now, and I don't think Sarri would consider a 'false 9' system. I expect they will stick with the rotation for the rest of the season and hope for the best before spending big again in the summer.

I'm not one for pining for a Drogba, or a Costa, as what's done is done, but it's clear we need a better option. If we're talking about past players, Crespo, Gudjohnsen or even Tore Andre Flo would be excelling in this team right now.

Not the best we've played this season, but it can happen after an International break, and United, despite their recent struggles remain a decent side. All in all, to remain unbeaten at this stage and to be playing as well as we have (for the most part), there are lots of reasons to be optimisitc. The massive negative is obviously Morata. I hope Sarri has now seen enough. Either the penny still hasn't dropped (in which case he should go anyway) or at this stage of his career, he's simply unable to change his game, which means he's not suited to our football. He's had more than one season in the premiership now, and still goes to ground every two minutes looking for fouls that aren't there. He's not leading the line or making forward runs and his hold up play is abysmal. If we had someone reliable up front, we could well be sitting at the top of the league right now.

I must admit, he's got us playing well (perhaps the best attacking football in the league right now?) sooner than I expected. When teams sit off, as Southampton did, for the first time in a long while, we look like we know what we are doing. We move the ball quickly. We press high. We move the ball fast from side to side. Neat interchanges and triangles. Good off the ball movement. All things we haven't seen as supporters for a long, long time. Still conceding too many silly chances at the back, but the manager seems to be fully aware of that. Very promising indeed....

Why has Sarri not realised that Luiz is a liability yet? He thinks he can play in a back four. He’s wrong.

Bang on. Thought exactly the same thing. He looks a different level to the rest already, and you have to feel for RLC/Barkley.... Mateo looks a real talent.

If he’s the difference between finishing in a CL place or not, I don’t think it’s a bad bit of business at all.

Not saying this out of any kind of biterness, but as good as Courtois is, he is by no means as good as hype would suggest. I've never been confident, for example, that he would save a crucial penalty, or save a match deciding one on one. Yes, it has happened, but I'm never confident in those situations. He's also very susceptible at his near post for someone of his experience. By contrast, Big Pete for example, always made you feel like it was a guaranteed clean sheet every game, and that he was one of us, albeit I accept our defence as a whole was better during his time. It's felt like Tibo has looked for a way out of Chelsea ever since he joined, which is a shame. I don't think I've ever fully taken to him, and it's disappointing that we haven't been able to get more money, if indeed it is £35m. Yes, it's a lot of dosh, but this kid looks brilliant for his age. I really hope he delivers (his track record to date suggests he will) and more importantly, is willing to stick around for more than a few years.

I can't remember another recent pre-season where we look so disorganised with such little time left. Scandalous management (or lack of) by the board in taking so long to dump Conte and bring in Sarri, who is charged with implemeting a whole new way of playing, and not only that, has been left with a squad that is pretty mediocre, barring one or two stand-out players. I hate to be the harbinger of doom, but we are in for a pretty frustrating season if we dont add quality to the squad. Not to mention the prospect of watching Luiz in a back four every week. Christ.....