GhostOfDembaPast

^ didn't want to say that and spoil the good vibes, but we might be seeing teams dedicating a player to press him like they would do previously.

He must have had a word and it seems to have got through to him. Happy to see the nonesense cut out. Looking hungry. Not 100% sharp like last season, but promising signs.

True. A tiny bit more decisiveness and a few more goals. Love the driving runs from midfeld. He's pretty complete if he gets those two things down.

Zouma was pure no-nonesense today. Not taking any chances - unless you count that tackle. (HE probably doesn't!).

The truth is he was poor from January onwards last season, and we were all hoping he comes out of his slump. Seems his 'slump' has continued and if you look at it, he's been great for two half-seasons and awful for two half-seasons.

Wow. Sweet, sweet words they must be to hear from your manager. Matic has only himself to blame for losing his place. Looks like Mikel is a Guus untouchable by the sound of it.

Good to see him lash that one in. Decent performance as well minus a couple of moments.

One of his better games. Calm and composed, good passing. Thankfully, this midfield which on paper lacks energy, did the business.

Should stop holding my breath when he goes in for these tackles.

Very dominant overall performance. Excellent. 3 goals. 3 points. Clean sheets. Maybe a youngster could have got a runout but that one would have been the cherry on top.

Rare bit of quality leads to goal. Can't complain. 1 nil up away to an on-form team. Need to see this out, however it's done. On another note, one routine half of football from Obi and...

Very important game and he won't be taking much chances. Unfortunately, that probably means Iva (the irony!) at RB and Azpi on the left.

Champion's League and FA Cup Winners 2015/16.

Did one before, but this is the one I probably like more. Guess it's not necessarily the best of all time, but more of a 'favourite' ultimate XI - without turning it into an ultimate Chelsea XI. Thuram Zambrotta A. Cole Nesta Lucio Gerrard Lampard Hagi Stoichkov Seedorf Okocha Batistuta Ronaldo Drogba Ze Roberto Rivaldo Litmanen Vieri Van Nistelrooy Owen Henry Figo Rui Costa ...Some of the other players I had a liking/grudging admiration for, from boyhood years and up, but this is my actual favourite XI (Mouthwatering):

Christian Atsu? Oh goodie...Fourth place here we come.

3 wins out of the next four. As long as Costa turns up.

What a superb tackle... And the determination he showed in immediately scrambling to his feet to bear down on Martial again. The sheer ferociousness... Enough to make a man kick the ball out of play. :)

Whoever he is, his unibrow is almost as impressive as Bosingwa's.

Hazard, surely?

Will probably be seeing Mikel alongside Matic and a return for Fabregas, but this is what I'd love to see. Mikel alongside Matic might not be all bad, though. Would probably mean both fullback bombing forward.

Leeds went down after being high up and in Europe. I actually think there has been a slight change in that there seems to be a bit more hunger about the players and a togetherness. A few losses and that could all evaporate again, but despite the unchanged team selection, I'm optimistic of a few wins being strung together and moving up. The players know it's on them now, and for that reason alone, they'll start to perform. Also, the youth comment above was me being facetious. I'm not against youth being playe . I'd like to see a few get their chance. Sometimes you get people going overboard, though.

I'd take him tbh. Not done great in Europe, but the options aren't all that. Mancini? No thanks. Personally, don't have much preference as long as some of the obvious no-gos are avoided. (The one manager you really wanted to stay for a long has gone.)

True, but you get that with Remy as well as pace and decent dribbling ability. In any case, I meant in the longer term, but you're right, those are things which have been sorely missing this season. Who knows, maybe Costa is over the short term Amnesia that saw him forget he was a professional footballer and more precisely, one of the most feared strikers on the planet.

That assist was a thing of beauty. Didn't know William had it in him. Exquisite pass. Yesterday was two games in three days and for a player who runs more than anyone else, it was bound to take it's toll. Wasn't great, but if anyone has earned a bit of an off day, it's him.