fester

When VAR comes in clear rules need sorting out. We've just experience two similar incidents handled completely differently in the Carabao Cup semi-final and final. In the Semi-final: Kane chases a ball, linesman flags for off-side, play continues, Kane goes down in clash with keeper. VAR used to review which reverses off-side decision, and gives penalty. In the final: Hazard chases a ball, linesman flags for off-side, play stopped despite Hazard being clear on goal. I'm not getting into which way either decision should have gone, but to me both 'off-side' decision were similar so I would have expected them to be treated the same way using VAR. I am dubious about VAR, from watching matches on TV there are still so many decision that are not obvious despite numerous camera angles and even the pundits can't agree, it can only work if incidents are unambiguous and in those cases Ref's currently get most of them correct. However, it is being introduced so we NEED consistency.

and Mount

A fantastic keeper. I wasn't sure when he came in and took over from our "PL Golden Glove" winning keeper, Carlo. He soon proved that he was an even better keeper and is up there with Bonetti as a true club goalkeeping legend. Bring him back to coach Kepa.

Firstly, well done to the board for getting business going early in the window. Also, for signing a player I know little about but: Was wanted by a few other clubs; Is young and has potential; Was wanted by several people on this forum (see rumours thread). Now, what I don't know... Is this a Hazard replacement or a strengthening the squad to make Hazard stay? What does this mean for CHO? Is this more of a replacement for Willian/Pedro? Does Sarri see him as a potential Dries Martins style false 9? Is it a cynical move to attract more USA based fans? However, he's a Chelsea player now, so stay fit and I look forward to seeing you play for us next season.

Having said that I was encouraged by Hazard's comments about becoming a legend (like Drogba, Lamps and Terry) the other day...

Hazard replacement?

I think Sarri's doing well, an 8/10 from me. I have said in previous posts the change to Sarriball will take time. It's taken Klopp a season and a half to get Liverpool challenging, it took Pep a season to get Citeh playing his way. We clearly need a striker who can put the ball in the net, and I suspect neither of our fullbacks (although I love Dave and Alonso) are quite the style that Sarri would want in his ideal team, but at half-time in season 1 I think all is good so far.

5 out of 5, but who have we played? The fixtures computer has been kind to Sarri as far as providing time to bed his tactical approach in. I'm not being overly negative, as I've said elsewhere Sarriball is going to take time for the squad to adapt to, in the same way that Citeh took a year to adapt to Guardiola's tactics and Liverpool took 18 month to adapt to Klopp. Good results so far, but let's wait 'til we play to big guns. Still think we can get 3rd this year though

I suspect we won't see Hazard signing a new contract in the short-term though. He's going to see how things go with Sarriball. On the plus side if Sarri succeeds then Hazard will love the freedom he has to play.

As a kid it was Charlie Cooke and John Hollins. Then I liked Ian Britton and Mickey Fillery. Then I didn't watch much for years and it wasn't on the telly (and we weren't too good anyway). We were all amazed when Ruud Gullit signed, and we all love Gianfranco Zola. I loved the midfield of: Dan Petrescu; Roberto Di Matteo; Dennis Wise; and Gus Poyet. Just watch one of the old games from that era on Chelsea TV. The spine that Jose built: Cech; JT; Lamps and Drog. What can you say about Hazard? A wizard on his day (Eden that is although I quite liked Mick too). But... my favourite at the moment is Kante who does the work of two players (he can even make Pogba look good!)

DD looked like a fish out of water last night. In that deep lying role in Sarri's system the player needs to constantly make sure they are available to received a pass, DD tends to lay the ball off and then stand still and/or turn away from the ball. Surely he's watched what Jorginio does in training?

Emerson was one our better players in a pretty awful display last night, (against Lyon). I think he's a better option in Sarri's formation than Alonso - and I was a big fan of Alonso in the Conte system I liked the width he gave (especially in Conte's first season).

It took Guardiola a season to get Citeh playing his way. It took Klopp a season-and-a-half to get Liverpool to play his way. Given the disrupted pre-season because of the world cup and the protracted managerial appointment, Sarri starts off on the back foot. Therefore the club need to allow him a season to get things sorted. We do have good players, but we also have some that look lost in this system given what I saw against Lyon last night. Drinkwater seemed incapable to play a pass and immediately move himself into space to receive the ball back - doesn't he watch Jorginio in training. If we're twelfth in February will he be given time? I hope so, especially as things should be settling in by then. However, remember how exhausted the Liverpool players were following half-a-season of Klopp's high pressing game. This is Chelsea so anything can happen, but given this appointment surely more patience is required.

He did nothing wrong when called upon last season.

I always thought he was a twit, but appears he hasn't been treated well, which isn't right.

I see it as a cross between Klopp arriving at Liverpool and Mourinho at Chelsea the first time. Klopp at Liverpool... he is going to introduce a new style of football that everyone will need to adapt to. Jose... a new style of football, but bringing in a significant player (Jorginio) to help adapt the plating style. (Jose brought in Carvalho and Ferrieria).

I am going for Ancelotti with one of Lamps, Terry or Jody as his number two. We need a manager that will start to utilise the FA Youth Cup winning talent of the last five years. Ancelotti gave Josh Mceachran a good chance last time he was here and has the experience to keep us challenging. Remember those 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8-0 wins in his last reign. Jody would be my current favourite for the number two role given his knowledge of the youth players. I would also have no problem if Conte continued with all internal issues sorted out, but I can't see it happening.

I think you'll find it's mainly brick columns around the outside, if you check out other images. Not saying it's beautiful though!

OK, so I was duped...

Interestingly, given that picture that he's on the bench for Arsenal tonight...

From FourFourTwo on twitter...

Nothing will happen, but a referees main duty is to protect the players in his charge. Clattenberg admits failing to do this, he should be struck off ALL refereeing lists.

Having failed to get through the "virtual waiting room" for this game, and living but 15 mins from the BET365 I was in with the home fans - a good seat opposite the dugouts! Just on here to say how fantastic the away support were yesterday, seeing and hearing them from a differenct vantage point. Loud and proud all game. Stoke fans only really roused by what they saw as the injustice of Alonso staying on the pitch. Can Chelsea also start a move towards the "stadium man-of-the-match" being any away player if that's appropriate? When Morata had a hat-trick it seemed odd hearing Shaquiri announced as MOTM.

I've been around long enough to remember Gordon Durie leaving Chelsea to return to Scotland...

You mean they're not all money-grabbing, greedy B'stards? I think I need a lie down to absorb that thought...