Anders

I agree on a general level. Problem is that if we are looking to move Matic on and United are interested, we are not likely to get similar bids elsewhere. In recent years it seems like there is more emphasis on how much money we get for a player rather than who the buyer is. Besides, if they are looking for a Matic type player, I think they would be able to find someone of similar quality elsewhere. If we were to sell him to United, I think it makes some sense from a business perspective.

Gave it our best, but didn't have the necessary quality to win it for once. Fair play to Burnley who worked hard and probably was the closest to winning it. Just need to get back to winning ways against Swansea now.

Not confident Cuadrado will step up to be honest. Needing time to adapt to a new league is one thing, but he's looked so fundamentally bad that I don't think he's good enough for us, plain and simple. Hope we cut our losses and bring in someone new. Sterling would be an excellent addition if we could get him at a good price. Milner on a free would be a coup as well, although I can't really see him joining us if he leaves Man City. Hopefully RLC will get his handful of starts next year, but I still think we need some extra quality in midfield. Neither Matic nor Fabregas have been at their best for long spells of this calendar year, still their places are cemented in the starting XI. Think we need someone to give them more of a challenge. From what I've seen of Imbula (which isn't that much tbh), he looks to be a player who could come in and give them more of a challenge for the starting spots. He could also be an extra body in midfield against better opposition, as I'm not sure Mourinho will trust RLC in those games yet. Can't see Cech staying for another year like the one he's had, so we'd need to bring in a back-up goalkeeper as well.

Terry. Solid as ever.

Disappointed to see Loftus-Cheek get subbed after 60 minutes, although it looked to be the plan all along. Dominated Coutinho and played a lot better than Mikel who was on a yellow card. Delighted to see him start and put in a good shift though. Should be the first of many opportunities in the coming year.

I'd just like Loftus-Cheek to start.

Hate that we're up last but at least we've been warned. With Arsenal and Liverpool's late winners and United losing to Swansea, a win at Burnley won't come easy. Think we'll be up for it though. 2-0 us with Costa and Ivanovic the goalscorers.

Not sure if anyone posted this yesterday, but I enjoyed this tweet from Raymond Verheijen. ?@raymondverheije: Mourinho is a winner. So all winners like Mourinho. Losers don't like Mourinho. Losers are distracted & let Mourinho get into their brain.

Might be out of desperation, but I'm getting excited by the prospect of Costa leading our line next season.

Looked liked Zlatan went off with a hamstring which means he'll likely miss the second leg. Shame really, I think we're far less suited to cope with Lucas Moura, Lavezzi and Cavani.

Crystal Palace might have a big say in who takes the title this year. Liverpool and Man City still have to go there, and based on how the played yesterday, I don't think they'll get anything for free. We were as poor as we've been all season, but CP were excellent, too. Well organised and dangerous on the counter.

2-0. Matic to have a blinder. Come on Chelsea!!

Across 90 minutes I thought Cahill was our best performer. Schürrle and Hazard really stepped up in the second half whilst Cahill was excellent throughout.

Yup, almost have to pinch myself. So thankful to have a type of player you'd pay to go see.

It's starting to look hard. Don't think Mata has changed a lot for them, they still look poor and need some serious strengthening in the summer. It's funny that they spent so much money on him when they are so weak in other areas. Bit sad though. They have to take points off City and Arsenal and at this rate I can't really see that happening.

We could've used Mata today. These games against opposition who'll park the bus are inevitable. Too bad he wasn't ready to battle it out, but rather opted out at the first opportunity he got.

Nicely done, Southampton.

I we want to win it we'll have to overcome them at some point. Might as well do it now.

Januzaj - Rooney - Mata RvP I can see United playing like this. Not sure how it'll look defensively, but that's a lot of firepower offensively at least. If they get some world class talent in midfield and defense in the summer I can see them challenging for the title next season. It'll be interesting though. They'll probably make some marquee signings for high fees and salaries, and having spent a lot of money on Mata and with Rooney's new contract, I don't think they can make a Fellaini-esque mistake again. They need to get it right.

Best of luck to him. A lot is being said of Mata being a great ambassador for the club off the pitch, and Essien is no worse. A humble and positive person who's impossible to dislike. Think I read somewhere that he donated 1/3 of his annual income one year to support schools in his hometown, without ever going public about it. A beast of a player as well of course. At his best he would go straight into any midfield in the world.

Spot on. We all wanted Mourinho back to make us champions again, but for him to do that we have to trust him to make the adjustments he believe is needed. Of course it hurts to part with a player like Mata, but if José thinks we are better off with the money being spent on someone else, we have to show some confidence in him to make the right decision. He's made some choices already that hasn't always been so popular, like playing Eto'o versus Man Utd, but you can't argue with the results. This is a totally different case of course, but the point stands. He's a smart man who knows what he is doing.

So you would rather be fighting for a Champions League spot every season than be up there fighting for titles?

Why Man United though? I'm sure they're not the only club willing to take him off our hands. Not unthinkable that this sale is the only way they'll sell us Wayne Rooney, whom I think Mourinho prefer over Mata. That's the only way it makes sense to me.

If this happens I'll have to stop watching any Man United game that doesn't feature us. Mata in their disgusting red would be an unbearable sight.

Great result, but can't get too carried away. Man United was average at best and made it very easy for us, it's going to take a lot more to get something from City at Etihad. Delighted with the win though. Feels so good to be 12 points clear of Man United.