Phillip

Now, given those stats, which certainly Jose must have known about, at best we were 40-60% to go through on penalties. I don't care how good Cech is, he does not have those kind of penalty-stopping stats.

His free kicks were abominable. Especially the one near the end of the 2nd extra time, when he went for goal from a spot nearby the right corner flag, and got it all wrong (again). Major disappointment, but so was Joe Cole and Kalou and A. Cole.

That is a very good point, and I was shocked to see Zenden being the first penalty taker for Liverpool.

To shoot into the middle of the goal takes balls, but I believe that was the right thing to do with Reina. Cech, on the other hand, hesitates for a split second, which is probably the right thing to do, and then lunges one way or the other.

I tend not to believe Lofty, since this was not a game where we were robbed by having most of the possession, by hitting the post with a shot or two, etc. Rather, all those things happened to Liverpool, who would have felt very upset if they did not advance (60% of the possession, hit two posts, . . .). I watched the game somewhat relaxed, just hoping that we would get lucky, and it almost happened when SWP crossed the ball that just missed Drogba's foot. Furthermore, the Spanish referee was very fair to us.

Yes, but even Lamps penalty went on the inside of Reina, who actually lunged past his shot. He is a quick one, that Reina.

Does it remind you of the 2nd leg against Liverpool last year? Jose is way to afraid to go for it, and perhaps he felt Cech was a better penalty stopper than Reina -- he was wrong about that.

Yes, but Liverpool was playing everyone back, and we were too afraid to commit more than 2 or 3 players up front; so all that possession was for naught.

I saw that, and was shocked to see Robben take a penalty. It was not hard to read his lips when Jose approached him, so I have no idea why Jose picked him. Out of spite?! I do not want Jose to go, but perhaps we can have a substitute coach for Jose when we play Liverpool, since Jose's game tactics versus Liverpool always leave a lot to be desired. It is like Benitez owns him, and knows it.

Now, who would be to blame for that? Jose? I think so. Bad tactics, and very defensive-minded, which costs us time and again versus Liverpool.

I wonder if Hilario was one of our substitutes. Cech really was not close to any of the penalties, except for Alonso's. Strange game, we just did not seem to have any passion or extra energy out there. I give Robben and SWP for giving us a bit of a bump of adrenaline when they got out there, but we really are lacking in creative ideas when it gets to the last third of the pitch. Disappointing, but to see Crouch and Kuyt hit the crossbar, I really feel that we were not robbed in this game. All credit to the referees in keeping it fair (especially the close, correct call in ruling Kuyt's goal in the 1st extra time offside). My MOM for Chelsea was Maka, who seemed to be everywhere. Essien was our best defender, and no one was good up front. Joe Cole and Kalou should have replaced much earlier then they were.

Yes, I agree that Kalou looks like he is totally intimidated by the Anfield atmosphere, and he has to be taken off.

I want to see Robben in for Kalou. I have lost faith in Kalou's ability to score, after the last few games.

We looked the better team to score after Agger's excellent goal, so I feel good about the 2nd half.

Tell that to Lyon.

Not bad, German-Blue. I would like to see Sinclair given a chance to make the team, and I don't feel that great about Joaquin (probably would cost too much, anyway).

I always thought Yogic was mild-mannered, and never got upset (something about those mushrooms, I believe). How wrong I am!

My thoughts exactly, though I cannot help but think yesterday's game was a huge disappointment, with an injury-ravaged ManU coming back from two goals down to win on the road, and with a remarkably-uninjured-Chelsea team not being able to overcome Bolton (and with Bolton playing with a depleted squad at that!). Glad I went and played golf with the old lady yesterday, and did not have to suffer through the Chelsea game in real time.

Glory55, you must be into Haiku, based on your writing style.

I am remarkably calm about this matter, and have come to the realization that this is just ManU's season, and that they deserve the title based on their play. Further, it is clear to me that Fergie's game tactics have outshined JM's over this season, though that is no fault of JM's but rather is praise for Fergie. Let's just hope that JM's tactics bear fruit come Tuesday and for the FA Cup final.

OK, I will have to watch the game for a 3rd time, and see if you are correct. I guess having a quiet game as a holding midfielder is a good thing.

Oh, I do like Steve Bennet, almost as much as Rob Styles. They rarely screw us badly.

I have to disagree about Maka. The reaon why you did not see him much was because he did a "Ballack" and vanished from the play for huge parts of the game. I was very disappointed in his performance, and thought he did very little right.

That's true. After his mugging at St. James Park on one of our corners, I don't blame him one bit!

I saw a replay of the cross to Crouch where he crashes into Peta Cech, and a foul is called on Crouch, and he gives a look of "WHAT, I DID NOTHING BUT JUMP FOR THE BALL." It was a foul by Cech in my opinion, but what was interesting was behind that mess between Cech and Crouch, you can see JT wrapping his arms around Kuyt and bringing him to the ground. That "Carvalho-type" play is something I would never see JT do in the past, and it worries me, since, to me, it was a clear penalty!