Dblue

Was there that day-and Nevin's run is one of my most cherished memories. Watching from the Shed in front of the Tea bar Pat picked it up no more than 6 yards from our goal line, beat a couple of defenders immediately a one two with Kerry on half way then continued drifting past a more helpless Newcastle players and ended up hanging a cross to the far post where I think it was headed out for a corner.. We've had so many wonderful days in the last 20+ years but that season is still my favourite when taken as a whole. Saw 44 games including 2 reserve matches, 5-0 to start, 5-0 to finish, a new group of heroes from nothing really, fantastic away days all season (Man City on a Friday night my favourite I think) great foootball, fantastic atmosphere all year really.

Well it depends on how creative the accounting is but fundamentally its related to income - and that can accrue from year to year. Chelsea could probably fund a £100m NET spend in any normal year - a year with no spend should give enough twice that net,

Exactly - Pedro and possibly Willian gone next summer. Of course the club may go large in the market next summer as well and they are going to have a BIG budget

Very early days for Pulisic - No need for any concern, he really has all the goods to be a big star. Because he went to Dortmund he got into 1st team action very early, as you can in that league so at just 21 he's got quite a bit of experience at a high level. In some ways he's been a little unfortunate in his timing, arriving just as Chelsea have, owing to several factors coming together at the same time, finally given our very talented bunch of kids a fair go. They are an outstanding group of young players all around CPs own age and Lampard has for the moment favoured them a little ahead of Pulisic but that is not something to be too worried about. There's a load of games to play and he looks likely to be at worst first change and he'll get plenty of starts. Chelsea's group of attacking midfielders is pretty strong now, Hazard has gone but Mount,CHO,Willian,Pedro and Pulisic and not forgetting Ruben Loftus Cheek is some roster and only 3 at most can play at one time.

I think Fabregas is more likely to feature in games where we are faced with unpicking a deep lying defence (Possibly Watford at the weekend) rather than high intensity local derbies. Creatively we need to be a little better though West Ham defend well so nothing to fret about yet

Spot on summary I think. Very encouraging indeed on a fair few levels. Don Antonio looks like a top choice by the club.Eden is back, Kante fits like a glove and the defence had a cigar on against Carroll for once! And the increased intensity on the pitch (the pressing was superb) matched by the crowd. No great surprise that we all react to the way the team is doing but it was very noisy for just about the entire game. MHL stood throughout which is always a sign the crowd is up for it, carrying on from the Spurs game last year it seemed.

Lanzini is not available, at the olympics i think, Payet not really match fit. Carroll is the issue we have, always struggle to contain him.

Its a nonsense comment and entirely typical of him TBH Last week he , quite rightly, pointed out that we were unlikely to drop many points in the run in. This week after they have a decent win he's all snidey French arrogance again. Its amazing how often Fans and Players base their entire opinion of what sort of team we are on the way we set up against them alone. One of JMs best qualities is a variety of game plans but they just can't grasp it it seems. I love us being unleashed and going for it but I'm more than happy to play rope-a-dope and pick off an opponent on the counter too. Seems Samir hasn't been watching all our games this year and assumes we are only what he's seen in our head to heads. Like most of his clubs fans as well.

City have done something similar that I've seen with a moving spot light and the full Blue Moon backing track. I am liking the effect though, looks great and certainly adds to the build up. They need to cut Blue is the Colour a little, just before Kick Off rather than just after IMO would be better.

Not for me. Of our big rivals they rank miles behind Spurs,Arsenal and Liverpool. but it would be great if they all missed out on CL. Hope the Saints stay in there so that at most one of them gets the place.

1. How happy were you with the transfer window and are you stronger as a result of it? Happy enough with the business. Not quite the sea change signing we saw in the summer but I believe its strengthened us. We all liked Andre though and as an impact sub he was very effective. Cuadrado more likely to play with Willian playing "10" i expect. 2. Which area do you believe needs strengthening the most if any? Great first 11 but the no cover for Cesc and OK ish cover for Diego. Difficult to have top line back ups of course who are happy to sit on the bench but Fabregas is unique in our squad right now as a playmaker. 3. Many believe you're clear favourites for the title do you share their sentiments? Yes, I think it's ours to lose. We have negotiated all but 1 of our toughest away games and there's little travelling left to do. only 3 trips outside London left. If we increase the gap any further its all over. 4. Favourite game Chelsea have played in so far this season? I liked Swansea away, the first 45 mins against West ham was sumptuous, as good as i have seen us play possibly ever. In fact we've had a series of brilliant halfs this year but rarely been all out for the whole game. the 6-3 at your place at the start of the season was a wonderful game to watch too even if we never really had any control. 5. Do you think Lukaku will turn out to be a good bit of business for us or did Mourhino see us coming? Looking right now as a blinding bit of business for us (Again! ) His limitations as a link player are obvious and for a player of such prodigious physical gifts he doesn't really o it enough. But he's young , plenty of time for him to develop. 6. Will we there be repeat of the 6-3 'basketball' game we saw in August or a much tighter affair? Well you haven't conceded a goal in ages and we are without Cesc and Diego (I expect) I imagine a much tighter game. 7. What do you think has gone wrong this season for Everton? Early on your central defenders were in terrible form and you seemed to drop in confidence. Lukaku has been a bit disappointing and key players like Barry and Baines are maybe just dropping off in form. You are pretty predictable as RM is a dogmatic coach (Wenger/Pellegrini) rather than a pragmatic one (Mourinho) So you never change the pattern of play. 8. Do you rate any of Everton's players, if so which one(s)? lots of them. Baines and Coleman are class, Naismith is very underrated. until his recent antics I have always rated Mirallas. You are way better than your current league position suggests. 9. What are your chances of winning the Champions League? Last 4 but not quite as good the very best I suspect. We have a chance though. 10. Predictions for the game against us this Wednesday? 2-1 CFC

Redcafe and Everton Forums are always worth a look, think its fair to say that Utd Fans in general have dealt with CFCs emergence to the very top of the game better than fans of the other big red clubs. Never post on the other forums as it is always likely to end in an argument. Bluemoon is not too bad but this year the insecurities of them realising they may be outmatched is seeing more paranoid rantings when discussing CFC. RAWK is hilarious, its like reading the chuntering of some cult followers and they absolutely hate us with a vengance ( ) Feeling pretty mutual TBH. Always have a look at teams we are about to play or have just played, especially if we have a good win, Interesting to see how they see us. Always fun looking at QPRs bitter , envious and pikey like venom