First MOTM of the season - just like last season I will log all results and provide an analysis at the end of the season (and maybe an interim one around Christmas time)

I didn't think anyone was really outstanding mainly due to how poor we were in the 1st half so it is really a choice between a few players who played well and for me Carvalho gets the nod. Even without the goal I thought he was our only defender who looked comfortable throughout and it makes a mockery of the idea of selling him.

I am posting this before the penalty shoot out.

I voted Ballack, for his excellent penalty kick, but more-so for his getting under that worm Evra's skin.

Same as Phillip, Ballack wound Evra up so much it was hilarious, and that body check was excellent! His penalty was the best of the lot, and I'm sure it was Ballack's influence that made Evra f*ck up his pen. :(

Same as Phillip, Ballack wound Evra up so much it was hilarious, and that body check was excellent! His penalty was the best of the lot, and I'm sure it was Ballack's influence that made Evra f*ck up his pen. :(

I think so too. Although I voted for Malouda who was easily the best midfielder on the pitch today. Great to see he hasn't lost his form.

Carvalho for me. A good goal, great determination and mostly flawless in defense.

That being said, no one stood out the whole game. Cech had some good saves, but fluffed it for their 1st, Lamps was lively and scored a good goal, but he was invisible most of the first half, A. Cole took care of Valencia and went forward well, but he was passes one too many times, etc.

Ballack lookes well, though. The way he riled up Evra, while keeping his Teutonic cool was a pleasure to watch.

I've gone for Ricky, let's hope he stays fit.

Lampard gets the totty vote.

Malouda for me, despite the sliced volley on his good foot, when he should've made the keeper work.

He was positive throughout and looked like the one player able to find space and make things happen. I think the return to a more aerodynamic hairstyle also added a yard to his pace!

Edited August 9, 200916 yr by High Street Ken

Vote to Malouda from me, starting how he finished last season by the looks of things. Great game by many though, well, at least the second half.

Who needs that 'Marquee'!

Vote to Malouda from me, starting how he finished last season by the looks of things. Great game by many though, well, at least the second half.

Who needs that 'Marquee'!

We do! I still think we are going to need 'something extra'. On a wide pitch against a team that is attacking us is one thing but there are going to be at least ten teams that come to SB this season with no desire other than to put ten men behind the ball and play for the 0-0 and going on what im seeing i think we will struggle to break them down.

Anyway, Malouda for me too. Could he actually be a decent player after all?

Dare i say it, but its looking so. Good on him.

Riiii......cardo.... oh oh.

Anyway, Malouda for me too. Could he actually be a decent player after all?

Dare i say it, but its looking so. Good on him.

Holy sh*t bjd You had many beers today? I thought I'd never hear it!

Yep I voted Malouda today as well. He showed some strength in his challenges for once that I have not seen before plus his running was more direct than it had been under Scolari. Guus deserves credit for bringing Flo out of his shell and Carlo looks like he's going to ensure that continues

Afta watching that match i was stoked to see Ricky on the scoreboard. The biggest reason the media said he wants to leave because he got injured last season.He still is one of the best CB in the world and with JT and Alex as cover we are looking damm strong.

anelka for me

he was always willing to have a go and was close on a couple of occasions. cech should have saved both goals but he had a good game apart from that (not sure you can ignore the fact he should have saved them though)

lamps was disappointing even though he scored lol

Edited August 9, 200916 yr by sexelk

Couldn't vote for Ballack on the strength of a bodycheck! Essien had a powerful game and could have scored, he gets my vote. Mikel still doesn't impress me as a DM and I think I've just gone into autoburble mode,sorry.

It has to be Carvalho for me. He didn't lose possession (unfortunately can't say that abound almost all the others), and he scored the goal that got us back into the match.

I hope that he stays fit this season, because he is the best defensive player we have (not accounting for leadership skills), who rarely makes a mistake.

I went for Cole, just because I thought he was always trying to get forward and looked pretty solid. Also for the fact that he took the ball off Valencia pretty much as he took his first touch, then held him off before he got fouled, that made me smile.

Percy

Cech for making the penalty shootout look like a walkover........

.....oh wait....it was a walkover....;)

Voted for Cech. Apart from the penalty shoot out, he made a couple of excellent saves in the first half to keep us in the game.

cech for me, he could of done better for there first goal but he pulled off a few fine saves which kept us in it, and his saves in the shoot out just edged it over riccy for me

lamps was disappointing even though he scored lol

Where as Gerrard piss and moans about being played out of position, Lamps just gets on with him and plays for the benefit of the team. That said, he doesn't benefit the team where he's playing... but he'll do his best to adapt and not play ickle ol 'but sir, he's pwaying me in the wong position' to the media.

voted for Cech.

Cole and Riccy had a good game.

Just watched the highlights , Voted for Cech but i thought Drogba was outstanding . Applause for Ashley too , proved he's the best full back in the world.

Drogba. Absolutely delighted he has signed a new deal.

Slightly worrying that Ivanovich again looked as comfortable at right back as Bopara does batting at no:3 against quality bowling.

PS: the next time Ballack has to take a penno would should let all the oppo players stand on the line to try and stop the ball. He'd still bang it away.