Call that a bollocking ? 

Haha maybe not coco...maybe a telling off then :)

Can we give a shout out to Drogba for taking one for the team and kicking the ball away from the goal kick. What a legend, that was superb.

By their recent standards. I thought the ref had a really good game.

I don't know what the bigger Easter miracle was, Jesus returning from the dead or us getting our first Premier League penalty of the year.

So did cudicini...it's just good business sense I'm afraid...understand the affection for Pete...he's been awesome for us...but courtois is 10 years younger and can be around for a long, long time...club have made their decision and some of you need to accept it...I don't want to get into a well Pete fcuked up on this goal type conversation cos he's done far more good for us over the years than bad - just like Courtois this season..how soon people forget his heroics in both legs against Liverpool in league cup semi final or v west ham which helped secure massive 1-0 win for example...or the many saves he did against hull which were forgotten cos of hulls second.

Will be interested to know if the same people blaming Courtois for yesterday's goal, also blamed the keepers on the receiving end of similar lobs from long range by becks, Rooney, Figueroa and so on...also occurred to me that one of the reasons he's so far out of his box is cos of lack of pace of JT and Cahill and concern of the ball over the top...And as for the hull goal, Ivanovic was just as to blame for that for such a poor back pass...

Not saying Courtois is completely without fault, but don't think he's done enough wrong to be dropped either..

 

Nor did Cech, and he was still dropped...

 

Don't really get that 'you need to accept it' line. No one would say Willian is first choice and you just have to accept it. Yes the club have made their decision but that doesn't necessarily make it the right one. This, after all, is a club who hired Rafa Benitez. I'm still not convinced Courtois is an upgrade on Cech and there's nothing wrong with questioning the club's decision. Courtois has a lot to live up to.

Can we give a shout out to Drogba for taking one for the team and kicking the ball away from the goal kick. What a legend, that was superb.

Haha yes, typical Dids, thought it was great.

No, I think Drogba's action was incredibly stupid.  It was asking for the referee to add on twice as much time as it took to retake the goal kick as it would have if he had done nothing.

 

I have no idea what he was thinking, and he really should not be on the pitch again for us, unless Remy suffers an injury and Solanke and Bamford should play before Mourinho even thinks about putting Drogba back on the pitch for another appearance.

Edited April 6, 201511 yr by Phillip

Nor did Cech, and he was still dropped...

 

Don't really get that 'you need to accept it' line. No one would say Willian is first choice and you just have to accept it. Yes the club have made their decision but that doesn't necessarily make it the right one. This, after all, is a club who hired Rafa Benitez. I'm still not convinced Courtois is an upgrade on Cech and there's nothing wrong with questioning the club's decision. Courtois has a lot to live up to.

But more than any position on the pitch, the no1 goalkeeper is the one clubs pick for the long-term, that's what I mean about accepting it....chelsea have made their decision that Courtois is the long term choice...Cech will leave in the summer...I know you're not happy about it, but nothing's going to change...every legend needs replacing at some point...could be argued Cech's time has been cut short a bit too early, but Jose is employed to make tough decisions and he gets more Right than wrong

No, I think Drogba's action was incredibly stupid.  It was asking for the referee to add on twice as much time as it took to retake the goal kick as it would have if he had done nothing.

 

I have no idea what he was thinking, and he really should not be on the pitch again for us, unless Remy suffers an injury and Solanke and Bamford should play before Mourinho even thinks about putting Drogba back on the pitch for another appearance.

 

Like you I was a bit perturb by DD's antics. However, I don't think Middlesbrough will give up Bamford. He has been an important cog in their attack. However next season I would love to see him in the #3 striker role.

I wouldn't say what Drogba did was great. If the opposition did that whilst we were a goal down we'd all be livid. Isn't needed. There was 20 seconds left.

I wouldn't say what Drogba did was great. If the opposition did that whilst we were a goal down we'd all be livid. Isn't needed. There was 20 seconds left.

Oh yeah I'd be spitting feathers if it was the other way round. Just like when Tibo clutches the ball and falls to the ground... All good when he does it but if another keeper does it then it's unsportsmanlike.

But I'm okay with being fickle.

I thought Drogba's action was totally calculated. It resulted in wasted time - the ref blew almost immediateLy after the goal kick - and made sure some of the Stoke players got wound up and consequently distracted. Nicely done in the name of professionalism and ensuring a result in my opinion. I, for one, appreciated it.

I thought Drogba's action was totally calculated. It resulted in wasted time - the ref blew almost immediateLy after the goal kick - and made sure some of the Stoke players got wound up and consequently distracted. Nicely done in the name of professionalism and ensuring a result in my opinion. I, for one, appreciated it.

Oh, and regarding Tibo. Neck and neck with Cech in terms of brilliance I reckon - both capable of a wobble (see De Gea et al) - but Tibo's the long term investment.

What Drogs did, he did for the team. Smart move and calculated.

 

What I did like is the 3 points.

 

What I didn't like is that although we did control most of the game, our inability to ship is not bringing much confidence.

 

There are some 8 games to go and our nearest competition is only 7 points behind. It isn't much considering we do have some tough matches ahead. Actually, the way we are playing, I would venture to say, all our remaining matches are tough - nothing is given.

I actually thought we played very well vs. Stoke. After a long time. Keep up this form and the title will be ours.

Most people will remember this match for Charlie Adam's goal - I will remember what he did to Cesc - I guess he did get his nose broken, but nothing was said about this incident

/\ Disgraceful!

Was at the game but was really disappointed with the sound effects on Sky's coverage. Watched it back in HD and the sound of the crowd was not great, yet I know it was great from being there. Palace game on last night, they get between 500 and a 1000 in the corner of the ground and Sky make it sound like 40,000. Anyone else on here that was at the game?

Yeah but it's okay, Glenn Hoddle said he hasn't meant to "do him".

This also a man who said Charlie Adams shot has "swazzle" on it

Disgusting how nothing's been made of that, lead with the arm and did fabregas. Yet no constant replays in sky, no mention in the press etc.

 

I can probably predict a few of the responses and who will make them, but I'll be honest and say that if I'm in Adam's position I'm putting my arm up as well to protect the moneymaker.

 

You can see Cesc trying to get his arm up to protect himself but doesn't manage it in time. Adam has form for being a dirty barstard but this one is just one of those things that happens in sport and people will probably see what they want to see.

Edited April 8, 201511 yr by Blue Daze

Adam's arm is out long before showing intent, aimed and with momentum, there can be no excusing such a blatant action. If Costa had...