What did people make of Yuri Zhirkov? Was quite happy when we signed him but he literally had no impact on the team in my opinion

I don't think he got a fair chance here, I liked him as a player. I loved the goal he scored in the CL absolute screamer!

Torres is the reason Chelsea didnt win the league for 5 years.

Everyone in this mad scramble by the corner flag. Apart from the number 11 of course

Lol! I don't know how he got away with that!  Especially as the linesman was right there!

Torres is the reason Chelsea didnt win the league for 5 years.

Not true at all, we didn't win the league for five years because our squad didn't have enough quality

Torres is the reason Chelsea didnt win the league for 5 years.

 

After Sunday, Mikel. Lost Gerrard way to easily for their goal.

After Sunday, Mikel. Lost Gerrard way to easily for their goal.

 

As did Cahill. Seemed like a communication error rather than either of them being poor at marking. They both have an eye on Gerrard, then both peel off to track Lovren, when it should have been one or the other. One shout from either one of them and the goal doesn't happen. Then again I suppose it was a stupid foul to give away in the first place (I think it was Ivanovic). Nobody comes out of that one looking good really.

As did Cahill. Seemed like a communication error rather than either of them being poor at marking. They both have an eye on Gerrard, then both peel off to track Lovren, when it should have been one or the other. One shout from either one of them and the goal doesn't happen. Then again I suppose it was a stupid foul to give away in the first place (I think it was Ivanovic). Nobody comes out of that one looking good really.

 

Don't we man-mark in those areas. JT is on Lambert at the front post, Ivanovic is on Skrtl in the middle, Luis is on Lallana in front of Courtois, Cahill is on Lovren at the back stick and Mikel is on Gerrard who starts close to the penalty spot but simply loses him.

 

No communication error is there?

After Sunday, Mikel.

 

Only after Sunday ?

Only after Sunday ?

 

Good point.

 

After Sunday I was reminded that Mikel is always that player.

 

Fortunately I think we saw not only the reason Mikel will be replaced, but also the player who will replace him. The crowd sung Ruben's name louder than they have sung Mikel's all season and I think this might actually be the summer that he goes.

Don't we man-mark in those areas. JT is on Lambert at the front post, Ivanovic is on Skrtl in the middle, Luis is on Lallana in front of Courtois, Cahill is on Lovren at the back stick and Mikel is on Gerrard who starts close to the penalty spot but simply loses him.

 

No communication error is there?

 

At the beginning, yes. Then Gerrard slips in behind Mikel, between Lovren and Cahill, while Lovren moves towards the centre, he is at that point unmarked. When the ball comes in they are both on Gerrard (Mikel slightly closer to Lovren), and then both go to intercept Lovren who has drifted to the centre of the penalty box. Gerrard gets behind both of them and nods it in. Mikel and Cahill then turn to each other and exchange the 'what the f**k' look.

 

Admittedly it was great movement from Gerrard, but neither of them have successfully tracked their mannobody comes out of that looking good.

The crowd sung Ruben's name louder than they have sung Mikel's all season

 

It didn't matter how either of them played, this was always going to be the case.

Edited May 13, 201511 yr by Stim

At the beginning, yes. Then Gerrard slips in behind Mikel, between Lovren and Cahill, while Lovren moves towards the centre, he is at that point unmarked. When the ball comes in they are both on Gerrard (Mikel slightly closer to Lovren), and then both go to intercept Lovren who has drifted to the centre of the penalty box. Gerrard gets behind both of them and nods it in. Mikel and Cahill then turn to each other and exchange the 'what the f**k' look.

 

Admittedly it was great movement from Gerrard, but neither of them have successfully tracked their mannobody comes out of that looking good.

 

Mikel's man is Gerrard, Cahill's is Lovren. Mikel loses Gerrard. Gerrard scores.

 

Cahill never actually loses track of Lovren (his man) and goes with him until he notices that the ball is going to the back post and Mikel has lost Gerrard completely. Cahill isn't at fault in the slightest.

 

Gerrard's movement is excellent, but there's no excuse for Mikel being 6 feet away from his man when he heads the ball.

It was weird to hear that on Sunday's Man City v QPR match SWP was subbed on in the second half and was greeted with a heroes welcome by Man City supporters including a standing ovation but was booed and jeered by the QPhaha supporters