Not a surprise that we win with a brand new signing. The team needed that and something we should've done during summer. It doesn't matter if you have the best 11 in the world, you have to constantly refresh to motivate them. Jose said that at the end of last season and somehow the board sat on their arse.

Has anyone got a vine of the red card?

I want to see it again.

 

Sky pundits are saying it was a deserved red. (Redknapp w**ker) 

 

 

http://streamable.com/v3f4?t=0.0

 

It's still a red card for me. Terry DOES pull him.........that right there is asking for trouble, even if the player goes down easily. If it's the other end we all scream penalty.

Also think a back four of stones, zouma, azpi and baba look good but they're too young and inexperienced. Azpi will be the veteran in that group.

My personal opinion this wasn't a red card. It was a foul, but not red card. Rondon wasn't scoring that chance.

 

Doesn't matter if you think he isn't scoring that, the point is that Terry denied a goal scoring opportunity. He had to go sadly.

Despite the fact I want to believe it wasn't a red, it absolutely was. If the same happened to Costa and we didn't get the red card we'd be furious- Terry got in front of him with his arm across and caused him to fall. He probably exaggerated it but you expect that and we would want one of our players to do the same

Even Falcao was today approached in the same way by a defender (like Terry with Rondon) and Falcao didn't get even a foul.

 

You could argue that technically it's a foul. But so many defenders resort to that kind of defending, it's pretty normal and referees almost never call it. If you keep that in mind it's pretty harsh on JT.

Big win, and we kept pushing for a goal until the last 5, definitely think that was the right call.

Enjoy reading through player rating posts, so here's my go at one:

Courtois - 7/10 - not at fault for either goal, good penalty save, and a few big catches late on.

Ivanovic - 3/10 - three poor games on the trot. At fault for both goals, constantly losing his man. I can appreciate he's one of our leaders, our vice-captain, but this can't go on. Our right side has been battered every game so far, something has to change.

Terry - 5/10 - solid first half, a soft foul for his sending off, but probably just the right call.

Zouma - 5/10 - a few big clearances, but looked shaky with the ball at his feet on the slippery surface, and should've been closer to JT before the sending off.

Azpilicueta - 7/10 - largely solid defensively. Stopped most crossing opportunities on the left. Cracking goal too, great to see him commit forward.

Matic - 5/10 - clumsy penalty conceded, and switched off and lost Morrisson for the second. Otherwise a relatively solid game, but two big mistakes.

Fabregas - 5/10 - As always, a big part to play getting the ball forward quickly and accurately, and a great second assist on our third goal. But yet again a passenger defensively, which nearly cost us late on.

Hazard - 8/10 - as always, a joy to watch with the ball. Held the ball up so well late on when we needed it, too. Only criticism would be that he should'be scored the chance he made.

Willian - 7/10 - another good game at 10. A big part of every counter attack, his ball control at a sprint is incredible. Just frustrating that his finishing is so poor.

Pedro - 8/10 - looked completely at home. Barely a foot wrong, looks like a great signing.

Costa - 7/10 - much better control up top, and a few big battering-ram runs. Kept possession better than he has been doing too, and a great gamble for the goal.

Cahill and Mikel did what was needed when they came on, too. Still not sure about Falcao. Doesn't look as bad as some make out, but I'm not sure I'll be too confident ahead of his first start. Doesn't look like he's got the pace nor strength to create up top.

All in all, crucial win, and glad to see us play an open game. Ivanovic must be running out of chances, though. Also hope to see Oscar back soon, but for me it'd have to be at the expense of Cesc, and I'm not sure how likely that is

So after seeing the replay of the Terry foul that is just it a foul and MAYBE a Yellow. Terry didn't go to ground or do anything dangerous and it wasn't a totally clear goal scoring opportunity. Terry is stronger than Rondon and he was always going to go down as soon as he felt contact.

I think it was a red but they should have had a second yellow, but Clattenburg what can I say.

I think it was a red looking at it from a different angle on the replay, but they should have had a second yellow, but Clattenburg what can I say.

Great performances from Azpi, Diego and of course Pedro.

Of greater concern is the midfield pairing who at times looked shambolic. Cesc simply cannot play in these away games in that role for much longer. The less said about Ivanovic the better these days.

Still, that's all a bit too negative, it was a great backs to the wall win at a venue we normally struggle at. Hopefully it's the kickstart we need, wouldn't surprise me if come the next match there is a few more changes in personnel too.

So after seeing the replay of the Terry foul that is just it a foul and MAYBE a Yellow. Terry didn't go to ground or do anything dangerous and it wasn't a totally clear goal scoring opportunity. Terry is stronger than Rondon and he was always going to go down as soon as he felt contact.

http://streamable.com/v3f4?t=0.0

 

This shows that the ball was heading straight to Rondon. It can easily be argued that a goal scoring opportunity was denied. I can't stand Clattenburg but i think he got the decision right.

 Who's to blame them when Ramires and Mikel are backups. Signing a new midfielder could change the complexion. 

 

Impressive to find a way to blame Ramires and Mikel for those players poor form. Good work.

DEFENSE ... We need to get back to basics and have a natural left back and right back playing together. It's bloody obvious for all to see!

Unfortunately, Ivan is a Jose untouchable.

Fab is also a Jose untouchable ...

Plus, Jose has laid his cards on the table. Clearly Falcao is the 2nd choice striker over Remy. Poor judgement IMHO.

Big win, and we kept pushing for a goal until the last 5, definitely think that was the right call.

Enjoy reading through player rating posts, so here's my go at one:

Courtois - 7/10 - not at fault for either goal, good penalty save, and a few big catches late on.

Ivanovic - 3/10 - three poor games on the trot. At fault for both goals, constantly losing his man. I can appreciate he's one of our leaders, our vice-captain, but this can't go on. Our right side has been battered every game so far, something has to change.

Terry - 5/10 - solid first half, a soft foul for his sending off, but probably just the right call.

Zouma - 5/10 - a few big clearances, but looked shaky with the ball at his feet on the slippery surface, and should've been closer to JT before the sending off.

Azpilicueta - 7/10 - largely solid defensively. Stopped most crossing opportunities on the left. Cracking goal too, great to see him commit forward.

Matic - 5/10 - clumsy penalty conceded, and switched off and lost Morrisson for the second. Otherwise a relatively solid game, but two big mistakes.

Fabregas - 5/10 - As always, a big part to play getting the ball forward quickly and accurately, and a great second assist on our third goal. But yet again a passenger defensively, which nearly cost us late on.

Hazard - 8/10 - as always, a joy to watch with the ball. Held the ball up so well late on when we needed it, too. Only criticism would be that he should'be scored the chance he made.

Willian - 7/10 - another good game at 10. A big part of every counter attack, his ball control at a sprint is incredible. Just frustrating that his finishing is so poor.

Pedro - 8/10 - looked completely at home. Barely a foot wrong, looks like a great signing.

Costa - 7/10 - much better control up top, and a few big battering-ram runs. Kept possession better than he has been doing too, and a great gamble for the goal.

Cahill and Mikel did what was needed when they came on, too. Still not sure about Falcao. Doesn't look as bad as some make out, but I'm not sure I'll be too confident ahead of his first start. Doesn't look like he's got the pace nor strength to create up top.

All in all, crucial win, and glad to see us play an open game. Ivanovic must be running out of chances, though. Also hope to see Oscar back soon, but for me it'd have to be at the expense of Cesc, and I'm not sure how likely that is

Pretty much spot on in my eyes barring:

Zouma- No way should he have same rating as Matic. He was very impressive after sending off too. 7/10 from me

Hazard - Did not do much of note until late into the game, still underperforming in my eyes. 6/10.

for me i think the decision can go either way, a bit harsh for a sending off but understandable either way if this wasn't a premonition that we need JT's successor i don't what it is

Phew close shave. But 3 points is three points.

Pedro was superb. Can't wait to see he, Hazard and Oscar in the same team.

Tibo  7

Dave 8

Terry 6

Zouma 6

Ivanovic 3

Matic 5

Fabergas 4

Willian 6

Pedro 9

Hazard 7

Costa 7

 

Cahill 6

Mikel 5

Falcao 5

Tibo  7

Dave 8

Terry 6

Zouma 6

Ivanovic 3

Matic 5

Fabergas 4

Willian 6

Pedro 9

Hazard 7

Costa 7

 

Cahill 6

Mikel 5

Falcao 5

For me

 

Tibo - 7, Dave - 8, Terry - 6, Zouma - 8, Ivan - 5 (But needs to GO), Matic - 5, Fabregas - 4, Willian - 3, Pedro - 10, Hazard 7, Costa 8

 

Cahill 7 - wonderful once he came on.

Mikel 6 - 6 is average, he did his job.

Falcao 6 - same as mikel.

Remy needs to leave. He's far too good to be behind an awful player like falcao. Not sure why mourinho doesn't trust him as he's clearly a very good finisher.

For me

 

Tibo - 7, Dave - 8, Terry - 6, Zouma - 8, Ivan - 5 (But needs to GO), Matic - 5, Fabregas - 4, Willian - 3, Pedro - 10, Hazard 7, Costa 8

 

Cahill 7 - wonderful once he came on.

Mikel 6 - 6 is average, he did his job.

Falcao 6 - same as mikel.

At last someone besides myself who thinks Zouma deserves more than a bloody six!

Remy needs to leave. He's far too good to be behind an awful player like falcao. Not sure why mourinho doesn't trust him as he's clearly a very good finisher.

Yeah. Why Remy is not picked is beyond me. He is on excellent form.

Yeah. Why Remy is not picked is beyond me. He is on excellent form.

I dont know either. He did the same last season picking drogba over remy despite remy being better than drogba. If Jose doesn't like him then he needs to sell him. He's miles better than falcao.

Very funny that most of you are rating Matic 5 in today's game just because Coutois saved his blushes. If Morrison had scored that penalty, the most we would have got from todays match is a point and it will be very difficult to get back into the match. I rate Matic -3

If ifs and ands were pots and pans...

Very funny that most of you are rating Matic 5 in today's game just because Coutois saved his blushes. If Morrison had scored that penalty, the most we would have got from todays match is a point and it will be very difficult to get back into the match. I rate Matic -3

It must be great fun being able to see alternative futures ...