This is tough, my feelings are really conflicted. Maybe part of the truth is that Chelsea is a truly modern football club. There's little room for sentiment in pursuit of success. Maybe Jose did shackle the team - would he have allowed Azpi and Ivan to get forward as they did in the first 15/20 minutes of this match? Maybe the players were genuinely p*ssed off with the tactical approach and the way that defence even against sides like Sunderland seemed to be the first consideration?

 

Fabregas looks a different player, he's controlling that midfield, Oscar has been all over the place, Pedro has looked good, we've got players into the box to support Costa

 

I haven't seen Costa drift out to the side even once.

 

I'm not waiting for Jose's book - I'm waiting for JT's because I think he might tell us the truth. 

 

btw - getting Drogba involved today (even in the stands) was a masterstroke from Abramovich. Lots of fans have been saying Jose personified Chelsea - I would say Drogba personifies Chelsea. He's not even sullied by flirting with Man City! 

It's pretty much the case of Jose picked the team just before his departure, used the same old tactics, and somehow the players decided to show up for once. We could not even play simple 1-2 in the last few games, now we are just doing it for fun. We really should be 3 up at least with a half decent striker, Costa to me it's just not interested or just dead slow. Only concern for this game it's Sunderland made it too easy for us so far, players will get complacent. Let's make it 3 early in the second half so we could move on to the next game

I think Mourinho had lost respect from the players, and subconsciously they weren't putting in the extra effort that Mourinho requires from his teams.

I don't think we have done much different tactically, but it does look like a huge cloud has been lifted from some of the players, Oscar especially who has been the best player on the pitch.

Hope we keep this up going forward.

Branna is like a new player... Maybe they didn't get along

Nope same old ivanovic for me.can't cross for white.as for the looking up to the heavens then pumping his chest after scoring? I hope he's one of the first out the door.

Someone mentioned the fear of making misakes in front of Jose and i am one with that. Especially on players like Oscar,Pedro etc. and probaly Hazard too.

But one thing haven´t changed. Costa! Pls sub him off.

 

Costa just isn't a great footballer, he never has been. He is all about getting on the end of crosses, having good movement and his clinical finishing, none of that has been there for him this season though. Without it, he is useless. I think it's time he was dropped for someone who is actually a better all round footballer. Remy has more to his game outside of the area than Costa has so i think it's time he had a run of games, he's well overdue a run in my opinion.

Under Mourinho, Oscar was still trying his hardest. He worked his ass off with the tracking back game Mourinho likes to see of all of his players. The problem is, when Oscar plays that way, his attcking play suffers greatly.

Exchange Oscars name for Hazard, Pedro, Cesc and it's the same. I really wish Jose wouldve relaxed on this, but if thats his philosophy its his philosophy

I think you know what I meant in my previous post.

I think Mourinho had lost respect from the players, and subconsciously they weren't putting in the extra effort that Mourinho requires from his teams.

I don't think we have done much different tactically, but it does look like a huge cloud has been lifted from some of the players, Oscar especially who has been the best player on the pitch.

Hope we keep this up going forward.

I hope it was subconsciously Big Blue

Sunderland were poor in that half. But Tbf, we didn't give them a minute and they didn't have any sort of possession for the first 25 mins.

Dont think much of the fans calling Chelsea players rats and saying the players let us down and Jose down. I think they should watch badminton instead if they cant get into a football team. Maybe they like supporting individuals more.

Lukaku scored again today - on the radio earlier they said that if he scored today that'd be 8 games in a row. The last time an Everton player did that was 1954!

Just seen all those signs made by fans, embarrassing. Pure hear say regarding player revolts etc. Why not wait for the facts before digging players out

what a goal by harry kane !!

will we still go for teixera in jan i wonder? please not adebayor lol

Does Drogba speak Russian now or Roman could speak English? I hope Drogba's visit today it's not an one off, we need a legend to help out the team. Just watched a few highlights from other games, do referees only give penalties in non-Chelsea games? The crystal palace penalty was soft as Tofu.

as for the looking up to the heavens then pumping his chest after scoring? I hope he's one of the first out the door.

 

Bizarre.

sunderland were sh*t first half! Maticand Brana seems to have learned how to play football again if players were not giving 100% before they don't deserve to pull on the shirt!!

Exchange Oscars name for Hazard, Pedro, Cesc and it's the same. I really wish Jose wouldve relaxed on this, but if thats his philosophy its his philosophy

 

But sometimes you need to change your style and adapt to the way the game is now. Football changes quickly, what worked for Mourinho 10 years ago isn't going to work anymore. The best managers find new ways of setting their team up, i was desperate for Mourinho to come up with something new this season, but he didn't change anything.

I hope it was subconsciously Big Blue

I don't think world class players get to where they are by not having that personnel drive to compete in every game they play.

I will always love Mourinho, but something wasn't right. They're is nothing to be gained by resenting the players for his dismissal imo. Best just getting behind the team.

Still no Remy on the pitch?

Flicks the ball into the centre and Costa is out wide

I don't think world class players get to where they are by not having that personnel drive to compete in every game they play.

I will always love Mourinho, but something wasn't right. They're is nothing to be gained by resenting the players for his dismissal imo. Best just getting behind the team.

I always thought they weren't deliberately underperforming, but what with all the talk and today's vast improvement I'm very confused

First pen!!!! 

we got a penalty ?!?!?!

Pen