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40 minutes ago, Deino said:

A hattrick at Stoke. So, can he do it in the PL?

It wasn't wet, cold, windy or at night so we're yet to know 

I listened to Tony Gale's commentary for the first time in over a year..........he is as bad as ever. The guy really doesn't like us, his commentary is full of bitterness. Any time he does praise us there is a "but" in there. He can't praise us without adding a negative. Also, i have never seen a more over the top reaction to a player going down easy before. Yes, Alonso went down like a wimp, but with the way Tony Gale was going on, you would think it was the first time something like this has ever happened. Another thing he was going on about a lot was the ref not giving a penalty against us when Choupa Moting ran into Cahill when Cahill was on the floor. That was never a penalty in my opinion, Cahill had made the tackle and then as he was trying to get up, Choupa Moting just ran into him.

Tony Gale made more of a big deal about Alonso, the non penalty, and Stoke's defensive mistakes apparently giving us the win. Our ruthlessness, Peter Crouch's dangerous tackle and our defensive display was an after thought.

Just now, Scott Harris said:

I listened to Tony Gale's commentary for the first time in over a year..........he is as bad as ever. The guy really doesn't like us, his commentary is full of bitterness. Any time he does praise us there is a "but" in there. He can't praise us without adding a negative. Also, i have never seen a more over the top reaction to a player going down easy before. Yes, Alonso went down like a wimp, but with the way Tony Gale was going on, you would think it was the first time something like this has ever happened. Another thing he was going on about a lot was the ref not giving a penalty against us when Choupa Moting ran into Cahill when Cahill was on the floor. That was never a penalty in my opinion, Cahill had made the tackle and then as he was trying to get up, Choupa Moting just ran into him.

Tony Gale made more of a big deal about Alonso, the non penalty, and Stoke's defensive mistakes apparently giving us the win. Our ruthlessness, Peter Crouch's dangerous tackle and our defensive display was an after thought.

Yep, he was unbelievable, as he always is.

And before I found a stream, I had 5live on. Pat Murphy just sounded utterly pissed off at having to report on our first two goals. Ruined his day.

34 minutes ago, mojo said:

Morata's 2nd

Looking back on it again, this goal was Messi-esque

10 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I listened to Tony Gale's commentary for the first time in over a year..........he is as bad as ever. The guy really doesn't like us, his commentary is full of bitterness. Any time he does praise us there is a "but" in there. He can't praise us without adding a negative. Also, i have never seen a more over the top reaction to a player going down easy before. Yes, Alonso went down like a wimp, but with the way Tony Gale was going on, you would think it was the first time something like this has ever happened. Another thing he was going on about a lot was the ref not giving a penalty against us when Choupa Moting ran into Cahill when Cahill was on the floor. That was never a penalty in my opinion, Cahill had made the tackle and then as he was trying to get up, Choupa Moting just ran into him.

Tony Gale made more of a big deal about Alonso, the non penalty, and Stoke's defensive mistakes apparently giving us the win. Our ruthlessness, Peter Crouch's dangerous tackle and our defensive display was an after thought.

That's because Tony gale is a c**t.

Not exactly a nail biter but tense enough the whole time we were 2-0 up. Fabregas and Hazard had the skill to help put us out of sight, although Stoke probably deserved a goal for their efforts.

Morata's second goal was exquisite, a top golfer would be proud if that chip (even if he was unmarked!). Excellent defence and great to see the two new lads showing we are stronger there now than in recent years, not forgetting that Kurt is on loan. Of course Azpi was brilliant and Cahill steady when he came on.

Bakayoko lost too much ball - as did Willian - but settled down in the second half. A very good move to take Alonso off as he had a head on him that could have easily seen red.

Morata's ball and Morata's day.

24 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I listened to Tony Gale's commentary for the first time in over a year..........he is as bad as ever. The guy really doesn't like us, his commentary is full of bitterness. Any time he does praise us there is a "but" in there. He can't praise us without adding a negative. Also, i have never seen a more over the top reaction to a player going down easy before. Yes, Alonso went down like a wimp, but with the way Tony Gale was going on, you would think it was the first time something like this has ever happened. Another thing he was going on about a lot was the ref not giving a penalty against us when Choupa Moting ran into Cahill when Cahill was on the floor. That was never a penalty in my opinion, Cahill had made the tackle and then as he was trying to get up, Choupa Moting just ran into him.

Tony Gale made more of a big deal about Alonso, the non penalty, and Stoke's defensive mistakes apparently giving us the win. Our ruthlessness, Peter Crouch's dangerous tackle and our defensive display was an after thought.

He's only repeating the attitude he finds here amongst the Fans.

No arguments with that performance! Great to see the back 3 (sans Luiz) soak up a tonne of pressure and hold out. Lethal once Hazard and Fab came on and we could of had 6. Baka and Kante destroyed the midfield as well, both can improve on possession (especially Baka) but we've already seen how much better Kante has become under conte.

Final praise reserved for Azpi who put in a captains performance at the back and chipped in with two assists to boot. No questions on MOTM, Morata making the club his own - looks happy, hungry and lethal.

 

Should have been 6-0 

 

Willian is regularly putting in terrible performances. No decision making, losing possession, misplacing passes. Dear god. Ever since that Burnley match it has been a recurring theme. 

 

Hazard/Fab/Morata is a delight to watch, excellent link up play. 

 

Alonso cannot defend for all his attacking prowess. 

 

Bakayoko had an off day, maybe it was the car accident, no idea to be honest. But he was underperforming. 

Navigated through this potentially tricky fixture and did it well. 

Morata and Azpi were  both great 

Babayoko seemed off today. 

3 points, clean sheet and a Morata hat-trick.  Well done Chelsea. 

10 minutes ago, zes said:

Bakayoko had an off day, maybe it was the car accident, no idea to be honest. But he was underperforming. 

Probably had his mind occupied, I mean anyone being involved in an accident no matter how minor and recently to boot has a lot to deal with eg. insurance etc, not to mention that he's still a young foreigner in a different country

Let's see if they give us a 90 second slot on MOTD with a bland review of our 0-4 and then talk for half an hour about man u's 0-1 

Only saw about 20 mins, trying to watch on my phone on a train, missed all the goals. :(

What I like about this team is when we have a bad game we bounce back with a result, that's why I think we will win the league again. 

I think we were brilliant today. From the line-up, to the tactics, to the performances (by most). GC and Cesc deserved to be out of the starting 11, and they were. 

Performance-wise, we were ruthless. Got an early goal and sat on it. Frustrated stoke, and waited for them to make the smallest of the errors and then pounced on it.

Tibo - Great in the air, which was not easy given shaqiri's deliveries. 8/10

Azpi - Great positioning, great game from Mr. Consistent. Got a couple of assists too, if I am not wrong. What a player!!! 10/10

Andreas - Never had a doubt that he would be a great. He has everything that is needed from a ball-playing defender wth none of the unnecessary risks and recklessness. Good positioning, great tackling and understands the game and the position so well. Would not be a surprise if he displaces DL by the end of the season. 9/10

Rudi - Just like the other 2 CBs on the pitch today, he was great too. His job was probably the toughest given that alonso seemed so off today. Did not let alonso get bossed by diouf as easily as he was by belerrin. 9/10

Moses - Decent performance. Wasteful again in the opponent's box. Seriously needs to up his output, but have to say, that he is getting better and better defensively. 7/10

Kante - Endless energy. Just like Azpi, his performance is just a repeat of his last performance. 8/10

Bakayoko - We have a serious talent on our hands. Passing, tackling, positioning. Just seems to have all of it. 8/10

Alonso - 2nd consecutive poor game in my opinion. Was getting bossed by diouf. And to be honest, was so lucky to stay on the pitch. Need him at his best for the coming week. 2/10

Pedro - Poor in possession, poor on the ball, but very clinical. to be fair, would not mind musonda to be given a shot a couple of games. 6/10

Willian - I am a big fan of willian, but something seems off with him. He used to lose the ball, but I remember so many times when he would keep chasing the ball until he won it back. The number of times, willian just stood around after losing the ball was a matter of worry. I hope he gets back to his best as we will need him, but cant wait for hazard to displace him at the moment. 4/10

Morata - Was superb today. So clinical and a couple really slick finishes. Hope this is the first of many. 10/10

Subs:

Cahill - Decent outing. Looks far more comfortable as a RCB. If luiz comes back, would not mind a Azpi-Andreas-Luiz instead of playing GC on the wrong foot as that seems to get the worst out of him. 7/10

Cesc - The way stoke were playing, was not surprised how easily he found balls behind their defence. 7/10

Hazard - Looked so lively. Brought in some needed energy to the forward line after the very average/poor showing by pedro and willian. Cant wait for him to be back to his best and back into the team. 8/10

Next up is Pep, hope we smash those c**ts.

While Willian and Pedro are not on form and slightly disappointing currently, I think 3-5-2 would suit us better. After Hazard and Cesc came on 2nd half we looked way more creative and exciting going forward. Hazard and Morata up front with Fab being protected by Kante and Bakayoko. At least against the big teams

Edited September 23, 20178 yr by zes

Fantastic result at a very tough ground. I missed the 1st half, but 2nd half we seemed more assured especially when we went to a 3-5-2.

like others said Alonso was running the risk of getting sent off. Needs to calm it down.

been saying it for a while but rudiger needs to start over Cahill and again it has show why. He offers much more on the ball and has much more pace.

Let's build on this win and hope we get a win against Madrid 

On ?9?/?22?/?2017 at 20:36, maddoo said:

2-1 Morata with both

nearly got it right

2 hours ago, DonAntonio said:

What I like about this team is when we have a bad game we bounce back with a result, that's why I think we will win the league again. 

Spot on. While motd and the rest of Murdochs empire continue to rim Reg Holdsworth and Jack Duckworth. 

4 hours ago, dkw said:

That's because Tony gale is a c**t.

Avery large one.

£10 @ 25/1 not too shabby either.

Edited September 23, 20178 yr by Kev56
error

Not been back long...what a great start to a tough week...weird game in that some of our play was dire at times...but this is what's so positive...we have so much improving to do and yet we are only three points back from Manchester clubs having had a much tougher fixture list, plus top players like hazard not being fit and Costa bs going on as a distraction...

morata is not at his best yet either, not played with Hazard much too but still has six goals...and Christensen...surely we don't need to look for another centre half...

if we can end this month with a win and a draw, whichever way around, v Atletico and City, we should be ecstatic over the start to the season given all the circumstances

MOTD chooses to focus on Alonso ignoring the Crouch challenge.

Just now, charierre said:

MOTD chooses to focus on Alonso ignoring the Crouch challenge.

They didn't even mention the crouch foul, absolute joke. 

Just now, dkw said:

They didn't even mention the crouch foul, absolute joke. 

It was the same with the Gueye foul on Fabregas the other week.

Appalling.