If we look at the score, then we achieved something already. 

About our performance, I wouldn't say it's good enough. There are moments that we move the ball quickly and good, but there are moments we can't handle the opponent. Huddersfield had more chances than us and it's something to work on. Also big minus is our backs, Azpi and Alonso don't get involved in the attack. 

Decent half.
Surprised we aren't pressing them more, being quite deep when they have the ball.

Very, very happy with a 2-0 lead. A good start is very important.

Morata showing decent signs which is encouraging.

Edited August 11, 20187 yr by Sindre

Pretty happy with that first half. Two up is more than we deserve but no complaints!

There's moments when we look a bit lost as to to how to play it out the back. We've cleared upfield under pressure under the last two managers so I suppose it'll take time to adjust. Wary about the zonal setpiece marking too, but maybe the positioning was off for when they hit the post. That aside though, up the pace and its pretty promising.

Lets see this out, and looking forward to seeing Hazard back in the second half.

Interesting half of football. We lead, but i don't think we have been that good. Defensively we look very poor, and I feel it's more to do with how casual they are rather than not being good enough. Some of the clearances have been sloppy, like they are caught in two minds. They can't seem to make their minds up on if they want to boot it out or play a pass. I also think the full backs are a weakness, and again i don't think it's because they aren't good enough, it's more to do with them being too close to CB's. We are giving Huddersfield too much time in the full back positions, their crossing is causing problems because of this.

Going forward we have been ok, but not spectacular. A lot more composed on the ball in the middle which is nice to see, but we aren't really creating much. The move that led to the penalty was nice though, but nothing that we weren't seeing last season.

Willian and Kante have been good. Jorginho is quiet but effective and his calmness is needed. Luiz, Pedro, Morata and Barkley could be better.

Pedro, Barkley, Willian and Alonso make too many touches till they pass the ball. the opponent closes them, puts them on pressure and there it is the mistake or the sloppy pass. We need to have our best players on the pitch to judge the system. I forgot Morata, maybe some old injury played its part this half as well, I don't know, I don't know. 

6 minutes ago, Super Liquid said:

Goal scored by our D-Mid. Penalty conceded by our left back. Our attack needs some tweaking. 

?

I'm as happy to criticise Alonso the LB as much as anyone, but is this fair?  

Edited August 11, 20187 yr by DaRick

Most of our threats comes from the middle and left flank. Kante and Azpi not really in the game but still ok. Pedro good thou.
Morata - i dont really know what he is doing here really, when someone bursts forward he just joggs long and doesn´t make runs in between the lines.

For me Alonso had a good game, made nice passes without much space and his attacking threat is more important than ever. He as a left back is making runs into the box that Morata should do.
 

Wouldn't mind to see Hazard on the bench and rested for the next game where he would be a starter, this is in the bag already.

Some of my thoughts on this first half.

Morata looks completely shot of confidence, I would think about getting Giroud on if there's no improvement.

Kante has been our best player imo, lost count of the amount of times he won the ball and is dominant in that midfield.

Luiz looks off the pace to me, got beat far too easily on a couple of occasions.

Our new keeper has had nothing really to do, but looks very vocal to his team, looks a good presence.

 

Not been great, we're controlling the game without being dominant, probably a 7/10.

Just now, Gol15 said:

Wouldn't mind to see Hazard on the bench and rested for the next game where he would be a starter, this is in the bag already.

With this defense, no, not really. 

Unpopular opinion: Fabregas is essential to making Sarri-ball work.

The fluid quick short passing that we saw in the pre-season (in particular the first halves of the Inter and Arsenal matches where we dominated) was created through Fabregas and Jorginho being on the same wavelength, (Plus Hudson-Odoi providing an attacking outlet for us.) 

These are the ingredients to the secret formula guys. 

I think it's clear from that half that the team is in a transitional phase, they are unsure about when to press and when to hold back. Clear example of when Jorginho went up to press and literally no one followed, it will take time for everyone to get on the same wavelength. More than happy with the scoreline though

1 minute ago, Gol15 said:

Wouldn't mind to see Hazard on the bench and rested for the next game where he would be a starter, this is in the bag already.

 

Don't speak too soon.

Great to be 2 nil up. 

Need to move the ball way way quicker. 

Full backs haven't offered enough going forward. 

Barkley had a nice touch fir the goal but apart that, I thought he was poor, took too many touches and gave it away. 

Hopefully see hazard and rlc second half. 

it's going to be a slow process, 3 points while getting to grips with a new system and philosophy will be massive. Perfomances will follow I'm sure.

Azpilicueta hasn't been great defensively. So far so good though.

   Top of the league as it stands!

With Conte, we would be down 2-0 and he would tell us that he needs Messi to win against fking Huddersfield.

So happy that we got rid off this toxic fraud.

4 minutes ago, Gol15 said:

Wouldn't mind to see Hazard on the bench and rested for the next game where he would be a starter, this is in the bag already.

If Theres one thing we have learned in the epl, it is that it aint over until the final wistle. They need 1 goal and its game on for sure.

Sarri has only had 3 days with the squad alll together. He looked frustrated on the touchline. We need to move the ball quicker and get that all important third goal.

5 minutes ago, Gol15 said:

Wouldn't mind to see Hazard on the bench and rested for the next game where he would be a starter, this is in the bag already.

Rested ? It's not late into the season, he will need minutes more than rest at this point. We will need to get his sharpness up.

Just now, DiegoCostaForever said:

With Conte, we would be down 2-0 and he would tell us that he needs Messi to win against fking Huddersfield.

So happy that we got rid off this toxic fraud.

Harsh but glad the grouch has gone.

The keep ball, tiki-taka, whatever you want to call it, in our defensive third is just playing us into trouble.

Ball has got to come forward out of the defence much quicker. Huddersfield are pressuring us into mistakes.

Front three has looked a little flat, I think Morata needs to come a little deeper at times to get on the ball which will allow Barkley to make runs ahead of him.

My general impression is that we're lucky to be 2-0 up, which came down to moments of individual brilliance by Willian/Kante and some slightly undisciplined defence by an otherwise fairly competent Huddersfield.

At least we know Jorginho can take a mean penalty.

Was anyone running bets on whether or not Kante/Jorginho would be the first two scorers here? What would those odds have been?

It is ironic that our otherwise goal-shy midfield is keeping us in this game. 

1 minute ago, DiegoCostaForever said:

With Conte, we would be down 2-0 and he would tell us that he needs Messi to win against fking Huddersfield.

So happy that we got rid off this toxic fraud.

Toxic fraud is the best you can come up with? He won us 2 big trophies and gone.....yet hated above all else.

5 minutes ago, DaRick said:

?

I'm as happy to criticise Alonso the LB as much as anyone, but is this fair?  

 

It wasn't a criticism on Alonso. (I suppose I used the word "conceded" incorrectly. What I meant was he won the penalty.) Im saying our goal scoring opportunities are coming from very unlikely sources and our attacking players seem rather ineffective.