Did not see this one coming, pretty amazed by the result to be honest. Pep played in our hands by not picking a striker, once Sterling and his mates wasted 2-3 clear cut chances, thought this could be our night. Hazard was frustrated until the goal, he did what he had to do and for once someone ran into the box and finished the chance off. City pressed up so much in the first 45, and inevitably dropped off in the second, and we were the better team in both ends of the field. The second goal was a bonus, we looked pretty comfortable with the solo goal lead. Kante had his best game of the season, though Kovacic was pretty good. The front 3 were good in counter attacking, although I reckon it's an one off solution that the default. Defence did well, it's a lot easier when we not pushing up all the time and defending a high line, Kepa made some good saves to keep us in the game. We won the game we didn't expect to, and lost the one we should have won, so bottle half full this week.

1 hour ago, Liam said:

Hopefully the performance in the second half will convince the board that Sarri is worth persevering with. I am certain that he would not have chosen to play with no striker but he has recognised that the two we have have been offering very little. Great courage was shown there. 

In fact there was evidence of courage all over the pitch. Kepa is a very young man, playing in a new country in a big team. What he has been asked to do is extremely difficult, I mean off-the-scale difficult and he has embraced the challenge. I realise he misplaced a pass and no doubt will misplace more but he deserves great respect and all our patience and support.

Luiz, Azpilecueta and Kante were all superb. Luiz is obviously not a proper centre half but he is a very talented boy and his talent shone out today. 

Barclay and Loftus-Cheek both showed courage coming into a game as finely poised as that and they both made excellent contributions.

As fans we need to show courage too. I am very curious to see what Sarri could achieve given 3 seasons. He clearly has a plan, has shown today that he has a plan B, and to have coached this team to produce that second half in such a short time makes me very excited for the future. 

 

 

Thank the gods Liam still posts on here

f**king get innnnnnnn....but surprise, surprise match of the day don't give us top billing (you know they would have led with city if their darlings had won - would have praised them to the hilt and revelled in chelsea crisis) and went with their other favourites Liverpool instead. w**kers.

still what a huge three points that was. Hopefully restored belief in the camp

 

I thought we were getting pressed a bit too easily, City are the masters of doing it but once we started getting the ball over the top City flapped. 

Kante was awful in the first half but very good in the 2nd, same with Alonso, Alonso getting done by Sterling like that was horrid to watch. 

4 hours ago, Maidstone Blue said:

.I recall when we went to citeh away last season and I was?? m?assively disgusted with the negative tactics that C?note? applied .......

 

It wasn’t any better at the Bridge. The two most gutless performances I’ve seen out of Chelsea. You may go down, but at least put up a fight for goodness sake. 

I thought we did a great job of absorbing their initial pressure, and letting them wear down a bit with the press, before then pressing them ourselves. A different, but very effective form of counter attack. 

That game was a pleasure to watch. 

7 minutes ago, Skinnedy said:

It wasn’t any better at the Bridge. The two most gutless performances I’ve seen out of Chelsea. You may go down, but at least put up a fight for goodness sake. 

I thought we did a great job of absorbing their initial pressure, and letting them wear down a bit with the press, before then pressing them ourselves. A different, but very effective form of counter attack. 

That game was a pleasure to watch. 

The second game we pretty much accepted defeat and were defending a 1-0 loss, in the first game we were just ridiculously outplayed but at least tried to win the game. 

Very nasty season last season, even with our faults this season I much prefer it, we at least try to win games and play a better way. 

Only just watched the match, f**k me we won. Thought we were a tad fortunate first half but took our chance well. Second half I never felt in danger Luiz, Azpi and Kante were superb but this was a good team performance all switched on and giving a reaction to Wednesday. The team and manager did well, important now we treat the next league match with the same intensity.

 

 

Edited December 9, 20187 yr by charierre

Genuinely surprised by the performance and the result.

I gave us no hope after our showings against Spurs and Wolves. 

Well in lads.

Fantastic win and performance. Certainly came as a surprise to me especially after the midweek horror show.

Probably the most exciting win I've seen in nearly the last two years.

Love this celebration - Mods can we get this on the banner somehow?

So we can beat the best side in the league and yet lose to dross like wolves and spurs. Ha typical Chelsea.

Well done lads. Every man played his part. Kante my motm. 

What an incredible game! This is the Chelsea that we know and love.

Pity the loss to Wolves. Nevertheless, it reins in City some and gives us some hope even though we're 8 points adrift at the top.

Really pleased we got the win! Did not expect that at all. I really hope we can build on this and start putting in performances of high determination !! 

We need to go on a run now 

Legend.

 

 

A free pint to the first person who goes on Bluemoon and asks if we can play them every week !!

Yes, you beauty !

I admit to not seeing that result coming. I'd have snatched your hand off for a draw.

Well done Chelsea,

Hopefully we can produce more of that in the coming weeks.

Will the watch highlights again later.

After the lack of fight we saw against Wolves this performance was great to see. City had the best of the first half but the attitude of the Chelsea players was excellent.

City helped us by missing chances and not kicking lumps out of us like some other teams do.

I was worried the goal we scored just before half time would galvanise them but it only served to make us stronger in the second half.

A brilliant atmosphere and I am still buzzing this morning.

We watched the game from West Upper yesterday and though you’re a bit to far away from the action, you do read the game well. In that first 40mins it felt like we were taking on one of those chess computers. Ever move and pass was anticipated by the Clity players in a way I’d never seen before. The intensity from them was astonishing. Then amazingly we score and all of a sudden up to HT we are now playing their half. They never got back on that intensity after that and it was amazing how our confidence grew. Like others we were almost in shock after the game. £82 well spent.

9 hours ago, Liam said:

Hopefully the performance in the second half will convince the board that Sarri is worth persevering with. I am certain that he would not have chosen to play with no striker but he has recognised that the two we have have been offering very little. Great courage was shown there. 

In fact there was evidence of courage all over the pitch. Kepa is a very young man, playing in a new country in a big team. What he has been asked to do is extremely difficult, I mean off-the-scale difficult and he has embraced the challenge. I realise he misplaced a pass and no doubt will misplace more but he deserves great respect and all our patience and support.

Luiz, Azpilecueta and Kante were all superb. Luiz is obviously not a proper centre half but he is a very talented boy and his talent shone out today. 

Barclay and Loftus-Cheek both showed courage coming into a game as finely poised as that and they both made excellent contributions.

As fans we need to show courage too. I am very curious to see what Sarri could achieve given 3 seasons. He clearly has a plan, has shown today that he has a plan B, and to have coached this team to produce that second half in such a short time makes me very excited for the future. 

 

 

Great post this. One of the most pleasing aspects for me was our game management. We all know Man City are the best around without everyone bum loving their every move. I along with others have been critical of some of our players lack of willingness to work hard without the ball, but yesterday we were magnificent. Other then 1 misplaced pass from Kepa i cannot think of a single defensive lapse. Yes they opened us up on ocassion but they are the best around. Really encouraging that we didn't employ Conte's hedgehog tactics and we stood toe to toe with City and beat them.

I even thought Willian played well which is fair praise from me as he is my go to guy when the frustration and anger bites and i want to vent. Lol.

One very minor thing, I did think that Barkley was a little up and down, whereas i actually thought RLC added a bit of impetus and a change in atmosphere. Its undefinable because RLC's contribution was no greater but perhaps he is slightly ahead of Ross as he sems to engender an extra spark in the crowd at the moment.

When we get a great performance like this it does make the Wolves debacle all the more frustrating though.

I do believe that with a strong focal point up top and an addtiional option of a longer pass we could really be a force this year.

Really pleased that the two game changers today were two of the guys that have been coming under the most attention and criticism in the press recently. Well done Luiz and Kante.

4 minutes ago, Petworth Chelsea Fan said:

We watched the game from West Upper yesterday and though you’re a bit to far away from the action, you do read the game well. In that first 40mins it felt like we were taking on one of those chess computers. Ever move and pass was anticipated by the Clity players in a way I’d never seen before. The intensity from them was astonishing. Then amazingly we score and all of a sudden up to HT we are now playing their half. They never got back on that intensity after that and it was amazing how our confidence grew. Like others we were almost in shock after the game. £82 well spent.

The saddest part of your post. Football for the masses! What chance do we all have of passing on the buzz and enjoyment of match going to our sons and daughters, good lord.

What a great day out that was,i'm over the blue moon.Never stopped singing and getting behind the team,a skin full was the right move.Some on here show a bit more faith,UP THE CHELS !

The saddest part of your post. Football for the masses! What chance do we all have of passing on the buzz and enjoyment of match going to our sons and daughters, good lord.

To be fair if I take my son in the family section he goes for £20 and £47 for me. However sometimes if I going with another adult you get what you can. Yes it’s a lot of money for sure - but the result made it worth it.

BBC saying we're on our longest unbeaten run at home in the league since 2015.

Just finished watching the game. I think we absolutely deserved the win. City wasn't even that dangerous. Our d-line minus Alonso were great. 

Hazard got 2 assists but otherwise he wasn't that good. He had a new role but he was robbed many times during the game and he made bad choices. He also looked uncharacteristically downbeat. 

Pedro and Kante were excellent. Pedro is the most natural player for Sarri which really isn't a surprise as he is Barca boy. Kante was lower the field which showcased his defensive brilliance. 

Kepa was also brilliant despite his last minute howler. We would be so much worse with Courtois. 

This game sure gave us confidence and that we should trust Sarri's system. Sarri said after the game that the players need to have the same drive and motivation against lower teams as well. He is 100% right about that. Our lads were clearly thinking of City in that sad Wolves game. We have Vidi away which is should be all second string players. CHO and Ampadu should lead the way there. Brighton away in the league which is a great test to motivation for our leading players. 

We shouldn't look anywhere else but finishing top 4. I think we are a top 3 team this term. 

 

A great result and a cracking atmosphere at the Bridge. I thought Pedro was superb and David Luiz defended as we know he can when he's at his best. Two superb goals. Cracking strike by Kante. Team worked hard and defended brilliantly.  

Several beers before and after the game. Between Christmas and New Year I will meet a couple I know and they are ST holders at Man. City. I feel it will be my duty to mention the result om several occasions. Before I travelled to the game I visited the local wine merchant to buy a bottle of red wine. I said to the owner that if Chelsea beat City 3-0 I would go in and spend a fortune. I bet the owner was hoping that we would score a third goal to get loads of money out of me.

Just need Rangers to win at Dundee later today to make the weekend complete.