Just a shame that he can't seem to score, whatever he does.  He had several excellent chances last night.  I think he has some sort of hoodoo-voodoo curse on him.

That's what happens when the manager have no confidence in a player. He won't be at his best, yet he brought the best out of Hazard, and that's what we need.
If we had drawn or won against arsenal, Sarri would have started the same eleven yesterday and after so many sideways passing and no goals to show for it, we would be blaming him right now for costing us a chance to play in the final because he stuck to not playing with a striker. So at the end of it, I think the Arsenal defeat was a blessing in disguise because now we have a good chance of winning something this season while still in good position to make top four.

1 hour ago, The Swan said:

Like many have said still buzzing. Could not stop singing in the shower this morning.

One question for the learned readers of this forum.

What is worse homophobia or racism?

Clearly the answer is they are as bad as each other.

If Chelsea use the Y word, then all hell breaks out.

If Spuds walk to the ground under escort singing Chelsea rent boys, then not a murmur.

The authorities need to wise up and address this hypocrisy.

It's ok, opposition fans are allowed to abuse of us it seems.

Well Giroud passed his audition and will warmly welcomed on the bench for the rest of the season...

1 hour ago, Brutos said:

2 hours ago, coco said:

I can't believe you started this thread...
 

It's a tongue in cheek thread how many times am I going to explain that jeeze

You have worded it without any hint of comedy, if it's meant to be tongue in cheek, you need to go to comedy school mate.

 

10 hours ago, Skinnedy said:

Loved the response today. Emerson did enough to start taking PL minutes from Alonso. 

I expect to see CHO start on Sunday... 

Now... On to VAR... There seems to be A LOT of confusion. VAR doesn't look for fouls. It's for Goal reviews, offsides (part of all goal reviews), Red card incidents and mistaken identity. 

So when the VAR looks at that, he's looking to see if it should have been a Red card... Close, but I think no... Should it have been a penalty... No, he's outside the Box. 

That's it... VAR is done. 

It was clearly a blown call by Atkinson, but only two things VAR is looking at.. Penalty or Red Card... So, blame the system, not the actual Video Assistant Referee, IMO that person did his job. 

I don't know who was doing the US commentary, but the analyst was awful all game... If he was any good, he would have explained that. I'm usually very impressed with the level of commentary for these games in the US, but that guy was terrible all game. Would have been better off with just the play by play man. 

 

One of the rules about a penalty is that if the challenge continues into the box, then a penalty should be given. I have seen the replay multiple times now and the tackle continues into the box, so by the rules of the game, it should have been a penalty.

1 hour ago, big blue said:

Do you not think that is how sarri has been trying get us to play all season? Or did the players take matters into there own hands and now sarri has to learn from them? 

It's like you are saying sarri actually wants us to play slow ponderous football with no attacking edge. 

A striker definately helped last night, but the players havent been executing the game plan well enough for a couple of months, even when giroud or morata have played. 

The reason we we able to play more direct, was down to how quickly we were moving the ball, and much improved the movement was off it. 

A bit of both to be honest, I think our default pass in the last few months has been too short and often we’ve used Jorginho when we’ve not needed to.

I’d love to see the stats from last nights game & see how many touches Jorginho had, compared to other games. I thought last night we moved the ball much much quicker than we have for months, plus the passes were longer which stretched Spuds.

long may it continue.

Yep, still buzzing!!

It doesn't get much better than that!! Dumping Tottenham out of a semi final, at home, on pens, with that little prick Dier ballooning his kick over the bar under pressure, and the entire  MHL mugging him off.

Nothing more than we deserved as well, we were the better team in both legs in my opinion, and really could/should have won both legs quite comfortably.

"oh but they were missing players tonight "

So what? We won a Champions League final against Bayern Munich, in their stadium, with a patched up team missing our Captain. Boo f**king hoo.

They had all their key players in the first leg and settled for a 1-0 win (gifted by an incorrect penalty decision), so you will find no sympathy here I am afraid.

Good atmosphere last night, with a moody old school feel around the Bridge I must say. I did see a bit of trouble down the Fulham Road pre-match, but no idea how it came about. Either way, it was a highly charged and passionate London derby.

Anyway, my summary:

• Fantastic team performance with the players positively responding to Sarri's comments. This is a big, BIG thing. Could have gone wither way, but they delivered. Well done Sarri, and well done every player who stepped up.
• Emerson looked quality. A couple of subline balls into the box. Hard to see how he couldn't be first choice, but perhaps that is a bit OTT. He should certainly be getting much more of a look in though.
• Giroud: we looked SO much better for having him on the pitch. So much more presence, physicality and balance. Should have scored two goals at least, the header in the 94th minute the golden chance to wrap the tie up. I think he can play a role as impact sub for the remainder of the season, a role which he seems to flourish in.
• Kante: Unbelievable. I said it after the first leg; do not underestimate how good he is, just because he is a few yards further up the pitch. He provides so much more in this role than he is given credit for.
• Jorgino: Much better. f**king boss penalty.
• Luiz: Very good, albeit second half not as good as the first. Never doubted him for the penalty.
• Barkley. Again, just not good enough. Really not sure what he is supposed to be providing in his role. He pretty much plays it safe, but still managed to lose possession again and again.
• Pedro: Not his night, never really made an impact.
• Willian: Came on and was worse than Pedro in my opinion. Decision making all over the place, and his shooting (when we really needed to have composure) was awful. No agenda against him like I know some do, but he has always been inconsistent, and the gaps between his big performances seem to be getting bigger and bigger. I also really don't see his style of play to be one that is a natural fit with what Sarri is trying to do. Personally, I think we should have cashed in on him in the summer and promoted CHO to a starting role (easy with hindsight isn't it).
• Rudi: A rock at the back. Really starting to like this guy.
• Kepa: Decent save in the shoot out. That's all I can really remember.
• Higuaín: Looked like he enjoyed it. Got a feeling he is going to be a big character for us this season.

All in all, a brilliant night !!!

Edited January 25, 20197 yr by mclovin83

2 hours ago, The Swan said:

Like many have said still buzzing. Could not stop singing in the shower this morning.

One question for the learned readers of this forum.

What is worse homophobia or racism?

Clearly the answer is they are as bad as each other.

If Chelsea use the Y word, then all hell breaks out.

If Spuds walk to the ground under escort singing Chelsea rent boys, then not a murmur.

The authorities need to wise up and address this hypocrisy.

Things never change, spurs giving it large behind an escort!! Jokers

1 hour ago, mclovin83 said:

Yep, still buzzing!!

It doesn't get much better than that!! Dumping Tottenham out of a semi final, at home, on pens, with that little prick Dier ballooning his kick over the bar under pressure, and the entire  MHL mugging him off.

Nothing more than we deserved as well, we were the better team in both legs in my opinion, and really could/should have won both legs quite comfortably.

"oh but they were missing players tonight "

So what? We won a Champions League final against Bayern Munich, in their stadium, with a patched up team missing our Captain. Boo f**king hoo.

They had all their key players in the first leg and settled for a 1-0 win (gifted by an incorrect penalty decision), so you will find no sympathy here I am afraid.

Good atmosphere last night, with a moody old school feel around the Bridge I must say. I did see a bit of trouble down the Fulham Road pre-match, but no idea how it came about. Either way, it was a highly charged and passionate London derby.

Anyway, my summary:

• Fantastic team performance with the players positively responding to Sarri's comments. This is a big, BIG thing. Could have gone wither way, but they delivered. Well done Sarri, and well done every player who stepped up.
• Emerson looked quality. A couple of subline balls into the box. Hard to see how he couldn't be first choice, but perhaps that is a bit OTT. He should certainly be getting much more of a look in though.
• Giroud: we looked SO much better for having him on the pitch. So much more presence, physicality and balance. Should have scored two goals at least, the header in the 94th minute the golden chance to wrap the tie up. I think he can play a role as impact sub for the remainder of the season, a role which he seems to flourish in.
• Kante: Unbelievable. I said it after the first leg; do not underestimate how good he is, just because he is a few yards further up the pitch. He provides so much more in this role than he is given credit for.
• Jorgino: Much better. f**king boss penalty.
• Luiz: Very good, albeit second half not as good as the first. Never doubted him for the penalty.
• Barkley. Again, just not good enough. Really not sure what he is supposed to be providing in his role. He pretty much plays it safe, but still managed to lose possession again and again.
• Pedro: Not his night, never really made an impact.
• Willian: Came on and was worse than Pedro in my opinion. Decision making all over the place, and his shooting (when we really needed to have composure) was awful. No agenda against him like I know some do, but he has always been inconsistent, and the gaps between his big performances seem to be getting bigger and bigger. I also really don't see his style of play to be one that is a natural fit with what Sarri is trying to do. Personally, I think we should have cashed in on him in the summer and promoted CHO to a starting role (easy with hindsight isn't it).
• Rudi: A rock at the back. Really starting to like this guy.
• Kepa: Decent save in the shoot out. That's all I can really remember.
• Higuaín: Looked like he enjoyed it. Got a feeling he is going to be a big character for us this season.

All in all, a brilliant night !!!

Good summing up all except for one thing. No mention of Hazard?!!! 

Will have to look for a clip of the bit in the game where he had the ball back near the edge of our box and somehow came away with it and set up yet another attack. Brilliant.

 

1 hour ago, shedpensioner said:

A bit of both to be honest, I think our default pass in the last few months has been too short and often we’ve used Jorginho when we’ve not needed to.

I’d love to see the stats from last nights game & see how many touches Jorginho had, compared to other games. I thought last night we moved the ball much much quicker than we have for months, plus the passes were longer which stretched Spuds.

long may it continue.

Azpilicueta played the most passes in the match (54), Jorginho was close behind in 2nd (50). I wouldn't call that by-passing Jorginho.

Regardless of how the Prem is going, Chelsea always seem to find themselves in a cup final. UTC! 

1 hour ago, DannyVblue said:

Azpilicueta played the most passes in the match (54), Jorginho was close behind in 2nd (50). I wouldn't call that by-passing Jorginho.

How does that compare to the rest of the season? Genuine question.

I saw Jorginho offer himself lots last night, but more offensive passes being made instead.

1 hour ago, ForeverCarefree said:

This is why I love Dave!!

The old man just sent me this.

8 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

The old man just sent me this.

an upright cock on the front of a pack of viagra 

8 hours ago, Nibs said:

Thought Barkley was very poor again - not sure he knows what he is supposed to be doing but just constantly gives the ball away. And leaving it so late to make changes and then those changes not being the right ones. Could have ended up costing us but f**k it who cares we're off to another Final!

 

Alright there Nibs,

i was trying to stay away from anything negative yesterday, and just focus on the positives, but Barkley did stand out for me yesterday also.  It was interesting, in the first half I actually thought that he was doing well.  Finally passing forward, playing as a true 8 and he had some wonderful searching balls that although they at times relinquished possession, that at least opened up the Spurs back line and gave us a great attacking outlet.

However, in the second half, none of that was to be seen; thus, resulting in the all to predictable substitution of Kova for Barkley (or vice versa).  Even the commentator on ESPN+ stated how demoralizing that had to be, knowing that you're going to be subbed for the same player each game.  I think that area is where we have to look in the summer.  I have nothing against Kovacic, but I don't think he is what we need, and I'm gad it's only a loan.  I hope we let him return to Madrid this summer and keep Ross as back up.  I'd love to think RLC could play in that spot, but I'm not 100% sure, and I don't think the club would take that gamble.  As I've stated elsewhere I think this is the end of RLC's time at Chelsea.

6 hours ago, carrickblue said:

@Brutos you should know irony is lost on the Shedend!  

On the contrary we've been irony rich for many years. We even have our own avatar.

 

somebody on Chelsea reddit put a compilation of the ref's screwed up decisions

 

53 minutes ago, robdog said:

somebody on Chelsea reddit put a compilation of the ref's screwed up decisions

 

All I can see is a set of teeth!!

7 hours ago, chiefBlueCFC said:

Regardless of how the Prem is going, Chelsea always seem to find themselves in a cup final. UTC! 

Since 1997 it's in our DNA, this is spurs golden period of the last 30 years and they've won f**k all, with their gleaming new Lego stadium, the purse strings will be tightened even more by Lord Levy, and the team will fall apart as players realise they're going no where. Don't you just love football. Carefree

5 hours ago, chi blue said:

Since 1997 it's in our DNA, this is spurs golden period of the last 30 years and they've won f**k all, with their gleaming new Lego stadium, the purse strings will be tightened even more by Lord Levy, and the team will fall apart as players realise they're going no where. Don't you just love football. Carefree

aaahahaha lego stadium  their dna is hidden in their logo, the thing really represents the dodo bird before getting cooked for the last time and they clearly are in the wrong industry as well, imagine the bottling quality they got that someone could have used them for 

 

On 25/01/2019 at 09:54, JM7 said:

Despite all the positives, last night showed us our massive need for a finisher. The game should have been over at half time and we should have scored again at least twice in the second half. 

Higuain needed. 

Higuain MUCH needed indeed ! Hopefully we will get to see his napoli/juve version ...

1 hour ago, mojo said:

 

Love the cine look on these videos.