Match day thread for the Premier League match vs Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

This one is on my mind as we either lose or we strengthen Arsenals title chances by winning/drawing this game.

In all cases we lose one way, a draw being the worst case scenario imo

2 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

This one is on my mind as we either lose or we strengthen Arsenals title chances by winning/drawing this game.

In all cases we lose one way, a draw being the worst case scenario imo

I understand your reasoning however i think Arsenal are already faltering. Its theirs to lose and they know it. We need a win as always. Up the Chels!

I demand to see an amazing team performance from a side of players all signed by Paul Winstanley, Lawrence Stewart and Joe Shields!

Jorgensen

Gusto

Tosin

Badiashile

Hato

Essugo

Enzo

Gittens

Joao Pedro

Garnacho

Delap

Scooby Doo has just realised we are playing Man City next!

On 21/12/2025 at 17:44, OTL said:

I understand your reasoning however i think Arsenal are already faltering. Its theirs to lose and they know it. We need a win as always. Up the Chels!

Tell that to Aston Villa.

7 minutes ago, dermott said:

Tell that to Aston Villa.

I think aston villa are only an average team on what was a good run of form. The premier league standard is relatively poor we could and should have taken advantage of that fact. A half decent Chels would still be able to reel in a nervous Arsenal. Alas we are not that.

More than happy to throw this game in City’s favour. Our season is over.

Good chance we will have a caretaker manager for this one. Hard to look beyond a comprehensive defeat. Probably do well to keep the score respectable.

Good thing is, it's a big one so (without any ineffective motivating/team talk from clown) players will be up for it.

I want to see Palmer, Estavao, JP and Neto/Another leading the attack.

If Estavao isn't already world class he's close to it and given his MOTM performance against Bournemouth (and our precarious position in the league) the days of the clown managing his minutes are, IMHO, well and truly over.

Delap is a waste of space - he's a Championship player - I'm no fan of Jackson but if we still had him, he'd be a better option !

Sounds like Caballero could be caretaker coach for this match.

2 hours ago, Jezz said:

Sounds like Caballero could be caretaker coach for this match.

I imagine that the morale in the dressing room is currently very low with all the turbulence of the last day or 2. Anticipating a comprehensive defeat against a resurgent City team.

3 hours ago, Jezz said:

Sounds like Caballero could be caretaker coach for this match.

I doubt anything will change in terms of team selection or tactics, so expect the anticipated result unless Willy has a different mindset to Maresca and the players decide to show up and actually perform.

5 hours ago, Jezz said:

Sounds like Caballero could be caretaker coach for this match.

Media now reporting that it will be Calum McFarlane.

7 hours ago, BS66 said:

Media now reporting that it will be Calum McFarlane.

U21's coach I think. Willy Caballero left along with the rest of Maresca's coaching team.

The only glimmer of cause for optimism in this game is that we have had 2 days recovery time over City, who played last night and worked hard. Other than that, hard to see us getting anything. It is annoying to know if we get something, it only strengthens Arsenal's title charge. Hopefully Bournemouth get something from Arsenal, because if Arsenal win, if we get something from this game, the gap will surely be way too wide to catch them. So bittersweet for me this game. I hope we get something to strengthen our top 4 (5) case, however at least if City win, it keeps them in title chase with Arsenal.

3 hours ago, STATS said:

The only glimmer of cause for optimism in this game is that we have had 2 days recovery time over City, who played last night and worked hard.

Legitimately the same exact scenario played out last season at the Etihad.

City still outworked us. Both the players and manager. Despite going in front first.

19 hours ago, BS66 said:

Media now reporting that it will be Calum McFarlane.

Ah good, an "internal solution" ahead of appointing our next "internal solution"

I really hope our away fans sing anti ownership/board songs for the full 90 minutes. They'll give zero sh*ts about our opinion but it has to be voiced and it needs to be so blatant that the media will have no option but to cover it. I couldn't care less if we win or lose this match.

It's McFarlane as inerim for City

BBC Sport

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane on a 'whirlwind' 24...

Chelsea interim manager Calum McFarlane says it has been a "crazy" 24 hours since replacing Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.

We. Win 3-1 and give the title to Arsenal.

19 hours ago, forbzy said:

U21's coach I think. Willy Caballero left along with the rest of Maresca's coaching team.

So he's stepping up from the U21's to manage the U23's.

13 hours ago, STATS said:

The only glimmer of cause for optimism in this game is that we have had 2 days recovery time over City, who played last night and worked hard. Other than that, hard to see us getting anything. It is annoying to know if we get something, it only strengthens Arsenal's title charge. Hopefully Bournemouth get something from Arsenal, because if Arsenal win, if we get something from this game, the gap will surely be way too wide to catch them. So bittersweet for me this game. I hope we get something to strengthen our top 4 (5) case, however at least if City win, it keeps them in title chase with Arsenal.

Yeeeaaahh....

No.

2 hours ago, The Rising Sun said:

We. Win 3-1 and give the title to Arsenal.

Go. Away.

21 hours ago, forbzy said:

U21's coach I think.

Bloke is winless in 9 for the U21’s, said he’s only started watching City matches to prepare, and apparently Joe Shields sacked the previous U21 coach in favour of this bloke because they’re mates.

We were f**ked regardless but this in a nutshell reflects BlueCo entirely.