4-1
Printable View
4-1
God help us against Man City next week
FFS Sol. We still had a chance at 2-1, the third knocked the stuffing out of us. There is always a danger of that happening when Bamba plays though
Bamba was having a good game until one silly decision.
Positives:
- scored from a set-piece which shows that our efforts can be effective in the premier league.
- Bamba (error aside) and Etheridge had a good game defensively
- Ward played ok with little support and Bobby Reid works his nuts off again
Things to work on:
- finding the moments to offer a lot more support to our strikers rather than just 2 going against a 3/4 man defensive unit
- holding onto the ball to give us a 5-10 minutes rest
- cutting out the silly errors.
Vinny is going to be asking the question "Why isn't the manager scoring goals?".
I am absolutely gobsmacked that we don't appear to press anywhere on the pitch.
I thought this against Arsenal and after watching that, it was more of the same.
Chelsea were never ever under pressure on the ball. All we did was stand off and watch them and then make last ditch attempts at blocks and tackles in and around our own area. I'm mystified as to what Warnock's thinking is with it.
If you don't make challenges, you'll never win the ball. Every time we had the ball we had 1 or 2, sometimes even 3 Chelsea players on us straight away to win it back. Granted they have better players than us, but it's basics. Harass, tackle, put a foot in, give away a foul if you have to.
None of that today.
Anyway these games won't define our season. They're just quite painful to watch.
Onwards.
One of the things that has surprised me about being in the EPL is how quick and how hard opposing midfielders come in. We give the ball away often with stray passes, but we're also getting it tackled away a lot.
A gulf in class not just in technical ability but speed of thought, awareness, recovery and decision making. Understandable, of course. It was a happy half hour until we conceded to one of the best players in the world. Hopefully all these lessons will pay dividends later on.
Spot on.
I’d add that Chelsea are top of the league and have a team full of some of the best players in their positions in the world: Hazard, Alonso, Rudiger, Kante all started and they brought on Willian plus Barkley and Zappacosta, who are both pretty decent. Chelsea are like a World All-Stars team and have been for many years.
To put the gulf in status into perspective, we brought on Madine, Jazz and Paterson. Nevertheless we had them worried till the penalty. I thought that Chelsea’s slick interplay, their dribbling, movement and pressing was mesmeric during long periods of the second half, and to hold out as long as we did while creating chances was commendable.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnwDmcyFfXb/?utm_source=ig_embed_loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnwDmcyFfXb/?utm_source=ig_embed_loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div><div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"> View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div></a> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnwDmcyFfXb/?utm_source=ig_embed_loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">City celebration after taking the lead at Chelsea.</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/m4morris/?utm_source=ig_embed_loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Michael Morris</a> (@m4morris) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-09-15T14:55:38+00:00">Sep 15, 2018 at 7:55am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
This 100%.
Lots of City fans were talking about wanting us to keep possession a bit more instead of slinging everything long all the time last season. This season it's critical we keep a bit more possession.
Ward was very isolated. I wonder if a Zohore/Ward combination would work better, in terms of giving us more chance of making something of an out ball. Sacrifice one of Ralls/Camarasa/Arter and give the role to Reid who is comfortable with the ball, can pass, makes tackles, tracks back and has tricks up his sleeve.
I'm no Bob Wilson but here's my report for cardiffcity-mad.co.uk
Cardiff City suffered defeat in West London yesterday as Eden Hazard turned on the style to put Chelsea top of the Premier League with a 100% record.
Hazard took the match ball home after scoring a hat trick but the best strike of the game came from his teammate William who curled a delicious effort past Neil Etheridge late in the game.
Things started much better for Cardiff. Backed by 2,800 noisy supporters, who to be honest put the home fans to shame with their support, the Bluebirds took the lead. Predictably, some might say, it came from set piece.
Joe Ralls' floated fee kick was met by Seam Morrison who headed back across goal for Sol Bamba to react quickest and volley the ball home.
City held on to the lead despite continuous Chelsea pressure and had Neil Etheridge to thank for two excellent saves before Hazard turned the game upside down before half time. First he was involved in a slick build up to burst free and finish smartly past Etheridge and then City were undone by a quick free kick and after a less attractive set of passes hazard's effort deflected off Bamba leaving Etheridge stranded.
The Belgian took pleasure in parading himself in front of the baying City fans and I don't blame him He was getting stick when taking corners in front of the supporters and enjoyed his celebration to give a bit back.
Cardiff were second best but not out of it. City did manage a couple of corners and got the ball into the Chelsea box but the difference in quality of the players was evident. Still Cardiff worked hard and looked to get the ball forward but for me the quality of Chelsea when they didn't have the ball was as impressive as when they did have it.
Led by the machine that is Ngolo Kante they were always chasing down and pressurising City into mistakes and giving possession away quickly. The home centre halves led a charmed life for most of the game against Bobby Reid and Danny Ward. That's no slight on the City strikers, they worked hard and chased and Reid was cm's away from bringing City level at 2 - 2 but then Sol Bamba played another massive part in the game.
He went striding across to challenge Willian in the box and it was so obvious that he was going to foul the Brazilian that like a car crash it seemed to happen in slow motion.
Hazard scored easily enough to make it 3 - 1 and Willian then scored a wonderful 4th goal to complete the victory.
City did get one more good chance. Callum Paterson, on as a striker for the last 20 minutes saw his header scrambled off the line by Kepa. The two late goals made the scoreline harsh but it never looked like Chelsea were going to lose the game after they went in front.
Harry Arter left the field at half time after feeling poorly so City's midfield was under-strengthed in the second half and as mentioned Paterson came on for Reid and seem to be playing as a striker and the final sub was Madine for Ward. So I guess Neil Warnock is saving Zohore for Man City next Saturday.
Another sub not used was Josh Murphy, who on yesterday's evidence would have added much more pace that Junior Hoilett offered. The Canadian struggled to get any joy down the flanks.
So that consecutive games where the Bluebirds have scored but both have been defeats. As mentioned next week it's Manchester City at CCS. So it's not going to get any easier just yet.
Chelsea: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic (Barkley, 50); Pedro (Willian, 67), Hazard (Zappacosta, 84), Giroud
Subs not used: Caballero, Christensen, Drinkwater, Morata
Cardiff: Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Camarasa, Arter (Richards, 46), Ralls, Hoilett; Reid (Paterson, 71), Ward (Madine, 77).
Subs not used: Murphy, Peltier, Cunningham, Zohore.
Goals: Bamba (16), Hazard (37, 43, 80), Willian (83)
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Attendance: 40,499
Accurate and succinct :thumbup: