Match is on NBCSN in the US. Courtois Dave Luis Gaz Moses Fab Bakayoko Alonso Willian Bashuayi Hazard
Shockingly sloppy performance. backline a shambles, Hazard invisible & Musonda not looking worthy of the chance he was given.
Willian is useless, absolutely USELESS! He's the Michael Bradley of the EPL. Hazard invisible, Fabregas couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Virtually nothing out of MF. One of the worst performances I've seen from this group.
I don't think we ever win after international breaks. Outside of the last 30 minutes, Palace was much better. Conte is losing this team. Why is Cahill still playing? Once again, Hazard plays based on how he feels. I said this 100 times, but that's why Hazard won't ever be a top top player....he only plays when he wants to. I actually thought Cesc was great....he hit a post, was close a few times, and provided so many good passes. Michy is useless. Just a sad state of affairs.
Willian was bullied off the ball every time he had it. It's hard to ask a lot of Hazard when the whole team is poor. We want him to do more, but he can't do it all. But do something. This is a bad week for a US/Chelsea fan.
I thought Cesc was poor where it mattered. With Kante out our lack of a ball winning midfielder was clear and Fab gave the ball away time after time. Morata being out hurt also, I think he would have filled his boots in that second half period. Willian needs a long spot on the bench, he cannot start games and run at fresh defenders. I would go with Pedro every time and use Musonda (who I thought had a number of bright moments) more often. Dave has not been good lately, got turned around several times and we rely on him being a rock. Hazard is meant to be our world class game changer, I absolutely ask more of him in these situations. he was absolutely invisible today. Another low effort, low focus performance. We have to start matches sharper and stop putting ourselves in difficulties. It's a long season though and whilst it was always going to be tough to keep pace with City and to a lesser extent Utd, we have to reset, regroup and do the hard work to get top four.
One bright spot to take is that Zappacosta looks to be a big improvement from Moses. He still holds onto the ball a little too long but I think that will improve as he adjusts to the league. But he is clearly the superior player and should be the first choice.
I’ve had a feeling since CP went in to their run of City, Utd, Chelsea that they would give in to the first two then come out of the international break and get their first win against us. Just knew it was going to happen. Sucks it came true. Kante and Morata are absolutely vital to this team.
He looked much brighter when he came on and merits a run in the side regardless of how long Moses may be out. Palace were inviting us on much more at that point but really liked what I saw.
First half was somewhat reminiscent of the first half of the Burnley match (if we'd gone down to 10 we would have been further behind, they were swamping us in midfield and Zaha had a great game). The second half for large periods similar to the second half of that match also but without Morata to pose a threat. Frustrating that we couldn't handle the worst team in the league without 2 key players.
Defensively yes. It's pretty telling. All 3 CB's have been rather poor this season. We did alright going forward, with Musonda missing what should have been the equaliser. All that said, we were just poor.
I feel that's the league challenge over, for the second time in 4 years. I don't think however the players have 'downed tools' like the last time and feel we will still do better than 10th. At least it gives a bit of 'leeway' when it comes to midweek champions league games. Must be time for Conte to give some of the kids a chance to see what they can do?
Yes, the league is gone now. It's between City and United. Making the knockout stages of the CL would be a reasonable success this season. A loss to Roma would give us three straight losses after our impressive win away to Atletico.