@TacticalMastermind I think your being hyper critical of Navas's performance last night. He created 3 chances last night (top City player) 3/4 take ons, 1/1 shots on target, 3/11 successful crosses(poor), 84% pass competition rate. Had the better of Azpilicueta. Not bad in a tight game.
His crossing wasnt consistent last night but he was more productive in the latter 1/3 than Milner. 2 chances created, 3/5 take ons, 0/2 shots on target, 0/7 successful crosses, & a 76% pass completion rate.
Where Milner is more effective is in his defensive play, 9 ball recoveries (same as Navas) and 7/8 tackles compared to 2/3 from Navas. I do like Milner but not as attacking creative outlet. If I had to choose out of Navas & Milner, I would pick the former.
I do agree Navas hasn't really improved the City team since his arrival. There were missing Nasri last night aswell Yaya and a fully fit Aguero (needs to 100% to be the world beater he is, not the Aguero we saw last night).
@dSquib- Did you watch the game or are you basing that comment on the WhoScored rating and assuming he had a good game because I can tell you he in no way put in an 8.4 performance. I'm a big Matic fan but he had an average game in all honesty, should've been booked for persistent fouling (Fernando got booked for the same thing) and for 99% of the 2nd half was, like the rest of the Chelsea players, just watching City passing in front of him. He may've been Chelsea's best player ahead of Remy (who made some good un-noticed runs but was not passed to) but Matic was no better than Fernando, Fernandinho, Navas and especially Milner who was actually the best player on the pitch- as surprising as that sounds.
@SteveHyland Yes, Milner was really good and worked his socks off, but i think you are harsh against Matic here. Had the ref given him the yellow sooner, he would have been more passive, but since he didn't, Matic could do this job and destroy City attacks. I actually thought he had a good game and broke up play several times. He also had some nice dribbles through the high city pressure. One of Chelseas best performers on the day, along with Remy and Willian.
@SteveHyland Actually Matić was MotM. But that doesn't mean anything, because no one played good in this match. Very average performance from both teams
@NotBiased- Same here but this was a very conservative Chelsea performance so didn't really alow the losses of Costa and Cesc to be highlighted too much. Not surprised that was the gameplan from Jose considering City really needed to win- for the psychological effect as much as anything. Remy played well too tbf, a far better option than a past-it Drogba.
Neither team is close to full strength and both haven't been convincing. I'm expecting both managers to go out and press high up the pitch leaving the game to be decided by defensive errors. Chelsea could get a few arguable penalty calls but this game will be won or lost in midfield. Looking forward to it.
Liverpool in the Capital one Cup played a full Chelsea side, Chelsea were dominated and opened up too much in first leg especially and second leg same, Liverpool had nobody to finish upfront on many occasions. Chelsea are under pressure from Roman to play football rather than Jose type of football, negative tactics against big teams etc. City with Aguero upfront dnt need much chances and will punish Chelsea if they open up. Expecting an even game1:1 or referee to screw up the match.
Without Costa and Fabregas it will be very difficult match for Chelsea. But in other side, Toure are absent too. So I expect very interesting and strenuous game. Very hard for any predictions as for me
Though match but city should be slite favourites if Costa and Cesc are out. City can defend with fernando and fernandinho both on dmc positions. Navas should be dropped and Jovetic brought on couse he is starting to hit the form and is more dimensional than Navas.
Diego Costa being, rightfully, charged with violent conduct means he will in all likelihood miss this and the subsequent 2 games. City have a huge chance to get back in the title race now and will be buoyed by the news. Chelsea can still win because Remy is a quality striker in his own right but he isn't world class. I'm going to change my prediction now to 2-1 to City (that's if Costa's charge holds up, which is should). On a side note, Mourinho's rants this season have been embarrassing. I'm all for backing your players but the reasoning behind Costa's 2 stamps were ridiculous. That, added to the denial of blatant dives, the ignoring of blatant should've-been red card challenges and concocting a theory of a campaign against Chelsea because of 1 decision which didn't go their way, has made him easily the most annoying manager in the league.
@SteveHyland We won with Torres playing upfront, so im not too worried about losing Costa. Like you say, Remy has loads of quality. Having played 120 minutes against Liverpool worries me, and i hope Chelsea can show the same fighting spirit like we did against an inform Liverpool.
The thing with Mourinho is that he wants consistency from the referees and the FA.
Wenger went crazy against Mourinho at the bridge - no charges
Sterling slapping a player right in front of the referee - no charges
Aguero stamping David Luiz with both feet - no charges
And the numerous times we have been booked for diving, when they were clear penalties
@Ferit22- pt 2/2- As far as blatant penalty attempts missed, the Fabregas one against Southampton is the only 1 I can think of and of course that was an obvious penalty and not a dive or yellow and would've certainly given them/you the win. The 2 shouts against Spurs however, weren't (not sure if they're the ones you mean?). Vertonghen couldn't move his arm and didn't go towards the ball so not hand ball and Hazard was outside the box when fouled in the same game. There's also the issue of Chelsea getting away with a blatant penalty at Anfield (intentional hand ball by Cahill- another likely red card for him) which would've cost you 2 points. I think if Jose had a highlights dvd of fors and againsts in regards to refereeing decisions, he would be quiet in press conferences.
@Ferit22- I don't disagree and I'm sure everybody would like consistency from the refs and I've said many a time on here the reason they are so poor is because nothing happens to them. However, Mourinho & Chelsea fans will have to be careful what they wish for because had referees been perfect, Cahill should've been sent off twice for straight red cards which were leg-breakers (Arsenal & Hull) and should've also been booked in the Hull game for a ludicrous dive after the foul where he was only given a yellow which would've seen him off anyway- both reds could've (likely would've with 2 straight reds) cost Chelsea points. Ivanovic's dive against West Ham was equally comical and should've earned him a yellow. Oscar makes as many niggly fouls per game as Lee Cattermole yet doesn't get booked and Costa could get a yellow card per game for his antics... pt 1/2
@SteveHyland The loss against Spurs was fair, no complaints there.
However, Costa vs. Burnley was a blatant penalty imo. When there is contact in full sprint, you can expect the player to lose his balance. Instead he was rewarded with a yellow card. Also Costa's yellow card vs. Everton. Coleman was pushing and shoving Costa all game, and when Costa reacted with a slight push back he was given a yellow. These are just some situations that annoys me, but he have been lucky with Cahill this year. Seems like the refs protect their own, so Cahill has had some luck with decisions this season. As for Oscar i don't think your description is accurate. There has been games where he has been lucky, like against Arsenal when he was constantly fouling the Arsenal midfielders, but it is not something that happens on a weekly basis. Lucas did the same against Chelsea this tuesday, but did not receive the red. The refs tend to be more lenient in big games.
@Ferit22- Ah the one from the keeper, I remember that now. I have sympathy for players who exaggerate a fall because there have been plenty of occasions where a player has been fouled and stayed on his feet and the penalty isn't given. Many commentators have mentioned this and I'm sure players feel they need to go down theatrically to get a penalty- even if it's clear. The cliché "They know the rules but not the game" applies to refs in regards to pretty much all fouls. Costa seems to have come to the prem with a reputation for diving because there was also a big shout in the game against Liverpool last night (tackle from Skrtel) which was a clear penalty, but wasn't given. I can't remember loads of dives from him when he played for Atletico (can actually only think of the one against Valencia) but he wont get a penalty this season unless he breaks something it seems.
I'm really looing forward to this match as a 'neutral'. Both teams coming off disastrous results at home in the F.A Cup (with strong teams I might add) plus City really needing to win points to it being a high-intensity cracker. I just hope it isn't a boring 0-0 stalemate! Ha. I'll predict a 2-1 Chelsea win but either of the 3 possible results is genuinely possible. For the title run-in sake I want City to win. No offence to Chelsea fans, I know you'd love an easy win but the rest of us want it to come down to the last day.
Thibo clitor*s is shit
Mourinho is happy to draw, Pellegrini needed to win
Navas is garbage. Such a waste playing him. Milner is way more effective on the right side. Everything about playing Navas is pointless
@TacticalMastermind I think your being hyper critical of Navas's performance last night. He created 3 chances last night (top City player) 3/4 take ons, 1/1 shots on target, 3/11 successful crosses(poor), 84% pass competition rate. Had the better of Azpilicueta. Not bad in a tight game. His crossing wasnt consistent last night but he was more productive in the latter 1/3 than Milner. 2 chances created, 3/5 take ons, 0/2 shots on target, 0/7 successful crosses, & a 76% pass completion rate. Where Milner is more effective is in his defensive play, 9 ball recoveries (same as Navas) and 7/8 tackles compared to 2/3 from Navas. I do like Milner but not as attacking creative outlet. If I had to choose out of Navas & Milner, I would pick the former. I do agree Navas hasn't really improved the City team since his arrival. There were missing Nasri last night aswell Yaya and a fully fit Aguero (needs to 100% to be the world beater he is, not the Aguero we saw last night).
Matic is ridic. Ulously good.
@dSquib- Did you watch the game or are you basing that comment on the WhoScored rating and assuming he had a good game because I can tell you he in no way put in an 8.4 performance. I'm a big Matic fan but he had an average game in all honesty, should've been booked for persistent fouling (Fernando got booked for the same thing) and for 99% of the 2nd half was, like the rest of the Chelsea players, just watching City passing in front of him. He may've been Chelsea's best player ahead of Remy (who made some good un-noticed runs but was not passed to) but Matic was no better than Fernando, Fernandinho, Navas and especially Milner who was actually the best player on the pitch- as surprising as that sounds.
@SteveHyland Yes, Milner was really good and worked his socks off, but i think you are harsh against Matic here. Had the ref given him the yellow sooner, he would have been more passive, but since he didn't, Matic could do this job and destroy City attacks. I actually thought he had a good game and broke up play several times. He also had some nice dribbles through the high city pressure. One of Chelseas best performers on the day, along with Remy and Willian.
@SteveHyland Actually Matić was MotM. But that doesn't mean anything, because no one played good in this match. Very average performance from both teams
Jesus Navas - Robben for poor. He can't cross...
Chelsea without some key players missing seem to be doing just fine.
@NotBiased ...and Nasri that is.
@NotBiased How about City missing Toure, Zabaleta?
@hindy City pretty much outplayed them in the 2nd half. I feared Chelsea would miss Costa and Fabregas more than City in Toure.
@NotBiased- Same here but this was a very conservative Chelsea performance so didn't really alow the losses of Costa and Cesc to be highlighted too much. Not surprised that was the gameplan from Jose considering City really needed to win- for the psychological effect as much as anything. Remy played well too tbf, a far better option than a past-it Drogba.
lol is this goal for city a mistake by Courtios? Harsh, very harsh.
Chelsea will finally get their pen - from a dive - and win 1-0
1-1
hopes manchester city win 3-2, Arsernal and then just 10 pts lower
they'll park the bus with this.
Lampard
I don't care whether fabregas/costa will play or not, all I want to see is lampard score.
Man without Yaya is a Lion without Claw :O
I'm not sure Yaya is pro gay-marriage.
Neither team is close to full strength and both haven't been convincing. I'm expecting both managers to go out and press high up the pitch leaving the game to be decided by defensive errors. Chelsea could get a few arguable penalty calls but this game will be won or lost in midfield. Looking forward to it.
No Costa, No Fabregas, No Change ;)
I see people saying "Costa out, City will win" but c'mon guys, we have king Drogba.
0-2 or 1-3 win for city
Liverpool in the Capital one Cup played a full Chelsea side, Chelsea were dominated and opened up too much in first leg especially and second leg same, Liverpool had nobody to finish upfront on many occasions. Chelsea are under pressure from Roman to play football rather than Jose type of football, negative tactics against big teams etc. City with Aguero upfront dnt need much chances and will punish Chelsea if they open up. Expecting an even game1:1 or referee to screw up the match.
Without Costa and Fabregas it will be very difficult match for Chelsea. But in other side, Toure are absent too. So I expect very interesting and strenuous game. Very hard for any predictions as for me
@Roorck : Cesc'll play :)
@soorajbutcallmesonu are you sure? what the proofs?
@soorajbutcallmesonu are you sure? what the proofs?
0-1 Kun score
Chelsea will win this game but gonna be tough. I say Chelsea will win by 3-1
Though match but city should be slite favourites if Costa and Cesc are out. City can defend with fernando and fernandinho both on dmc positions. Navas should be dropped and Jovetic brought on couse he is starting to hit the form and is more dimensional than Navas.
Diego Costa being, rightfully, charged with violent conduct means he will in all likelihood miss this and the subsequent 2 games. City have a huge chance to get back in the title race now and will be buoyed by the news. Chelsea can still win because Remy is a quality striker in his own right but he isn't world class. I'm going to change my prediction now to 2-1 to City (that's if Costa's charge holds up, which is should). On a side note, Mourinho's rants this season have been embarrassing. I'm all for backing your players but the reasoning behind Costa's 2 stamps were ridiculous. That, added to the denial of blatant dives, the ignoring of blatant should've-been red card challenges and concocting a theory of a campaign against Chelsea because of 1 decision which didn't go their way, has made him easily the most annoying manager in the league.
@SteveHyland We won with Torres playing upfront, so im not too worried about losing Costa. Like you say, Remy has loads of quality. Having played 120 minutes against Liverpool worries me, and i hope Chelsea can show the same fighting spirit like we did against an inform Liverpool. The thing with Mourinho is that he wants consistency from the referees and the FA. Wenger went crazy against Mourinho at the bridge - no charges Sterling slapping a player right in front of the referee - no charges Aguero stamping David Luiz with both feet - no charges And the numerous times we have been booked for diving, when they were clear penalties
@Ferit22- pt 2/2- As far as blatant penalty attempts missed, the Fabregas one against Southampton is the only 1 I can think of and of course that was an obvious penalty and not a dive or yellow and would've certainly given them/you the win. The 2 shouts against Spurs however, weren't (not sure if they're the ones you mean?). Vertonghen couldn't move his arm and didn't go towards the ball so not hand ball and Hazard was outside the box when fouled in the same game. There's also the issue of Chelsea getting away with a blatant penalty at Anfield (intentional hand ball by Cahill- another likely red card for him) which would've cost you 2 points. I think if Jose had a highlights dvd of fors and againsts in regards to refereeing decisions, he would be quiet in press conferences.
@Ferit22- I don't disagree and I'm sure everybody would like consistency from the refs and I've said many a time on here the reason they are so poor is because nothing happens to them. However, Mourinho & Chelsea fans will have to be careful what they wish for because had referees been perfect, Cahill should've been sent off twice for straight red cards which were leg-breakers (Arsenal & Hull) and should've also been booked in the Hull game for a ludicrous dive after the foul where he was only given a yellow which would've seen him off anyway- both reds could've (likely would've with 2 straight reds) cost Chelsea points. Ivanovic's dive against West Ham was equally comical and should've earned him a yellow. Oscar makes as many niggly fouls per game as Lee Cattermole yet doesn't get booked and Costa could get a yellow card per game for his antics... pt 1/2
@SteveHyland The loss against Spurs was fair, no complaints there. However, Costa vs. Burnley was a blatant penalty imo. When there is contact in full sprint, you can expect the player to lose his balance. Instead he was rewarded with a yellow card. Also Costa's yellow card vs. Everton. Coleman was pushing and shoving Costa all game, and when Costa reacted with a slight push back he was given a yellow. These are just some situations that annoys me, but he have been lucky with Cahill this year. Seems like the refs protect their own, so Cahill has had some luck with decisions this season. As for Oscar i don't think your description is accurate. There has been games where he has been lucky, like against Arsenal when he was constantly fouling the Arsenal midfielders, but it is not something that happens on a weekly basis. Lucas did the same against Chelsea this tuesday, but did not receive the red. The refs tend to be more lenient in big games.
@Ferit22- Ah the one from the keeper, I remember that now. I have sympathy for players who exaggerate a fall because there have been plenty of occasions where a player has been fouled and stayed on his feet and the penalty isn't given. Many commentators have mentioned this and I'm sure players feel they need to go down theatrically to get a penalty- even if it's clear. The cliché "They know the rules but not the game" applies to refs in regards to pretty much all fouls. Costa seems to have come to the prem with a reputation for diving because there was also a big shout in the game against Liverpool last night (tackle from Skrtel) which was a clear penalty, but wasn't given. I can't remember loads of dives from him when he played for Atletico (can actually only think of the one against Valencia) but he wont get a penalty this season unless he breaks something it seems.
I'm really looing forward to this match as a 'neutral'. Both teams coming off disastrous results at home in the F.A Cup (with strong teams I might add) plus City really needing to win points to it being a high-intensity cracker. I just hope it isn't a boring 0-0 stalemate! Ha. I'll predict a 2-1 Chelsea win but either of the 3 possible results is genuinely possible. For the title run-in sake I want City to win. No offence to Chelsea fans, I know you'd love an easy win but the rest of us want it to come down to the last day.