UEFA Champions League- Chelsea routs Steaua

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UEFA Champions League- Chelsea routs Steaua

Steaua Bucharest: 0 - Chelsea 4

A Chelsea fan's view

This was the Schurrle show!!

First XI on the night: Cech, Ivanovic, D Luiz, Terry (c), Cole; Ramires, Lampard; Mata, Oscar, Schurrle; Torres

Chelsea were so much better than their host in all the departments of the game that you could say the eventual scoreline flattered the home team

Torres picked up a knock to his knee around the 8th min, and was replaced by Eto'o

Schurrle had the beating of the Steaua RB , Georgievski all game. In the 19th min, after beating him for the umpteenth time, he put in a pass for Eto'o whose scuffed shot fell kindly for Ramires. The Brazilian stabbed the ball beyond the keeper and in at the far post. Deserved first goal

About the 43 mins Mata threads a cracking ball through for Eto'o ( gosh, how we have missed this kind of passes from the diminutive one! ) The striker's burst of pace got him into the box, he beat his marker with a sharp turn but his effort was parried by the Steaua goalie only to see...wait for it... Georgievski clattering into the parried ball and hurtling into the net after it. 2- nil!

Mata hit the woodwork around the 50th minute after the best play around the box by the away team- a few crisps short passes and a delightful Oscar backheel ensured Mata had a clear sight of goal. It was unfortunate that this brilliant play didn't get the goal it deserved

About the 55th minute, a fantastic show-and-go from Schurrle on the hapless Georgievski on half-way, saw him past his man The German picks out Oscar, who prods it to Ramires to hammer home his second of the night. 3- nil!

Azpilicueta replaces Oscar and Willian replaces Mata with about 10-11 mins to go

Cech hurt his back while trying to save a deft chip around the 76th minute ( he could as well have being on holiday sans this effort by the host )

Georgievski was replaced soon after ( eventually put out of his misery, really)

90th minute- The icing on the cake: Frank Lampard finishes off a swift move. Eto'o surges down the left and finds Willian, who unselfishly slots the ball back to the edge of the area. Lampard strokes the ball in off the far post. Goal!

It wasn't more than Chelsea deserved for a very dominant performance

Positives

- Schurrle was huge! I'm sure he'd wish he plays Georgievski every week!

He epitomised everything good about wing play yesterday- direct, runs at defenders, gets behind them, neat dribbling, energetic and tracks back well, good final pass

- Ramires is our new big man- he has a knack for scoring in big games now.

- Mata is a Conductor. Simple

-David Luiz rules! He is a proactive CB rather than a reactive one like Cahill

- I was happy with Eto’o’s performance even though his finishing was still not there. He seemed much more integrated into the team play and was involved in each of the goals. I hope he breaks his duck against Norwich

Negatives

Not a lot in this game, unsurprisingly.

-this team needs to kill off the opposition when they are on top. At 1-0 up, they just lacked the cutting edge in front of goal, this allowed the opposition into the game briefly until that second goal was scored. Against better opposition, Chelsea may be punished for not making this period of ascendancy count

-Torres' knee injury. Just when you think he's finding form, this happens! Rotten luck. We hope the injury isn't something major

- Oscar seemed a bit sloppy and shot happy- particularly in the first half. He did improve in the second half though

A 4-0 win was just what the doctor ordered for CL progression and general team morale. Steaua wasn't great opposition to be fair but I’m hoping this result and performance will help guide this team into our next match and beyond

Blue is the colour, football is the game, Chelsea is our name. CHELSEA!

NB- Mourinho's hugging of Schurrle was symbolic. It just shows you what he's trying to do in his second coming. He won't 'spare the rod' but you'll 'get toffees' if you're a good boy. Haters would always hate his method though. It is what it is!

 

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Breaking Bad Season 5: 'Felina'

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Breaking Bad Season 5: 'Felina'

Felina- anagram for finale

"Our integrity, our actions to others, that’s what governs who we are"

Walter White in settling score mode before the last hurrah

-created a Trust fund for his son through his slimy former acquaintances

...in Walter White fashion

-visited his family one last time and took responsibility ( see pix)

-took out the idiotic neo-Nazis (Jesse had some sort of closure too)

-died on his own terms. ( 'cos he's smarter than you! )

Snippets from the reviews of the finale

 

Breaking Bad- The 'Say Hello To My Little Friend' finale

AKA- Comeuppance Day

If you have to go, go out on top

Not only did Vince Gilligan's five-season, hyper-violent prose poem to midlife male frustration tie up virtually every loose end in sight, it contained the Holy Grail of all storytelling: an Actual Moment of Truth -"I did it for me. I liked it. I was good at it. And I was really ... I was alive."

Breaking Bad is a Western. A Western is meant to go out with a bang, and Breaking Bad went out with about 40 of them per second (plus a dose of ricin). Sorry, Lydia!

It closed out a great series in style, with visual flair, action, and a thorough lack of phony redemption. Heck, Badfinger's Baby Blue " I guess I got what I deserved" was the soundtrack at the end. #Apt

Walter was back as 'Heisenberg' -ending his problems and his enemies with DaVincian invention and Machiavellian manipulation

He isn't sorry for what he did but he regrets some of the consequences. He goes about achieving a victory the way he defines it: not because it is right, but because he is good at it. He is the bad guy out to get the worse guys. Is it Justice? It’s what Just Is....and that is Life! #Deep

His plans are a success. He watches his enemies defeated, his voice the last they hear. He ends things on his terms. It is over when Heisenberg says it’s over.

But it’s still a mystery why that talented chemist turned his back on fame and fortune and became a humble high school chemistry teacher. It's one secret that Walter White took to his grave

What a Tv show!!

To Vince Gilligan and the entire cast/crew, I say: "Thanks for making Bad sooo good!!"

 

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Tottenham Hotspurs 1- Chelsea 1

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Tottenham Hotspurs 1- Chelsea 1

Four words to describe the London derby from The Blues point of view: Mata is Chelsea's finest.

*Ay, Caramba!! *

That second half performance is the best Chelsea has put up all season. Much so that it felt like 2 points lost rather than a point gained at the end of that. Mourinho takes some blame again for the wrong selection/ formation in the first half

We bossed a good Spurs side up until the Torres red card.

Chelsea's starting XI : Cech; Ivanovic, D Luiz, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Lampard; Ramires, Oscar, Hazard; Torres

Mata was left on the bench at the start for the umpteenth time this season.

The Chelsea team selection essentially handed the initiative to Spurs and they accepted it with glee

Spurs Christian Eriksen was the main creative force in a first half and the £11.5m signing ( what a steal! ) from Ajax easily escaped Frank Lampard after 19 minutes and played in Roberto Soldado. Sigurdsson was quicker to Soldado's lay-off than Terry to slide his finish past Chelsea keeper Petr Cech. Goal for Spurs!

Townsend gave Ashley Cole a torrid time with his pace and trickery on the right wing in that half and Spurs should have doubled their lead just before half-time.

The Chelsea defence was carved open again but Paulinho could only hit the upright. Chelsea rarely threatened in this half, Ramires was frustrated on the right wings and Hazard though wonderful when tracking back, wasn't great going forward. Torres looked lively though and was playing on the shoulder of the central defender

He was caught offside in this position on a few instances all game

Things changed in the second half

Mata came in for Mikel at the start of the second half, Ramires joined Lampard in the pivot and Oscar moved to the left wing.

Chelsea was now playing with more belief, Torres was like a man on a mission and Mata started doing what he does best- finding the right passes. Oscar just couldn't reach a squared pass in the box- off beautiful play by Torres, Lloris saved at Torres feet minutes later- again after brilliant play by the striker as he took on the Spurs defenders and beat them.

Torres saw yellow after he tripped Vertonghen about the 50th min but he could easily have been sent off when he appeared to have held and scratched the Spurs defenders face after fouling him

The deserved equaliser came in the 64th minute- a John Terry header off a brilliant delivery into the box by the mercurial Mata.

Chelsea looked like the team that would win it thereafter.

But Torres got a second yellow card and was sent off around the 80th minute- for another challenge on Vertonghen

This was undeserved though as the defender appeared to have conned the Ref into making the decision. There had between a lot of bickering and niggles between both players prior to this incidence.

Hazard was replaced by Schurrle later on while Azpilicueta was brought in for Oscar after Torres was sent off. The German missed a gilt edge chance when he was one on one with Lloris. He hit the ball against the on rushing Keeper with his shot when he should have tried a chip

Defoe was introduced for Soldado and he looked more dangerous than the Spaniard. Chelsea were going to settle for a point by keeping the shape in their half - after going one man down

That was what they got

Positives

Chelsea looked like the team the faithfuls had been expecting all season in the second half

A hungry pacy Torres who plays on the shoulder of defenders, is not afraid to take on defenders is a goooooooooood thing! It's a shame it ended in expulsion today ( just like at QPR 2 seasons ago ) as this was his best game in a Chelsea shirt in my opinion.

Dear Torres, be fired up but keep your temper in check. Thank you

Oscar is a good player but he has nothing on Mata. I hope he (Mata) has cemented his place in the starting eleven with today’s performance

Chelsea needs Mata like air in the lungs. He just makes things happen for us. In all this, the dimunitive midfielder was a study in grace and humility off field. The consummate professional! Hat doffed!

Negatives

I wish Schurrle would finish better, he tracks back well and is full of running . The German just needs to get 'how to chip a goalkeeper' lessons from Ramires. He could easily have got 3-4 goals this season if his finishing was up to scratch

Hazard has been decent with his defensive work but he needs to give more going forward. He has the pace and trickery to do to defenders what Townsend did to Ashley Cole in the first half today

Ramires is more threatening in the pivot where he can wreck havoc with his pace going forward. He is useless at the wings- he simply doesn't have the guile or requisite skill in that position

It's looking good! With our rivals also dropping points, today's performance portends great things going into the future

 

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Football-This week in songs

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Football-This week in songs

Chelsea

-visits Spurs for an early kick- off game tomorrow.

You'd be foolish not to worry about this Spurs side. They've bought very well and are a better side since Bale's departure.

Flavour says " Baby, I dey catch cold, Oyi natumo"

But we've mostly had the upper hand in recent times and there's no reason for this to change if Mourinho gets the tactics and selection right tomorrow.

Certainly, Spurs wouldn't be playing with 10 men behind the ball. This should free up space for our creative players and our misfiring strikers- something they haven't enjoyed all season

Man City

I wouldn't want to be playing Man City right now- so I do not envy Villa's task tomorrow. Illbliss tells Villa: you'd be blown away! '' U go wound o!"

They have so many in-form players; so many players that can really hurt you ( and I'm not talking about their intimidating physique). Jovetic's brace in midweek further emphasises the depth in this squad.

Micah Richard is also back after his injury lay-off.

D'banj says they are hot ''Mo gbono feli feli"

Man Utd

How good was Chicharito's goal in midweek? Pretty good! Everybody was blaming Jose Enrique for losing his marker but Chicarito's movement was too good. He tricked his marker by moving backward then ran forward and left him for dead as the cross came in.

Great fox in the box play. I don't know why he doesn't play often in this team. Dr Dre says that lad is " Nuthin' but a G Thing"

They welcome West Brom tomorrow

Liverpool

Steven Gerrard having appeared to have reached the stage in his career where going all out for 90 minutes even once a week is a difficult ask.

Some Liverpool fans say: we love him. Fat Joe says " What's luv got to do with it"

Lucas is in the Brazilian team picture again. Some would say Liverpool punched above their weight in the first month of the season-hence their current position is just about right. They visit Sunderland in 2 days

Arsenal

Even the youths have imbibed this winning mentality earlier on in the season- as evidenced at West Brom midweek. Some of us still think a lack of depth will be their Achilles Heel though. Their fans would have none of it. Dagrin says they've got a big mouth like "Pon Pon Pon" .

In other news:

Arsenal announced yesterday that the club has reduced ticket prices for traveling fans by the rather slim margin of £2.50 per game . I don't know how much this would cheer their fans up. But, hey, they've got the panacea- Ozil!! Arsenal visits Swansea tomorrow

Real Madrid

Ancelotti's team is struggling to play their football when the game is not comfortable from the start.

4-4-2 is not working - particularly away from home. The midfielders have too much ground to cover between the lines . Some think 4-2-3-1 is the answer.

Some also feel either of Carvajal or Marcelo should be starting at FB. These are the two fullbacks that can take responsibility in the attacking end. Arbeloa and Coentrao are safe but offer little threat going forward.

Some fans like Ginuwine say: Trust Ancelotti cos he's the 'same Ol' G'

Real welcomes Athletico Madrid tomorrow

Barcelona FC

-are scoring goals for fun

Following the goals scored by Sergio Busquets and Marc Bartra midfield, no fewer than 11 different players have now scored for FCB in 9 official matches this season.

Messi-Neymar combo seem to be working but the talking point this week as to be Messi's tantrum-throwing following late substitution.

Wizkid says even "Sisi Nene" would be envious of such a hissy fit

Barca visits Almeria tomorrow

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League Cup- Chelsea 2- Swindon 0

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League Cup -Chelsea 2- Swindon 0

4 words -Still in second gear

Or perhaps there is no upper gear!! *panics* *starts Zen breathing* *makes a note to self*: *CalmTFdown*

This team played like the B team indeed

This game should have been half about players laying down a marker to those currently preferred by the manager and half trying to build some real momentum as a squad in terms of both convincing performance and result. Sadly this match provided neither!

Chelsea starting lineup (4-2-3-1):

Mark Schwarzer | Ryan Bertrand, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta | Marco van Ginkel, Michael Essien | Willian, Juan Mata, Kevin De Bruyne | Fernando Torres

Van Ginkel was injured earlier on and replaced by Ramires- after picking up a knee injury ( it looked nasty on slo-mo! and there are reports that he's 'done his cruciates' ) The substitute was later substituted due to an undisclosed injury (Terry was introduced and David Luiz moved into midfield)

There was a period in the first half when the axis of Fernando Torres, Juan Mata, and Ramires absolutely dominated proceedings and created two goals just between themselves. The first -a wonderful pass from Ramires letting the smallest man with the biggest chip on his shoulder ( Mata) in on the Swindon goal.

The Goalie parried the shot but Torres was on the spot and tucked home the rebound.

Five minutes later, Torres turned provider-releasing Ramires who doesn't miss often when he gets to chip a goalkeeper. Two-nil and we looked like getting plenty more.

Alas! Once Ramires left there was disorganisation in midfield and it was a catalogue of missed opportunities in front. Swindon never really threatened at the other end

Torres always looks good against the minnows, does he not? He could have had a hat trick in this match but for his poor finishing ( ..,and a few trademark hilarious Torresian moments! ) #KingOfTheMinnows

Positives

We won and are in the next round! Better than Basel init !?! Glass half full ( stay with me here! )

Your spirituality is not complete until you live a life of appreciation. You know: less cynical, more pollyanna *waves church hanky*

There has to be an upper gear for this team. Hopefully we get to see it at White Hart Lane over the weekend. Otherwise we could be at the end of a Man Utd -type shellacking ( learnt Spurs put 4 past Villa away yesterday!! )

-Essien has still got it. I really loved his driving runs through the centre

The ideal pivot may yet be Essien/Mikel but I think Mourinho'd prefer Ramires/Mikel

-Betrand can lay claim to Cole's position at LB, if only he can improve the quality of his crosses

Negatives

- Mata.....well let's just say he has played better in a Chelsea shirt ( it was almost hilarious watching him try to do a Gennaro Gattuso in defensive duties with his petite frail frame! ) It is easy to blame it on the pressure of the 'Mourinho challenge' in the Press but quite a few others also had below average games too- e.g Willian, KDB

They come across like kids being forced to eat their spinach, a lot less fun!

-the transition from a defence to attack is still too slow. Hence the laboured performance in the centre

-this team doesn't score enough goals ( yet! ) They are profligate in front of goal- this was again evident today in the second half. No fluidity and making wrong decisions in the final third. Every attacking player was a culprit

But I have a feeling that things will be better against Spurs over the weekend ( I hope it does. I'm going all Morgan Freeman here- Hope is a good thing! )

Spurs are at home and I don't see them playing with 10 men behind the ball. This should open up space for our attacking players ( something we've not had or lacked the ingenuity to create all season)

The boys have to earn their spurs against Spurs

So in the words of Ronald Reagan "go out there, boys, and win one for the Gipper!"

 

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