We weathered that storm and finished really strongly there. Hopefully Southampton tire (I know they're a fit team but they've been fully on the gas that half, can they really keep that up?) and we can pick them off.
2-0 HT. Very happy with that scoreline. Started really poorly, then it all got a bit scrappy and became rather a lot of nothing. Created a couple of chances and took them both. Clinical. Need a better performance in the second half. Looked slow out of the blocks. A couple of tactical switches seemed to help, but it still wasn't great.
Chelsea went 2-0 up early on. The fans started chanting, "Where were you when we were ****?" Van Gaal going off to a chorus of boos too at HT. 1-0 down at Old Trafford to Norwich. Mourinho to Man Utd?
Fonte's foul was a really poor one, too. Very good advantage, but shocking defending. Gazzaniga was bloody awful for the second goal, too. Went down randomly, then looked to the officials.
First 20 was a total mess, we might as well have only had Lloris, Toby and Jan on the pitch. Midfield was wide open and sloppy in possession, we couldn't get it into the final third, let alone keep it there for any period of time. The only positive was seeing Jan trying to calm players down and Lloris having a go at some players. It did **** all at the time but it's good to see as we don't see leadership from them often enough. We grew into the game after that awful first 20 minutes though and finished the half on top. Make not mistake though, this 2-0 scoreline is an early Christmas gift and we have to make sure we don't waste it because Southampton are good enough to turn this around if we give them an opportunity. I'd look at taking Eriksen off if we don't start the second half well, he's a bit of a dead weight for us at the moment.
Agreed with the rest, but I'd look to move him in behind Kane first. Alli and Dembele switching seemed to help in that half, but the Dane's not a winger and it shows. He can do a job there, but it never seems to get the best out of him. Maybe Lamela on the left, Dembele on the right and him in the middle?
Apparently McClean was sent off for punching Adam Smith. Even got sent off for fouling a Spurs player!
He gets time and space on the wing and will continue to as Southampton get more desperate to attack. Trouble is he's our weakest defender wherever he plays on the pitch. I'd go for 433 and bring Bentaleb on with Lamela on the left and Alli down the right, we need an extra man in the middle to allow Dier to keep a closer eye on Mane, he's getting a run at the defence too often for my liking.
Our defence has played well but midfield have looked off the pace, except Lamella what a change in this guy. Everytime he get's the ball he is looking to do something positive a real live wire for us. Dembele has been dispossessed several times, unusual for him. I predicted 2 -3 to us and on the first half peformance I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Southampton come back at us. We need that 3rd goal.
Chelsea 3 up...would bitch about how I wish Maureen was still there cos they'll get back to being good now but as it's fat Sam **** it! Agree about this not being won ... we need to get a third and the midfield need to get a foothold in the game West Brom losing to Bournemouth. ..will be their 3rd win in a row!
