Grateful to go in 2 down in the end. Lost all our momentum after the first goal and made a tonne of errors. Hopefully we can calm down and come out in the second half like we started the first.
Davies needs someone in front of him that will stop Ivanovic coming forward so much or take advantage when he does. Is Chadli that player? Probably not. Townsend might do it, but he's injured. I think that picking Lamela instead of Soldado was a mistake. He's done a few flicks and tricks here and there, but not much else. Kane's not been able to influence the game enough from his advanced position and our midfield's suffered because of it. Will Pochettino change things at half-time? I hope so.
Very frustrating half. We've looked good going forward at times against a well organised, hard working and top quality Chelsea side and could have had a goal if Kane had finished his header 6 inches lower. Around our box is where all the problems are, a combination of Chelsea's excellent movement (when its Drogba, Hazard, Oscar, Willian and Fabregas you're hard pressed to stop them) and our players losing their men is where Chelsea are getting their chances. Its annoying that Lloris has also made errors for both their goals when he's normally such a big player for us. Going into the second half I think there is a case for bringing on Chadli for Lamela, who has tried to do too much on some occasions to our detriment, as the big Belgian brings more physical presence and goal threat. Eriksen hasn't made too much of an impact yet but he can be anonymous and then pop up with crucial goals, so I'd keep him on. I'm not sure what else I'd change at this stage. If we can nick a first goal back and keep concentrating and working hard then we might have a chance of a point.
Just noticed on the Harry Kane break from Cahill's give away, Azpilicueta takes out Lamela. According to the Fazio/Aguero foul in our game against City, that should be a red card and a penalty. Can't say that I blame the officials for missing it though, as I didn't notice it. Of course, I'm not a professional ref. The pundits haven't seen it, either.
I would bite someone's hand off for this to remain the final score. I know its defeatist but there are loads of annoying arrogant Chelsea fans at my work and I can't be bothered to put up with them gloating over another thrashing of us. It's like groundhog day against any of the top clubs (arsenal aside this season)
I'd see how we start the second half, at the moment I'd be tempted to move Eriksen deeper and take off Mason for Chadli or Soldado. Mason's been poor so far and part of the problem with us struggling to get out of our half since the goal.
