Went to the game as usual. Best atmosphere in such a long time. Not the best attacking wise, but defensively solid. I'm happy eddie decided to leave ASM and Wilson out, and instead just dominate midfield. We only need to win 1-0. I thought at times our squad depth would let us down but it seems like the lesser players are stepping their game up. Very confident performance, sometimes a bit shakey, but we got the job done. Chelsea were barely in the game. Pope - 7 - 2 good saves, especially the last one. Trippier - 9 - MOTM for me - Absolutely incredible defending, composure and good attacking threat. Schar - 8 - Solid Botman - 8 Burn - 8 Longstaff - 8 - Fantastic game I thought. Apart from his finishing he did incredibly well. Although I thought he was going to get a red for his wipe out of the **** coloccini. Bruno - 5 - His worst game for a while. Passing was off, at times great composure and defending, but lost the ball quite a few times and was at fault for the chance Chelsea had that forced Pope to make a save. I wouldn't say he was awful, but was a bit of a liability. Willock - 8.5 - Great energy, great play, good goal. Joelinton - 7 - Looked a bit off the pace, but still good performance. Wood - 5 - A decent effort on goal, won a couple of headers, but not much to write home about. Doesn't fit in with the team. Almiron - 8 - Good performance and assist.
Don’t agree with Bruno mark. First half he was Bruno but faded in second half but others stepped up. A 6.5 for me. Wood is unfairly criticised in my view. He’s not the same standard as Wilson but then again only Kane is ahead of Wilson in the England striker stakes. Wood always gives 100% effort and always tries his hardest. For that reason I won’t criticise him (*fingers crossed* unless he misses an open goal). We’ve had plenty chancers in recent years but Wood tries but sadly he just isn’t of the right standard. A 6 for me for him. Also thought Tripps had one or two mistakes in him tonight so not MOTM and an 8. MOTM Willock.
Great result. I do wish everyone would get off Wood's case a bit. Considering he is 3rd choice at the end of the day he has done a job for us. Results have been decent when he's in the side and at the end of the day you can't carry anyone in the Premier League.
Trippier was excellent generally but I sometimes wonder what Willock has to do to get the credit he deserves. Even without the goal he was MotM for me.
I'd give Bruno and Wood both 6.5; Bruno did a few bad passes but was otherwise OK, not his usual cumfest, but not dreadful. Wood was also decent, despite what the bores on here always say. Willock, Tripps, Botman and Miggy all excellent. Chelsea looked kinda ****e though it has to be said, and we easily deserved that.
Bruno was way off it yes, 6. Wood I don't rate, but hes third choice as people say so, what can you do. 6.
What. A . Game! What. A. Result! Felt like we dominated the game bar their very limited chances which came mostly through our own doing. It's crazy how in the space of a year we've gone from sitting back, conceding 2/3rds possession against the top teams to pressing them and making them look really average teams. Willocks found his mojo again and hope he can keep it going 2nd half of he season now, with him Joelinton and Bruno all pitching in goals, Almiron, ASM scoring and supporting Isak and Wilson up top - we could have a ridiculous second half of the season and that's without any new signings coming in. Not only are we third going into the second half of the season we are outright 3rd having played 5/6 "Big" 6 teams with only Arsenal to come and I think we'll give them a good game when we do meet . One loss in 17 games so far this season and potentially into the League Cup QF (Bournemouth at home in the cup is a great draw and a decent run out prior to the league getting going again) before Xmas - who saw that coming? Get a statue up of Eddie ****ing Howe - what a man, what a manager!
