For a game of such significance, AvB's decisions were simply scandalous and such decisions begs the question, IS AVB LOOKING TO BE SACKED?

Ramires and Meireles were drafted in as defensive midfielders and Jose Bosingwa, a right-footed right-back, switched across to the left.

Ten minutes later Cole came on as Bosingwa 'did' his hamstring.

Petr Cech was the busiest of the two goalkeepers in the opening stages as Napoli, backed by a cauldron of a crowd, looked to press home an early advantage and Cech made a couple of decent saves to deny Cavani and then Maggio.

But it was Chelsea who took the lead when Mata converted a mishit clearance from Napoli's skipper Cannavaro and slotted home to the right of the diving De Sanctis.

The goal stunned and silenced the partisan home support and for the first time the travelling Blues could be heard.

Chelsea's joy only lasted eleven minutes when the defensive midfield pairing of Meireles and Ramires allowed Lavezzi (Napoli's best player on the night) to turn and hit a curler from outside the box, which Cechie boy did well to get a touch, to equalise.

More defensive failings allowed Cavani in, right on half-time to chest in Napoli's 2nd at the far post.

The second-half continued in the same vain as the first.

End-to-end with both teams looking like they would score with every attack.

Chelsea though with all their possession and domination suffered dearly, when Liability Luiz, instead of clearing into Row Z, attempted a side flick clearance but the ball rebounded off Cavani who swept the ball across to the on rushing Lavezzi for him to score his 2nd of the night and Napoli's third.

The night could have got a lot worse for Chelsea as Napoli nearly scored a fourth, but Cole cleared off the line from a Maggio effort.

In fairness to AvB and Chelsea, the ball didn't quite run for the Blues in the most important areas, but having said that, Chelsea were a beaten side even before the first whistle blew.

Napoli: De Sanctis, Campagnaro, Cannavaro (c), Aronica, Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Zuniga, Hamsik (Pandev 81), Lavezzi (Dzemaili 73), Cavani

Goals: Lavezzi 37, 64, Cavani 45

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Bosingwa (Cole 10), Ramires, Meireles (Essien 69), Sturridge, Mata, Malouda (Lampard 69), Drogba

Goal: Mata 26

Booked: Meireles 40, Cahill 55

NEXT UP: Bolton (H), Saturday 25/2/12, K.O.3pm

TWITTER: @WVOMChelsea

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Napoli 3-1 Chelsea: AvB and Luiz Plot Chelsea's Downfall

Posted by: 50 Years Over 100 Years (IP Logged)

Date: 21/02/2012 23:01

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Options: Reply To This Message•Quote This Message•Report This Message

Re: Napoli 3-1 Chelsea: AvB and Luiz Plot Chelsea's Downfall

Posted by: dixon9 (IP Logged)

Date: 24/02/2012 08:05

Well, we'll soon see IF one of the reasons AVB has been brought in (and "bought" in!) is to restructure the squad and therefore change the philosophy and playing style... IF he hasn't - then he'll be sacked, IF he has, then he'll stay. In the meantime, we MUST end up in at least 4th.

Luiz did one or two excellent interventions previous to his c-ck up which cost us the goal...but that's what you'll get with him. He'll do the same before the end of the season. Can't help liking him though, and I think back to Carvalho's early matches which were not impressive. I think he'll eventually be an excellent defender for us in years to come though.

---

"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

Options: Reply To This Message•Quote This Message•Report This Message

Goto Thread: Previous•Next

Goto: Message List•Log In

Goto: Message List•Search•Log In

Your Name:
Subject:

Spam prevention:

Please, enter the code that you see below in the input field. This is for blocking bots that try to post this form automatically. If the code is hard to read, then just try to guess it right. If you enter the wrong code, a new image is created and you get another chance to enter it right.

Enter code:

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net