Lethal Matic

By Gary Watton
November 5 2014

Eden Hazard proved that he is human with a mediocre penalty which ought to have earned Chelsea a late winner, but which instead typified an average display from the complacent visitors. Of course their cause was certainly not assisted by another unfavourable referee performance. It's not that we seek special favours from the match official, but a bit of fairness would be good.

Unfortunately I reckon that Jose has so polarised opinion that most referees and linesmen just love the opportunity to defy the so-called special one. Well, there certainly wasn't anything special about his team tonight. Schurrle was a flop and Filipe Luis remains something of a disappointment. Instead, it took a goal for the hosts and the introduction of the in-form Oscar to arouse Chelsea from their slumber.

However what continues to concern me is that the Blues lack Arsenil and Manure's traditional knack of turning matches around after going behind. Chelsea still labour when it comes to pursuing a late equaliser or winner. Could it be that the team loses composure in the final third whenever it is afflicted with the urgency and sheer panic of trying to secure that extra, match-deciding goal? If Chelsea do persist in struggling to come from behind, then the obvious remedy is to start matches with a greater level of intensity, and having taken the proceedings by the scruff of the neck, to then take the lead and hopefully build upon it. This would seem an infinitely more preferable strategy than going behind and then impersonating headless chickens in an anxious bid to retrieve the situation.

Of course the Londoners still seem poised to qualify from their group, but one more indifferent display in our remaining two fixtures could seriously jeopardise our hopes of winning the group, which is an absolute must, as it ensures we avoid the creme de la creme in the last sixteen. Still, look on the bright side. At least we're not totally under-achieving, Euro flops Manchester Mercenaries. We should count our blessings!

NK Maribor 1 CHELSEA 1; half time: 0-0. Wednesday 5th November 2014.

CHELSEA goal scorer: Matic

CHELSEA team: Cech, Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Filipe Luis, Matic, Fabregas, Hazard, Schurrle, Willian, Drogba. Used substitutes: Costa, Oscar, Ramires.

CHELSEA LEADING SCORERS:

Costa - 9 goals

Hazard - 5 goals

Oscar - 4 goals

Drogba and Matic - 3 goals

Fabregas, Ivanovic, Remy, and Schurrle - 2 goals

.

Discussion started by Chelsea FC (IP Logged), 05/11/2014 19:59

Chelsea FC
05/11/2014 19:59

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