Aguero's first goal

By Gary Watton
April 16 2016

Chelsea's hapless troops generously donated a hat trick to the pesky but lethal Sergio Aguero, thereby granting Manchester Wannabes a rare league double over the champions, having won both fixtures to the tune of three goals to nil. The score was a bit harsh on the hosts, as they did boss the match, but even in the absence of the reliable Kompany, the visitors' defence were able tor resist Chelsea's attacks, which ranged from the occasionally dangerous to the frequently feeble. This was just the kind of backs to the wall performance aided by excellent counter attacking which renders Manchester Mercenaries as dangerous adversaries of Real Madrid in their forthcoming Champions League semi final. However, it is doubtful whether Real Madrid will be as impotent in front of goal or as clueless at coping with counter attacks.

Chelsea I'm afraid are light years away from winning silverware or returning to European football. The kids, so-called, were tried, notably Loftus-Cheek and Rahman, and later Kenedy and Traore. Their performances pretty much summed up the home team. They were all good in patches, but nobody produced a solid shift. Nobody took the match by the scruff of the neck and terrorised the away team. RLC is still a work in progress. It's true that he was unlucky to be denied when a left-footed effort angled across Hart was crucially tipped around the far post by the England goalkeeper. Chelsea can persevere with the young talent next year, but I don't see anyone really likely to torment opposing teams just yet. Instead, the club is crying out for a pacy winger or two. Hazard, if he departs, will be sorely missed. Willian played quite well but we need another creative outlet. Another tricky winger like a Pat Nevin or Joe Cole or a speedster like Robben is just what the ailing patient requires. The alternative will be more of the same attacking from Saturday past where we pass and pass and pass, with no pace nor rarely any penetration. Is it any small wonder that we struggle to take the lead in many matches? It's all too predictable, with nobody possessing the turn of foot that will leave opposition full backs trailing in their wake.

Yes Chelsea were a bit unlucky. Pedro had an effort cleared off the line when the match was still scoreless. Why did he side-foot his attempt instead of putting his foot throught he ball like a Lampard or Ballack would have done from the edge of the penalty area? Furthermore, lady luck also smiled on Manchester Mercenaries when Aguero's first goal benefited from a deflection that took his shot beyond the outstretched arms of Courtois. Then again, Courtois would have been helpless if Cahill had not blocked a certain goal earlier. The trouble was that Chelsea were cut wide open on several occasions and Manchester Wannabes could have had five or six goals when they accelerated into vast open spaces that were unoccupied in front of our back four. Fabregas is not a holding midfielder. Mikel too was guilty of straying too far forward, which some might say was understandable once we went behind and were forlornly chasing the match. However, the bottom line was that the defence had no protection in front of them. The midfield cover was missing in action for the umpteenth time this season, so it is wrong to scapegoat Cahill and Ivanovic who were left to handle onrushing opponents who simply strolled through the open prairie when our moves broke down and we lost the ball, as happened when a corner of ours was transformed into a lethal breakaway for them.

Chelsea just aren't very good any more. Although Leicester have demonstrated that failing teams can transform themselves in a remarkable short space of time, it would be naive in the extreme to expect the arriving Conte to revive this mediocre team. When he does surface later in the summer, he might want to start by finding a new Makalele, because there is nobody occupying Claude's old role of slowing opposing counter attacks down and stifling breakaway moves. Matic ought to be reinstated, but then he has not been terribly cosmic this season either.

I still harbour the delusion that we can take thirteen points from five difficult remaining outings, comprising four wins and a draw. To achieve this would lead to fifty-seven points and exactly one and a half points per match. Mind you, if we continue to flop in the final third and go behind in matches, then we may even struggle to stay in the top ten.  

CHELSEA 0 Manchester City 3; half time: 0-1.

CHELSEA team: Courtois; Azpilicueta; Ivanovic; Cahill; Willian; Rahman; Fabregas; Mikel; Loftus-Cheek; Pedro; Costa. Used substitutes: Kenedy; Traore; Begovic.

CHELSEA LEADING SCORERS:

Costa fifteen goals

Willian ten goals

Oscar eight goals

Pedro seven goals

Fabregas five goals

Traore four goals

Cahill three goals

Ramires three goals

Remy three goals

City

Discussion started by Chelsea FC (IP Logged), 16/04/2016 17:24

Chelsea FC
16/04/2016 17:24

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