Topic: Round Table Chelsea 1 - 2 Liverpool

[Hinesy]

There's not many greater pleasures than watching us beat Chelsea at their shitehole.
Johnson was Sky's man of the match. I thought Charlie Adam was excellent today for us, but Johnson's goal was a jump-up-and-downer.
More thoughts later but interesting notes: Carra fit but not on. Lucas excellent. Bellamy looked dangerous in the middle and nice to see Maxi out again playing at times very well. Faded later on tho, and when Chelsea changed it around in the 2nd half, we looked a bit at sea for a while but neat shout for Kenny bringing on Henderson.

[StevenLFC]

The script was written wasn't it? You see Torres and Meireles coming on, and it's written. A player scoring in the dying minutes? Against his former club? It just had to be Torres, right? No? O.K, it's got to be Meireles then? No! Glen Johnson pops up with a goal either of our former players would have been proud of. I thought we started the game brightly, and deserved to go infront. We put pressure on the ball and after a few neat passes and a lovely Maxi finish, we're in the lead. They started the second Hal brighter, and deserved the goal, and but for a top save from Reina we'd have been behind. From that point on we did well and Adam's pass to Johnson was a beauty, and Johnson's run and finish were top class.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

It was a game that showed the importance of managers I think.  Kenny got it tactically right from the off with Mata and Malouda marginalised and Enrique and Johnson surging forward to good effect.  It meant we bossed the first half and deserved to be ahead.

AVB reacted well at half time though and changed things around for them, in a tactical switch that exploited space behind our fullbacks and got Mata into the game.  They were all over us and after the early equaliser only some resilient defending and a stunning Reina save prevented us from falling behind.  We needed to make a change to counteract it and it finally came in the 66th minute with Henderson coming on to bolster the midfield.  It gave us a foot back in the game and although Chelsea continued to dominate possession they were no longer threatening as they had and we were looking dangerous on the break at the other end if we could expose the gaps left by AVB's change.  And so we did.

Plus points.  Charlie Adam and Lucas looking like a midfield partnership that could prosper for the first time.  Good performances from both of them but the additional support they got from Kuyt and Maxi was a huge factor.  Bellamy looks like the ideal partner for Suarez, you certainly get the impression that Suarez prefers playing with him and is far more likely to pass to him when in a good position than he is the other options we have tried up there. Henderson looks twice the player as a sub used centrally to the callow youth who starts on the right and looks bewildered.

Minus points.  Final ball let us down again.  Sometimes poor choices, sometimes poor execution.  This led to a weird stat where despite being the better team in that first half and despite creating numerous openings, positions from where we should have created chances, I think the stats showed that our goal was our only shot on goal.  A bit more clinical with that final ball and we had chances to put the game to bed before half time.

[Yorkykopite]

Agree with nearly all your assessment Kev, though you won't be surprised that I disagree about Kuyt. I'll get that out of the way since it was the one black spot in a smart team performance. He was awful. He kept giving the ball away, his movement was stupid and he constantly left Johnson to deal with two opponents. Their goal summed his game up. He saw Terry overlap and he simply let him go which meant Johnson had to leave Malouda and pick up the overlapping man. Kuyt will not play against Man City.

The contrast in quality is greater now because we have so many players who are good in tight situations, adjust their body shape to receive passes in ways which keep their momentum going, and who can use their heel and their sole as well as their instep to keep the ball moving. Maxi, Bellamy, Enrique, Lucas, Adam, Johnson, Agger and Suarez are all players who are quick with the ball. We played some delightful one touch football at times yesterday. Lucas, in particular, executed 'tricks' to get out of tight spots and let Chelsea know they were up against a more skillful team. Kuyt, meanwhile, is wading through cement - too busy trying to tame the simplest of passes to be thinking about what he might want to do next. 

Excluding him, we were excellent in the first '45. I can't remember a time in recent years - barring the crazy European Cup semi - when we had the lion's share of play at the Bridge like that. The Chelsea coach did well in the second half of course and Mata's movement was dangerous. But they couldn't  isolate Lucas and Adam too often and both Agger and Skrtel had top class games. Our central defence is looking strong now. Both players were quick to the ball and they were stronger than Drogba in 50-50s. We have a proper centre-back pairing now and - in Coates - some serious competition too. 

It was good to see Maxi back though, inevitably, he's not match-fit and faded in the second half. He's a head up player and turns up, McDermott style, in some very strange positions. Twice in the first half he was almost through on goal making the type of runs from deep that are a nightmare for centre backs.

A final word of Glen Johnson's goal. The fact that he made such an enterprising run at that stage of the game shows the desire and self-belief of the team. But I especially like the way he used both feet to slightly change the direction of the ball while he was in the box. It meant he was always in command and explains why he was able to finish with such composure. Chelsea were mad to get rid of him all those years ago. He's one of the best in the world at right back.

[Frank.]

It was weird as even though we conceded more chances and it was against better opposition it was similar to the 3 games we drew at home. We play very well in the first half pressing higher up the pitch and high pressure on the opposition and score a good goal. Then sort of sat back when we came out after the break until the last few minutes were we piled on the pressure except this game it really paid off. I don't know if its a fitness or tactics thing but thats what struck me when watching it back.

Both goals were brilliant too one from the brilliant one touch football that you'd only usually see on the training pitch or at the Nou Camp and the other a brilliant individual effort. All in all, boss result.

[Sabu Pundit]

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This gem bring too dirty Sofa Miracles called Loose in head-to-head confront, wiv’ our Mr Wires Vs  them sideshow Robert filthy cheat-a-like, sometime-but-not-often Send’em Back Mr Debit Loose whose liar Brillo tee. This character is Moes unreliable, cheatin’ partner sins Mr Jaunt Airy…who is his partner. It is ironic Madge maiden hell.

All seeing-Sky had royale bores-up despise severed thousand Kamara rounder ground when Angry Gaye’s former pardoner Mr Marred Entire-Law ejaculate ‘bout Mr.Ditty A Dogger “gol”. Entire-Law beer come firs entity look the more stooped and sub-human even when sat wiv Mr Garage Nibble. Dooby us praise in did.

Mr Glans Johnson proof all them plebs rite what say it can’t defend: he is a manna the peoples innit, like Sita Zen-Schmidt.   Butt it came and done a shot in climax  which place Scouses in organism.
 
Kaurs the BIC talky pint is continuing awfulness this Gott forsake most laugh bull duet sins Mockem’ an’ Vice:   El Ninny an’ Antique Arrow who is in Dyer States & now both SOB-statues for respected Clubs they is Buttholes-in-alms innit,  they more marginalise than bandits Yang-Shang Po (NOT TellyTarby). This bigger pairer flop than Honor Blagman’s octogeneric knockers. Word UP Arrow cameo performs, where leapt around like Douglas Barter an’ display worse first touch than left arm Albert the dishwasher Robin’s Nest. “Mr Tripp Mr Tripp” yes we missed a trick when flog El Ninny and blow 70% mental fee on this Card Hose IT THE TRUE. Thank you very much.

[Corkboy]

Agree with nearly all your assessment Kev, though you won't be surprised that I disagree about Kuyt. I'll get that out of the way since it was the one black spot in a smart team performance. He was awful. He kept giving the ball away, his movement was stupid and he constantly left Johnson to deal with two opponents. Their goal summed his game up.

Ah, Yorky. You are superbly consistent in your lack of fairness towards Dirk.

I agree he had one of his more awkward games and he looked a little off the pace. But have another look at Johnson's goal, which you lovingly described in your post. Johnson appears to be in acres of space, and appearances do not deceive because he was. Why?

The minute Adam gets on the ball, Dirk makes a run in the opposite direction from where Adam is going to pass to Johnson. He runs straight across Cole, giving him something to think about and heads for Terry and Luiz. This, in turn, gives both of them something to think about and sure enough, Terry (perhaps mindful of his partner's less than rigorous defending up to that point) dawdles a little, rather than charging across to help out Cole. This, as much as anything, creates a gaping hole in the Chelsea defence so that Johnson knows if he can do Cole, he's in like Flynn. Which he was.

And all this after 87 minutes. That's Dirk. Contrary to what you say, he's always thinking.

[Yorkykopite]

Ah, Yorky. You are superbly consistent in your lack of fairness towards Dirk.

I agree he had one of his more awkward games and he looked a little off the pace. But have another look at Johnson's goal, which you lovingly described in your post. Johnson appears to be in acres of space, and appearances do not deceive because he was. Why?

The minute Adam gets on the ball, Dirk makes a run in the opposite direction from where Adam is going to pass to Johnson. He runs straight across Cole, giving him something to think about and heads for Terry and Luiz. This, in turn, gives both of them something to think about and sure enough, Terry (perhaps mindful of his partner's less than rigorous defending up to that point) dawdles a little, rather than charging across to help out Cole. This, as much as anything, creates a gaping hole in the Chelsea defence so that Johnson knows if he can do Cole, he's in like Flynn. Which he was.

And all this after 87 minutes. That's Dirk. Contrary to what you say, he's always thinking.

No I was aware of that. It was nice. It was a good thing to do. A good defender who is in danger of being stretched would always let Dirk go though. Pretend he isn't there and deal with the primary threat. Decoy runs, after all, are only warlike if the player making them can actually use a spear.

[Chakan]

No I was aware of that. It was nice. It was a good thing to do. A good defender who is in danger of being stretched would always let Dirk go though. Pretend he isn't there and deal with the primary threat. Decoy runs, after all, are only warlike if the player making them can actually use a spear.

10+ goals for us a season consistently. I would say the threat is real.

[Yorkykopite]

10+ goals for us a season consistently. I would say the threat is real.

He's a good penalty taker, that's for sure. And no one is better than Dirk at pouncing on loose balls in the 6-yard area. Sadly for him - and until Kenny arrived, us too - that's not where most football is played. He's a luxury we can no longer afford to carry. He was absolutely awful yesterday - and the magnificence of the rest of the team shouldn't stop us saying so.

[Chakan]

He's a good penalty taker, that's for sure. And no one is better than Dirk at pouncing on loose balls in the 6-yard area. Sadly for him - and until Kenny arrived, us too - that's not where most football is played. He's a luxury we can no longer afford to carry. He was absolutely awful yesterday - and the magnificence of the rest of the team shouldn't stop us saying so.

Not saying anything like that at all, but when someone is consistently scoring goals for a team, when they run across you to create space the mindset is generally to go with them to make sure they don't end up tapping it into the net. Just saying that if Dirk tries to pull someone out of position more than likely a defender will go with him. There is a threat there.

[Hinesy]

bump

[amir87]

The first half showed the importance of pressing the opposition.
It is definitely something we need to improve on, especially at Anfield, as it will suffocate these "smaller clubs" who look far too comfortable with the ball. If we put that extra effort in to close the gaps and not allow the opposition players too much time to think and settle in then we'd be far more efficient at turning those draws into wins.

I thought it was a great team effort, as it has to be to win at Stamford Bridge, and some players really stepped up while others showed they shouldn't have been overlooked for so long. We were much more fluent, albeit tired in the second half, and our central defensive partnership looked far more assured then it has done for quite some time.

It's important to build from this as we've got an even tougher match next week. I just hope we take the same mentality as we did yesterday into the game because if we do, I reckon we'll win.

[Corkboy]

No I was aware of that. It was nice. It was a good thing to do. A good defender who is in danger of being stretched would always let Dirk go though. Pretend he isn't there and deal with the primary threat. Decoy runs, after all, are only warlike if the player making them can actually use a spear.

Please. As Chakan remarked, he gets a lot of goals for a guy with no, er, spear.

[Rouge]

For me it was simple we played great football when Maxi and Bellamy where at there fittest - in the first half.  Hendo looked much better as a sub, Kuyt was not great but he gave the team stability.  Carroll and Downing did nothing to impress but all in all very happy with the win. Hopefully Kenny keeps this first 11 for the man City game as it clearly is the best out of our squad.

[redforlife]

It's easy to pin yesterday's win on starting Maxi and Bellamy, but I feel that's exactly what gave us the platform to harass, chase and ultimately force Chelsea into making mistakes

In Maxi, Suarez, Bellamy and to a lesser degree Kuyt, you have four players who are happy interchanging across the 3-1 of the 4-2-3-1 we seemed to employ.  Some may say it was 4-4-2 but I see 4-4-2 as being more static and we were anything but.

In midfield Lucas was his ever consistent brilliant self, and Adam stepped up a notch yesterday.  I was delighted, albeit surprised, to see him closing down Mikel for the opening goal.  In fact I'm pretty sure from the replay that he set off for Mikel before Cech even played the ball.  Excellent anticipation, and the ball for the winner was superb

And I have to say how happy I was to see the centre halves kept as a pairing.  There was obviously a temptation to put Carragher back in, especially if expecting a back to the walls game but Agger and Skrtel have the shirts and deserve to keep them.  Alongside them, we have two of the best attacking full backs in the league who helped pin Chelsea back first half

Obviously they came back in the second half with a more attacking line up, and you're never going to dominate for 90 minutes there, but luckily was kept them to one goal - thanks largely to a world class save by a world class keeper - and that set the scene brilliantly for someone to come back and haunt their former club.

Chelsea's policy means they'll probably try and buy him now doesn't it?

[LiverpoolForever]

I think the front 2 of Suarez and Bellamy has given Kenny some food for thought.The workrate of those 2 was very important yesterday as it allowed us to play with a midfield 2 without them tiring early and the movement of Bellamy and Suarez gave Chelsea's defence and in particular Luiz more than a few problems.

The pressing of the team was very good , time and time again Chelsea were hurried when in possession and i think the selection of Maxi and Kuyt helped that in the first half before fatigue set in late on.Still not convinced with 4-4-2 as i think it does give up a lot of possession against the better sides , even Swansea had a lot of the ball but with the workrate and closing down it made up for having 1 less in midfield.

12 games in level with Chelsea and Arsenal with a lot of new players , most i think would have taken that.It shows that the new signings perhaps have had a slightly over the top critisism from some quarters given the upheavel on the pitch.All we need now is to turn the home draws into wins.

[Neil D]

Agree with nearly all your assessment Kev, though you won't be surprised that I disagree about Kuyt. I'll get that out of the way since it was the one black spot in a smart team performance. He was awful. He kept giving the ball away, his movement was stupid and he constantly left Johnson to deal with two opponents. Their goal summed his game up. He saw Terry overlap and he simply let him go which meant Johnson had to leave Malouda and pick up the overlapping man. Kuyt will not play against Man City.

The contrast in quality is greater now because we have so many players who are good in tight situations, adjust their body shape to receive passes in ways which keep their momentum going, and who can use their heel and their sole as well as their instep to keep the ball moving. Maxi, Bellamy, Enrique, Lucas, Adam, Johnson, Agger and Suarez are all players who are quick with the ball. We played some delightful one touch football at times yesterday. Lucas, in particular, executed 'tricks' to get out of tight spots and let Chelsea know they were up against a more skillful team. Kuyt, meanwhile, is wading through cement - too busy trying to tame the simplest of passes to be thinking about what he might want to do next. 

Excluding him, we were excellent in the first '45. I can't remember a time in recent years - barring the crazy European Cup semi - when we had the lion's share of play at the Bridge like that. The Chelsea coach did well in the second half of course and Mata's movement was dangerous. But they couldn't  isolate Lucas and Adam too often and both Agger and Skrtel had top class games. Our central defence is looking strong now. Both players were quick to the ball and they were stronger than Drogba in 50-50s. We have a proper centre-back pairing now and - in Coates - some serious competition too. 

It was good to see Maxi back though, inevitably, he's not match-fit and faded in the second half. He's a head up player and turns up, McDermott style, in some very strange positions. Twice in the first half he was almost through on goal making the type of runs from deep that are a nightmare for centre backs.

A final word of Glen Johnson's goal. The fact that he made such an enterprising run at that stage of the game shows the desire and self-belief of the team. But I especially like the way he used both feet to slightly change the direction of the ball while he was in the box. It meant he was always in command and explains why he was able to finish with such composure. Chelsea were mad to get rid of him all those years ago. He's one of the best in the world at right back.

Dirk played well in the first 45. He was poor in the second half and looked jaded. But he wasn't awful overall at all. And his clever movement helped make a goal. Such shame you can't resist slating Liverpool players.

Ah, Yorky. You are superbly consistent in your lack of fairness towards Dirk.

I agree he had one of his more awkward games and he looked a little off the pace. But have another look at Johnson's goal, which you lovingly described in your post. Johnson appears to be in acres of space, and appearances do not deceive because he was. Why?

The minute Adam gets on the ball, Dirk makes a run in the opposite direction from where Adam is going to pass to Johnson. He runs straight across Cole, giving him something to think about and heads for Terry and Luiz. This, in turn, gives both of them something to think about and sure enough, Terry (perhaps mindful of his partner's less than rigorous defending up to that point) dawdles a little, rather than charging across to help out Cole. This, as much as anything, creates a gaping hole in the Chelsea defence so that Johnson knows if he can do Cole, he's in like Flynn. Which he was.

And all this after 87 minutes. That's Dirk. Contrary to what you say, he's always thinking.

Spot on. Thank God not all posters are as blinkered as Yorky is about Kuyt.

No I was aware of that. It was nice. It was a good thing to do. A good defender who is in danger of being stretched would always let Dirk go though. Pretend he isn't there and deal with the primary threat. Decoy runs, after all, are only warlike if the player making them can actually use a spear.

He's a good penalty taker, that's for sure. And no one is better than Dirk at pouncing on loose balls in the 6-yard area. Sadly for him - and until Kenny arrived, us too - that's not where most football is played. He's a luxury we can no longer afford to carry. He was absolutely awful yesterday - and the magnificence of the rest of the team shouldn't stop us saying so.

Embarrassing posts - he scored 11 goals and made 5 under Kenny last season, scoring or creating 16 goals in just 23 games for the King. That is a spear, a cutting edge, a final product. And do you know how many of those were penalties? Two or three.

He wasn't awful at all - more shockingly biased, negative hyperbole. So sad to see you ruin good threads with tripe like this.

[Gnurglan]

Thought we played our best team yesterday (-Gerrard) and I reckon it showed. Really like Maxi, Bellamy, Suarez and Kuyt together. Can only hope we get to see them again. What we lack now is a real goalscorer (Suarez please raise your hand and accept that challenge). Add a more aggressive player than Lucas/Adam in the center and we might be on to something.

Also thought Kenny got his subs right. I think he has left it too late a few times before, but yesterday he made them on time and he made the right ones too. First we needed to strengthen the center and then we needed an option to take the ball forward. Henderson was the most crucial one (my preference at the time was Spearing).

I am slowly beginning to like JH. At the same time I am getting more and more frustrated with Downing, because he is the senior player, but it's Henderson who does the right things. It is impressive for such a young player to try and step up and make his mark when the opponents are Man U and Chelsea. Wasn't exactly thrilled when we signed him for a big fee, but there is something there. It's too early to call for me, but he has got time on his side.

Was also pleased that we continued with Skrtel-Agger. They have done well so rightly they should play. And they didn't disappoint. Want us to rotate at CB from now on. That way we can include Coates and play him more and more, as opposed to making him 4th pick for a year or two. I have wanted it for years, but we have been extremely reluctant to bench Carra for just 2-3 games per season and IMO it's been a big mistake. Would be good if we changed that approach now when we have a golden opportunity. It will benefit all players.

[stockdam]

world class keeper - ............
Chelsea's policy means they'll probably try and buy him now doesn't it?

I wouldn't be surprised if Abramovich throws in the towel at the end of this season. He must be getting fed up bringing in manager after manager and not getting anywhere anymore.

[Corkboy]

Spot on. Thank God not all posters are as blinkered as Yorky is about Kuyt.

He wasn't awful at all - more shockingly biased, negative hyperbole. So sad to see you ruin good threads with tripe like this.

Steady on, dear. This is a Round Table thread, we can comport ourselves civilly without that kind of language.

[stockdam]

Really like Maxi, Bellamy, Suarez and Kuyt together. Can only hope we get to see them again..............
Was also pleased that we continued with Skrtel-Agger.

Agree with the above. I think Maxi, Suarez, Bellamy and Kuyt (usually) are quick inter-passers and this to me is where we have an edge over other teams. Agger and Skrtel are playing well together. Enrique and Johnston are solid. Lucas and Adam are very good in the centre. That's the team sorted and then I'd bring on Henderson etc. to freshen things up. Pity Gerrard is out but hopefully he'll be back to strengthen the team soon.

[Red Bird]

That was satisfying. Plumb satisfying piece of work for the weekend. Difference I think was the movement by the front four ran Chelsea's defenders ragged.

We did run out of gas, more mental than physical I thought. And then physically key players started to wane. Dalglish made good tactical substitutions which basically nullified Chelsea's momentum and re-asserted an attacking edge to our forward play. And we scored a great a late goal when seemingly conceding much possession in the second half.

[richmiller1]

Pleasing. Always a tough place to go, even if that was a good time to play them.

Overall we shaded it but there wasn't much between us, really came down to two moments of magic: the save by Reina and the second by Johnson.

Lots of positives, in particular the way in which Adam is becoming a key fulcrum in the side and growing into a proper Liverpool player right before our eyes. £7.5m is going to seem a snip by the end of the season.

Only negative was that twenty minutes where they walked all over us, we really need to get better at figuring out how to stop that from happening without Kenny being forced into fixing things from the bench. We could very easilly have fallen behind in that passage of play and I have my doubts about whether we would have had enough about us to come back from that.

[Vulmea]

thought both Enrique and Suarez had their poorest games so far for us and it was the first game were the result seemed better than the performance this season,  about time like.

we do seem to regularly dominate the first half (what a superb high tempo game it was)and then sit back to absorb pressure (20-25 minutes were we looked poor) and try and counter - it seems to basically invite the opposition back into the game and I'm not sure the side has the pace to maximise that type of approach -  is the sport science department having a big say in how we play?

Thought our ball retention during that period was atrocious - Adam in particular looked knackered and was constantly the wrong side of the ball - but he seemed to find a second wind or maybe Henderson just did his running for him - Chelsea found space way to easily and but for a magnificent save from Reina (thought the lad was offside mind) and some poor finishing (even their goal came from a mishit shot) I think we'd have struggled to get back into it.

in fact a bit like west brom - I thought we were guilty of some sloppy play going forward - passes slightly under or over hit, fractionally the wrong angle  and intercepted etc - maybe the tempo of the game was responsible for that, it was frenetic from start to finish but if we are a work in progress then there were some very good signs

Johnsons goal was brilliant.

[redbyrdz]

We started off brilliant tactically, though it looked a bit cagey. By keeping it tight and not pressuring their defence, we restricted their attack to long balls over the top to Drogba - but Skrtel was well on top of him and most of those were harmless. They only looked dangerous when they kept possession in our half, but even then we made it difficult for them. It was very good to see, but it is something we should play differently against lesser opposition.

Absolutely loved our first goal, a real team effort with finally more than two players in the box. Was a bit afraid that everybody kept passing and the opportunity would be gone, but Maxi did the right thing and scored! Johnson's second was fantastic as well, but more an individual effort - trademark pass from Adam aside. Hope it helps Johnson's confidence, we could do with him finding his attacking form!

Thought for their goal, Agger and Enrique could've done a tiny bit better but to be honest they looked likely to score one at some point. Really happy that we kept going for it and got the winner, it'd been easy to be satisfied with a point.

[John C]

Contrary to the Swansea outing we were not only blessed by some individual brilliant performances but from a team knitted together and playing as a unit. It was refreshing to see Bellamy and Maxi join the team and look like perfect fits. Suarez was clearly carrying an injury and had one of his quietest games for a while but his mere presence had Chelsea visibly scared. Whether its the fresh faces or mid-week discussions with Kenny and Steve but something came good about the football club yesterday. Entering the final moments of the game I was unconcerned about the likelihood of my 2-1 win to us bet coming off and I was just feeling proud that the lads had gone there and stood strong for an excellent point. But the team spirit that is clearly there and which is invaluable prevailed to grant us maximum points. Riena was simply wonderful behind a defence that was solid. Since I'm quick to criticize Skrtel I must acknowledge another tremendous display - perhaps its no coincidence that he's either  better with a better footballer or playing on the right.

Its inspiring to see a team so motivated and it lessons the concern about facing the probable champions next Sunday. Bring those pretenders on.

Every player deserves a mention of their own including Lucas and in particular Adam who on occasion is supposedly guilty of causing a weak midfield, but I'll also have to be honest and say I was unimpressed with Kuyt.

I’m still desperate to see Carroll blend in to the team, I know with a run of games he will start scoring and goals will make a difference. OK, people may argue that the fast movement across the front line will be sacrificed but I’m not sure we’ll maintain that consistently, while I’m confident Carroll will score consistently once he gets his first couple on the trot.

Great performance and I’m particularly pleased for Kenny. He deserved that long journey home to be a pleasant one. Lets hope his thoughts were on Maxi retaining his place.

[rafathegaffa83]

This season has seen some of the more frustrating games in recent memory. We bossed Stoke, Norwich, the Mancs and Swansea, but were unable to pick-up maximum points. This game was a return to the late season form of last year. Like most games this season, we started off brightly and then lost our way around the hour mark. But we managed to get ourselves back into this one and come away with three points. The movement was the key.

Bringing Maxi, a player who doesn't deserve to be exiled to the fringes of the squad, back into the first-team fold worked a treat. I think that enabled the quartet of Kuyt, Maxi, Suarez and Bellamy to harass the flatfooted Chelsea backline with relative ease. Adam and Lucas got forward on occasion when they could, but their defensive solidity was paramount. This was Adam's best game in my opinion in a red shirt. When he broke forward with the ball, he drew fouls like he did against United, but he didn't appear as worn-out or rash in the tackle when having to track back. His pressing started the series of events that brought the first goal. Whereas against Swansea he continually appeared to curl in the same ineffective pass into the keeper's hands, he proved to be more willing to put the ball into useful areas of space, which allowed Johnson room to score his splendid goal.

While nervy at times, the backline stood their ground again. Skrtel and Agger were excellent. As against Swansea, Reina also looked sharp. Kenny now must refrain from the notion of automatically bringing Carragher back into the fold. The current back four should remain untouched on merit. Jordan Henderson also showed some of the fine potential he has to offer in the years to come with his cameo.

There's still work to do, but the fight-back was positive, particularly considering we've struggled to regain composure and a sense of purpose after conceding. We still need to learn to stop conceding needless goals in the second half. We also require more clinical execution in front of goal. We also need to learn to batter the teams we should be beating like the Norwichs and Swanseas of the league, rather than simply being happy with victories over our rivals. This was a confidence building performance from front to back.

[Yorkykopite]

more shockingly biased, negative hyperbole. So sad to see you ruin good threads with tripe like this.

I simply argued a point - and supplied reasons. There was nothing hyperbolic about it. To say I "ruined the thread"? That's hyperbole isn't it? Or do you simply mean I didn't say something you agree with?

[Jay012345]

The only criticism i have is that i think Kenny again reacted a little late to make the change to shore up the midfield. Pressure was building before they scored, and a few of us were screaming for a change to be made. I was surprised Bellamy came off before a knackered looking maxi too. Well in Johnson!

[Mr Dilkington]

As usual, i agree with Yorky's assessment of things.

I think it's time to start leaving Kuyt on the sidelines. I've never been his biggest fan, but there's more competition now and on current form we simply cannot justify his inclusion in the team week in week out. I thought he was the poorest player of ours yesterday, and i'd love to see him upgraded on come January or next summer in the shape of someone like Hulk. A guy who can play wide right like Kuyt, but he's much quicker, offers more of a goal threat and works just as hard. Hey, it doesn't need to be him, but please just sign someone better. Either that or play Downing wide right and Maxi wide left.

On yesterday... i thought we were very good. It was a very calculated and assured performance from almost every player in a red jersey. I was delighted with the Skrtel-Agger partnership yet again, and for me we have to keep with it until they give Kenny reason to change it, thus far they have done nothing but prove it's a partnership we should have seen a lot more of in the past. Skrtel dealt with Drogba expertly, both in the air and when Drogba got it into feet and tried to turn and run down the sides. Drogba always gave Carra the runaround in the past, but yesterday Skrtel showed how it's done. It helps Enrique and Johnson so much too, Skrtel and Agger are able to make the pitch really wide by splitting and allowing Adam and particularly Lucas to drop into the space, which in turn gives the two full backs the license to go even wider than normal and support our two inside forwards, Maxi and Dirk. To me, at times we almost looked like this:

                                                                             Skrtel                                                               Agger

                                     Johnson                                                    Lucas                  Adam                                                               Enrique

Because Johnson and Jose made the pitch so wide, Malouda and Mata were forced to come inside, only to be met either by Lucas and Johnson closing up the smallest of gaps, and Enrique and Agger doing the same on the other side.

The thing that pleased me most yesterday was the manner in which we pressed so high up the pitch. It's a bold move from any team, and even more so when you consider it's away from home against one of the best sides in the League. It was made easier by the fact Bellamy was in in place of Carroll.

Suarez wasn't at his best yesterday, but i couldn't really care less because it's Suarez, we know he's boss, and he worked his arse off.

Lucas was absolutely fantastic, as he always seems to be against Chelsea. I too caught some of those quick little backheeled drags he did to get out of some tight spots, it's something we haven't seen much from him before but he did it more than once yesterday, so i have a feeling we'll see more of it in the future. The thing that struck me most about yesterday was actually not to do with his footballing ability. The foul he picked up his booking for, he was right up in the referee's face roaring and shouting and for me that was the moment i properly realized just how much he's grown up as a player and as a man. He's now a leader, and you cannot underestimate how much that improves an individual player.

Adam was phenomenal. Simply put he was our key man from start to finish. He's passing the ball quicker than he was when he first arrived and he makes some brilliant drives from deep. His ability to drop a shoulder at the last second is impressive for a man of his build. There was a few occasions yesterday when he picked the ball up off the centre backs and moved us 30 yards up the pitch with one run, sometimes going past 2 or 3 players at one time. He was picking the ball up, his passing was crisp and purposeful. His defensive work was brilliant too, not to mention the fact he played a key part in both goals. His best game in a red shirt no doubts.

We just need to crack the code of how to play those smaller teams at Anfield. That shouldn't be a problem for Sunday then eh?

[Pacman.]

Hmm... I missed most of the first half,and what I watched had no similarity to what I'm reading here.

Adam looked out of his depth at times, unable to either control the ball, play the simple pass, or keep possession. It seems to me when things get crowded in the middle he's not a good player to have around. When he's got time and space to look up and pick one, he's a different player. He's better to have in home games or games we can control, because Chelsea just ran through our midfield in the second half yesterday and when we got possession back we couldn't keep it.

Andy Carroll's cameo was too horrible to watch. Something's got to be wrong with this lad, or we've bought the biggest dud ever to cost 35 million. Has he got a first touch? Can he hold the ball up?  If not, what's the point?

Too many areas still too seriously lacking in technique.

The Kuyt criticism is justified to a degree. His control let us down so many times. Really Chelsea should have made us pay because we kept giving and giving all game. I know it's nearly Christmas like, but fuckin hell....

But he's Dirk Kuyt, and we all know what he's about. He's a defender who plays high up the pitch, harries the shit out of opponents, never stops running, with a good ability to link play. With players of dceent technique around him we shouldn't still have to be looking to him for creative inspiration.

This is wher ethe new signing have let me down. With the exception of Henderson, who's not only a kid, but someone who looks like he's got a bit of potential, the rest are mediocre. Downing... is he a game winner?

No. He's not. And for 20M you want someone who can single handedly change a game.

Say what you want about Suarez having an off day, but that one piece of skill when he megged afro boy opened them right up, and he nearly made another earlier in the game.

And that's the difference between top class players and decent ones. The likes of Suarez will play badly and still do something that can change a game. They've got that ability. Downing can play well by his standards and still not have the same impact. When downing suffers a dip in form you've got someone who offers almost nothing.

Enrique and Johnson have both got good technique.

But.. I think we improve as a team if Johnson moves to right midfield and we get a solid right back who can defend and overlap.

Right now I think Johnon's abilities are too top heavy. We need someone who can defend first and foremost and provide support. Not someone who attacks like a winger and defends like one.

Arbeloa and Johnson would be a nice pairing, for example.

[Neil D]

I simply argued a point - and supplied reasons. There was nothing hyperbolic about it. To say I "ruined the thread"? That's hyperbole isn't it? Or do you simply mean I didn't say something you agree with?

No, saying as you did that Kuyt "was absolutely awful" and the rest of the team 'magnificent', was the very definition of hyperbole. Absolutely awful would suggest he had an abysmal game, when in fact in the first 45 he was effective and part of a good team performance and an effective strategy, and in the second half, as I said, he was poor. And not every other player was magnificent -  far from it - as it's already been said by many on here that Suarez had a subdued game by his standards, that Enrique was not as good as he has been previously and some have argued that Johnson's defensive performance was not as impressive as his showing in terms of attacking.

Some of those assessments may be harsh, some overly critical perhaps, but nobody would say Suarez or Enrique were magnificent yesterday -  Suarez turned in a performance for the most part that was similar to Kuyt's, far below his best. Your dismissal of Dirk's end product and remark about penalties only served to further emphasise your inherent dislike of the player, and once again highlight your skewered opinion of him and his contributions. You can never discuss him without resorting to extremes and belittling the good things he does - he didn't have a good game, granted, and there is a convincing case for leaving him out on Sunday at the expense of say Downing, Maxi or Bellamy, but you would think he was at fault for several goals, wasted several clear cut scoring chances, and picked up a rash red card that cost us the game reading your damning assessment. It's unnecessary. Especially coming from a poster who is measured in his take on most players, and often highlights little things others miss, like the impact of an intelligent run, a decisive touch, or a player deciding to take an unusual approach. Yet in this very thread a man as seemingly perceptive as you needed somebody else to point out Dirk's role in our second goal - which I would suggest you deliberately overlooked and failed to mention, then glossed over when it was discussed, to serve your agenda. I think it's transparent, and a shame. 

[sinnermichael]

the lack of credit we've received for our display is laughable, but hardly surprising. all i've heard is how poor chelsea were and how they're in crisis. compare this to when arsenal beat them and were "back" despite defending like a pub team themselves on the day.

[DRice]

i reckon we need to move in for a decent goalscorer in January, accept Carroll is not going to be our main man and go in for Mr Villa

other than that we are decent, give or take a bit of tinkering, johnson is superb at right back because he basically means we dont need a right winger as such and get more men in the middle of the park, will work a treat when gerrard is back (kuyt while we are waiting) with lucas and adam and maxi in there too. Suarez and either a new man up front or one of bellamy/kuyt/carroll depending on whats going on, bellamy first.

to sum up what we saw yesterday was our best team and formation given the options

[MiserableP15]

At least Sabu Pundit offers up something a bit different. Are these threads taking themselves so seriously that his writings are deemed not worthy?

I mean, some great discussion in here but get over yourself.

[CraigDS]

I agree to a certain degree with the criticism of Kuyt. I have been one of his biggest fans since he joined, and still love the guy, but it appears his legs have gone a little as he can't get up and down the pitch like he used to. The amount of times he has left the full back with 2 attackers to defend against, not only in this game, isn't good enough. He also appears to be giving away the ball and more fouls than he ever has, not sure if this is linked to him looking tired or not.

As said, not having a go and he certainly still has something to offer us, but is he good enough to be considered a certain starter - I don't know.

[Pacman.]

Johnson is superb at right back because he basically means we dont need a right winger as such and get more men in the middle of the park

Johnson scored the winning goal,  but Chelsea could have scored a couple of times from crosses that were allowed into the box from the right hand side. He's not good enough defensively to be a superb right back.

[cptrios]

Alright...hopefully my formatting doesn't seem overly pretentious. Feel free to mock me if it is! Also, I'm sure everything's been said before. But I care not!

Things I took from this match:

1. Luis Suarez is a better player than Fernando Torres. I don't think Luis will ever score as many goals as Torres did for us, but I don't care. We already know that he'll never "run through the motions" on the pitch the way Torres did so many times, but this match proved something beyond that along the same lines. It was almost without doubt the worst match I've seen him play in a Red shirt (in fairness I've missed four or five), but I still thought "50-50 chance we'll score here" every single time he touched the ball. And it wasn't just an "I know what he can do" thing, either - it was a "man, look at how terrified the Chelsea defense is, even though he's having an off day" thing.

2. By the end of this season we're all going to love Charlie Adam. He's obviously had a bumpy road settling in, but you can see him acclimating to the team with every passing match. His brain really seems to be kicking in now; far fewer rash tackles, far fewer overly-ambitious passes, and a near Bill-Russell-esque positional awareness. He had Mikel sniffed out from 20 yards away on the first goal, and made a fantastic tackle to set it up. And Johnson's brilliance would never have happened without Adam's perfectly-perfect vision and pass. Adam's never going to be Stevie, but he's sure as hell going to end up worth more than £8m.

3. Suarez-Bellamy-Maxi is our current best attacking combo, but we can't rely on it. It's obvious that we looked much better on the attack yesterday than we did against, well, pretty much all of the teams we've drawn with this season. Suarez and Maxi already have a great understanding, and Suarez and Bellamy are very quickly developing one. It's fantastic to have two players out there who can terrorize with speed and creativity (not to mention brilliant winding-up skills), and pairing them with the still-quite-good Maxi "I have nothing left to prove, and playing on this team is frigging fun" Rodriguez seems to be working better at the moment than doing the same with Downing. I like Downing a lot and I think he'll be a good signing, but he's one of the several players we have who's deep into trying-too-hard territory at the moment, and Maxi's cooler head is often exactly what we need out there. However, both Bellamy and Maxi are past their primes, and that became rather evident in the beginning of the second half. If either of them start a match, it's a near guarantee that one of them will have to be subbed fairly early. And while this is fine for now, it highlights both a need for younger players and a need for Carroll and Henderson to work their way toward consistency. (Man, I wish we could hit the fast-forward button on Raheem Sterling.)

4. Henderson is going to be fine. I (and plenty of others) thought he played great yesterday, and made much more of an impact on the match than he has in most of the games he's started. It was, of course, a clue as to how much better he is in a central role than a right-sided one; but above that I think it showed how excellent he's going to be when he learns to deal with pressure better. The spotlight was very much off of him yesterday, and he thrived. And if Kuyt had done better with his brilliant pass he'd have had an assist to boot.

5. I want Dirk Kuyt to be a part of this club forever...but not as a player. I love Dirk - he's probably my favorite player of my tenure as a supporter (2003 and onward), bar of course Gerrard. But he's "off" a lot more than he's "on" these days, and while I'd rather have yesterday's Dirk on the pitch than the Henderson who played against Swansea, I'm really hoping that we can start relying on him less and less. The day I really want to see is the one on which Carra and Dirk are cheering on from the sideline as coaches. How much better an example could you want for a young player than those two?

6. John Terry sucks. That is all.

7. If we don't make the top 4 this season, we will next year. Things have been incredibly frustrating so far, but anyone who thinks we're in anywhere near as bad a situation as we were this time last year  had better get back on their medication. It was always going to take a while to get this team into shape after such a heavy changeup. I don't care if we lose 5-0 to Man City next week, or if Andy Carroll never scores another goal...we have a potentially excellent team, and it will reach that potential. (OK, I do care if either of those two things happen. But they won't be the end of the world.)

[Carra-ton]

Sabu Pundit is boss, I could read that in one go :O

The match - all the aspects are covered. I think our midfield needs intelligent runners to make it look good. With Downing and Henderson on right, Adam and Lucas look exposed. Also, to the people criticizing Kuyt, what you on about. He was good under pressure, he trapped the ball well on the sidelines and kept it till space opened up. He also dragged the defenders inside, for Johnson's run which allowed him space.
He was all running and constant pressure on the ball when defending. We have missed that, and he is one of those cogs without whom the sum of all parts seem less.
Unless we find a top class right winger, there is no point in replacing Kuyt. We know his weaknesses, and at times they were at the fore, but what he provides is the ability to allow the others to play better. His presence there is important for Lucas and Adam.