Author Topic: PL: Chelsea 0 vs 2 Liverpool 50' 53' Mane (Read 35818 times)

TepidT2O · « **on:** September 20, 2020, 01:31:02 pm »

Quote from: duvva on September 18, 2020, 09:14:07 pm

Chelsea v Liverpool FC, Stamford Bridge – Sunday 20th September 2020, 16:30 KO

Referee: Paul Tierney
Assistants: Daniel Cook, Constantine Hatzidakis
Fourth official: Stuart Attwell
VAR: Michael Oliver
Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis

After an absolute cracker of a match last week (for those with stable hearts at least), we’re straight into the first proper test of the season in just our 2nd game.

I can’t lie, I really don’t like Chelsea, for me I think I hate losing to these more than even United (or Everton, not that we have to deal with that too often). There’s just something about them, the way they’ve bought their success and their way into the big time consistently in the last 15-20 years – having not had much of a history or anything particularly redeeming about the club for the previous 100 years.

They really have become a contemporary rival for us – so many important matches in the last 15 years, and despite them having a massive advantage in terms of spending power and who they’ve been able to field in their teams, we’ve held our own and created some momentous occasions and successes at their expense to.

The two Champions League semi-finals in 05 & 07 were almost equally epic, the first just shades it for me – while not being in the ground I’m not sure I’ve ever seen footage from inside Anfield seem so loud, it actually looked like the ground was shaking at full time.
The FA Cup semi-final in 06 was another great result at a time when they were probably the best around – love that Garcia finish.
For those with longer memories and perhaps more relevant to a game at Stamford Bridge we confirmed the first part of the double in 1986 thanks to King Kenny’s early goal against them.

Clearly they’ve had the better of us quite a few times in the league at Stamford Bridge in the last 30 years. I think there was a period where we hadn’t won there for about 14 years until the mighty Bruno Cheyrou scored the winner in a 1-0 victory in January 2004. While we’ve had a few results there since, it’s not somewhere we win at regularly.

However here we are, back on the perch and now it’s their turn to try and knock us off with all their fancy new signings. It’s certainly been a busy summer for them having brought in Ziyech, Werner, Havertz, Thiago (the lesser version), Chilwell & Sarr. This places them under pressure to challenge for the league and to show they can compete with us. They will want to show this on Sunday.

Despite the big spree and clearly signing some top quality talent, for me they’re failed to address two of their key issues – goalkeeper and defence. Kepa has been a massive disappointment for them and I’m genuinely surprised he’s not been replaced. It’s clear that Lampard doesn’t have much faith in him having dropped him for a period last season, only returning him to the team due the alternative being even worse.
Also their defence has rarely been settled since Lampard arrived. They have made some signings in Chilwell & Thiago Silva to address this at least – but will they really make a difference? As far as this weekend is concerned we’re not going to learn anything as Chilwell & Thiago Silva are seemingly injured.
Also out are Ziyech & Pulisic – which is good news given the success he’s had against us last season. They do have the option of starting their new German duo, both of whom could possibly have been lining up for us under slightly different circumstances. No doubt both are excellent young players and could help improve Chelsea as the season progresses, but are they ready for the Champions at this early stage?

On the transfer front things have really taken off today for us with Thiago (the real deal one) signing and it seems Diogo Jota on the verge of joining, however I presume neither will be in the squad for Sunday. Not aware of any additional injuries from last week, but I’d be surprised if Fabinho doesn’t return to the starting line up here. We seemed to gain a great deal more control last week after he came on in the second half. That aside I’m sure some may call for Matip, but I suspect the team will stay the same.

So how will we fair on Sunday? Well after that horrible period between 1989 and 2010 where we only had the one win, we’ve actually won there 5 times in the league in the last 10 years, so it’s not quite the daunting place it once was. In terms of our respective teams and their strengths, we can’t have gone to Stamford bridge with a squad this strong in all that time, and despite them strengthening from last season we are the better team in every area of the pitch.

Having said that, I said pretty much the same in my Leeds preview and that ended up a lot closer than I expected. Hopefully another weeks training with no additional injuries will mean we’re a little tighter defensively and in midfield. If we are and Salah is in similar form there’s only one winner here.

Time to remind everyone who the Champions are and how difficult it’s going to be to prize the title from our hands.

** also as an aside please consider putting yourself forward for one of these previews - you can sign up in the link below - we need plenty starting with Arsenal next week

https://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=346025.0

TepidT2O · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2020, 03:54:51 pm »

TepidT2O · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:29:15 pm »

Hi folks.

I’ve got Martin Tyler on commentary. Forgive any outbursts on my part.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #3 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:31:01 pm »

0 and the reds get us underway.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #4 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:32:54 pm »

2 the reds doing a great job of cutting off passing lanes whilst they have it at the back...

TepidT2O · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:33:59 pm »

3 Werner exploits the gap between TAA and Fabinho..

Fabinho does really well to muscle him off the ball, but there was an ocean of space there.

Rush 82 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:36:32 pm »

Both teams feeling their way into the game

TepidT2O · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:38:02 pm »

7 all rather scrappy at the moment.

A cut back by Mane in the area, but it can’t find anyone.

Rush 82 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:39:11 pm »

Liverpool concentrating on the left for the time being

TepidT2O · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:39:19 pm »

8 corner to the reds after good work by Robbo down the left.

Havertz clears at the near post and Chelsea clear.

Rush 82 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:42:15 pm »

Very cagey, tactical approach from both teams.

Neither team pressing too much

TepidT2O · « **Reply #11 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:42:26 pm »

11 nice play on the edge of the area, by Mane is corpses out before he can shoot.

Mo down in the area. No spurting artery so obviously it’s not a pen (probably wasn’t this time to be fair).

Nicely worked move now and Ginis shot dribbles wide.

Rush 82 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:44:04 pm »

Ooooh! Nearly, nearly

TepidT2O · « **Reply #13 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:44:51 pm »

13

Chance!

A Henderson tackle squirts the ball to the side of the area, Kepa comes out to it and Mo beats him to the ball. Mo cuts it towards goal and it’s cleared just before the line.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #14 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:45:35 pm »

Over to CT to bring us some action

Rush 82 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:47:57 pm »

Chelsea made a foray into our box but it quickly flooded with red shirts and they retreat back to their half

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #16 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:48:20 pm »

16' greetings from my basement where the comms for this match is provided by a dodgy stream with Arabic commentary and fueld with coffe from my TAW "Just Won it" Mug.

Keppa looks about as short as Mo, but actually has arms longer than Evertons T-Rex.

This said, Chelsea have some play in our half, but they are shut down, and but midfield battles for the ball, but we have it back.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #17 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:48:37 pm »

Quote from: Rush 82 on September 20, 2020, 04:47:57 pm

Chelsea made a foray into our box but it quickly flooded with red shirts and they retreat back to their half

Defensive shape when there. They were attracted to the ball rather than keeping shape.

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #18 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:49:04 pm »

18' Naby is running down and pressuring the whole of the Chelsea Back 4.

Rush 82 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:50:05 pm »

Great tackle by Fabinho to stop Werner in his tracks

TepidT2O · « **Reply #20 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:50:40 pm »

Quote from: Rush 82 on September 20, 2020, 04:50:05 pm

Great tackle by Fabinho to stop Werner in his tracks

Even better one to stop Mo!

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #21 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:50:49 pm »

19' Kante has a run in towards our goal, but Fab clears it, and we get a counter and Mo has a chance that is snuffed out from the edge of their box, and then again at our end with Timo.... Fab again clears. End to End Stuff, Frantic.

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #22 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:52:20 pm »

20' Throw in for us on the left side, and it is back to Allison to start our build up again. it must be sad that we look decent doing forward, and our defense seems ok given the last minute change from Joe to Fab.

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #23 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:54:53 pm »

22' Naby continues to harass the Chelsea players. With all the Plastic coverings on the stadium seats it almost feels like a regular match at Standford Bridge.

Chelsea have a small chance and a tame shot, if we can call it that is hit towards Allison who snags it.

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #24 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:56:09 pm »

25' Liverpool Freekick from 35 yards out, Trent stands over it. Lofting and curving in, but knocked away, we get a throw in on the left side. Robbo takes it and is all smiles.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #25 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:56:55 pm »

I tell you what, that free kick there, Kepa just abandoned his near post. A cheeky one down low and he might have struggled....

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #26 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:57:17 pm »

26' Some new lad is warming up on the sidelines.... has a look about him.... Catalan and German Trained....

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #27 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:58:34 pm »

27' Chelsea try probing again but we shut them down. Liverpool look happy to control the game and find weaknesses in the Plastics.

Rush 82 · « **Reply #28 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:59:04 pm »

Frank's masterplan - play a low block and hope to nick one

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #29 on:** September 20, 2020, 05:00:07 pm »

28' Coffee is all gone and I want some goals. Ball is knocked around by Fab and Virg as we look to push once more into Chelsea's half.

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #30 on:** September 20, 2020, 05:01:44 pm »

29' Naby and our stalwart CB's are passing around and then get a pass to Mo, shot, deflected and Chelsea have a go. we are not letting them get too far.

Over to DutchRed

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #31 on:** September 20, 2020, 05:01:58 pm »

What’s Keita playing like? Listening to it on the radio but not heard him mentioned much.

DutchRed · « **Reply #32 on:** September 20, 2020, 05:02:54 pm »

32 Cracking ball by Alonso, but the resulting cross is blocked. Chelsea have the ball and get the game's first good chance. Werner gets a lucky break and his effort is just wide

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #33 on:** September 20, 2020, 05:03:04 pm »

Quote from: jillc on September 20, 2020, 05:01:58 pm

What’s Keita playing like? Listening to it on the radio but not heard him mentioned much.

Pressing like hell.

TepidT2O · « **Reply #34 on:** September 20, 2020, 05:03:12 pm »

Quote from: jillc on September 20, 2020, 05:01:58 pm

What’s Keita playing like? Listening to it on the radio but not heard him mentioned much.

Good off the ball, blocking lots of passing lines

Hardly anything on the ball though.

No swivel of the hips to go past someone

DutchRed · « **Reply #35 on:** September 20, 2020, 05:05:04 pm »

35 Trent finds Salah in the box. Salah's cross is too hard for Firmino and it's out for a throw

Crimson_Tank · « **Reply #36 on:** September 20, 2020, 05:05:18 pm »

Quote from: Tepid T₂O on September 20, 2020, 05:03:12 pm

No swivel of the hips to go past someone

jillcwhomever · « **Reply #37 on:** September 20, 2020, 05:06:17 pm »

As usual, the radio guys missing it all. Thanks lads. 😀

DutchRed · « **Reply #38 on:** September 20, 2020, 05:06:54 pm »

36 Hendo with a first time cross to Robertson but the Scotsman can't make proper contact with the ball.. that was better from Liverpool

TepidT2O · « **Reply #39 on:** September 20, 2020, 05:08:11 pm »

Quote from: jillc on September 20, 2020, 05:06:17 pm

As usual, the radio guys missing it all. Thanks lads. 😀

As always, it’s difficult to describe the work off the ball on radio to be fair