Ah well. You cant win them all - anymore.
I thought the team selection was pretty good. But that all depended on Gerrard being in and around Suarez. Which unfortunately he wasnt. Whether that was because he'd been told not to be, or whether it was because Henderson and Spearing were not getting the ball to him I dont know. But he reverted into his role of playing deeper and having a "comfortable" SG outing. Either way, as much as we can slag the CM youngsters off - I expected a bit more from our captain. And yes, I am fully aware of what he has done for this club.
I also dont think the rest of the team helped either Henderson or Spearing out. The first 60 minutes I dont think either of our wide midfielders had a clue. Downing was, well,... Downing. He looked like he doesnt believe in himself, and his partnership with Enrique is horrible to watch. Neither has any idea what they should be doing with each other.
The same with Bellamy and Johnson. I dont think either of them had a clue. It looked like both our left side and our rigt had either never played together before, or just played ineptly.
I suppose people will say that Henderson and Spearing should have created a platform for them, but its a pretty circular argument. Especially when its known they are two of our most inexperience players. A big ask for them to control an experienced Chelsea midfield and it proved to be an ask too much I think.
Suarez was left alone and that pretty much nullifies him really. But what he did do wasnt really that good to be honest. great cross for Andy's "2nd" though.
Pepe could have done better for both goals I thought.
Jay has to take a large amount of blame for both goals IMO. The first was obvious. The second dive in that allowed fatboy to turn him was basic. poor stuff. There's pressing a player, and theres selling yourself. Jay put a big sign on saying for sale.
I thought Agger was our best midfielder in the first half. And our best defender. Skrtel was also excellent. There was one bit where he just ploughed right through Drogba to get a header in. Was fuckin immense. Thought he could of done a bit more for the second maybe. But if Drogba doesnt scuff his shot he blocks that.
Andy came on and created havoc. Good finish for the first. Should have buried the second and we'd all not be having a big debate. But gotta say it was a great sigle handed save from that twat.
Overall I thought we deserved to win. The 60 minutes were we were shit, so were Chelsea. They created nothing that we didnt gift them. And apart from counter attacking, which they did quite well up until the edge of the box, then they contributed nothing to the "spectacle". The only thing they did well was to not let us get back into the game. Controlled it but offered nothing. Take out Jays 2 fuckups and theyre as bad if not worse than us.
Taking the above into account the final 30 swung it our way for me. Very unlucky. I've no doubt that come extra time we win that easily. They were hangin on by their arses at the end. Good to see Torres not even get on.
Gutted for Kenny. But I think he needed to sort SG/JH/JS out earlier on.
I hope we batter them on Tuesday. And I actually mean batter them. Physically. Ashley Cole needs to be injured. I can see Torres starting - and he needs doing as well.