lalaboi: All the pre-match hype about them being our boogey team based on thier exploits against us last season.
The media had successfully made Sunderland have belief that they could topple chelsea. It was more like they wanted chelsea defeated.

It all worked well for sunderland.

If Sotton Vs Citeh Ends in a draw today, then its not that bad. If sotton actually beat Citeh, then its even better!

Them bin wan carry set-piece undo us, but we bam. Plus Seb Larsson was too overworked to put decent balls in.

Whatever the outcome of dem Soton - Citeh game, nothing do us. At the very least, we'd still be 4 or 6 points clear of whoever. . .

nitlad:
Our transition was too slow to worry them. We just didn't move the ball quickly enough to cause then any significant bother.

We prolly thought they would crack, make a mistake or switch of or get tired at some point and then capitalise. It didn't happen.

I cannot complain though, it was a match we could very easily have lost to a set-piece.

Big ups to Sunderland. They were up for it and unflinching from the blast of the whistle. I hail them. Salute.

Exactly. I do not see many people giving Sunderland big ups. They were really up for it.

One criticsm I have for the way we played was very much highlighted by Ruud Gullit on Sky Sports.
We had Hazard and Willian tucked in the middle throughout the game; so much that it enabled Sunderland to have six players on the back line every time we attacked.

If JM instructed Hazard and Willian to stay out wide for a 15-minute spell, with Azpi and Ivanovic overlapping, it would have drawn their defenders out wide and could have broken their concentration.

nateevs: Exactly. I do not see many people giving Sunderland big ups. They were really up for it.

One criticsm I have for the way we played was very much highlighted by Ruud Gullit on Sky Sports.
We had Hazard and Willian tucked in the middle throughout the game; so much that it enabled Sunderland to have six players on the back line every time we attacked.

If JM instructed Hazard and Willian to stay out wide for a 15 mins spell, which Azpi and Ivanovic overlapped, it would have drawn their defenders out wide and could have broken their concentration.

JM: Defending a lot and well is not a crime, it is a quality - and they did it well.

It's no news that our 'wingers' look to come in-field (comfort zone for Sunderland's set-up) at every oppurtunity. The only ninja that hugs the line a tad more - Schürrle - came on late.

Having said that, I think we just generally had an off day!

Games like thís, Felipe Luis should be brought on at left back to use the width, while Schurrle should be brought on to hug the right wing.

When chelsea park the bus they get criticize,but when other teams park the bus against chelsea they appreciation.Double~Standard.

nitlad:
Our transition was too slow to worry them. We just didn't move the ball quickly enough to cause them any significant bother.

We prolly thought they would crack, make a mistake or switch of or get tired at some point and then capitalise. It didn't happen.

I cannot complain though, it was a match we could very easily have lost to a set-piece.

Big ups to Sunderland. They were up for it and unflinching from the blast of the whistle. I hail them. Salute.

.

Our transition was quite slow.

What I saw yesterday was a Sunderland team that were set up to remain as compact as ever and to force our play wide.

When it turned out we've been forced out wide, we never had at our disposal the necessary width to push for a goal.

I guess the only time our full-back was spotted in their box was when Ivanovic delivered a low drive that got saved.

The triumvirate of Hazard, Oscar and Willian were all going direct yesterday, that unwittingly played into the hands of Poyet's tactics who had the middle of the park congested and a leg-breaker like Cattermole standing right in front of his team's back-line to break up play.

I'm moved to ask, why would Jose trot out same players who've been involved in our last two games?

That's roughly three games in seven days for those lads, it doesn't make for good reading.

We stay unbeaten still. Costa misses spuds game, I hope that doesn't weigh us down in anyway.

What are your suggested line-ups for the game against Tottenham.

Chances are Jose will still start Hazard despite his current form. I have seen Remy play wide, and it is just not his position.

Willian should also take his time to cool off, and Schurrle should be given a chance to start, it could help improve his form.

My suggested line-up.

-------------REMY

HAZARD/SALAH-OSCAR-SCHURRLE

------MIKEL/MATIC--CESC

LUIS--CAHILL--ZOUMA--IVANOVIC-

------------COURTOIS-------------

Those nice intricate passes did not work or perhaps, them boys did not try hard enough. Any-which-way, a point ,yes I will take it.

Damn!

Yaya Toure strikes!

Reddddd!

I keep getting justified.

Mangala is a technically inept brute who shouldn't be allowed near a football pitch.

Some of these hot nite clubs are running out of decent bouncers, Eliaquim fits in nicely.

Damn! Southampton were naive.

Typical Lampard goal.

Dude keeps lifting Citeh.

Why the fück did Koeman bring on Yoshida and push Aldeweireld into the midfield? Suicide tactics.

Lampard finishes the game off with a typical strike

No worries, we play them at the Bridge end of January when Yaya will be at Afcon,

Nateevs, I'm not saying I told you so..,

But I did tell you so.

Koeman should have asked them to be patient. They kept a good defensive shape for over 60mins. They only needed to be patient and they would have picked holes in between Demichelis and Kompany.

Nihilist:
Nateevs, I'm not saying I told you so..,

But I did tell you so.

I didn't see you coming out to say that for 75mins.

nateevs:


I didn't see you coming out to say that for 75mins.

No need to. I called it over 2 weeks ago.

So'ton's party is over. That's just brutal reality

Nihilist:


No need to. I called it over 2 weeks ago.

So'ton's party is over. That's just brutal reality

Dude, i gotta agree with you.
So'ton's defence scam was in full display today, and in terms of attack, they lack the needed ruthlessness. We would easily beat these guys with the team we fielded yesterday.

Funny that Chelsea actually let lampard go

Their performance today woulda shown they were ready for top 4 challenge, but from what i saw today, these guys are gonna be pushed out of top 4 sooner than i thought.

barackohandso:
Funny that Chelsea actually let lampard go

Because he scored a goal?!

Ibime:
No worries, we play them at the Bridge end of January when Yaya will be at Afcon,

They beat bayern without yaya

Noah13:
Because he scored a goal?!

Well yeah. A goal that sealed victory

barackohandso:


Well yeah. A goal that sealed victory

So is Chelsea regretting his departure?!

Mangala ought to be an agbero in my area. Nigga doesn't tackle using his head.

Noah13:
So is Chelsea regretting his departure?!

A little, given that he denied Chelsea 3 points

Well, time will tell though

That Mangala is a scam though...

Has there ever been a big brute who was also an intelligent defender?

Someone with say Ferdinand's brain and Mangala's physique?

Nihilist:
That Mangala is a scam though...

Has there ever been a big brute who was also an intelligent defender?

Someone with say Ferdinand's brain and Mangala's physique?

Ledley King, definitely

Jaap Stam and Sol Campbell were also intelligent defensively although without finesse on the ball.

barackohandso:


A little, given that he denied Chelsea 3 points

Well, time will tell though

Good point.
But it didn't stop Chelsea from getting to the top of the table and also getting a six point gap from his team. So till then. Peace!