What we learned: Chelsea vs Southampton Chelsea recovered from an insanely early goal by Southampton to win 3-1. The error from Essien, making his first BPL start since May 2012 gifted an opportunity to Jay Rodriguez that put the Saints ahead as early as 13 seconds. Like I said earlier, Insanely early. But a very strong 2nd half showing by Chelsea granted us a very well deserved victory. Southampton a team that boasted the best defense in the league got 3 put passed them, a massive achievement for the team and there could have been more really. The spirits went quite high before the kick off with Juan Mata finally starting a game as he was one of the four changes to the side with Torres, Hazard and Essien also back in the starting lineup. After going a goal down the team didn’t panic or lose focus and in the 2nd Half the team really came out to win it. Jose after the match said: “We knew that in the second half we could change things and I think the second-half performance was very good. We showed emotion and heart, and quality too.” “I think we gave Southampton something in the second half they were not expecting and they couldn’t cope with it.” When asked what his half-time team talk, Mourinho said: “I told them it’s easy to play when you’re winning, but now we have to show character. “But we knew what to do. Mata was like a fake winger, playing inside all the time – and that gave them problems. Ramires and Lampard pressed them high, and it was a deserved result.” Ramires was once again fantastic: Ramires was clearly the MOTM today, the way he carried the team forward in the 2nd half was vital for changing the game in favor of Chelsea. Tight defense following the gift goal: Chelsea conceded really early but after that the defense didn’t allow even a single shot on target to Southampton this after the Saints tried to take the game to Chelsea but a rock solid defense did the job today, as both of our Center backs scored today. Captain John Terry celebrated his 400th BPL appearance in a fine way. After the match Terry said: “It’s very significant for me. It’s a huge achievement to maintain it at a top club like I have,” “I’m very proud of that. I’m thankful for the fans as well for sticking by me and the club as well. Hopefully there’s many more to come this season and maybe next.” Torres threatens on the pitch: Torres does seem like scoring when he is on the pitch. Even today he pulled out one fantastic save from Boruc with a fine header. Just needs to get his finishing right as everything else has fallen in place for the Chelsea no.9. Work to do for Bison: Essien has lacked first team football and it clearly showed today. Gifted a goal and then got booked, apart from that he was okay. It was his rustiness more than anything else as we call know the class he possesses. A few more games and he might be ready as for now clearly there is work to do. Speaking about his performance today Jose said: “Everybody makes a mistake,” “Strikers they miss goals, goalkeepers they make mistakes, midfield players, they lose balls, especially when they try to play. And he tried to play. It was a back pass and they scored the goal.” “He had a very normal performance. He played a part in the stability the team had in the first half, but one yellow card for 45 minutes is a long time.” “I had to take one off and it was a very normal decision. Essien is Essien, he’s my man, he’s a Chelsea man and no problem, because other guys they make mistakes.” 2nd and very much In the title race: Chelsea are now 4 points behind Arsenal and 2 points ahead of City. With Liverpool 4th after losing today to Hull the league table is starting to take shape. Chelsea are very much in the mix unlike last few seasons. With matches between Arsenal and City and Chelsea coming up this month we will very much come to know the contenders and the pretenders. United languishing at the 8th spot 9 points behind Arsenal and 5 behind Chelsea is a very pretty sight i must admit! But Jose played down the title talks as for now. he said. “They must feel the responsibility to play for Chelsea,” “Feeling that Chelsea cannot be in December – like it happened in a few seasons – completely out of the title race.” “I can’t establish targets. I can’t say ‘now I want to win five consecutive matches, now I want to be top of the league.” “One of the things these boys have to learn is to cope with the responsibility of being there. We cannot be 15 points behind by December, we have to be there.” -Farabi
Posted on: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 05:53:44 +0000