This.
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This.
That's not really true. We created some very clear chances (2 for RVP, one for Di Maria) with slick passing in the first. We easily had more than them in both halfs too tbf.
2nd half we were crap and uninspired, I agree.
We're definitely better than last season. But is it good enough? We're losing steam in the second half of matches, something's got to be wrong with our fitness. This game will do well for our confidence.
Chelsea paid us too much respect in the first half. A slight shift in gear and they scored but they couldn't keep the momentum up because this United team doesn't capitulate. I'm sure Mourinho would have been surprised by our fight and spirit after they scored. Good stuff, optimistic for the season.
I believe he setup the team perfectly with what he had at his disposal and his tactics were for the most part spot on. Be interesting to see how he approaches the next game, because I still think Mou played for a draw. LvG can't expect City do that next week.
Am I the only one that thought we were dire in the second half? Chelsea were crusing, and we couldn't get close to their goal.
The first half was very very good though.
The first half was very very good though.
That's two games on the bounce that we have finished on a high, so they are improving.
loved his post match interview and comments re De GeaThe football has picked up, it's a bit quicker but the defensive organisation isn't there, but the late goals we've picked up in the last two games show the belief is slowly coming back, but it'll be hard because Moyes sucked it dry.
Still though, I look at the table and the likelyhood is we're going to be in the bottom half after next weekend.
After 10 games to likely be in that position is a massive worry. Southampton and West Ham made as many changes but Big Sam and Koeman see their sides sitting in the top 4.
Still though, I look at the table and the likelyhood is we're going to be in the bottom half after next weekend.
After 10 games to likely be in that position is a massive worry. Southampton and West Ham made as many changes but Big Sam and Koeman see their sides sitting in the top 4.
I have a lot of faith in what he's trying to do. Will it be successful? who knows. It sure beats Moyes unique brand of drudgery though.
Not dire, but not good. That said, I don't think there's a manager in the world better than shutting out games than Mourinho.
Hmmm.
I'm pretty sure I saw Fellaini picking him up for an earlier corner, with Rojo-Smalling marking Terry-Cahill. On another set piece, it was clearly Smalling on Ivanovic (the penalty appeal).
I think Rafael was the front post guy and didn't move quick enough. There was definitely something unsettled about the defending from that corner, I don't think it means Rafael was man-marking Drogba from all set-pieces. RvP also messed up badly for that goal, if he hadn't been 'protecting' that area, DDG would have been there to make an easy save.
Also, I just realised, if Smalling, Rojo and Fellaini are taking on 3 of their 5 big players, what does that leave you against Matic and Drogba? IMO depite his size I would pick Rafael. He's fesity, good leap, and can compete well usually. Rvp for the last I guess.
I thought that too. It just seemed way too easy for Chelsea to see it out.
Chelsea shut up shopThat second half was horrible in all honesty. It was Moyes-esque football.
Great last minute though
Glad it wasn't just me seeing that. Chelsea were cruising.
Tbf to him, they were playing it out as close to perfection as you could get. They just got done on a last minute set piece.
Yep, and we didn't seem to have any answer to it.
That was what, second game of the season? We were still a SAF team.
We scored in the last minute, I think
Also Di Maria was shyte, Mata also, Rooney missing, Falcao missing. It's a good result given the circumstances.
We did well tactically. Chelsea didn't walk through our midfield like I expected and I'll settle for that right now.
Yeah, but thats what I'm saying. Apart from set pieces, we didnt look like we were getting anywhere near the Chelsea goal in the second half. Thats got to be a worry?
Played well first first but we were poor in the second half, really thought LVG should've changed things around a bit more, ideally put Herrera on. Seems to be a theme for this this season, play well for one half and play shit in the second, needs to fix it. LVG's subs don't really make sense to me.
Really, are we talking about the same games here?
We could have and maybe should have won today, not only that but our passing was very good as was our teamwork and work rate. The only thing missing was our inability to finish, that seems to be biggest issue at the moment, even more so than our defensive problems. Many on here thought Chelsea were going to give us a footballing lesson when in fact we fought them punch for punch.
That's not a worry at all IMO. I'd be more worried if this was our best possible performance. It wasn't. There's loads of scope for improvement, which makes me really confident going into the future.
We had a bunch of chances in open play mate, watch the highlights again. Di Maria at the beginning of the game, RVP one on on with Thibaut, second half again. It didn't help that Chelsea were super compact, Mata was his invisible self and di maria had an off day.
Agreed. Was a vastly inexperienced bench.
Mental. One of those posts where I sometimes suspect you're looking to be controversial, and I don't mean that as a swipe.
Considering the Chelsea side we faced and the form they're in, and considering our injuries it was a massive performance. Over the whole game we were completely equal to them.
Moyes' United would've been destroyed by this Chelsea side, it was a massive improvement from our performances against the top 4 last season, and this Chelsea are far more dominant and impressive than any team we faced in the PL last season.
LVG has a man crush on DDG 
Most of our chances came in the first half.
Agree with this. The other thing to point out is that it's quite clear Chelsea are the best side in the league this season. Last season the best teams were City and Liverpool, now what was the result and performance like in the home fixture against those sides...
To an extent but Chelsea pretty much went into Mourinho mode after they scored so it's not a huge worry yet. I did think we needed a bit of luck to score against them though.
Yea, there's no way he's going to be dropped for Valdes (assuming he signs) I think.LVG has a man crush on DDG
I think its negative people (Who will only see the 25 minute period where chelsea went complete shut down mode and we dint create) vs The possitive people(who will ignore the 25 min period and think,we could have won that if luck was in our favour.)
Not a lot of teams break down Mourinho's bus parking abilities when chasing a game.
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