[saivet]

Did they even show the RVP chance? One where Courtois makes a good save.

Strangely enough, no.

 

[Dazzmondo]

I think it's worth noting that the switch of wings has probably helped Adnan. When you put him on the other wing, it limits how explosive he can be because he always has to cut back onto his stronger left foot. He also tends to slow things down on that side to try and play through balls through the centre. On the left he doesn't have that problem and can play through balls down the wing, through the centre, or he can run at them and put in a cross/pull the ball back to a player at the edge of the area. Suits him far more, although you could argue that problem is now affecting Angel which is also a problem.

 

[Clas Sified]

Decent first half and as expected a very tactical encounter.

Feel like Janujaz has been bittersweet on the left flank. Posing a lot of problems for chelskis defence but making the wrong decisions a lot of the times. A bit like watching a young Ronaldo actually.

Thought Fellaini is doing a magnificent job in the midfield. Taking up the "Phil Neville" destroyer role and marking fabregas tightly. The big man also showing he can keep possession and lay it off to our attackers.

A bit unfortunate that RVP didn't open the scoring and Mata didn't take a better shot off the freekick from Di Maria. On the other hand, chelski probably should have had a penalty for ivanovic when Rojo wrestled him. Rojo seems to be struggling a bit and making one or two mistakes. Hopefully he stamps that out in the second half.

We really need to get the ball to RVP and try to fashion some chances. Easier said than done in such a tight affair but maybe Di Maria needs to go back on the left wing?

You mean Smalling

 

[Shyftyy]

Anyone watching this on TV2 Sumo in Norway? if so, who the hell is that woman commentating?

 

[Smores]

All four of them are pulling and pushing. It's 6 of 1 half a dozen of the other. You give a penalty for that, you've got to give them for all of them which we know they don't so there is no consistency anyway.

It was 50/50 to start with but then Smalling completely pulls him back. We're lucky the ref didn't see it

 

[bleedred]

Its been all from the left with Januzaj and Shaw. We need to get Di maria more into the game...

I don't think we will score. RVP is nowhere near his best and I doubt he will ever be... He has been really good compared to the previous games, but nowhere near his best...

 

[Adam-Utd]

Mata is looking more determined and stronger than ever. If he showed this type of desire every game he would be a much better player for us. Just needs to work on his shooting again!

 

[SalfordRed1960]

Reckon Chelsea as playing within themselves slightly. If they decide to turn it on, they'll nick it!

Rather than in themselves, they are not being allowed to play at their own pace.

I think they will now target Rafael. I am expecting him to be sent off. He has so much talent, but his constant holding and pulling could lead to Chelsea being a man up. Then again, Matic has to be cautious or it will be tables turned.

 

[Pyroblazer]

Bad omen alert

Spoiler: Bad omen

When Chelsea and united have been 0-0 at halftime(9games).
Chelsea :3 wins
Draws :6
United :0

0 games with LvG, so irrelevant

 

[hirotan69er]

Of course he was. He just didn't have a good match. Claiming a young player is only interested in the big occasions is madness.

I guess he's boosted mentality to win in one week, but I sure hear "He just didn't have a good match" every single time he doesn't perform well.

We'll see how he will contribute to the team in the 2nd half and hope we will win!

 

[secretary bird]

Smalling is our best defender I feel. Is Jones really that much better on the ball than Smalling?. Not for me I'd start Smalling everytime with Rojo. Smalling with Rojo who seems decent enough on the ball would be my first choice. Jones is mental, we all love him but his positioning is not top level and distribution not good enough to compensate for his rashness.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

Anyone else getting annoyed with Neville gushing over Courtois non stop, yet whenever De Gea makes a catch or save he mentions nothing? it's pathetic.

He always seems to hate it when goalkeepers punch, but called it "excellent" when Courtois made a simple punch from a cross.

 

[togg]

It's about LVG against Jose with tactics now....the half time team talks will no doubt be mentioning weaknesses to go for with both teams....it will be interesting

 

[Danny Boi]

Tbf it should have been a penalty.

Penalties for grappling in the box at free kicks and corners are never give.It's the same for everyone.

 

[saivet]

Mata has been surprisingly good defensively.

I know, he also had a feyw occasions where I thought he was going to get brushed off the ball but a nice touch either got him away from his man or he won a FK.

 

[rcoobc]

Great first half.

Courtois Chelsea's best player.

 

[LARulz]

Robbie Savage

It's been a game of few chances so far. It has been a tactical battle and I would probably say Louis van Gaal is edging it, but it has been quite a poor first half, with a few mistakes made by both sides.

"Chelsea will be happy to come away with a point and their unbeaten record intact, but United, at home, can they go and do a bit more in the second half? They are not going to win the league this year but the 75,000 fans here today have had little to shout about, apart from the one chance for Robin van Persie.

Why do people employee this fecking mop?

 

[pseudo_canadian]

Strong first half but we have to keep it up through the second half. Something we haven't done yet all season.

 

[Revan]

I guess he's boosted mentality to win in one week, but I sure hear "He just didn't have a good match" every single time he doesn't perform well.

Because he's 19, FFS. Of course, he have plenty of not good matches. It has nothing to do with him not being interested.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

God, I hate the pundits. They literally make me feel sick. We've been the better team, in my opinion. Our final ball needs to be better, though.

C'mon boys. We can have these!

 

[00ivatsa]

LVG should change Mata for Wilson, Herrera or Pereira and move Di Maria behind the striker/s.

 

[Ødegaard]

Chelsea should have had a penalty, but it's one of those penalties that are close to never given because it's hard for the ref to have good enough control over everything that's happening. (Corner)
But we played very well, and players like Januzaj, RvP & Fellaini did suprisingly well, which is great since we need at least two of those to hit some sort of form and give us better options going forward in the season.

Edit:
And Rafael will get his red, just wait and see.

 

[Shyftyy]

Mata's shot has just landed

 

[Taher Shah]

Mata seems determined to play well , he probably wants to confront Jose and be like " In your face, hugs"

 

[Hed Zitin]

Its been all from the left with Januzaj and Shaw. We need to get Di maria more into the game...

I don't think we will score. RVP is nowhere near his best and I doubt he will ever be... He has been really good compared to the previous games, but nowhere near his best...

Di maria needs to learn to play off of Rafael like the left side is doing. Rafa is making the runs.

 

[kamarumk]

We had the best chances. Di Maria, VP and Mata should have done better. Di Maria especially during the first 5 mins of the game. Was a great pass by Mata.

 

[ha_rooney]

Jose giving Dowd a team talk. cnut.

 

[Mrs Smoker]

Mourinho working Dowd.

 

[Taher Shah]

Mata's shot has just landed

 

[Shane88]

Mourinho having a word with Dowd.

cnut.

 

[The Red Thinker]

Mata seems determined to play well , he probably wants to confront Jose and be like " In your face, hugs"

 

[Duafc]

Mata's shot has just landed

 

[hirotan69er]

Because he's 19, FFS. Of course, he have plenty of not good matches. It has nothing to do with him not being interested.

Alright, I'll just be quiet so I won't upset the majority of people here.

 

[AgentP]

Van Persie's hold up play has been very good

 

[OneUnited24]

God i hope all this early work doesnt come undone after 60min when we usually seem to run out of steam

 

[Trigg]

Need a bit more from Di Maria I feel. Seems a bit lost out wide at the moment.

 

[Dazzmondo]

What? Van Persie has not been poor. It was a solid piece of goal keeping by Thibo.

He should have known Courtois was coming. A player of van Persie's quality is well able to dink that over a keeper if he had been aware the gk was coming. He's been getting in some good positions, but that's not much use if your continually wasting chances. Good hold up also, so maybe in terms of that he's improved, but without the finishing to go with it, I can't say that he's been good.

 

[Leg-End]

Feel like Januzaj and Di Maria should switch sides, think Ivanovic is vulnerable to a quick change of pace/trickey.

 

[patch517]

Bad omen alert

Spoiler: Bad omen

When Chelsea and united have been 0-0 at halftime(9games).
Chelsea :3 wins
Draws :6
United :0

Well, we have broken a lot of records lately...

 

[Mart R]

Rojo and Smalling both incredibly lucky not to concede a penalty. Wow, that's some wrestling moves there.. Also at the Drogba chance - what was Smalling doing? Didn't cover for Rojo and stop Oscar from crossing and also didn't defend the box from runners or nothing. Just stood there until De Gea had saved the defending line's arses once again..
Also I do not understand how people say Januzaj has been the best performer. He doesn't pass the ball, has failed most of his take-ons and looks slow against Ivanovic. I'm baffled. I rate the lad highly - surely a huge talent. But at this time, he reminds me of Nani..
RvP has pleased a lot. You can see it in his first touch, he is getting his form back and I am feckin pleased with that.
Mata.. what can we say. Have respect for him, but he has underperformed so bad this season. Will not cry about it if he's sold in January..

 

[LARulz]

feck off Souness